Ellie Carpenter provided the assist that handed Chelsea a massive Women’s Super League victory against Mary Fowler’s Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Carpenter assisted Sandy Baltimore’s stunning strike that a clinched a 1-0 win to take Chelsea to the top of the table and inflict City’s first defeat of the season.
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In the battle of the two previously undefeated sides, Australian wing back Carpenter caused headaches for the reigning champions on the right side of the pitch.
The 26-year-old’s crossing asked plenty of questions, but it was a short pass to French international Baltimore inside the box that proved the most effective.
Carpenter continued to charge forward and that opened up the space for Baltimore, who seized the opening to curl home a superb left-footed strike in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time.
It was Carpenter’s fourth assist of the season across all competitions, to go with five goals, which makes her the Blues leader for goal involvements.
Despite her stellar record in attack this campaign, Carpenter told CBS Sports post-game that she’s “still a defender at heart”.
“Really happy, really proud of the team to come out and get the three points,” Carpenter told Stan Sport.
“We’ve been playing well the last couple of weeks. It’s just about putting the ball in the net and having a solid performance.
“I think defensively the whole team was amazing today. Credit to everyone because it was a real team performance.”
Asked about how she is finding her time in west London in her second season with Chelsea, Carpenter replied: “Yeah, I’m really loving my football here.
“I think this season it’s a different vibe, different feel and it’s my second year so I know a bit more about the league and the players I’m playing with as well.
“I’m very proud of performances in Chelsea so far and hopefully I can continue improving, and I’m getting better here.”
Meanwhile, Carpenter’s Matildas teammate Fowler endured a tougher day.
The 23-year-old has been in good form for City scoring two goals and providing two assists in six league starts, but she was subbed off in the 63rd minute to bring her quiet afternoon to an end.
“To be fair, we had some really good chances. We just didn’t put them away,” Fowler told Stan Sport.
“I think in big games like this, it comes down to chances and putting them. So, yeah, I think on another day, it would have looked a bit different.
“Obviously feel a bit disappointed that we did have some great opportunities and just didn’t put them away today.”
With 16 games to go in the season, Chelsea are only one point clear of City and Fowler stressed that the title fight has many more twists and turns to come.
“It’s a long season ahead, still got a chance, you know,” she said.
