In a thrilling Women’s Super League clash, Chelsea’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd stole the show with a dazzling brace, including a world-class volley, inspiring her team to a resounding 5-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. The Swedish sensation’s electric performance left fans and pundits alike in awe, as she spearheaded Chelsea’s relentless attack at Kingsmeadow Stadium.
Kaneryd Kicks Off the Goal Fest
The match started with a bang as Rytting Kaneryd wasted no time in making her mark. Just 10 minutes in, she won the ball high up the field from fellow Swede Amanda Nildén and surged down the right flank. With a burst of pace and precision, she cut the ball back for Maika Hamano to slot home the opener, setting the tone for a goal-filled afternoon.
Spurs’ Short-Lived Equalizer
Tottenham briefly fought back, finding an unlikely equalizer in the 21st minute. Nildén launched a speculative effort into the Chelsea box, and while keeper Hannah Hampton appeared to have palmed it away, the assistant referee flagged that the ball had crossed the line. The controversial goal gave Spurs a glimmer of hope, but it would prove to be short-lived.
“It was a bizarre moment, but we didn’t let it get to us,” said Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson post-match. “We knew we had the quality to turn things around.”
Rytting Kaneryd’s Moment of Magic
The match turned on its head in the 70th minute when Rytting Kaneryd produced a moment of sheer brilliance. A lofted cross from the left wing found the Swede at the far post, and she unleashed an unstoppable volley that rifled into the top corner, leaving Spurs keeper Becky Spencer grasping at thin air. The stunning strike sent the home crowd into raptures and effectively ended Tottenham’s resistance.
🚀 WHAT. A. GOAL.
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) June 27, 2020
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd with an absolute screamer for @ChelseaFCW!
📺 Watch the @BarclaysWSL live on @SkySports pic.twitter.com/Rs9ucgKBo9
Kaneryd Turns Provider
Not content with her world-class goal, Rytting Kaneryd continued to torment the Spurs defense. Minutes after her volley, she won a penalty that Guro Reiten struck against the post. However, alert fullback Sandy Baltimore was quickest to react, following up to tuck away Chelsea’s fourth and put the result beyond doubt.
Spurs’ Consolation and Kaneryd’s Exclamation Point
Tottenham pulled one back through Eveliina Summanen’s fine free-kick in the dying minutes, but Chelsea and Rytting Kaneryd were determined to have the final say. Deep into stoppage time, the irrepressible Swede embarked on a solo raid, dancing through the exhausted Spurs rearguard before unleashing a thunderous left-footed drive past Spencer to seal a remarkable individual display and a resounding 5-2 win for the Blues.
“Johanna was unplayable today,” gushed Chelsea boss Emma Hayes. “Her goals were world-class, but it was her all-round game that really impressed me. She’s a special talent.”
Chelsea Keep Pressure on Leaders Man City
The victory keeps Chelsea hot on the heels of table-toppers Manchester City, who came from behind to beat Aston Villa earlier on Sunday. The Blues now sit second, just one point adrift of City but with a game in hand. With Rytting Kaneryd in this kind of form, Chelsea will fancy their chances of overhauling their title rivals in the coming weeks.
| Team | Played | Points |
| Manchester City | 5 | 13 |
| Chelsea | 4 | 12 |
| Manchester United | 5 | 10 |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | 5 | 10 |
Elsewhere in the WSL, Renee Slegers’ interim reign at Arsenal started with a 2-0 win over bottom club West Ham, while Crystal Palace continued their impressive start to the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Liverpool. With Chelsea, City, United, and Arsenal all battling at the summit and a number of other clubs impressing slightly lower down the order, the 2024-25 season is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory.
But on this day, the limelight belonged to one woman: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Her goals, her assists, her unrelenting dynamism – this was a performance for the ages from Chelsea’s Swedish superstar. If she can maintain this form, there may be no stopping the Blues in their pursuit of another WSL crown.
