Arsenal all but ended the Chelsea title charge with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Beth Mead and Mariona Caldentey.
Those were the first goals scored by Arsenal women’s players at Stamford Bridge adn the result meant that the Gunners climbed to within a point of their hosts in the table.
The Blues had made one change from the side that made the final of the Subway Women’s League Cup on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City. Sjoeke Nüsken dropped to the bench with Guro Reiten, who nabbed a goal and an assist in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup win last weekend, coming in. Prior to the match Reiten and Lauren James both received framed shirts with their number of appearances printed on the back, 100 for James and 200 for Reiten. That was received much to the adulation of the home crowd and to the scorn of the vocal visiting faithful.
Sam Kerr started up front for Chelsea against Arsenal with Aggie Beever-Jones returning to the bench for the first time in the Barclays Women’s Super League since before the winter break. Chelsea also had a welcome boost with Kiera Walsh fit enough to make the bench for the home side. Chelsea remained without Niamh Charles and Caterina Macario with both still side lined through injury.
Arsenal remained without vice captain Leah Williamson and winger Chloe Kelly to face Chelsea. Renée Slegers in fact made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Chelsea in November, with Anneke Borbe starting in goal for the visitors the first. The second, captain Kim Little returning to the starting eleven after being rested midweek in place of Victoria Pelova. As for the other changes from their midweek defeat to Manchester United in the Subway Women’s League Cup, the Gunners made five changes. One was enforced as Olivia Smith missed out due to suspension and in her stead came Beth Mead.
As for the back line, Arsenal were boosted by the return of Emily Fox against Chelsea who missed the match against United due to injury, Steph Catley also started after being rested on Wednesday. At the other end of the pitch, Stina Blackstenius led the line for the visitors. Taylor Hinds and Laia Codina dropped to the bench with Frida Maanum missing from the squad entirely. Arsenal’s bench looked noticeably light with only five outfield players named.
The Lineups
CHE: Hampton; Carpenter, Bronze, Bright, Girma, Baltimore; Cuthbert, Kaptein, Reiten; Thompson, Kerr
ARS: Borbe; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona; Russo, Foord, Mead, Blackstenius
The Action
The Stamford Bridge crowd roared with anticipation as the two sides entered the arena they would do battle in for the next 90 minutes. The first opportunity came for the visiting side. Positive build up on the right side from Fox, Mariona Caldentey and Beth Mead ensured that Little was found in space. Little, bearing down on the Chelsea box, sliced the ball dangerously across goal but it was just overhit for Caitlin Foord. The Australian recovered the ball before turning heel and teeing up Katie McCabe whose vicious effort was straight down the throat of Hannah Hampton. The ball fell to Alessia Russo who was unable to convert the follow up in large part because of excellent defending from Lucy Bronze clearing off the line. Quick interplay characterised a bright start from Arsenal inside the first ten minutes.
A chipped ball from Blackstenius towards Russo was positive for Arsenal but Russo headered wide. Chelsea had their first effort of consequence with just under 15 minutes on the clock, a smart short corner routine found Erin Cuthbert in space. The Scot’s deflected effort came dangerously close to finding the far corner. Only moments later Cuthbert was at the heart of Chelsea’s positive play once more, this time her whipped ball in from the left was met by the head of Millie Bright who could only direct the ball wide.
Chelsea were beginning to find a foothold in the match as the half wore on. Sandy Baltimore’s cross to the near post was flicked on and Girma did well to direct it goalwards. However Lotte Wubben-Moy was on hand to header it clear. Only moments later Girma was involved again, her whipped cross found the head of Wieke Kaptein whose effort bounced wide.
Both sides had chances to open the scoring before the break. Mead dragged her effort wide of the post while Sam Kerr’s movement tied up Steph Catley, however Kerr’s chip bounced past the far post. Shortly after Mead chipped the ball to the far post but Blackstenius couldn’t make a connection to direct it goalward.
The first real effort of the second half came as Russo took aim from distance, her shot was well stopped by Hampton. Arsenal pushed forward in attack with Catley pushing forward, she played the ball to Russo. Russo seemed to have a heavy touch but Girma did not close her down, allowed space, Russo played the ball to Mead who fired into the bottom corner. Arsenal had the lead.
Chelsea looked for an instant response with Alyssa Thompson at the heart of it. A wonderful turn from Kaptein, helped Chelsea create space. The Dutch woman found Lauren James who played through Thompson racing through on the left but the American’s effort flashed wide. Only minutes later Thompson was bursting down the left side again, this time her chipped ball to the back post evaded those waiting at the far post. Just as Chelsea pushed, they were burnt, Fox had the ball on the right side when she played it back to Mead who found Caldentey in space in the box. Caldentey took a couple of touches of the ball before firing a controlled effort into to the far corner with unerring accuracy, Hampton was rooted to the spot.
Chelsea tried to get back into the match with a frantic energy, piling forward in search of a redeeming couple of goals that might rescue their title charge. But Arsenal were still threatening the Chelsea backline, Fox cut inside and took aim from outside the box. That forced Hampton to make an impressive save. At the other end Chelsea almost scored with Cuthbert’s header flying wide after James had set her up. Arsenal almost had a third when Russo played through Blackstenius but the Swede’s shot was well saved by Hampton.
