Russo rescues point for Arsenal as Chelsea's unbeaten run continues
At a glance
Alyssa Thompson scores first WSL goal to give Chelsea the lead
Stina Blackstenius equaliser controversially ruled out
Alessia Russo grabs draw with three minutes left
Alessia Russo scored a late equaliser to earn Arsenal a point as Women's Super League champions Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in the competition to a record-equalling 33 matches.
Arsenal looked to be heading to a fourth successive WSL loss against their London rivals after Alyssa Thompson scored her first league goal for the Blues.
But Russo bundled the ball past England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the 87th minute to delight the majority of the crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
And there was still time for more drama as Frida Maanum slotted past Hampton in the 90th minute, only to be denied by an offside flag. Replays showed the decision was incredibly tight.
The draw means Chelsea equalled the WSL record for successive unbeaten matches they set under Emma Hayes from February 2019 to January 2021.
With Hayes - now managing the United States - watching from the stands, American Thompson showed exactly why Chelsea spent close to £1m on her in the summer.
A day after her 21st birthday, Thompson showed an impressive burst of pace to leave Mariona Caldentey before linking well with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. After receiving the return pass in the box, Thompson lifted a beautiful shot over the helpless Daphne van Domselaa.
Before that, Chelsea had struck the post through Rytting Kaneryd.
Stina Blackstenius thought she had smashed the Gunners level eight minutes into the second half, but referee Melissa Burgin controversially disallowed the goal for handball.
Chelsea remain top of the WSL - two points ahead of Manchester City - with Arsenal five points adrift.
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Analysis: Arsenal title tilt remains in doubt
Matches between Arsenal and Chelsea almost always play a big part in the destination of the WSL title, and this result means that - despite taking a point - the Gunners face an uphill fight.
From the first whistle, Arsenal looked second best to their visitors, and almost fell behind in the first two minutes.
That said, they were unlucky not to level in the second half when Blackstenius' strike was wrongly ruled out.
They deserve credit for continuing to press a Chelsea defence that had only conceded three league goals before this game, and got their reward in the end.
The feeling coming into this game was Arsenal needed to take all three points to supercharge their title push, and they thought they had done so in the final minute when Maanum sent the Emirates wild before the offside flag was raised.
Analysis: Chelsea equal longest WSL unbeaten record
Will Chelsea ever lose in the WSL again?
They will, of course, but it is going to take something special to consign Sonia Bompastor to her first domestic defeat as Chelsea boss.
The Blues will be disappointed they could not hold on to all three points in north London, but they remain top - and have equalled their own WSL record.
Late on, it was the European champions pushing hard to find the winning goal - perhaps aware of their title push hanging in the balance - but Chelsea held firm, just as they have done throughout Bompastor's reign.
Every team rides their luck on occasion, and Chelsea may be breathing a sigh of relief after two Arsenal goals were controversially chalked off.
What's next for these teams?
Arsenal take on north London rivals Tottenham at Brisbane Road on 16 November, while champions Chelsea travel north to Liverpool on the same day.
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