Emma Hayes discusses the game with England manager Mark Sampson, former Gunner Ellen White and BT Sport presenter Helen Skelton. Picture: Catherine Etoe

Published: 11 September, 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

CHELSEA are two points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League after snatching a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Arsenal on Thursday in a topsy-turvy match at Meadow Park. 

The north Londoners got off to the perfect start with Danielle Carter sliding the ball home from 15-yards to open the scoring after only 10 minutes.

The hosts should have doubled their lead 10 minutes later, but Casey Stoney blasted her penalty over the bar, after Carter was tripped. 

Chelsea, managed by former Parliament Hill schoolgirl Emma Hayes, capitalised on the missed opportunity as they battled back to take a 2-1 lead.

The goals came courtesy of Yuki Ogimi and Jackie Groenen. Ogimi scored from the spot after Alex Scott was judged to have handled in the area, while Groenen’s innocuous shot somehow crept under Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne. 

Chelsea’s Jackie Groenen proves that she’s about more than just goals as she tackles Arsenal’s Rachel Yankey. Picture: The FA via Getty Images

Midfielder Leah Williamson quickly lifted the spirits of the home supporters when she equalised with the goal of the game, floating a 20-yard angled shot into the top corner of the net. 

With just minutes left on the clock, and the game seemingly heading for a draw, Chelsea were gifted the winner when Byrne hacked her intended clearance straight to striker Ji So Yun, who gleefully tucked the ball home. 

After seeing the Blues net their seventh win in eight league outings Hayes said: “I felt a point away from home would be good as we’d never won at Borehamwood, but to win makes things even harder for those around us. 

“We’ve played a fantastic Arsenal team, who perhaps don’t feel they deserve to be on the losing side.”