Gareth Taylor's side were just minutes away from getting one hand on the trophy before Stina Blackstenius' late, late double
Stina Blackstenius has let Chelsea right back into the Women's Super League title race after her stoppage-time winner completed a dramatic, late turnaround for Arsenal at Manchester City. The hosts led 1-0 in the 88th minute, but Blackstenius quick-fire double changed everything, meaning Emma Hayes' side could be level on points with the Cityzens at the top of the table going into the final day.
Lauren Hemp put City 1-0 up with a fine finish in the first half, but they never really kicked on from there. Leila Ouahabi had a good chance to break the deadlock even earlier and Chloe Kelly should've done better with another opportunity, but the game descended into a lull from there and had a dead-rubber feel to it, despite it being a crucial fixture in the title race.
Arsenal had only really had one chance in the game, which saw Frida Maanum denied well by Khiara Keating, until they turned the pressure up in the closing stages. City had looked in control for most of the match, yet were suddenly fragile and hesitant at the back, collapsing to allow the Gunners to somehow leave with all three points.
If Chelsea beat already-relegated Bristol City later on Sunday and also overcome Tottenham in 10 days' time, they will be level with City at the top of the WSL table going into the final day of the season. It could well all come down to goal difference.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Joie Stadium…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Khiara Keating (7/10):
Made some big stops and crucial interventions. Couldn't do anything about either goal.
Kerstin Casparij (7/10):
Struggled to deal with Lacasse at times, though did come up with some big moments at the back too. Went off before City's collapse.
Laia Aleixandri (5/10):
Defending became too passive in the latter stages.
Alex Greenwood (5/10):
Good on the ball and dominant in her duels but didn't push the team out enough in the final minutes and lost Blackstenius for the winner.
Leila Ouahabi (5/10):
Supported the attack well and nearly broke the deadlock very early on, but that left gaps at the back which Arsenal exploited at times.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Yui Hasegawa (6/10):
Should've been nearer Blackstenius when she poked home the equaliser.
Laura Coombs (6/10):
Provided a lot of energy in midfield which caused a shaky and hesitant Arsenal some problems. Off before the hour.
Jess Park (5/10):
Quiet game by her standards but probably still should've had an assist to her name, after creating a great chance for Kelly.
Getty ImagesAttack
Mary Fowler (7/10):
Didn't touch the ball too much but was dangerous when involved. Great on set-pieces.
Chloe Kelly (5/10):
Should've doubled City's lead when Park picked her out. Didn't get much service.
Lauren Hemp (7/10):
An absolute headache in the first half but didn't have enough help most of the time. Did her defensive duties.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Filippa Angeldahl (5/10):
On for Coombs before the hour and brought a lot of running, though often lacked that final ball.
Alanna Kennedy (N/A):
On for the final few minutes.
Gareth Taylor (5/10):
No huge surprises in a line up that showed just one change and the fluid front three caused Arsenal's shaky defence problems. However, should've been more impactful with subs to inject energy into a game that his team never looked like killing off.