Manchester City won the WSL title impressively last season but externally, there was an expectation Chelsea would bounce back.
Bompastor was more cautious, insisting they were still transitioning after the departures of big-name players including Sam Kerr, Millie Bright and Guro Reiten.
She said: “You need to consider the fact that Chelsea had the same coach for 12 years. It takes a while for players to adjust to a new coach, a new way of playing and a philosophy.
“Even if you have really good players, it doesn’t just go like this. There are a lot of things we are doing behind the scenes for us to stay successful.
“I was lucky enough to come in when [Hayes] left the team in a really good place. But last season we had a year where a lot of important players left.”
But captain Erin Cuthbert said she was “not really” surprised at how good their level has been so far.
“We had a good time to build in pre-season and a good trip away. The quality was always there, we just weren’t clicking,” she added.
“Manchester City ran away with the league in the end, but we were there or thereabouts. I feel this time the team’s just gone up another level.”
As well as adapting more to Bompastor’s ways, and adding defensive solidity to a creative frontline, work has gone into improving the club’s culture.
Cuthbert said before Wednesday’s win there was “really good momentum and a good feeling” in the squad – so can they kick on now?
“For me, the mental aspects and cultural aspects are just as important,” admitted Bompastor.
“We probably needed to rebuild a little bit of that going into this new season. We reflected a lot on how we wanted to set up the process for that.
“Right now, we are in a good place. When you are able to get good results, it’s not only about the tactical aspects. It also has to be about mentality, culture and values.
“I think we have clarity on where we want to go as a team and how we want to get there, and that’s just as important.”
Arsenal joined Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after a 2-0 victory over Everton in torrential rain at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, capitalising on City’s first defeat of the season earlier in the day.
City had left the door open when they fell to a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, where Nicolas Jackson struck twice to end the visitors’ perfect start to the league campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur stunned fourth-placed Chelsea 2-0 in only their second league victory at Stamford Bridge in 36 years, while Fulham beat Coventry City 1-0 for their second league victory of the season.
With the leaders beaten in Birmingham, Arsenal seized their chance to erase the three-point gap as goals from Ezri Konsa and Gabriel secured a comfortable win over Everton in soaking north London conditions.
The result moved Mikel Arteta’s side level on 21 points with City in what is already shaping up to be a closely fought title race after eight games, but one played under a cloud amid City’s off-field financial case.
Arsenal made their strong start count when Martin Odegaard’s corner caused chaos in the Everton box.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kept out the initial danger after the ball was flicked on at the near post but, with Everton unable to clear, Konsa bundled home his first goal for the club from a yard out in the seventh minute.
The set-piece goal was Arsenal’s first since May, ending a run of 13 games across all competitions without one.
“I’ve come to this stadium for many seasons; I know how tough it is to play against us,” Konsa said. “It’s not surprising to me.
“We are champions and to be champions you’ve got to win games consistently. This is our home, and we want to win as many games here as possible.”
Arsenal’s two milestone men combined to give the Gunners a two-goal cushion in the 68th minute, with Ben White marking his 200th appearance for the club by clipping a cross to the far post, where Gabriel headed home on his 200th Premier League appearance.
Everton are ninth in the table.
Jackson braces downs City
At Villa Park, Unai Emery’s team climbed to sixth on 11 points with their first home league victory this season and third successive league win over City, who are playing under the shadow of an independent commission’s findings that they committed 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules.
City have always denied any wrongdoing, and have appealed.
Jackson took advantage of two City blunders, opening the scoring in the sixth minute when defender Marc Guehi’s heavy touch allowed Villa captain John McGinn to pounce and feed the striker, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Erling Haaland equalised soon after the break when he headed home Iliman Ndiaye’s clipped cross from a free kick.
But Jackson struck the winner on the hour when Ibrahim Mbaye surged down the right before cutting the ball back for his Senegal international teammate, whose shot sneaked under the diving body of keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“It was incredible; we got the win, which is the most important thing. Man City are a strong team, the league leaders,” Jackson told TNT Sports. “It’s just the beginning; we’re trying to work game by game.”
