Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal: WSL leaders sink Gunners with Pernille Tougher double

Pernille Tougher’s double helped Chelsea defeat Arsenal to maneuver three factors clear on the prime of the Ladies’s Tremendous League.

Sam Kerr’s rising shot clipped the bar earlier than a slick transfer involving Jonna Andersson and Fran Kirby teed up Tougher to smash in a second.

Kirby burst clear to fit a late third past Gunners keeper Lydia Williams.

Chelsea shortly erased the frustration of Sunday’s shock defeat by Brighton – which ended their WSL report 33-match unbeaten run – to go three factors away from second-placed Manchester United.

Emma Hayes made six modifications and her facet dominated first-half possession with out creating clear probabilities, apart from Kirby’s shot on the run, which Williams turned across the publish beautifully at full stretch.

The guests had the most effective alternative of the half when Vivianne Miedema muscled her manner into the field, however keeper Ann-Katrin Berger’s outstretched boot denied the WSL’s 12-goal main scorer.

Nonetheless, Tougher’s quickfire double earlier than the hour mark put the hosts in management as they secured an eleventh win of their previous 13 league outings with out additional scares.

A fourth WSL defeat of the season leaves fourth-placed Arsenal with simply two victories in eight league matches – after successful their opening 5 – and 7 factors adrift of the three Ladies’s Champions League locations.

Chelsea supervisor Emma Hayes:

“All people is aware of what the requirements are at Chelsea and it is not all the time straightforward to dwell with.

“The strain is relentless, the expectation is relentless, but it surely’s a spot for the most effective to thrive, and solely the most effective, with the best requirements, maintain this dream machine flying.

“These are my calls for and I will not compromise on that. To see the response from the staff exhibits the place the staff needs to go.”

Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro:

“I believe if we analyse this recreation an excessive amount of it’s going to drive us loopy as a result of there wasn’t quite a bit mistaken with that aside from they scored three targets and we scored none.

“It is very arduous to maintain analysing these video games as a result of we play a bit extra pragmatic after which they damage us one other manner – they’re a really, superb staff with some highly effective gamers and it is the standard of them that has unlocked us right now.

“Mathematically there may be nonetheless quite a bit to play for us, however typically realistically you must set your self completely different targets. Now we have a Champions League spot to play for and two video games in hand to assist get us there.”