Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal: Beth Mead and Mariona Caldentey score to dent Chelsea’s title hopes

Chelsea’s Women’s Super League title hopes are in tatters after Beth Mead led Arsenal to a well-deserved victory at Stamford Bridge.

The Gunners took the lead in the 55th minute when Mead was played in by Alessia Russo and finished emphatically into the far corner.

Mead turned passer six minutes later, finding Mariona Caldentey in acres of space just inside the penalty area who confidently moved the ball past the onrushing defender before calmly caressing into the bottom corner.

Chelsea’s best chances came when the game continued, but Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nusken failed to convert glaring headed chances as the hosts fell to a damaging defeat.

Sonia Bompastor’s team remains six points behind leader Manchester City, having played one more game, while Arsenal remain third but are only one point behind the Blues.

Arsenal started quickly as they looked to put Wednesday’s disappointing League Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United behind them and could have taken the lead within two minutes.

Captain Katie McCabe shot straight at Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton before Alessia Russo’s follow-up was cleared off the line.

Although Arsenal kept Chelsea pinned in their own half, Arsenal struggled to create further scoring chances before Stina Blackstenius headed narrowly wide just before half-time.

In between, Chelsea ran through Wieke Kaptein and Naomi Girma threateningly from set pieces.

But Arsenal were again quicker out of the blocks in the second half and, with Chelsea claiming a foul on Sam Kerr just inside their own half, they pushed forward and Russo fed Mead to strike in the opener.

Alyssa Thompson almost provided Chelsea’s immediate response, but her shot flew just wide and Caldentey doubled Arsenal’s lead soon after.

While Chelsea will rue the missed chances that could have led to a nervy finish, the visitors were just as likely to add a third, with Blackstenius forcing Hampton into a couple of smart saves.

Renee Slegers’ side can celebrate a first victory against their London rivals since December 2023, a victory which gives City the chance to move nine points clear at the top with victory against the London City Lionesses on Sunday (11:55 GMT).