Jackson in action with Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov [Tony O’Brien/Reuters]
Tottenham get rare win at Stamford Bridge
At Stamford Bridge, Spurs got on the scoresheet in the 77th minute when Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders punched a corner into his own net in his first league start.
Chelsea were reduced to 10 men when Cole Palmer was shown a second yellow card in the 80th minute for a late challenge on Conor Gallagher.
Mathys Tel sealed the victory for Spurs in the 87th when he gained possession inside his own half before embarking on a surging run down the left, gliding past two defenders and firing a low shot from outside the box into the bottom corner.
“It’s very special, because we came here a lot of times and didn’t get a win,” said Tel. “And today, we made it together, all together, we showed great mentality, and I’m very happy about it.”
Spurs climbed to 12th with the win.
At Coventry, Fulham appeared ready to substitute Oscar Bobb before the winger produced a moment of quality in the 80th minute, driving into the box and curling a superb finish into the far corner.
Fulham are 13th in the table, while Coventry are 19th.
IF you love the countryside but prefer something glam over actually getting mucky, this one’s for you.
Silchester Farm in Hampshire delivers all the charm of a country escape without you ever having to ruin your shoes.
Silchester Farm in Hampshire is a stylish country stay which appeared on Made in ChelseaCredit: Silchester Farm
This rustic retreat was even featured on Made in Chelsea, which tells you something about who you’ll be rubbing shoulders with here.
From where to eat to local history, here’s everything you need to know about staying at Silchester Farm in Hampshire.
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Where is Silchester Farm?
This stay is in Silchester, a small village close to Basingstoke in Hampshire. The farm is less than an hour’s train journey away from London.
If travelling by car, the farm is well-signposted through a series of pleasant country lanes, crossing over wooden bridges and past old-fashioned country pubs and pretty churches.
A popular wedding venue, Silchester Farm is a stylish rural retreat set among fields of quietly grazing sheep and calm countryside.
The site centres around a series of manicured flower and vegetable patches, vine-draped arbours and an outdoor barn kitchen.
What are the rooms like?
The Pyggies have cosy, curved wooden ceilings, giant plush beds and their own kitchenettesCredit: Jenna Stevens
Framing the outskirts of the vegetable patches you’ll find the Pyggies, nine giant, self-contained pig arks.
There’s room on the steps outside to drop off your wellies and brolly from your day at the farm. Once you open the door, you’re met with cosy warm orange lighting, a relaxing wood scent, and a giant bed you’ll immediately want to jump on.
The Pyggies are equipped with kitchenettes, which have lovely touches like glass-bottled milk in the fridge, posh teabags as well as matching cup and saucer sets.
In our Pyggy, Rosemary, a large telly sat above a cosy wood burner, opposite a large sofa to sink into. The bed was piled up with cosy throws, and behind a wooden screen was a roomy bathtub complete with the Silchester Farm’s own soaps and body creams.
A spacious rainfall shower, cosy curved ceiling and giant glass doors letting the sunlight pour through were the cherry on top of this chic countryside accommodation.
Rooms start from £252 per night for two, with great rates on last-minute bookings in particular. See SilchesterFarm.co.uk.
What is there to eat and drink?
If you book in for The Sunday Club you can enjoy a hearty roast during your stay from £22Credit: Jenna Stevens
The Trough Farm Shop on-site is a great spot for brunch, with coffee, sausage rolls, cakes and pastries available, with indoor and outdoor seating.
As for dinner, you’re best off booking in at a nearby pub, as the restaurant here is usually reserved for wedding guests.
The Plough Inn is a pretty, restored 18th century pub serving food and local ales, while The Calvella Arms does a spectacular sticky toffee pudding.
There are, however, food events you can book yourself onto at the farm. The Sunday Club offers fantastic roasts with giant yorkies (from £22) while the Harvest Feast sees the outdoor kitchen come alive with seasonal produce served by a roaring fire. Check dates here.
