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Guro is Reiten the spot as she scores the only goal from a penalty that downs plucky 10-player Arsenal

Writer's picture: By Paul Lagan at Stamford BridgeBy Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge
Guro Reiten scores the winner from the spot v Arsenal        Picture by Paul Lagan
Guro Reiten scores the winner from the spot v Arsenal Picture by Paul Lagan

By Paul Lagan at Stamford Bridge


Chelsea 1 v Arsenal 0

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Guro Reiten secured Chelsea a massive three points in a pulsating and dramatic match at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal. Her penalty six minutes from time and the subsequent sending off of Katie McCabe for a separate incident, was the difference between the two sides.

But in league terms Chelsea are still top of the WSL,10 points clear of the third placed Gooners and nine ahead of second place Manchester City.

This was a tense affair which Arsenal can claim to feel a tad aggrieved not to get at least a point. But they failed to create many clear cut chances, while the Blues pressured at the beginning of both halves, Arsenal would then take control of the ball. But in the end it was the outstanding Lauren James, off the bench, who provided the touchpaper to secure the three points.

Catarina Macario had the first effort on goal in the game after two minutes, but her scuffed, edge of area left-footer was easily held by Daphne van Domselaar.

Johann Rytting Kaneryd (JoJo) had an effort sail over the visitors crossbar as the Blues went for an early lead.

Arsenal showed their class on the counter-attack, but that was equalled on six minutes, when a quick break by Chelsea saw Erin Cuthbert try a shot, but it went wide.

Chelsea's attacking ploy, gradually faded, allowing Arsenal to get a greater foothold in the match.

A horror back pass by Cuthbert, saw Alessia Russo take advantage and race into the area. She was forced slightly to the right, and her right-footer cut across Hannah Hampton and out for a goal kick.

Some real quality by Arsenal almost saw them notch the opener on 26 minutes. The ball was controlled from the left to the right and a Beth Mead effort was blocked by Niamh Charles for a corner.

Katie McCabe beat the Chelsea offside trap and was set to strike on goal, but Natalie Bjorn, just stuck her boot out in time to give away a corner as the north Londoners piled on the pressure.

Van Domselaar produced a wonderful acrobatic save to thwart Macario on 36 minutes as the game ebbed backward and forwards.

Mead had a glorious chance on 41 minutes but somehow screwed her effort wide of the mark.

Arsenal's Frida L. Maanum came on for Caitlin Foord a minute later.

Chelsea replaced Mayra Ramirez with Mailka Hamano at half-time. This allowed Hamano to take Macario's attacking midfield position while she went up front.

As the first half, Chelsea started the brighter and JoJo had the first chance. But her left-footer was weak.

It looked like it was going to take a piece of technical brilliance, a set-piece or a mistake to break the deadlock and Chelsea opted to try the technical brilliance option when they brought on Lauren James for Sandy Baltimore.

Striker Stina Blackstenius replaced Arsenal's Mead.

With the Chelsea pressure subsiding again, Arsenal took control of the ball.

Reiten was then brought on along with Aggie Beever-Jones in an attempt by the Blues to raise the tempo – off went Macario and and JoJo.

With eight minutes on the clock the technical brilliance that is James earned a penalty for the Blues. A long ball by Reiten fed the striker who was upended by Kim Little. The spot kick was rightly awarded but then Katie McCabe was then given two yellow cards presumably for dissent - and then a red.

Up stepped Reiten, who sent Van Domselaar the wrong way and the Blues were one-up with six minutes left on the clock.

Arsenal responded by bringing in Rosa Kafaji and Wubben-Moy, off went Little and Kyra Cooney-Cross.

It made little difference as Chelsea saw out the added six minutes to secure a rare league double against the Gooners.


Teams: Chelsea: Hampton, Bright, Nusken, Ramirez, Cuthbert, Macario, Bjorn, Baltimore, Rytting Kaneryd (JoJo), Charles, Bronze

Subs: Musovic, James, Reiten, Lawrence, Kaptein, Hamano, Mpome, Jean-Francois, Beever-Jones


Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Caldentey, Mead, Little, McCabe, Foord, Russo, Cooney-Cross

Subs: Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Codina, L. Maanum, Walti, Kafaji, Blackstenius, Wienroither, Reid

Referee; Emily Heaslip

תגובה אחת


North for Short
26 בינו׳

It was never a penalty and again, Arsenal are being done hard by. Kim Little touched the ball clearly. I couldn't see why Katie McCabe got sent off, probably protesting too strongly and we should have had a penalty if that was the case. The Chelsea defender made contact with the Arsenal player in the box. Wasn't even given a second glance

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