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 11:20 · Ben Fleming]

Arsenal vs Chelsea - key things to know

When is Arsenal vs Chelsea?

The WSL clash will kick off at 12:30pm GMT on Sunday 10 December at the Emirates Stadium.

How can I watch it?

It will be shown live on BBC Two, with coverage starting from 12:15pm. It will also be shown live on BBC iPlayer.

[10 December 2023 10:15 · Mike Jones]

Arsenal vs Chelsea

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Women’s Super League. There’s a huge game taking place this afternoon as Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are hoping to close the gap on the league leaders and know that collecting three points today would be enough to draw them level on points with the reigning champions.

Meanwhile, Emma Hayes will see this match as an opportunity to move further ahead of the team’s closest rivals and to secure a firmer grip on the top of the table. This is the Chelsea boss’ last season managing in the WSL and she will want to sign off with another title.

We’ll have all the updates, team news and match action throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 12.30pm.