What else is there?
Silchester is a Roman village, and is a short walk from well-preserved, third century walls as well as amphitheatre ruins. Reception will happily direct you on the walking route.
While there’s no gym at a rustic retreat like this, there are bicycles available to hire, as well as a tennis court facing the pristine country gardens.
Is it family friendly?
Each of the Pyggies sleep up to two people, equipped with king-sized beds fit for two adults.
Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says he will be back “in a few weeks” after breaking his jaw in the 2-0 Premier League win at Everton on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Argentina international and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite clashed heads in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Martinez needed treatment for eight minutes before leaving the pitch on a stretcher. He was taken to hospital, where Chelsea said he had “successful” surgery.
Chelsea recorded their first Premier League clean sheet for nine months, since a 2-0 win against Brentford in January.
Although Alonso said he was “not obsessed” with keeping a clean sheet, his side, who had conceded a league-high 13 goals before kick-off, were keen to address that record after a much-improved 5-1 win over Bournemouth following the international break.
There had also been discussion about Chelsea being a “soft” team, particularly away from home in the north of England, having lost 19 of their previous 41 matches north of Luton over the past four years.
Last season, Chelsea lost 3-0 at Everton during Liam Rosenior’s five-match winless run, a sequence that ultimately cost him his job. The Blues had also won just one of their past nine matches at the Toffees.
This time, however, Everton managed just six shots, their fewest in a Premier League game since recording five against Arsenal last December.
Chelsea also conceded only one clear-cut opportunity and allowed their lowest expected goals against (xG) figure against top-flight opposition this season at 0.45.
They started with a back three of Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill, while goalscorer Neto and Jorrel Hato, who provided the assist, operated as wing-backs.
The midfield pairing of Moises Caicedo, returning from international duty, and new signing Jordan Henderson also brought much-needed solidity and experience.
It was £117m club-record signing Morgan Rogers, however, who set the tone for a combative display, squaring up to Everton defender James Tarkowski during an eventful first half.
“We needed to show that we can win in this way,” Alonso added. “We looked solid, we played solidly, we were strong and we stayed in control.
“In the first half there were difficult periods with throw-ins, corners and pressure from Everton. You have to overcome those moments.
“In the Premier League it is very hard to have complete control in an away game, but you cannot lose your shape or your conviction.”
Argentinian international taken to hospital for precautionary tests after a head clash with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Published On 17 Oct 202617 Oct 2026
Pedro Neto’s double condemned Everton to a first defeat of the season as Chelsea won 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium despite the loss of goalkeeper Emi Martinez to a head injury.
Neto opened the scoring inside the first minute of the second half on Saturday and secured the three points during the 11 added minutes following the lengthy treatment given to the stricken Martinez.
The Argentinian international was involved in a sickening head clash with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and was taken to hospital.
“As far as I know he left the stadium conscious. Right now he’s in the hospital doing the precautionary tests, so let’s see,” said Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso.
A first away win of the season lifts Chelsea above the Toffees into the top four and the Blues also recorded a first clean sheet in 23 Premier League games.
“We needed one of these wins away. We have played very professional, very serious, looking solid. It is a very good win,” added Alonso.
“We need to get many more clean sheets for the rest of the league games but for sure the first one of the season feels good and now we need to keep going this way.”
After a slow start, a fiery-tempered encounter sparked into life when Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong launched into a tackle on Josh Acheampong for the first of five first-half yellow cards.
‘This win is for him’
That challenge also enlivened the home crowd and spurred Everton on to their best spell of the game.
Thierno Barry was guilty of another wasteful day in front of goal as the Frenchman planted a header from Jack Grealish’s cross too close to Martinez.
Chelsea have made a habit of fast starts under Alonso, but it took until four minutes before half-time to threaten when Moises Caicedo blasted off the bar from a well-worked corner.