Magnificent play from Foord late on played through Blackstenius who was again denied by Hampton. Chelsea shell shocked were unable to react and Arsenal stole away victory on the day.
Chelsea Player Ratings
GK: Hannah Hampton – 8/10 – Made some smart early stops but was lucky to get away with poor distribution when Mead intercepted her pass. Could have done little to prevent either Arsenal goals and certainly prevented the arrears rising higher.
RWB: Ellie Carpenter – 6.5/10 – Flew forward in attack when given the opportunity with the right attitude when Chelsea went behind.
RCB: Lucy Bronze – 7.5/10 – Used all her experience to be in the right place at the right time to block Russo’s early effort on the line. Bronze had an effort from distance which was well stopped by Borbe in between the posts for Arsenal.
CB: Millie Bright – 7/10 – Made a sensational interception when Arsenal almost found a way through in the early minutes. Did not do much wrong but was substituted when Chelsea changed shape, was unhappy about it.
LCB: Naomi Girma – 6.5/10 – Looked a threat in an attacking sense, whipping crosses into the box and equally getting on the end of the ball in the box. Made an excellent clearance midway through the first half with Blackstenius lurking. Should have closed Russo down for the opening goal and that cost Chelsea. Missed two big chances.
LWB: Sandy Baltimore – 6.5/10 – Enjoyed a couple of magic moments of close control. Baltimore was completely anonymous in the second half.
CM: Erin Cuthbert – 7/10 – A player whose savvy is matched only by her talent, pulled Chelsea into the game in the first half with a number of positive forward actions. Missed a golden opportunity to get her side back into the match.
CM: Wieke Kaptein – 6.5/10 – Kaptein was playing in a deeper role than she is used to today and that suited Arsenal. Had a couple of positive moments but struggled overall.
CAM: Guro Reiten – 6/10 – Made it difficult for Kim Little at times marking her like a hawk, struggled to get involved in the match in any offensive capacity.
SS: Alyssa Thompson – 7/10 – Thompson’s pace is always a threat and she worked hard in this one, today the final product was missing.
ST: Sam Kerr – 6.5/10 – Had a couple of bright moments up front for Chelsea but was unable to make a real impact.
SUBS
Lauren James (56′ replaced Kerr) – 7.5/10 – Worked hard to try to get her side back in the match, created a couple of guilt edged chances.
Keira Walsh (56′ Reiten) – 6.5/10 – Was introduced to try to gain some control over proceedings but was unable to have an effect.
Aggie Beever-Jones (66′ Bright) – 5.5/10 – Still returning from injury and it showed, was largely anonymous.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (66′ Kaptein) – 7/10 – Worked hard and helped create some of Chelsea’s best openings after coming on.
Sjoeke Nüsken (77′ Cuthbert) – 6/10 – Missed a sitter with minutes remaining.
Arsenal Player Ratings
GK: Anneke Borbe – 7.5/10 – Did what was required of her in between the posts for Arsenal. Six out of nine accurate long balls helped Arsenal get a foothold in both halves.
RB: Emily Fox – 7.5/10 – Was heavily involved from the start, as Mead inverted Fox pushed up. Almost scored with an excellent effort from distance.
RCB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 7/10 – She is an aerial threat for Arsenal that gives them a different dynamic. Did well to keep Thompson as quiet as she possibly could.
LCB: Steph Catley – 7.5/10 – Drove forward for the Arsenal opener, setting up Russo brilliantly. Dug deep in defence to keep the clean sheet.
LB: Katie McCabe – 8/10 – Had an early shot which needing saving by the England number one. Understood the physical requirements in a derby, redemption for last season.
CM: Kim Little – 8/10 – Demonstrated her maturity and ability in this one as Arsenal won the midfield battle.
CM: Mariona Caldentey – 9/10 – Drove at the Chelsea back line more than once in the early moments. Did her defensive duties well, made a smart sliding interception to halt a Chelsea counter early in the second half. Ghosted into the box for Arsenal’s second.
RW: Beth Mead – 9.5/10 – Looked up for this one from the early moments, made a number of important challenges to help set the early tone. Excellent finish into the bottom corner for the Arsenal opening goal. In her time on the pitch no player won more duels nor made more key passes. Vintage Mead.
LW: Caitlin Foord – 7.5/10 – Created a good early opportunity for McCabe, had a couple of impressive deft touches in the first half.
SS: Alessia Russo – 8.5/10 – Set up Mead excellently for her goal, was excellent in the air against Chelsea’s centre backs. Russo won more duels than anyone. Drove forward at every opportunity, did everything but get on the scoresheet.
ST: Stina Blackstenius – 7/10 – The Swede had an exciting battle with Millie Bright and the game played into her hands with more space in behind Chelsea after Arsenal went ahead. Should have got on the scoresheet.
SUBS
Victoria Pelova (69′ Mead) – 6.5/10 – Almost increased the lead for Arsenal but for a good block on the edge of the box.
Smilla Holmberg (79′ Caldentey) – 7/10 – The latest Arsenal signing did what was asked of her in the short time she was on the pitch to close out victory against Chelsea.
Laia Codina – (88′ Fox) – N/A –
Taylor Hinds – (88′ McCabe) – N/A –
