Chelsea edged a five-goal full-blooded London derby, surviving a late scare to return to the top of the WSL with a 3-2 win.
The title holders retained their unbeaten run, which now stands at 11 games, thanks to goals from Jess Carter, Lauren James and Guro Reiten. But the Blues were far from their fluent best, with Spurs making it a much closer contest than either of the previous meetings between the two London rivals this season.
Despite Carter's early goal for the visitors, Tottenham refused to buckle and made it hard for the champions to play through them. Ash Neville then capitalised on Kadeisha Buchanan's error to give Beth England a simple goal against her former club to level things up.
Chelsea eased past Spurs at Stamford Bridge in November, 3-0, and advanced at the expense of the North Londoners in the Conti League Cup quarter-final last week. But they were given a far tougher test this time and only a wonderful solo effort from Lauren James restored their lead.
Guro Reiten then gave Chelsea breathing space just after the hour mark with a cool one-on-one finish. Although substitute Nikola Karczewska ensured a nervy finale when beating Zecira Musovic from close-range.
Chelsea's ruthless finishing
Winning when you aren't at your best is normally a sign of champions in waiting. The WSL holders are becoming the masters of this.
Against Reading before Christmas the Blues were good for 20 minutes, but failed to stamp their authority on a closely fought match. Away at Arsenal last month they were second-best throughout but were rescued by a moment of quality from Sam Kerr.
Once again today Chelsea weren't able to control the game, but they were ruthless in front of goal. Carter's header was the first real chance of the game and the Blues responded emphatically to Spurs equalising, Lauren James producing the game's highest quality moment to restore their lead.
Just as Spurs were starting to force their way back in, the Blues hit them with a sucker punch, Reiten nicking the ball just inside the Spurs half and running-in to clinically settle the game. On a day Manchester United could only draw with Everton, this result took them back to the top of the league.
Spurs progress clear
Despite a familiar result, proof of Tottenham's improvement since turn of the year was evident at Brisbane Road on Sunday. In both of their earlier defeats to London rivals Chelsea this season, Spurs failed to land a glove on Emma Hayes' team.
That wasn't the case this time around. This was a full-blooded capital derby from the off, with plenty spicy tackles and physical battles from the off.
Rehanne Skinner ensured her team were still defensively responsible, sat in a 5-4-1 when not in possession. But when they did break forward they offered a serious threat to the Chelsea backline, something that wasn't the case in the Conti Cup tie last week. The more new arrivals England and Mana Iwabuchi integrate into the side, Spurs should continue to improve in the second half of the season.
England sends message
A lot of talk has naturally followed Beth England's high profile move to Tottenham from Chelsea, namely whether it will be enough for her to get into the England World Cup squad this summer. England was never really in the game in the last meeting between these two in the Conti Cup, but today gave Spurs a constant goal threat.
Her classic poacher's goal after good work from Neville and Drew Spence down the left channel, was a reminder of how lethal she can be. It also means England has three goals in just four games for Spurs since making the move across the capital.
England refused to celebrate the equaliser, out of respect for the club she made her name at, but no doubt would have full of joy on the inside at showing Chelsea what they were missing. If she keeps finding the net, that coveted England call-up won't be far away.
James becoming indispensable
It is easy to forget on current form that Lauren James hasn't always been a regular starter during her time at Chelsea, since arriving in 2021. She was an unused substitute in the Blues' final WSL game of 2022 and started on the bench in the recently abandoned game against Liverpool.
But when she scores goals the one in the 30th minute of today's clash, it's hard to see how she won't be a certain starter for both club and country. James' pace and power took her right through the heart of the Spurs' defence, driving past multiple defenders before finding the net to restore Chelsea's lead.
It was a magnificent individual goal that highlighted her growing consistency. James, player of the match, has been excellent since the winter break and if she can maintain her current form, may well find herself an indispensable cog in the Chelsea machine.
You couldn't help but feel for Spurs' Kerys Harrop who was given a torrid time against the irrepressible James.
Kerr's remarkable run ends
Sam Kerr has been untouchable since returning from the winter break. The Aussie star had scored in Chelsea's last three games, producing a sensational hat-trick to down Liverpool in the FA Cup last week.
But for the first time in her WSL career, she failed to score against Spurs, having an unusually quiet afternoon at Brisbane Road. Even when more subdued, Kerr still managed to assist Reiten's clincher by flicking the ball towards her on the halfway line.
But it shows that Chelsea aren't reliant on the 29-year-old. Emma Hayes team still managed to find the net three times, despite Kerr being well-shackled by the Spurs defence.