Everton were furious that Morgan Rogers escaped a second booking just before the break after a thunderous clash with England teammate James Garner.
That proved to be a huge decision as the visitors this time flew out of the blocks at the start of the second period.
Jorrel Hato got to the byline and his low cross fell to Neto, who had time to control before firing low past Jordan Pickford.
Chelsea had not kept a Premier League clean sheet since January, but were rarely troubled by an Everton side short on forward options, despite the loss of Martinez.
“I just felt that Chelsea had that little bit more flair and ability which we didn’t possess at the right moments today,” said Everton boss David Moyes.
The treatment for Martinez threatened to halt Chelsea’s momentum as they controlled the second half.
Belgian Mike Penders replaced the Chelsea number one for his first Premier League appearance but had little to do bar dealing with a few desperate Everton crosses.
At the other end Pickford made a fine save to deny Joao Pedro.
But Chelsea did get their second goal when Neto coolly stroked into the bottom corner after Jordan Henderson’s free-kick was blocked by the Everton wall.
“We are really pleased. Shame for Emi but we wish you all the best. This win is for him,” Neto told TNT Sports after his first Premier League brace.
“We need a clean sheet, to be honest. I think we did a very good game. Emi deserved this, Mike did as well.”
Speaking on Match of the Day, Alan Shearer explains why the performance of Moises Caicedo was pivotal in Chelsea’s 5-1 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Cole Palmer has signed a new Chelsea contract on improved terms until 2034.
The England international, 24, was already under contract until 2033 but is being rewarded for his performances following his emergence as one of Chelsea‘s key attacking players.
He is also increasingly viewed as a dressing-room leader behind the scenes.
The deal leaves Palmer on one of the longest contracts in the Premier League, with only Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland and Chelsea team-mates Joao Pedro and Geovany Quenda also contracted to 2034.
“Chelsea means a lot to me and I think the club is going in the right direction, so I’m delighted to sign and I’m obviously very happy,” said Palmer.
“Speaking to the owners, to the sporting directors and obviously the manager, they gave me a lot of confidence so it was only right to sign.
“Speaking to players as well, everyone has the same ambitions. I feel like we win major trophies here consistently and I want to be a part of that and play a big role in it too.”
Palmer signed his previous contract only two years ago having joined in a £42.5m move from Manchester City in 2023.
The renewal is the latest in a series of contract extensions at Chelsea designed to reward established and emerging players while maintaining the club’s wage structure.
Palmer has developed a strong understanding with the Brazil forward, while also rekindling his on-pitch partnership with his “best friend in football”, Morgan Rogers, during the early stages of Xabi Alonso’s reign as manager.
He was one of the few people privy to Chelsea‘s negotiations to sign Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m fee this summer.
Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven matches this season.
It represents a return to form for Palmer after suffering a niggling groin issue throughout last season, when he admitted he had played through the problem even though he “probably shouldn’t have done”.
Ultimately, his lack of availability led to his omission from England’s World Cup squad over the summer, having previously sought specialist advice on whether surgery was required.
Palmer has played more minutes than any Chelsea player this season but missed England’s recent international break, prompting Thomas Tuchel to say he “misses too many opportunities”.
Alonso confirmed Palmer is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Bournemouth and insisted he remains committed to playing for England.
“Absolutely. He’s committed, but he needs to be fully fit to play,” Alonso said.
“And when he’s fully fit, he will enjoy his minutes. We need him in that moment. The club and the national team.
“He trained over the past week and has been feeling better, but we didn’t want to rush him.”
Alonso’s side are 10th in the table after five matches, having conceded 12 goals.
Completing his latest course highlights Azpilicueta’s thirst for knowledge and a desire for constant self-improvement.
It was something he learned at Chelsea, where he arrived as a relatively low-profile £7m signing in a dressing room full of established leaders such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech, alongside star names including Fernando Torres, Eden Hazard and Ashley Cole.
He explained: “I started as a right winger, moved to France, then moved to Chelsea. I wasn’t a star signing. I had to find my way. Left-back, wing-back, centre-back in a back three.
