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Chelsea took command of the Women’s Super League title race with a blistering 3-1 win over London rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, to all but end the Gunners’ faint hopes of WSL glory this season.
The Blues, now six points clear of Jonas Eidevall’s side, tore their visitors apart with a sensational first-half showing, doing exactly to Arsenal what the Gunners did to them in the reverse fixture at Emirates Stadium.
Emma Hayes’ side were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline at the break back in December, but enacted the perfect revenge mission at their west London home, as Lauren James’ opener was supplemented by two Sjoeke Nusken strikes before the halfway point.
An uncharacteristically difficult night for Arsenal was made worse by the fact that, before a ball was even kicked, officials had identified a clash of playing socks, and the visitors were eventually forced into wearing replacements from the Chelsea megastore – a mishap that delayed kick off by 30 minutes.
Lauren James opened the scoring for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Arsenal, worn down by the relentlessness of Chelsea’s intensity, found brief comfort in a consolation goal when Kim Little’s strike was deflected into her own goal by substitute Catarina Macario, but the damage had long been done on a night where elimination from this year’s title race was effectively confirmed.
Chelsea will now chase top honours in a head-to-head battle with second-placed Manchester City, who play Brighton on Sunday, with the chance to draw level on 40 points at the summit.
The goals…
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Lauren James fires Chelsea into a 1-0 lead as her powerful shot proves too hot to handle for Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger.
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Sjoeke Nusken was on hand to steer in Erin Cuthbert’s shot as Chelsea double their lead over Arsenal in a crucial title clash.
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Sjoeke Nüsken doubled her and Chelsea’s advantage as she deflected in Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s effort to give the Blues a commanding 3-0 lead over title rivals Arsenal.
What’s next?
Sunday 24th March 4:30pm
Kick off 4:30pm
Chelsea are in Champions League quarter-final action on Tuesday as Emma Hayes’ side go to Amsterdam to take on Ajax in the first leg; kick-off 5.45pm.
The Blues then return to WSL action on Sunday as they face another London derby with a trip to West Ham; kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports.
Sunday 24th March 6:30pm
Kick off 6:45pm
Arsenal, meanwhile, are back in WSL action on Sunday as they face Aston Villa at Villa Park; kick-off 6.45pm, live on Sky Sports.
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