The stage was set in East London, as Brisbane Road geared up to host Emma Hayes’ final fixture in London. Tottenham Hotspur return off the back of a disappointing outing in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final, as Chelsea search to bring their title race hopes all the way to the final day.

Grace Clinton makes her way back into Robert Vilahamn’s side after being ineligible to play in the cup clash with Manchester United, as Barbora Votíková makes her way into the starting line up in replacement of an injured Becky Spencer.

As for the Blues, Emma Hayes makes three changes to her starting eleven to face their London rivals, as Sophie Ingle, Sjoeke Nüsken, and Eve Périsset all make way. Cat Macario, Ashley Lawrence, and Melanie Leupolz are named in the starting eleven in replacement.

TOT: Votíková; James-Turner, Bühler, Neville, Nildén, Spence, Summanen, Clinton, Naz, England, Bizet

CHE: Musovic; Bright, Björn, Charles, Lawrence, Cuthbert, Hamano, Leupolz, Beever-Jones, Macario, Reiten

The first real chance of the evening came from the likely visitors, as Guro Reiten claimed the territory in the wide area before sending a piercing cut back to an advancing Aggie Beever-Jones. Though the English forward failed to pick her spot, as her strike fell to the expecting hands of Votíková.

Chelsea looked to strike again through Maika Hamano, though her attempt was controversially blocked by Luana Bühler in what looked like a hand ball inside of the area. Though no action was taken by Emily Heaslip as play was allowed to continue.

The left territory proved precious for Spurs, as Guro Reiten continued to cause trouble for Ashleigh Neville in the wide channel.

Grace Clinton looked to catalyse Tottenham’s first real chance with a brilliant turn, though her strike was ineffective and flew very wide of the intended target.

The Blues would make their presence known as the clock ran down on the opening half, as Reiten demonstarted her prowess once again down the left side before sending a brilliant back post ball across the face. Hamano would be the one to meet it, as Chelsea pulled ahead and applied further pressure on Manchester City at the top of the table.

A nasty collision saw Amanda Nildén down clutching her ankle, as Robert Vilahamn had to activate an early substitution to bring Charli Grant into proceedings in replacement of the Swedish defender.

Tottenham would look to respond in the early stages of the second half, as an in-swinging cross from Charli Grant saw play deflected behind by Nathalie Björn for a Spurs corner. Though Eveliina Summanen’s cross efforts arrived with no result as Millie Bright cleared away the play with her head.

Another corner effort saw Chelsea fans hold their breath in the North stand, as Amy James-Turner scooped a strike only inches over the crossbar.

Hamano continued to cause nightmares for the Spurs last line as the Blues regained the momentum. Firing past Neville to deliver a cross into the wake of Beever-Jones did Hamano, though the English forward’s back heel rolled narrowly clear of the goalposts.

Chelsea looked close to doubling their advantage in the final ten minutes, as Erin Cuthbert located Fran Kirby with a pinpoint cross inside of the area- though the Blues number 14 sprayed her effort over the woodwork.

Clinton denied her side of the equaliser in the 87th minute, as the midfielder ignored a roaming Matilda Vinberg in the wide channel to take her own chances with a shot. The ambitious attempt flew wide and over the target as Tottenham still found themselves chasing their London rivals.

Chelsea narrowly retained their one goal advantage as the final whistle was blown at Brisbane Road Stadium. The Blues now hold the advantage heading into the final day as they sit two goals ahead of Manchester City on goal difference in what is sure to be a scintillating Saturday of football.

The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Maika Hamano