Chelsea left it late and needed an added time equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw against Arsenal and extend their unbeaten run to 27 games in the Women’s Super League on Sunday 15 November.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 86th minute through Beth Mead and were on course to taking all three points, until Chelsea drew level in injury time, with an absolute freak goal.
Chelsea Leave it Late to Maintain 27-Game Unbeaten Record
First Half – 45 Minutes of Very Few Chances
The first-half got off to a relatively slow start, with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances.
As the first 45 progressed, both defences were well on top and snuffed out everything at source. Going forward, Chelsea were struggling to playmaker Ji So-Yun on the ball. But, when she did take possession, Arsenal were quick to force her backwards.
The Gunners managed to end the half the strongest, with Kim Little finding little pockets of space and starting to look rather dangerous from central positions.
In the 40th minute, the ever-lively Little created the first chance of the game when she found Miedema in the area, but the Dutch international’s deflected effort did not trouble Ann-Katrin Berger in the Chelsea goal.
Moments later, a mistake by Sophie Ingle gifted Caitlin Roord an opportunity to strike from just outside the area, but her dipping effort hit the bar and then amazingly enough bounced off the bar a second time.
Second Half – Chelsea Left It Late
Chelsea started the second half off a lot brighter, and started to force mistakes. The Blues started to press higher and were almost rewarded in the first minute, when Harder Intercepted Leah Williamson’s pass and slipped Beth England through, but her shot blazed miles over the bar.
Arsenal continued to give the ball away carelessly inside their own half, but Chelsea failed to capitalise or create anything meaningful from their mistakes.
When Arsenal did get forward, it was predominantly through Beth Mead, who was looking increasingly dangerous mid-way through the second-half.
In the 74th minute, Harder had a golden opportunity to open the scoring, when Ji’s cross was headed out straight to the on-rushing number 23, but was unable to convert.
Arsenal then had two opportunities for themselves late into second half. The first came through Miedema, but her volleyed effort sailed just past the post. Leah Williamson then came even closer, when she headed narrowly wide from a corner.
The opener then came in the 86th minute, after Miedema displayed an excellent turn of pace down the left-wing to get beyond the Chelsea defence. Her left-footed cross found Mead, who showed exceptional determination to burst in front of Eriksson and to tap home.
Chelsea extraordinarily found an equaliser in added time, with Harder’s cross deflecting off Lotte Wubben-Moy and beyond Manuel Zinsberger in the Arsenal goal.
With two minutes of added time left, substitute Sam Kerr nearly stole all three points for the blues, but her lobbed effort bounced narrowly wide of the target.
What Was Said?
Arsenal Boss Joe Montemurro:
“I’ve always believed in this team. I’ve always believed in the personalities of this team.
“If the intention is right, we’ll defend well, we’ll attack well. I’ve probably never been more disappointed not to take all three points.
“And when I hear ‘long ball, second ball’ from the opposition team, with the quality of players they have got, it brings a smile to my face for them to be resorting to those things.”
Chelsea Boss Emma Hayes:
“It was an average performance but an unbelievable point for us. And I’m pleased because these are the games I fear.
“Pernille Harder‘s run creates a little bit of luck. Sometimes you need a little bit of that because I didn’t think we got a lot of luck.
“Although we weren’t at our best, we still didn’t lose, and I’m super proud of that because I know it never goes according to plan.”
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