The Ladies defeated Chelsea by two goals to one and now trail the Blues by only two points and Manchester City by three, although they have a game in hand.
Alex Scott gave Chelsea Ladies an early lead with an awful back pass that went past the stranded Sari Van Veenendaal in goal. An awful way to start the game and a pretty stupid goal to give away in a decisive game.
Disastrous own goal from @AlexScott gifts @ChelseaLFC the lead in the @FAWSL London derby with @ArsenalLadies. https://t.co/5tgJxDCYP7
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 17, 2016
With the team struggling to create chances in open play, the equaliser came just before half-time with a corner from Fara Williams headed in by Vicky Losada for the equaliser.
.@losada_vicky equalises for @ArsenalLadies against @ChelseaLFC with a towering header from a corner. https://t.co/Lfm6Wvrtl4
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 17, 2016
Then came the grotesque half-time moment when Arsenal came back in from their dressing due to the heating being on. Why do that on a very hot day?
.@ArsenalLadies hold half-time talk on the pitch at @ChelseaLFC after the heating is left on in their dressing room. https://t.co/kf2HNIl88A
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 17, 2016
The winner from Danielle Van De Donk came late in the day, straight after Claire Rafferty’s missed sitter for Chelsea. Arsenal hit the Blues on the break with a delightful Natalia Sanchon through ball for the Dutch forward to go round Hedvig Lindhal and finish into the empty net.
A fabulous finish from @DanielleDonk earns @ArsenalLadies a precious 2-1 win at @ChelseaLFC in the @FAWSL. https://t.co/2ZR1GgCANd
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 17, 2016
Those games are won by small margins and it could have gone both ways but it is a huge three points for the Gunners. Chelsea Ladies now have a two point lead and cannot slip-up any more, as the Gunners will be ready to pounce if anything happens.
Emma Hayes the Chelsea Ladies’ manager complained about the standard of refereeing and she had every right to do so. The referees have been shocking for years and the League needs quality, not the low level people that are assigned to the games.
.@ChelseaLFC boss Emma Hayes hits out at the standard of officials in women's football, saying they deserve better. https://t.co/Ty7lru7DNK
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) July 17, 2016
The remaining seven League games for Arsenal are:
- Liverpool H
- Notts County A
- Man City H
- Doncaster H
- Liverpool A
- Doncaster A
21 points from those games would make it 38 in total, which is probably good enough.
The team showed great resilience after going behind early in the game and it was an important win on the psychological side.