Arsenal Women 3 – 1 Chelsea Women

Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 to win the Women’s League Cup for a record-extending sixth time in front of a sell-out crowd at Selhurst Park.

Over 19,000 fans watched on at the home of Premier League club Crystal Palace as Arsenal claimed the first silverware of the women’s season and won this competition for the first time since 2018.

Jonas Eidevall’s side had to come from behind though as Chelsea, aiming for their third title in four seasons after losing last year’s final to Manchester City, took the lead when the impressive Sam Kerr powered home a close-range header in the second minute.

Arsenal responded well and deservedly equalised through Stina Blackstenius’ calm finish (16) and went ahead for the first time when Kim Little scored a penalty (24) after Sophie Ingle had brought down Katie McCabe in the box.

Blackstenius thought she had scored Arsenal’s third goal of the game in the 35th minute before her effort was quickly ruled out for offside, but the Gunners did extend their lead deep into first-half stoppage time when Chelsea right-back Niamh Charles was deemed to have got the final touch on a Stephanie Catley corner.

After the break, Caitlin Foord was denied what looked to be a certain penalty when Kadeisha Buchanan mistimed her tackle, but it did not prove to be decisive as Arsenal went on to comfortably see out the win, despite Melanie Leupolz’s wayward cross striking the bar for Chelsea late on.

Arsenal trail Chelsea by five points in the Women’s Super League, but this victory will give them a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their return to league action at home to Liverpool on Wednesday.

More to follow…