Mia Fishel scored on her debut as Chelsea began their title defence with an entertaining derby victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

Lauren James poked in following a scramble in the area six minutes after half-time to double Chelsea’s lead on the opening day of the Women’s Super League season.

Replays showed the ball had crossed the line when Guro Reiten bundled in but, in the absence of goalline technology, the Blues had to come again and James made sure by steering in a close-range volley.

Tottenham pulled one back in the 76th minute when Martha Thomas pounced on a Zecira Musovic blunder, but could not find an equaliser despite piling the pressure on the home side.

Chelsea were without star striker Sam Kerr, but England midfielder Fran Kirby came on as a substitute to make her first appearance since February, having missed the World Cup through injury.

Emma Hayes’ side are going for an unprecedented fifth consecutive WSL title.

A new-look Tottenham started the match well with forward Thomas, who joined from Manchester United this summer, looking lively.

She produced a good save from Musovic just before half-time and had a reasonable penalty claim when Millie Bright brought her down in the area.

But Chelsea showed why they remain title favourites with a high-tempo approach and enviable squad depth.

James was always keen to drive into the area and saw two efforts from around the box flash wide before hammering another off the bar. Substitute Jelena Cankovic also had a goal chalked off for offside.

Molly Bartrip then had to clear a Jess Carter flick from a corner off the line, while Reiten, the WSL’s top assist maker last season, was a constant threat around the 18-yard box.

New Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn spoke before the season about wanting to play “offensive” football and, after a disappointing ninth-placed finish last season, this team look to have already made great strides under the Swede.

Grace Clinton saw a curled effort saved well and when Musovic could not get another of the midfielder’s powerful shots under control, Thomas was alert to slot home.

Spurs pursued an equaliser, with Thomas again going close and Jessica Naz driving a low effort that was palmed away by Swedish keeper Musovic.

Fishel and James take centre stage in Kerr absence

In recent years the image of the net bulging thanks to a Kerr moment of brilliance has become synonymous with Chelsea’s trophy-winning exploits.

Hayes’ side have won six WSL titles in the last eight years and added five FA Cups and two Continental Cups in the same period.

Having scored more than 25 goals across all competitions in each of the last three seasons, Australian Kerr has played a major part in their recent success.

But she picked up an injury during this summer’s World Cup in her home nation and Hayes said on Friday the forward is “a little behind” in her recovery.

In her absence, the 22-year-old Fishel stepped up and, while it was not Chelsea’s best performance and the American forward will need time to settle, she looks to be the latest solid addition to Hayes’ impressive squad.

England international James looked to have put any World Cup lethargy behind her and combined well with Fishel in what could prove to be the latest destructive Chelsea partnership.