Chelsea made a powerful statement in their Women’s Super League opener, dismantling Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium. The Blues, who had their home match against Manchester United postponed last week, now sit comfortably at the top of the table with a perfect nine points from their first three games. Arsenal, on the other hand, finds themselves in sixth place with five points from four matches.
The match was a demonstration of Chelsea’s early dominance, with Colombian striker Mayra Ramirez scoring a remarkable goal in the fourth minute. Ramirez, left completely unmarked by Arsenal’s bewildered defense, deftly hooked the ball over her head and into the net. The early lead was doubled just 12 minutes later when fullback Sandy Baltimore expertly headed in a cross from Lauren James.
However, Arsenal’s hopes were reignited with a moment of individual brilliance from Caitlin Foord. In the 43rd minute, Foord showcased her skills, dancing along the touchline before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle that sailed past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and found the far post. This goal not only reduced the deficit but also injected newfound confidence into the Gunners.
The second half saw Arsenal pressing for an equalizer, with substitute Stina Blackstenius narrowly missing a golden opportunity when her late shot hit the crossbar. Chelsea, sensing the threat, responded by introducing Nathalie Bjorn and Ashley Lawrence to secure their victory. This win marks a perfect start for new coach Sonia Bompastor, who continues to lead Chelsea to impressive results in the league.
With this victory, Chelsea sends a strong message to their rivals. Their early dominance suggests a serious challenge for the WSL title, while Arsenal faces the daunting task of finding their form and climbing the table.
