A point against a side going for Champions League in any other day, would be a good result. Yet, for the Royals Boss, she believes they can be frustrated with not taking all three points.
After a demanding week for Reading, Tottenham was their third game in seven days, and had to be at their very best to match up against a Spurs side battling for Champions League. By half-time, the visitors were in the driving seat having dominated most of the possession and required some crucial stops from the back to keep the scores level.
The second half, however, the Royals fought back bravely creating many chances for themselves, but still, neither side could find the breakthrough come full-time. Speaking after the match, Chambers believes her side had done enough to come away with a win and despite not finding the winning goal, was full of praise for her side’s performance.
“I thought the performance was excellent today, especially after the back of a three game week. To come out with the energy and pressing, it was really impressive.
“Before the game, in terms of the week that we’ve had, we would have taken a point but after watching all the 90 minutes I think we could have taken and possibly deserved all three.
“We’re not quite sure how this game ended goalless, I think we could have played all night and neither team would have scored today. Despite Tottenham possessing most of the ball in the first half, when you look at the chances both sides created, I think we had the ones to go on to win the game and that’s the only frustration from me on the girls’ performance.
“It also nice to pick up a clean sheet, we’ve not had many of those this season, and again after the week we’ve been disappointed with the results and the way we’ve conceded. So picking up a point and a clean sheet was crucial for us today.
“I think our ability to be resilient and hard to beat defensively is something we have shown on more than one occasion this season. You look back to the Chelsea game, and other games where we’ve had to defend hard, and we’ve gone right to the wire to ensure the ball doesn’t go in the back of our net.
“That was one thing we wanted today, to get back that resilience when we were on the good run of games, so I’m pleased with what the girls showed today.”
The Royals now prepare for the Red Devils, another side with their sights set on the Champions League spot, but with a full week of training ahead of them, Chambers sees no reason why they cannot come out of Saturday’s game with another positive result.
“We know Manchester United is on an excellent run of form, obviously pushing for that Champions League spot, so we know the challenge ahead with the quality of players they’ve got in all areas of the pitch. But for me, we need to build on what we’ve done today.
“The second half against Arsenal we were pleased, this game we managed to carry on from that performance, and today we have things to work on over the week ahead which we will have time to work on.
“On the whole, it’s been a tough season for us, the size of the squad initially before injuries and covid played their part, so it’s nice to have everyone back fit now. Analysing each game we’ve played, taking a piece from each game, and looking to improve in the next one.
“That’ll be the same today. Taking what we’re pleased with, a few adaptions, and now the best thing is we’ll have time on the pitch to put these things into practice.”
Sunday’s game was a special occasion for Royals longest serving player, Grace Moloney, who made her 200th senior appearance on the club, and Chambers had this to say on her girl between the sticks.
“Grace has been at the club a long time, it’s great to have her back. Although it must be said I think Rhiannon has been excellent between the sticks, but Grace gives us that experience, voice, and leadership from the back which we need in difficult games where we’re expected to come under a lot of pressure.
“Grace is such an important figure in the camp, both on and off the pitch, so I’m pleased we had a good crowd here to congratulate her on a top accomplishment.”