Sonia Bompastor's side are still six points clear at the top of the table with just four games to go, but will be frustrated with this result.
Coming into the month of March, Chelsea had only dropped points once in the Women's Super League all season. However, the Blues now head into April's international break having failed to win two of their last four games, with a 2-2 draw at home to West Ham on Sunday pouring a little cold water on what had been a wonderful few days for the club. After producing a stunning 3-0 win over Manchester City to complete an almighty Champions League comeback on Thursday, Shekiera Martinez's 91st minute equaliser denied the Blues a win that would've re-established their eight-point lead at the top of the WSL table, though they remain in an excellent position heading into the final four games of their league campaign.
It took Chelsea just 16 minutes to break the deadlock, with Catarina Macario's turn and run, Ashley Lawrence's improvised header and Maika Hamano's sweet half-volley giving them a goal their lively start deserved. It was more good play with her back to goal from Macario, and a slice of luck from a kind bounce of the ball, that put Aggie Beever-Jones through only five minutes later, where she made no mistake. At that point, it seemed like three points were surely on their way.
However, despite a generally good attacking performance, Chelsea never found that third goal and for that, and some defensive lapses, they were punished. Misjudgements from the ever-reliable centre-back duo of Nathalie Bjorn and Millie Bright helped Martinez receive an opportunity just before half time that she didn't waste, and it was a lack of awareness and communications between Lawrence and Lucy Bronze that allowed the young forward to bag her brace in second half stoppage time.
An unprecedented invincible season remains on the table for Chelsea, with this their third draw to go with 15 wins in 18 games this WSL season. The Blues are also still six points clear at the top, so this is no disaster. But they will certainly be glad to see the international break come next week, with Bompastor hoping to get some names off the injury list which could bolster a team still going for the quadruple.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Kingsmeadow…
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Hannah Hampton (6/10):
Had little to do other than pick the ball out of her net. Distribution was good.
Ashley Lawrence (5/10):
Improvised brilliantly to nod Macario's cross down to Hamano for the opening goal. Was the start of a great game for her – until she failed to keep tabs on Martinez for the stoppage time equaliser.
Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):
Didn't communicate with Jean-Francois in the build-up to West Ham's goal and got sucked in unnecessarily. Recovered well to have a solid game otherwise.
Millie Bright (5/10):
Generally solid but mistimed her header to prevent Ueki's ball reaching Martinez for the goal then went off at the break.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Has a real battle for her place on her hands with Baltimore in such great form, but took this chance well.
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Oriane Jean-Francois (6/10):
A little passive at times but did grow into the game and improve.
Erin Cuthbert (7/10):
Very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet after seeing a great strike pushed onto the bar. Played a positive and clean first half before going off at the break.
Sjoeke Nusken (6/10):
Lacked her usual bite in midfield but did contribute some nice moments in the final third. Had a couple of decent opportunities to get on the scoresheet but sent the ball just wide on both occasions.
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Maika Hamano (8/10):
Was Chelsea's liveliest player from the get-go, so it was no surprise that she broke the deadlock with a great finish. Delivered dangerous set pieces and was a constant thorn in West Ham's side.
Catarina Macario (7/10):
Held the ball up brilliantly in what was an important feature of Chelsea's attacking play. Played a role in both goals with that, even if it was a little fortunate for the second.
Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):
Completed a really positive and effective attacking three. Always willing to run at her marker and was very composed in front of goal to make it 2-0.
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Lucy Bronze (5/10):
Replaced Bright at the break. Put herself about well and made some important interventions in her own box, but showed very little awareness for West Ham's late goal.
Wieke Kaptein (6/10):
Another half time sub. Played a deeper role on this occasion, so didn't impact the attack as much as usual, though she did move the ball nicely.
Lauren James (7/10):
Brought plenty of energy to the table to help Chelsea keep the pressure up in the closing stages. Went close to a goal when her cross hit the bar, too.
Mia Fishel (6/10):
After making her first appearance in 13 months last week, a 25-minute sub appearance was another positive step forward in her comeback. Held the ball up well and added something different to the attack.
Keira Walsh (N/A):
A late sub.
Sonia Bompastor (6/10):
Made seven changes to the team that beat Man City in midweek and another two at half time, which was perhaps too many in hindsight. Chelsea failed to really kick on from a fast start and mishaps at the back, between players in uncommon partnerships, proved costly.
