WSL: Chelsea Ladies 0-0 Arsenal Ladies
- Published
Women's Super League leaders Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by second-placed Arsenal at Staines Town.
Chelsea forward Ji So-Yun had the best chance of the first half but dragged wide after Gemma Davison's pass
After the break, Katie Chapman fired over for Chelsea while Arsenal's Natalia Pablos Sanchon also failed to hit the target.
The result ends Chelsea's 100%-winning start to the season, but both sides remain unbeaten in the league in 2015.
Chelsea, who beat the Gunners 2-1 in the FA Women's Cup quarter-finals earlier this season, are two points clear at the top of WSL 1.
Chelsea's mean defence |
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Chelsea have only conceded one league goal so far this season |
Arsenal, who were missing both veteran Kelly Smith and PFA Young Player of the Year Leah Williamson through injury, suffered a further setback early on when midfielder Jordan Nobbs picked up a possible hamstring problem.
The visitors looked dangerous going forward with the pace of Natalia and her cross found Chioma Ubogagu, but she headed straight at Swedish international goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
After the break, Natalia fired wide three times in quick succession and, at the other end, Jackie Groenen pounced on a rare mistake by Jade Bailey and squared to Ji So-Yun, but the South Korean international blazed over from 10 yards out.
Chelsea captain Katie Chapman also shot over, before Ubogagu had an excellent chance to win the game for Arsenal but her low effort could not beat Lindahl.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes told BBC Sport:
"I'm pleased with the point. If you're going to compete for titles, you've got to keep the ball out of your net, especially when you're not at your best.
"Ultimately, Ji has missed a fantastic opportunity that would have clinched it, but it's not to be.
"We're a team that's playing in more than one competition.
"For Arsenal it's just the league, so it was important for them to look to go top of the league, but there weren't able to do that, so I'm happy with the outcome tonight."
Arsenal Ladies boss Pedro Martinez Losa told BBC Sport:
"I think we did a fantastic job. We caused them problems all game.
"I think we maybe deserved a little more. Today we were the better team.
"In my opinion there were two penalty kicks in the first half, but that's part of the game."
Chelsea: Lindahl, Blundell, Flaherty, Fahey, Davison, Ji So-Yun, Groenen, Borges, Chapman (capt), Coombs, Banusic.
Substitutes: Hourihan, Bright, Aluko, Rafferty, Brett, MeiwaldWe, Spence.
Arsenal: Byrne, Scott (capt), Mitchell, Stoney, Losada, Nobbs, Carter, Obagagu, Natalia, Rose, Bailey.
Substitutes: Augustus, Sanderson, Yankey, Humphrey, Kelly, Weir, Oliver.
Referee: Nigel Lugg.
Attendance: 1,407.
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019