Melanie Leupolz’s brace helped Chelsea coast to a 4-0 derby win over Spurs to keep the pace at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League
The German bagged the opener just before the half-hour mark and further first-half strikes from Pernille Harder and Sam Kerr put the Blues in control.
Leupolz added a penalty in the second half to bring Spurs’s seven-game unbeaten streak to an end and condemn Rehanne Skinner to a first defeat as manager.
KEY MOMENTS
The visitors started brightly as Canadian defender Shelina Zadorsky shot over from inside the box after 13 minutes.
Seconds later Ria Percival took possession of Kit Graham’s pass and her long-range shot was tipped onto the post by Ann-Katrin Berger.
Graham was involved again five minutes later when she forced the Chelsea keeper into a sprawling save from her shot.
Chelsea’s breakthrough came on 27 minutes when Leupolz spotted Spurs’ debutant goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen out of position, and shot home from 25 yards out.
Harder doubled the lead within a minute, making no mistake from close range from Fran Kirby’s pass.
Harder was involved in Chelsea’s third after 38 minutes, placing the perfect cross for Kerr to head home.
After the break Leupolz’s curling strike was destined for the top corner only to be headed clear by a Tottenham defender.
Just after the hour, the hosts were awarded a penalty after a handball incident in the box and Leupolz sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
Then they went in search of a fifth as Harder’s half-volley from a Guro Reiten corner went just wide.
The Blues could have got a fifth in stoppage time, but Mikalsen was able to tip an audacious long-range shot round the post.
Tottenham didn’t threaten a consolation and Chelsea cruised to their second successive 4-0 league victory.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Leupolz’s curling effort for the opener helped stymie Spurs’ momentum and set her side on their way to an tenth victory of the league season.
WHAT THEY SAID
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes: “I’m so blessed with so many good players. We have so much quality in the side, from week to week we’re able to provide opportunities for players who work so hard in training.
“I think Melanie Leupolz has been an unbelievable signing for us this season. She brings an energy and tenacity but also composure, calmness and leadership that adds to what we already had.
“I think until the first goal, we were sloppy. We were slow, we played into their hands. I thought our decision making and composure struggled until the first goal.
"We made some adjustments just before that, and from there on in, I think we dominated. I think with so much experience, you have to be calm under pressure. You’re not going to dominate for 90 minutes, but when the momentum’s not with you, you work hard to keep a clean sheet.”
Spurs manager Rehanne Skinner said: “It’s important we take the positives out of the game. Nobody wants to be in a position where we’re losing 4-0, but in terms of performance, there’s certain aspects, particularly in the first 20 minutes in possession, that were really positive for us.
“We need to tighten up on some of the things we do on the ball, so we’re not transitioning into defensive situations as often as we have today. So a bit of composure and quality on the ball to build possession for longer spells of time.
“When we gave that away, we had to work really hard to regain our shape. We have to better in those situations to take the pressure off. Sustaining our press is important as well so we can manage the game differently.
“When playing teams like this, those two things create more issues if you don’t do them well.”
Chelsea (3-4-3): Ann-Katrin Berger, Millie Bright, Melanie Leupolz, Ji So-yun, Guro Reiten, Fran Kirby, Magdalena Eriksson, Maren Mjelde, Sam Kerr, Pernille Harder, Jonna Andersson
Substitutes: Hannah Blundell for Mjelde 46, Beth England for Kerr 61, Jessie Fleming for Kirby 61, Drew Spence for Harder 76, Sophie Ingle for Bright 76
Substitutes not used: Carly Telford, Jorja Fox, Aggie Beever-Jones
Goals: Leupolz 27, 62, Harder 28, Kerr 38
Tottenham Hotspur (5-3-2): Aurora Mikalsen, Ashleigh Neville, Shelina Zadorsky, Kerys Harrop, Gemma Davison, Ria Percival, Angela Addison, Kit Graham, Jessica Naz, Alanna Kennedy, Abbie McManus.
Substitutes: Josie Green for Graham 46, Rosella Ayane for Naz 57, Lucy Quinn for Davison 78
Substitutes not used: Anna Filbey, Rianna Dean, Cho So-hyun, Lucy Quinn, Amy Martin, Esther Morgan
Referee: Sarah Garratt
