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The Blues and Manchester United each kept their undefeated starts to the Women’s Super League season, although the defending champions' perfect winning record was brought to an end by an exciting match between the best sides.

This outcome extended United's agonisingly long wait for a first Women's Super League victory over the Blues but they can take great confidence from their performance, on a evening when both teams generated numerous chances to win and the home side demonstrated they may well have the qualities to mount a genuine championship bid.

High-Intensity Opening Features Quick Scores

For a match played between the sides with the two best defensive statistics in the Women's Super League last term, and which had conceded the fewest scores so far this season before kick-off, the match began in a surprisingly open fashion as each pushed forward early on.

The match began at such a rapid pace that it might well have been 2-2 within the first six minutes, with the goalkeeper stopping with her legs from Elisabeth Terland, Macario's shot being deflected by Le Tissier, Jess Park shooting just over the crossbar and then Aggie Beever‑Jones doing the same when she looked certain to find the net.

Chelsea did then score the opener the early burst of attacks had promised, as Kaptein met Macario's clever back-heeled pass and slotted in a precise, deadly shot low into the corner, as the home team conceded a WSL score for only the second time this term.

Anna Sandberg's Spectacular Equaliser

Manchester United had been defeated in 10 of their previous 11 Women's Super League meetings with the Blues, but this confident version of Skinner's side were unwilling to roll over.

Inspired by the dribbling of Park, who appeared determined to skip her way past as numerous opposition players as possible and was the driving force of her side's attacking style, they continued to create chances and they were quickly level when Anna Sandberg scored her maiden strike for the team.

Sandberg could hardly have caught her strike any sweeter, positioning her boot expertly over the sphere to drive a half-volley powerfully beyond Hampton from only outside the area.

Solemn Occasion Amid Storm

The game was played amid Storm Amy, which produced swirling rain and gusts of breeze, and started with a moment of reflection after the tragic incident on a synagogue in the city on the previous day, with the hosts also sporting armbands as a mark of tribute.

Additionally, both sets of teams united in a circle pre-match against racism at the start of this important period, in a time when the Peterborough footballer Kira Rai experienced discriminatory remarks.

England national team and Tottenham Hotspur attacker Naz was the victim of racism on the internet nine days previously.

Improved Manchester United Push the Champions

The match took place at the ground where the Blues secured last season’s championship, with a 1-0 victory in a game that had been quite even.

This looks like a significantly better United squad from that time, though, and they persisted to threaten in the latter period, with Fridolina Rolfö's redirected effort floating on to the upper part of the bar before Park's swerving attempt soared just over.

Malard, on as a substitute, dragged a low shot wide with over twenty minutes left to play.

Closing Drama Sees Share of Points

Skinner had stated on midweek that he desired his team to be courageous and “show the opposition that you can defeat them”, and they certainly appeared to react to his motivational words as they continued to play with intensity and offensive intent, while the visitors remained threatening at the opposite side too, with Aggie Beever-Jones going close.

Such was the extent of the challenge the champions were being faced with, there was even a rare moment of frustration from Sonia Bompastor, with the Chelsea coach shown a yellow card in the second half after she complained about a set-piece call awarded to her side.

Chelsea’s Sjoeke Nüsken bent an effort only off target of a upright as the away team began to search for a late winner, and Thompson was nearly able to sprint through on to a unclaimed ball within the box but she was challenged by the quick-thinking home shot-stopper Tullis-Joyce, who then sprang low to her side to keep out a Walsh shot shortly later.

Guro Reiten had a shot deflected in stoppage time, as increasing Chelsea attacks intensified, but in the end a draw was a fairly fair result and sets the round's action up nicely before the remaining challengers, Manchester City and the Gunners, face off on Saturday.

They will be eager to capitalise on Chelsea and Manchester United sharing a result, with City in a position to move to within a point of the top team if they are victorious.