Arsenal v Chelsea LIVE: Women’s Super League result and reaction as Gunners shake up title race

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea: Rampant Gunners put themselves in the hunt for the WSL title with a superb performance in front of record crowd at the Emirates

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes responds to Joey Barton's comments on women in football

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo scored twice as her side hammered Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in front of a league-record crowd of 59,042, blowing the title race wide open in the process.

Arsenal forward Beth Mead opened the scoring in the eighth minute, finishing off a dogged attack by keeping a cool head to cut back inside Niamh Charles and fire into the roof of the net with her weaker left foot.

The lead lasted all of five minutes as Chelsea winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd netted a similar effort to Mead’s, shifting inside Steph Catley to create a bit of space and scoring with a low shot that flew in at the near post.

Rytting Kaneryd’s Sweden international team mate Amanda Ilestedt headed Arsenal back into the lead in the 36th minute, and Russo added a quick-fire third less than two minutes later as Chelsea’s defence floundered.

Blues coach Emma Hayes made a triple change at the break but it made little difference as they continued to struggle to find any fluency in attack. Any hope of a comeback was snuffed out when Ann-Katrin Berger conceded a penalty for a foul on Russo, who scored from the spot in the 74th minute.

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr had a chance to reduce the deficit deep into stoppage time but her header from Fran Kirby’s cross lacked power as Arsenal comfortably held on to win.

Follow along for all the updates plus get the latest football odds and tips right here:

Arsenal vs Chelsea live

• REPORT: Alessia Russo leads statement WSL thrashing as Arsenal tear Chelsea apart
• FT: Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 in the Women’s Super League to surge into title contention
• 74’ - GOAL! Russo penalty adds to Chelsea woe (ARS 4-1 CHE)
• 38’ - GOAL! Russo curls a delightful finish into the corner (ARS 3-1 CHE)
• 36’ - GOAL! Ilestedt restores the Gunners lead (ARS 2-1 CHE)
• 13’ - GOAL! Rytting Kaneryd finishes well to equalise (ARS 1-1 CHE)
• 8’ GOAL! Mead makes space in the box and fires the Gunners ahead (ARS 1-0 CHE)

[10 December 2023 14:31 · Ben Fleming]

FULL-TIME: Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

The ref calls time on this clash and it’s a resounding victory for the home side in front of a record crowd. Russo grabbed her second after the break from the spot but the damage was done in the first half after goals from Mead, Ilestedt and the aforementioned Russo.

The Gunners move level on points with Chelsea at the top of the WSL table as the Blues’ unbeaten start comes crashing to a halt. Plenty to mull over for Emma Hayes but this title race has just been blown wide open.

[10 December 2023 14:29 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

90+5 mins: Arsenal are hungry for more as Lacasse cuts inside from the right flank. She lets fly but doesn’t get the curl on it as it drifts well wide of the far post.

[10 December 2023 14:25 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

90+2 mins: A free-kick for Arsenal as we enter the second of eight minutes of added time. McCabe swings in the cross but it’s nodded wide at the back post by Blackstenius.

[10 December 2023 14:22 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

89 mins: More chances for Arsenal as Chelsea pour numbers forward. Foorde has the effort in the end but Buchanan gets across well to put the block in.

[10 December 2023 14:20 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

87 mins: A tactical foul on Cuthbert from Pelova earns the Arsenal midfielder a late yellow card.

[10 December 2023 14:19 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

86 mins: A huge chance for Blackstenius surges into the box. There’s no one around her but it’s a horrible finish in the end from the striker as she blazes well, well wide of the goal. She won’t want to watch that one back.

[10 December 2023 14:17 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

84 mins: Foord surges into the area and lays the ball off to Lacasse but the subs effort is scuffed as Chelsea escape this time.

[10 December 2023 14:16 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

83 minutes: A few moments ago the attendance was read out and confirmed as 59,042, marking a record for a WSL game. And what a performance the home fans have been treated to.

[10 December 2023 14:13 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

80 mins: Chelsea continue to come forward in search of some way back into this encounter. Arsenal look steady in defence, though, as the clock ticks into the 80th minute.

[10 December 2023 14:09 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea

75 mins: A triple change for Arsenal following that goal. It’s Russo’s last act of the day as she makes way for Blackstenius. Catley and Mead are also withdrawn with Maritz and Lacasse coming on.

There’s a change, too, for Chelsea as James slumps into the chair after she is brought. It’s not been her day at all as Fishel replaces the England international.