Arsenal Women 4-1 Chelsea Women: The Gunners win the WSL title race handily thanks to two goals from Alessia Russo.

In front of a record WSL audience at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal defeated Chelsea 4-1 thanks to a double from Alessia Russo, sparking the title battle in the process.

The Blues lost their first league game of the season in front of a new WSL attendance record of 59,042, despite leading Arsenal and Manchester City by three points going into the match due to a lackluster performance all around.

Within eight minutes, Beth Mead gave Arsenal the lead, but Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (13) quickly equalized with a brilliant start.

But the Gunners took the lead thanks to two goals in the first two minutes of the half and some dubious Chelsea defending.

Prior to Russo (38) scoring the first of her two goals and beating Maren Mjelde to slide in Arsenal’s third, Amanda Ilestedt (36) nodded the hosts ahead.

Following three half-time substitutions, Chelsea appeared more composed; nonetheless, the Gunners were awarded a penalty after Ann-Katrin Berger’s sliding challenge on Russo. With a cool finish, the England striker scored the goal at the 74th minute, leaving the Blues unable to respond and suffering their first league loss of the year.

Even though Chelsea and Arsenal currently have equal 22 points, Chelsea still leads the league on goal differential.

“That’s as bad as I’ve seen us for a long time,” Emma Hayes said after the game. “Arsenal had four shots on goal in the first half and three goals. If we want to compete, we have to be better than that.

“The better team won by a country mile and they bullied us… I think all phases of our play were poor. This is not about particular individuals, I think as a team, that was disappointing.”

How Arsenal easily won a major match

Both clubs have already found the net by the thirteenth minute. Victoria Pelova was discovered inside the area following a brilliant break by the hosts, which gave Arsenal the early advantage. She then selected an unmarked Mead who quickly changed route to locate her before firing home.

Five minutes later, Chelsea struck the back of the net after working Manuela Zinsberger in the interim. Rytting Kaneryd drove into the area and shot hard, sending the ball past the goalkeeper’s outstretched palm and through Steph Catley’s knees.

As the game went on, Arsenal continued to control the majority of the play and scored the first goal once more in the 36th minute. Ilestedt easily headed home a simple cross from a corner, and Berger was too early to stop the Arsenal defender from nodding in.

The Gunners soon made it three. Lia Walti hit a beautiful ball over the top that found Russo’s run. She effortlessly detached herself from Mjelde and then slid by Berger to reach her residence.

Emma Hayes made three substitutions at halftime, replacing Fran Kirby, Ashley Lawrence, and Kadeisha Buchanan with Mjelde, Sjoeke Nusken, and Eve Perisset.

After the break, Chelsea played more evenly, with referee Rebecca Welch brushing away a penalty call made by the visitors after Kirby was fouled.

But with about twenty minutes remaining, Arsenal was given a penalty. Jess Carter bundled Russo off the ball as she attempted to cling onto a through pass, and Berger then slid in over a wet pitch to send the striker sprawling.

Berger objected, but the ruling stood, and Russo scored Arsenal’s fourth goal with precision.

Chelsea’s confidence appeared to be shaken by the goal once more, and it appeared as though the Gunners might score another before the end. But Arsenal’s excellent defense held them at bay as they completely destroyed the WSL title competition.

Analysis: What did Chelsea do wrong?

Charlotte Marsh of Sky Sports at the Emirates:

For Chelsea and Emma Hayes, this one hurts. They just don’t lose games like this. To use a football analogy, they are typically the ones that bully rather than being bullied.

Chelsea has achieved victories against other clubs even if they haven’t always played at their best—that just isn’t feasible every week.

Nonetheless, Chelsea was punished in every area where they were vulnerable by Arsenal’s deft attack, which has been building for a major occasion. Hayes was correct when she remarked that there was disappointment on all fronts.

Eve Perisset and Maren Mjelde had a difficult first half; Russo too easily outran Mjelde for Arsenal’s third goal. Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan, who were introduced at halftime, did help to steady the ship by making crucial interceptions, particularly toward the end.

Still, it was obvious how much Millie Bright was missed in the center of defense. Hayes anticipates her captain won’t return until after the holidays.

Normally so dependable for Chelsea, Ann-Katrin Berger ought not to have emerged so early for Arsenal’s second goal, which all Ilestedt nodded in.

Although she would argue that she shouldn’t have suffered consequences for her bundle into Russo, Berger ought to have let Carter handle the matter. Being a seasoned “keeper,” she is aware that she is taking a significant risk the moment she leaves. For her today, that did not work out.

Sam Kerr and Lauren James were both masterfully restrained by Arsenal. Chelsea’s assault relies heavily on two players who did not get any time on the ball. Because so many things were just not clicking for the Blues, they were unable to counter that.

Chelsea has experienced setbacks in the past, including a loss to Arsenal at the Emirates, and has bounced back, but this one really opens up the WSL title fight. These matches against other elite teams frequently have a significant impact on the trophy’s final destination.

But be prepared for a close race between these two for the WSL championship. As we get set for an exciting five months, let’s not ignore Manchester City either.

Hayes: A long 98 minutes

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes:

“We were bullied in the duels, in the number of duels we lost in the game. You can’t concede three goals from four shots at any level of football and expect to win a game… I felt as a team, we just struggled. This isn’t about any one player, we struggled as a team. It was a long 98 minutes today.

“The last time we had a defeat like this in the Conti Cup final, we did OK. You have to get beaten, you can’t go a whole season unbeaten, there are lots of top teams.

“But what you cannot do is give away three goals before the half and then just give it you’ve given it up. You could say they could have scored more in the second half. They’re in a winning position, they commit numbers forward, they’re on top they’re playing at home. Points are irrelevant, but we weren’t good enough going forward either.

“We talk like teams don’t lose football matches. We’ve lost the football match, but it is not the end of the world. Are we disappointed? Of course we are.

“But we’ve not lost the title, we’ve not lost the final, just three points. It’s disappointment not just with result but also the performance.”

Eidevall: It’s great we won, but let’s not get carried away!

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall in an interview with BBC Sport:

“It is a really strong performance, especially the first half when we killed the game. That is the best we have played this season, we have shown out potential which we know we have, but we have not really played at that level, so that was really pleasing to see.

“For us, if I am going to summarise in some ways when we played Chelsea here two and half seasons ago and I was knee sliding after that game as that felt big.

“Now the only thing that matters is the position in the league. It is great that we won today, I am really proud of the performance, but let’s not get carried away. It does not count for anything if we are not ready for Saturday against Tottenham.

“There are still two more games till Christmas, even with how great that was. There is another game on Wednesday and then on Saturday, so it is not Christmas yet!”

WHATS NEXT?

On Wednesday, December 13, Arsenal will play Tottenham in the Women’s League Cup in the first of two North London Derby matches. Start at 7:00 p.m.

The two then square off against one another three days later on Saturday, December 16, live on Sky Sports, this time at Spurs in the WSL. Launch at 12 p.m.

In the Champions League on Thursday, December 14, Chelsea takes on Group D leaders BK Hacken. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. On Sunday, December 17, the Blues play in the WSL against Bristol City. Start time is 2:00 PM.