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Portsmouth consolidated top spot with a 4-3 victory over Chelsea on Saturday, but it was far from routine for Callum Fowler's men as the Londoners battled to the final whistle.
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Ellie Crabb's Chelsea side went into this game on the lookout for their first win of the season, and therefore, they were determined.
However, with just seven minutes on the clock TJ Yates provided Crabb’s side with an uphill task by converting a brilliantly taken penalty.
Moments later, Portsmouth doubled their lead with a sumptuous goal from captain Ray Westbrook.
With 11 minutes gone and a healthy lead for the reigning league champions, the rest of the game would appear rather comfortable, if it was not for the opposing captain Harry Ash reducing the deficit on 19 minutes.
Confidence grew and as little as two minutes later, Chelsea found themselves level thanks to their new signing and number nine Fawad Aka.
The two teams were level at the break.
Having regrouped at the interval, Portsmouth upped their game and Yates was at it again to give his team the lead inside two minutes of the restart.
Pompey looked like their usual selves and began to get a foothold of the game – regaining that two-goal lead just 15 minutes from time courtesy of Che Gray.
Meanwhile, that 15 minutes was enough for the Chels to fancy their chances yet again as
new recruit from Arsenal, Sofyan Filali, pulled a goal back late to make it 4-3.
Despite the result, Chelsea manager Elie Crabb reiterated that this is just the beginning of a new process for her side:" We are a new team this year; we have coaches that are still learning, and we have young players that are still learning.
“We will still push to see and try to win games.
“Still, if that doesn’t come, then for us, this year is about the development of the players, that they understand the process, being patient, and making sure that they are giving the best version of themselves every time they step on the pitch."
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