Arsenal boost title hopes with big Emirates Stadium victory over Chelsea | OneFootball

Arsenal have boosted their Barclays Women’s Super League title hopes with a 4-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon.

The Gunners had some festive fun as they hammered their London rivals whilst smashing yet another Barclays Women’s Super League attendance record in the process, 59,042 fans having witnessed the contest. Alessia Russo bagged a double while Beth Mead and Amanda Ilestedt were also on target as an Arsenal performance that was full of passion and pride was rewarded with a huge three points.

The Gunners started the game on the front foot, playing the higher line and progressing the ball quickly into the final third. It only took seven minutes for Mead to get herself on the scoresheet. Caitlin Foord did brilliantly to drive the ball centrally from the left-hand side and she found Victoria Pelova who could’ve had a shot herself but instead found Mead in a more central position. The ball fell to the winger’s feet and she curled her effort goalwards, watching on as the net at the Clock End rippled.

It took Chelsea just five minutes to cancel out the hosts’ opener. Jessie Fleming found Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in plenty of space down the right-hand side and played the ball into the Swede, who danced around the Arsenal defenders and saw her effort creep into the back of the net for the equaliser.

Chelsea grew into the game as the first half went on, playing tighter to the Arsenal attackers and winning free-kicks in dangerous areas, however, the hosts still enjoyed more of the ball. After a quieter period at both ends, a Steph Catley corner was met by Ilestedt as she headed home to give Arsenal their second goal.

Catley was the provider yet again, as Arsenal added another to their tally a couple of minutes later. The Australian international played the ball from her left-back position in The Gunners half and found Russo in amongst the opposition defence. Russo only had Ann Katrin-Berger to beat and she did just that; slotting calmly into the back of the net for Arsenal’s third goal.

Manuela Zinsberger kept Chelsea out late on in the half, as she parried away an Erin Cuthbert effort and The Gunners had a two-goal advantage at the break.

Chelsea made a triple substitution to start the second half and youngster Lauren James gave her side the first glimpse of a comeback as she struck the ball from outside the box, only to see it go wide.

The South West Londoners were able to get more joy going forward, with Arsenal struggling at times to keep possession, but both sides were more cautious in the final third until the hosts thought that they were through on goal. Mead played the ball into Russo inside the area but Berger was quick off her line to intercept the attack.

It was the home side who made it 4-1, this time from the penalty spot. Berger looked to get in the way of Russo and referee Rebecca Welch pointed to the spot. It was Russo who slotted home from 12 yards; scoring her second goal of the afternoon as the Emirates erupted.

Stina Blackstenius should’ve put the game to bed once and for all when Frida Maanum played her in late on but her effort didn’t find the target, much to her frustration.

Chelsea continued to struggle to find any rhythm as Arsenal ended the game as the deserved winners.

Chelsea remain top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table on goal difference with Arsenal closing the gap in second place.