Going into their clash last Saturday, Reading had never beaten Chelsea in FA Women’s Super League action. In 10 previous attempts, they had recorded just two draws and eight defeats. Last season’s meetings involved two 5-0 thrashings in favor of England’s reigning champions. So it’s fair to say Reading’s 1-0 victory in the latest installment was a surprise result.
The win came courtesy of an excellent fourth-minute Deanne Rose strike. After receiving the ball deep inside her own half, Rose accelerated away from Drew Spence and into space. As Chelsea’s defense backed off, she ran and ran. Eventually closed down by Jess Carter, she played a simple one-two with Emma Harries, running onto the return and finishing decisively past Zecira Musovic.
Rose threatened intermittently afterwards, causing some headaches with her runs in behind the last line of defense, but her job was done. Reading held on for a shock win thanks to that early goal, the most eye-catching moment of the 22-year-old’s career in England so far.
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