Chelsea pick up crucial win, Tottenham saved by superb free kick

It took 46 minutes before Reiten poked her side into the lead from a loose ball and England managed to double the advantage 12 minutes later.

Lucy Staniforth had Birmingham’s clearest opportunity in the 36th minute when her stunning strike dipped just over the crossbar.

After a strong first half, Birmingham were unable to replicate their successful 3-2 result last time they travelled to Kingsmeadow.

Erin Cuthbert had Chelsea’s first attempt on goal in the 20th minute, but Hannah Hampton comfortably knocked the ball out for a corner.

Staniforth failed to give her side the lead nine minutes before the break with a stunning shot that went over the net after a promising City attack down the left wing.

On the stroke of half-time, a cross from Jonna Andersson resulted in Reiten netting a loose ball to put Chelsea in the lead.

A poor clearance from the visiting defence in the 52nd minute forced Hampton into a stunning save to deny Drew Spence’s shot from the corner of the box.

It wasn’t until the 58th minute that England broke free of the City defence and doubled Chelsea’s advantage with ease against the Birmingham stopper.

England was denied a second by the post in the 76th minute from a left footed shot low towards the right corner of Hampton’s goal, but the Blues comfortably held on for the win.

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Chelsea's Sophie Ingle said: "They set up really well compared to the last time we played them - I think they’ve changed a lot.

"It was tough for us, we had to move the ball a lot and try and tire them out basically. I think our fitness showed in the second half.

"They didn’t play like a team towards the bottom of the table and credit where credit's due, they defended really well and luckily we got the goal just before half-time which killed their momentum."

Birmingham's Lucy Staniforth said: "I felt we battled well, we showed that we’ve grown up a lot since the last time we played them. We’re not a pushover.

"I’m just so proud with how well we competed and in the first half we played some good football. We showed that we have a bit of grit and personality about us to take the game to Chelsea at times."

Chelsea (4-4-2): Carly Telford, Hannah Blundell, Millie Bright, Sophie Ingle, Bethany England, Guro Reiten, Magdalena Eriksson, Maren Mjelde, Erin Cuthbert, Drew Spence, Jonna Andersson

Substitutes: Ramona Bachmann for Spence 66, Jess Carter for Ingle 76, Maria Thorisdottir for Reiten 77

Substitutes not used: Ann-Katrin Berger, So-Yun Ji, Deanna Cooper

Goals: Reiten 46, England 58

Birmingham (4-2-3-1): Hannah Hampton, Sarah Mayling, Kerys Harrop, Chloe Arthur, Rachel Williams, Brianna Visalli, Abbi Grant, Adrienne Jordan, Georgia Brougham, Lucy Whipp, Lucy Staniforth

Substitutes: Emma Kelly for Visalli 78, Claudia Walker for Grant 84

Substitutes not used: Alex Brooks, Harriet Scott, Connie Scofield, Rebecca Holloway

Referee: Robert Whitton

Attendance: 1,928

by Alex Waite, Sportsbeat

Emma Mitchell’s superb free kick rescued a point for Tottenham who came back from two goals down to grab a 2-2 draw with Everton.