Alyssa Thompson scored the only goal as Chelsea secured a 1-0 win against Arsenal to end their unbeaten streak in the Women’s Super League.
Arsenal failed to make their early dominance count after striking the post twice through Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey before Thompson broke the deadlock at Stamford Bridge.
Keira Walsh’s strike from distance was initially well kept out by Anneke Borbe, but the goalkeeper was left helpless when Thompson pounced in the box to fire home the rebound in emphatic style.
The Gunners – who had drawn their last two WSL matches – improved in the second half, with Chloe Kelly’s angled drive blocked and Alessia Russo’s shot charged down, but the hosts saw out the closing stages for a third WSL win.
Their unbeaten streak in the WSL, stretching back to October 2025, came to an end with it. The Gunners had not tasted defeat in their last 20 games before their trip to west London.
Victory takes Chelsea to within two points of league leaders Manchester City at the top of the table, while Arsenal are already seven points adrift ahead of their meeting with the champions on October 4.
Image:
Alyssa Thompson of Chelsea celebrates her opener with team-mates
Slegers ‘disappointed’ but believes in her players despite struggles
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers speaking to Sky Sports:
“Very disappointed. We know it’s a tough game, Chelsea away. I think we did well in the first half in the physical battle and dominated until their goal. We found it hard in the second half and it cost us more energy.
“[We will] work hard, reflect and go forward. I want to take everything away from the players because I think they’re at their very best when they’re light. There is so much quality in the squad.”
On what isn’t clicking for Arsenal currently: “It’s a cocktail of things. It’s everything. Technical and psychological. We’re looking at it. I believe in these players. The goals and the points will come. I believe in them.”
On the title race: “We have to earn the right to talk about this because we’ve lost too many points at the moment. Look at the next game and get the points.”
Are Arsenal’s title chances over already?
Sky Sports’ Dan Long:
It seems a touch early to definitely say whether or not Arsenal’s title chances are over already, but their start has left a lot to be desired.
Four games in, they have scored only twice and one of those goals – in the 1-1 draw with Man Utd last weekend – wasn’t scored until the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time.
And now their unbeaten run in the WSL, which started all the way back on October 12 last year, has been ended by Chelsea.
It leaves the Gunners seven points adrift of leaders Man City already.
Head coach Renee Slegers was asked about that topic after full-time at Stamford Bridge and she said she wanted to “take the pressure off” her players.
“I believe in these players. The goals will come and the points will come as well,” she said.
“We have to earn the right again to talk about this [the title race] because we’ve lost too many points.”
With a trip to City up next on October 4, the week ahead feels like a crucial one in the north Londoners’ season.
What the result means…