By OkayGoal
Chelsea’s unbeaten start to WSL play continued on Sunday with Alyssa Thompson playing the hero in a first London Derby of the season.
Thompson scored the Blues’ lone goal of the match in a 1-0 home triumph over Arsenal. The U.S. Women’s National Team attacker celebrated her first goal of the campaign, logging 89 minutes from her attacking midfield position.
Thompson benefitted from a fortunate rebound to slam home Chelsea’s opening goal in the 40th minute. Keira Walsh’s right-footed shot was pushed away by Gunners goalkeeper Anneke Borbe, but Thompson arrived on the spot to roof the rebound.
Chelsea would ride Thompson’s first-half goal and a strong defensive performance to a fourth clean sheet of the season in all competitions. Thompson, 21, registered two shots, won four duels, and made four defensive recoveries in a strong outing.
The result moved Sonya Bompastor’s squad up to third place in the WSL standings.
Chelsea will now prepare for its toughest match of the new season, traveling to French giants Lyon in UEFA Women’s Champions League play on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Manchester United earned their first WSL win of the season. Christopher Cupps continued to start for Scottish side Greenock Morton, but the club’s struggling campaign continued. Jonathan Tomkinson assisted once in Cheltenham Town’s home league win.
Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:
England
WSL
Phallon Tullis-Joyce started, made ONE SAVE, and played 90 minutes in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over West Ham United on Sunday.
Sam Coffey started and played 90 minutes in Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
Alyssa Thompson started, scored ONE GOAL, and played 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday.
Emily Fox started and played 90 minutes for Arsenal on Sunday.
Naomi Girma dressed but did not play for Chelsea.
League Two
Julian Eyestone started, made ZERO SAVES, and played 90 minutes in Rotherham United’s 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandria on Saturday.
Jonathan Tomkinson started, registered ONE ASSIST, and played 90 minutes in Cheltenham Town’s 2-1 win over Chesterfield on Saturday.
Spain
La Liga 2
Konrad De La Fuente did not dress in Sporting Gijon’s 2-0 loss to Real Oviedo on Sunday.
Scotland
Championship
Christopher Cupps started and played 90 minutes in Greenock Morton’s 2-1 loss to Inverness CT on Friday.
Mexico
Liga MX
Alex Zendejas started and played 82 minutes in Club America’s 4-2 win over Necaxa on Sunday.
Danny Leyva started and played 90 minutes for Necaxa.