“It was about consistency. I had to work hard to stay fit, adapt to different managers and different positions.
“When you arrive at Chelsea, you feel the ambition straight away. Every three days you have to win. Every game and every trophy matters.
“That culture pushed me to the maximum and, especially when I left Chelsea, I felt that I had given everything I had for the club.”
Azpilicueta explained how his education away from the pitch helped him develop into a leader at Stamford Bridge.
It gave him the confidence to represent Premier League players during the Covid-19 pandemic, while also helping to organise initiatives and keep the club moving forward after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His defining moment came in that 2021 Champions League final victory.
There is little doubt that, having succeeded Terry and then Gary Cahill as captain, Azpilicueta ranks among Chelsea‘s greatest leaders. Yet he revealed that, since leaving the club in 2023, he has not returned to Stamford Bridge.
He was among dozens of players to leave after Chelsea changed ownership from Abramovich to the current American-led consortium in 2022.
“I left Chelsea, but Chelsea will always stay in my heart,” he said. “I follow every game and I hope the club comes back to where it belongs.
“There are some very strong teams around and football sometimes needs a bit of time. You need connections, people playing together and understanding each other.
“At a big club like Chelsea, the demands are high. But I think that’s normal. It should be demanding and ambitious because, speaking as a Chelsea fan, you always want to see the club winning trophies.
“I have confidence that [manager] Xabi [Alonso], the staff and the players will do good work. Hopefully they can bring a lot of happiness to the fans.”
He has been following Chelsea‘s latest captain Reece James, who he believes will grow into a better leader, since over-30 players Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck and Emiliano Martinez joined over the summer.
When it is suggested that he might return to Stamford Bridge in some capacity to be marked by a warm reception from supporters, Azpilicueta responds modestly: “I don’t know about that.
“I will come back one day. I won’t be putting on my boots, though.”
Chelsea have a penalty overturned by VAR, while Lauren James and Maika Hamano come close to scoring a winner during their 0-0 draw away at Lyon in the Champions League.
Cole Palmer is the “victim” of a “sick” system that is expecting too much of players, according to Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango.
Molango said Palmer’s recent withdrawal from the England squad highlighted a match calendar that is unsustainable and has become the “survival of the fittest”.
“When England see five players who need to withdraw when the single most proud moment a player has is to be called up for the national team, you just ask yourself, what’s wrong about the industry?” Molango said at the Fifpro performance summit in London.
“You see people like Cole Palmer, someone who would have played four consecutive summers in a row had he gone to the World Cup, and you wonder why is he missing?
“He’s missing because he’s a victim of the calendar and that’s something that needs to absolutely trigger the alarm bells.”
The PFA and global players’ union Fifpro have repeatedly warned about the impact of an increasingly congested calendar on player welfare.
But Molango criticised that stance, saying: “They [England players] love to play for England. They love to play for their national team. But unfortunately your body puts a limit to it. You cannot cheat biology.”
Molango said this was far from an issue that only impacts England players, pointing to other recent withdrawals from European teams, including Germany’s Kai Havertz, Dutch striker Brian Brobbey and France captain Kylian Mbappe.
“Is that really the football that we want?” Molango asked.
“Is it the football where the people who make us dream just cannot perform? For me it’s very worrying.
“What we’ve seen over the last few years is a system that’s sick, that’s ill, because it ultimately revolves around obtaining votes and power consolidation.”
Molango wants to see a mandatory three-week summer break and a three-week “retraining” period every summer.
While the Premier League’s chief football officer, Rebecca Caplehorn, said she was supportive of this in theory, she said in practice it is not feasible at present.
“It’s something we’re really supportive of, conceptually, but the challenge is that it just doesn’t fit into the current calendar,” Caplehorn said.
“There’s always something that’s preventing us having that six-week gap that we want. Without regulatory change and change to the calendar, it’s not possible for us to deliver that.”
