Inching closer to securing their fourth consecutive Women’s Super League title, Chelsea showcased their dominance with a 2-0 triumph over Arsenal at Kingsmeadow today.
Defeat in this mouth-watering all-London match-up effectively crashed the Gunners out of the title race, even casting doubt on their top-three bid and qualification for next season’s Women’s Champions League.
If Manchester City beat cross-city rivals Manchester United later today, Jonas Eidevall’s team will surrender a coveted third place heading into the final round of another enthralling WSL season.
That scenario would crown Chelsea WSL champions after they leapfrogged long-standing leaders Man Utd at the summit on the back of six consecutive league victories.
Emma Hayes’ ladies took the initiative from the get-go at Kingsmeadow, finding the breakthrough midway through the first half through Guro Reiten’s 12th goal of the season.
Reiten eluded her markers to slide home Eve Perisset’s driven cross into the bottom corner and set the tone for another delightful WSL afternoon for the Blues.
It looked like Chelsea would enter the break with a slender one-goal cushion, but Magdalena Eriksson doubled the advantage in the 41st minute, bundling home Sam Kerr’s header across goal from point-blank.
There was never a way back into the match for Arsenal from that point on, even though the visitors fought tooth and nail to avoid another H2H defeat in the second half.
Chelsea’s second victory in four competitive meetings with the Gunners in 2023 (D1, L1) puts them five points clear of second-placed Man United ahead of the Red Devils’ blockbuster clash against Man City.
Marc Skinner’s side would likely only postpone the inevitable by winning the Manchester derby on Sunday evening.
Chelsea head to relegation-bound Reading on the final weekend, and only a miracle could help the Red Devils snatch the title away, with the Blues firmly in control of their destiny.
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