James and Carpenter score twice as Chelsea beat Tottenham 6-2 in WSL

Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 6-2 at Stamford Bridge on 18 October, turning a level Women's Super League match into a four-goal win with two goals each from Lauren James and Ellie Carpenter. The result was Chelsea's fifth consecutive league victory, according to WSL Full-Time.

James put Chelsea ahead in the 24th minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Tottenham equalised in the 41st minute when Matilda Vinberg headed in Julie Blakstad's ball towards the far post. It was Vinberg's first goal of the season, WSL Full-Time reported.

How Chelsea pulled clear after half-time

Before the hour mark, Alyssa Thompson broke forward and set up Carpenter to restore Chelsea's lead. Four minutes later, James collected a pass from Lucy Bronze and drove towards the penalty area before curling in Chelsea's third. The quick succession of goals gave Sonia Bompastor's side control after Tottenham had stayed with them through the first half.

Substitute Sjoeke Nüsken scored Chelsea's fourth after a pass from Keira Walsh, and fellow substitute Maika Hamano added a fifth with a shot from outside the box. Signe Gaupset then pulled a goal back for Tottenham, before Carpenter scored again in added time from Walsh's assist to complete the 6-2 result.

Tottenham's run against leading WSL sides

The Guardian reported that Tottenham had gone 20 WSL matches against the league's big four without a win before this game, drawing four and losing 16. Vinberg's equaliser briefly offered a chance to change that record, but Chelsea's second-half scoring extended the run. WSL Full-Time recorded an attendance of 7,814 at Stamford Bridge.

Both sides return to league action next weekend, WSL Full-Time reported. Tottenham are due to host Arsenal in the North London derby on Saturday, while Chelsea are scheduled to visit Crystal Palace on Sunday.