In a highly anticipated Women’s Super League London derby, league leaders Chelsea continued their unbeaten run with a convincing victory over third-place Arsenal in front of a packed crowd at Stamford Bridge. The Blues’ dominant performance marked a huge step towards securing another WSL title.
Chelsea’s Unrelenting Pressure Pays Off
From the opening whistle, Chelsea set the tone with their high-intensity pressing and possession-based football. The hosts’ unrelenting pressure forced several turnovers deep in Arsenal’s half, creating multiple scoring opportunities early on.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Pernille Harder pounced on a loose ball in the box and slotted home past a helpless Manuela Zinsberger. Harder’s 10th league goal of the season gave Chelsea a deserved 1-0 lead.
We knew we had to start strong and put them under pressure from the first minute. I’m so proud of the team for executing the game plan perfectly.
Emma Hayes, Chelsea Manager
Kerr’s Brace Seals the Deal
Chelsea doubled their advantage just before halftime through Sam Kerr. The prolific Australian forward latched onto a through ball from Fran Kirby, rounded the keeper, and calmly finished into an empty net for her league-leading 18th goal of the campaign.
Kerr put the result beyond doubt in the 72nd minute, rising highest to head home a pinpoint cross from Guro Reiten and make it 3-0. The goal was Kerr’s 19th of the season, putting her in pole position for the Golden Boot.
- Pernille Harder – 10 goals, 8 assists
- Sam Kerr – 19 goals, 5 assists
- Fran Kirby – 7 goals, 11 assists
Arsenal’s Title Hopes Fading
The defeat leaves Arsenal 7 points adrift of Chelsea with only 6 games remaining. The Gunners, who have not won the WSL since 2019, now face an uphill battle to catch the defending champions.
We’re disappointed with the result but I can’t fault the effort from the players. Chelsea were the better team today. We’ll keep fighting until the end but they have one hand on the trophy now.
Jonas Eidevall, Arsenal Manager
Chelsea on the Brink of More Glory
With just a handful of games left, Chelsea look almost certain to retain their WSL crown. The Blues have been utterly dominant this season, winning 14 of their 16 matches and scoring a league-high 54 goals.
Manager Emma Hayes has assembled a star-studded squad brimming with international talent. In addition to the goalscoring exploits of Harder and Kerr, midfield maestro Ji So-yun and defensive rock Millie Bright have been instrumental to Chelsea’s success.
| Team | Played | Points |
| Chelsea | 16 | 43 |
| Manchester City | 16 | 38 |
| Arsenal | 17 | 36 |
Barring a monumental collapse, the Blues are on course for a historic fourth consecutive WSL title. With the quality in their ranks and Emma Hayes at the helm, few would bet against them achieving that feat and cementing their status as one of the greatest teams in the history of English women’s football.
