Chelsea returned to winning ways in the Women’s Super League with a convincing 3-0 victory over Arsenal in a London derby at Kingsmeadow.
It was one of only two Women’s Super League fixtures to take place on the night, with Tottenham Hotspur v Bristol City and Birmingham City v Aston Villa both postponed earlier in the day due to frozen pitches.
Women’s Super League Round-Up: Chelsea Beat the Gunners
Chelsea Cruise Past Arsenal
Pernille Harder’s brace and Fran Kirby’s goal ensured the Blues made a perfect response from a shock 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, extending their lead at the top of the Women’s Super League to three points.
Harder opened the scoring three minutes into the second half with a 20-yard strike that flew into the bottom corner.
The Denmark international doubled her’s and Chelsea’s tally ten minutes later when she fired home from Kirby’s cut-back into the box.
Kirby then added her name onto the scoresheet in the 90th minute with a close-range finish after racing through one-on-one with Lydia Williams.
The result leaves Arsenal’s slim title hopes in tatters – they remain fourth with 23 points from 13 games, 12 adrift of Chelsea with a game in hand.
Brighton Secure Back-to-back Wins
Brighton secured back-to-back wins in the Women’s Super League for the first time with a hard-fought 1-0 win over West Ham United at The People’s Pension Stadium.
It was the first home win for Hope Powell’s side since a 2-0 opening day victory over Birmingham City and sent the Seagulls up into seventh place with 15 points from 15 games.
Aileen Whelan scored for a second consecutive game in the 31st minute – again from a Megan Connolly corner – to give Albion the narrow victory.
The result extends the Hammers’ winless run to four games and leaves them 11th with eight points from 13 games – just two more than Bristol City at the bottom of the table.
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