Chelsea’s title hopes suffer a blow,
Manchester United begin to click and technical problems blight Villa v Spurs
Chelsea were dealt their second defeat of the season and a potential title-winning blow as Reading beat the defending champions 1-0. After winning the FA Cup and battling with
Juventus in the Women’s
Champions League, Emma Hayes rotated her squad. Zecira Musovic was picked in goal and Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder were named on the bench. The slight change in the Blues starting chemistry meant Reading were ahead after four minutes and
Chelsea couldn’t claw back a point. With
Arsenal continuing their unbeaten run, Chelsea are now four points off the top spot. They will have to beat the Gunners when they face each other again in the second half of the season and hope Jonas Eidevall’s side start to drop points. If they don’t Chelsea’s title defence has gone up in a puff of smoke at the Madejski Stadium. Sarah Rendell
Match report: Reading 1-0 Chelsea
Match report: Brighton 0-2 Manchester United