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Pernille Harder’s double helped Chelsea defeat Arsenal to move three points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League.
The Blues had been frustrated in the first half before Harder found space to place a 20-yard shot inside the post.
Sam Kerr’s rising shot clipped the bar before a slick move involving Jonna Andersson and Fran Kirby teed up Harder to smash in a second.
Kirby burst clear to slot a late third beyond Gunners keeper Lydia Williams.
Chelsea quickly erased the disappointment of Sunday’s shock defeat by Brighton – which ended their WSL record 33-match unbeaten run – to go three points clear of second-placed Manchester United.
Emma Hayes made six changes and her side dominated first-half possession without creating clear chances, aside from Kirby’s shot on the run, which Williams turned around the post superbly at full stretch.
The visitors had the best opportunity of the half when Vivianne Miedema muscled her way into the box, but keeper Ann-Katrin Berger’s outstretched boot denied the WSL’s 12-goal leading scorer.
However, Harder’s quickfire double before the hour mark put the hosts in control as they secured an 11th win in their past 13 league outings without further scares.
A fourth WSL defeat of the season leaves fourth-placed Arsenal with just two victories in eight league matches – after winning their opening five – and seven points adrift of the three Women’s Champions League places.
Line-ups
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 30Berger
- 18Mjelde
- 4Bright
- 16Eriksson
- 25Andersson
- 8LeupolzBooked at 22minsSubstituted forCuthbertat 62′minutes
- 5Ingle
- 14Kirby
- 23Harder
- 10JiBooked at 43minsSubstituted forEnglandat 74′minutes
- 20KerrSubstituted forReitenat 82′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Blundell
- 7Carter
- 9England
- 11Reiten
- 17Fleming
- 21Charles
- 22Cuthbert
- 24Spence
- 28Telford
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 18Williams
- 16MaritzSubstituted forNobbsat 76′minutes
- 6WilliamsonBooked at 89mins
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 15McCabe
- 7van de Donk
- 13Wälti
- 14Roord
- 17Evans
- 11Miedema
- 9Mead
Substitutes
- 1Zinsberger
- 4Patten
- 8Nobbs
- 20Maier
- 21Gut
- 24Stenson
Live Text
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Match ends, Chelsea Women 3, Arsenal Women 0.
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Second Half ends, Chelsea Women 3, Arsenal Women 0.
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Goal! Chelsea Women 3, Arsenal Women 0. Fran Kirby (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Beth England following a fast break.
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Leah Williamson (Arsenal Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Leah Williamson (Arsenal Women).
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Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Offside, Chelsea Women. Fran Kirby tries a through ball, but Beth England is caught offside.
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Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Maren Mjelde (Chelsea Women).
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Attempt blocked. Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Vivianne Miedema.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Daniëlle van de Donk.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Vivianne Miedema.
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Foul by Leah Williamson (Arsenal Women).
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Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Substitution, Chelsea Women. Guro Reiten replaces Sam Kerr.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Katie McCabe.
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Attempt blocked. Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Beth Mead.
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Jill Roord (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Millie Bright (Chelsea Women).
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Foul by Beth Mead (Arsenal Women).
