Chelsea shook off an early Spurs ‘ghost goal’ which may not have crossed the line to eventually hammer their London rivals 5-2, including a stunner from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
The Blues had led 1-0 at Kingsmeadow through Maika Hamano’s early strike until Amanda Nilsen’s cross was spilled by Hannah Hampton and judged by the assistant referee to have crossed her own goal line before she palmed it out.
The goalkeeper was left furious and was booked for her protestations, with former Chelsea men’s goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer later saying it was “physically impossible” for the official to be certain it had gone in.
More repercussions may have followed had the Blues not restored their lead moments before the break, when in a twist of fate Nilsen nodded Guro Reiten’s corner in at her own near post.
Beyond the controversy, Spurs impressed for much of the game but could do little to stop Kaneryd giving the hosts a cushion when she rifled in a stunning volley for their third with 20 minutes to go.
From there, things soon collapsed as Clare Hunt was penalised for a handball and despite Reiten’s penalty striking the upright, Sandy Baltimore was given a free run to take several touches before rifling home a fourth.
An Eveliina Summanen free-kick made the scoreline appear more respectable for Spurs until Kaneryd got in on the action again late on, cutting back from the byline after a solo run to beat Rebecca Spencer and seal a comprehensive victory.
Bompastor: Why don’t we have same help as in men’s game?
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Spurs’ Amanda Nilden hits the underside of the Chelsea crossbar, which was deemed to have crossed the line
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor, speaking to Sky Sports:
“In this type of situation we just need to help the referee. From where I was watching it was really difficult for me to say if the ball was in or out.
“I just feel like if the technology is on and available for the men’s game, why don’t we have the same?
“If we want to look professional, we have to have the same thing as the men’s game.”
In pictures: Spurs’ ‘ghost-goal’ equaliser
After Hannah Hampton spilled the ball it bounced down right on the goal line…
Before the goalkeeper ran backwards into her own goal to palm it away. But did she keep the ball out?
Schwarzer: No way assistant could be certain for Nilsen goal
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Mark Schwarzer says the assistant referee wasn’t in a position to see if the ball had crossed the line in Spurs’ equaliser against Chelsea
Former Chelsea men’s goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer on Sky Sports Football:
“We’ve seen the replay of the equaliser on a number of occasions – Hampton makes a step to her right slightly as Nilden makes the cross.
“One thing I could say is she parries it down, and the ball is moving back towards goal.
“The linesman isn’t on the line, so it’s a really interesting call to make.
“He obviously thinks he sees it go over, but from the angle he’s at I don’t think that’s physically possible.”
What’s next?
A number of international stars from both sides will now depart to join up with their respective national teams during the break, before they return to WSL action on November 3.
Tottenham will host West Ham in their next fixture, while Chelsea face Everton away from home.
