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Chelsea Takes Command with Win Over Arsenal
Chelsea intensified the scrutiny on beleaguered Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall following a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium, propelling the Blues to the top of the Women’s Super League standings.
With recent results weighing heavily on Eidevall—drawing 0-0 with Everton last week and suffering a heavy 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich midweek—the pressure was palpable before the match. Chelsea wasted no time in asserting dominance, racing to a 2-0 lead within just 16 minutes in front of 45,860 fans.
The opening goal exposed Arsenal’s ongoing issues with defending set pieces. After failing to clear a corner, Mayra Ramirez capitalized with an overhead finish from close range, marking the fifth goal conceded from a set piece since Wednesday’s match. Soon after, Sandy Baltimore evaded her marker, Beth Mead, to find the back of the net from a tight angle, which silenced the home crowd and prompted scattered boos.
Those boos were set to escalate by halftime, but Caitlin Foord’s superb solo effort changed the atmosphere. The Australian winger outpaced Lucy Bronze down the left flank, striking a brilliant curling shot that evaded both Kadeisha Buchanan and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.
In the second half, while Arsenal enjoyed the majority of possession, Chelsea looked the more likely to extend their lead. Lotte Wubben-Moy delivered a vital defensive intervention to deny Lauren James, and Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones was thwarted by an exceptional save from goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar.
As the match entered its final moments, Arsenal nearly equalized when substitute Stina Blackstenius found space from a free-kick but rattled the crossbar with her effort. Van Domselaar also stepped up to deny a fierce volley from Alessia Russo in stoppage time, showcasing the goalkeeper’s prowess.
Chelsea ultimately secured a crucial victory, marking a significant moment as Emma Hayes, who watched from the directors’ box for the first time since leaving her managerial role, witnessed a win over Arsenal—a feat she had never accomplished during her tenure at the Emirates. New manager Sonia Bompastor’s success in her first encounter against Arsenal adds another layer to this victory.
Following this match, Arsenal finds themselves four points adrift of Chelsea, having played one match more than their rivals.
Looking Ahead: Arsenal and Chelsea’s Next Challenges
As Arsenal gears up for their next challenge, they prepare to face Valerenga in the ongoing Women’s Champions League group stage on Wednesday, October 16. Chelsea, on the other hand, will enjoy a day’s respite before heading out to meet FC Twente on Thursday, October 17.
Source
www.skysports.com