Arsenal cut Chelsea's lead at top to three points
Foord scored twice in first half either side of Blackstenius' effort, while Mead and Pelova added to tally after break
Momiki pulled goal back for Foxes
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That's all from us tonight.
Thanks for joining us for another goal fest at the Emirates. You can read the match report on the 'report' tab at the top of this page.
We'll be back this weekend for more Women's Super League action and of course those two big Champions League semi final first leg ties for Arsenal and Chelsea.
See you then - goodbye!
Arsenal v Leicester (19:30 BST)
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FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
So here's how the table is looking after that big win for Arsenal.
The victory moves the Gunners within three points of reigning champions Chelsea at the top, and their four goal winning margin tonight pulls their goal difference level with the blues.
A reminder that just last season the title was decided on goal difference...
Leicester remain seven points and two places clear of Crystal Palace in the relegation zone.
The two sides go head to head in the penultimate game of the season on 4 May.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
More from Arsenal boss Renee Slegers speaking to Sky Sports about the side reaching 50 WSL goals during her time in charge: "Entertainment is important. We are a big club and a big brand. We play to win but I also feel the responsibility to play an entertaining type of football. We want people to support what we are doing and we want it to be inspiring."
On building momentum for Saturday: "For us it was important for us to be focused on this game. We know there were four games left of the WSL now there's three. We wanted to win four out of four so this result is important.
"Now we look forward to Lyon. We did a lot of things really well today. We believe we can do something otherwise there is no point in going to play those games. We have proven things before and shown how good we can be but we have huge respect for Lyon and the team they have."
On the fitness of Kelly, Russo and van Domselaar ahead of Lyon: "I'm not sure. It is looking really good for Chloe and Alessia. Daphne we will have to see if she can get back as quick as them as well. We are doing everything."
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Nikita Parris
Brighton forward on Sky Sports
They've [Leicester] scored one goal, they've created one chance and they've taken it.
For me, Leicester didn't play their game tonight. I feel like they sat way too deep. Arsenal did make them do it after 10 minutes when the rest defence is so high and Leicester can't get out.
When the wide players are so deep they have no outlet and that's when they're so dangerous.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Arsenal have now won each of their last eight games at the Emirates Stadium in all competitions by an aggregate score of 31-2.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Nikita Parris
Brighton forward on Sky Sports
Tonight showed the array of goal scoring players they have, given the chance. But to score 50 goals in 15 games under Renee Sleger is a phenomenal accolade for the team.
Any striker would love to have that many chances and they're putting them away.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a good performance. It is always hard coming back from the international break and playing your first game again. We wanted to set the standards for the block and in many ways we did that today. We saw a lot of different players on the pitch so I am happy with that.
"A very special moment for Vic Pelova who scored her first goal since coming back, our second goal was a great team goal as well. Overall very happy with the performance and five goals."
On the second goal: "There are two reasons for it. We want to work more with fast attacks when the spaces are given, but also the way Leicester went player for player all over the pitch, if you play vertical then you can beat those systems. I think we did that really well on that goal."
"The players brought the solutions to the next level today with how they solved it on the pitch tonight. So a big credit for them for how they solved it."
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey speaking to Sky Sports:
On Victoria Pelova's first goal since her injury: "That was the moment of tonight, that's what she deserves, she could've got another one when I assisted her. We are so happy that she's back. She will bring a lot to us for sure.
"I like when I can when I can be involved with the ball, now I am a bit more deep but that's fine, other players can score. We win and we go again on Saturday.
"I think we have no pressure we know what we can do, it's two games, if we play our game we know we will have our chances for sure. We have to play good football that's what we are good at, so I'm sure we will be there and we will try our best, and why not? We will believe it it."
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Arsenal goalscorer Victoria Pelova speaking to Sky Sports:
On her first goal: "Yes, it felt great in the Emirates, [it] couldn't be better."
On how happy her teammates were for her: "At one point I was like 'can Leah [Williamson] put me down I don't know what to do with my face'. It was so nice from the team, I feel like they were happier for me than I am, so great.
On Mariona Caldentey: "I've always wanted to play with her and I said at the start of the season 'I really want to play with you'.
"I felt like they scored one, but I feel like they didn't have a chance."
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Nikita Parris
Brighton forward on Sky Sports
They [Arsenal] are gaining form, gaining players at the right time and what a finish [from Victoria Pelova].
The way she hits her left foot across the goalkeeper.
I'm so happy to see her score on her return tonight.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Another of the Gunners' goalscorers this evening, Victoria Pelova, has just spoken to Sky Sports about "feeling great" after grabbing her first goal since returning from a long ACL injury.
We'll bring you those quotes in full shortly.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
With Alessia Russo ruled out of tonight's game against Leicester City due to injury, the striking responsibility for the Gunners was placed on the shoulders of Stina Blackstenius.
And boy did she deliver.
The Swede proved a menace all evening, with the Foxes defence unable to contain her runs in behind.
She's sure to have handed manager Renee Slegers a selection headache ahead of the weekend.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Anita Asante
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Arsenal did exactly what they needed to do, focus on this game and get the job done.
Perform well, entertain the supporters, as well as win, but from a Leicester perspective it's not too damaging for them. They weren't expecting to win this fixture and they're safe, really, from relegation.
FT: Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Anita Asante
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Arsenal were brilliant from start to finish.
It was a comprehensive performance and it was a joy to watch every moment, especially the goals they scored today.
Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Another dominant and goal heavy display from Arsenal at the Emirates as they move within three of leaders Chelsea at the top of the table.
A tough night for Leicester but they at least have a goal to take back home and they remain seven clear of bottom spot.
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal 5-1 Leicester
Two more minutes to play at the end of this one.
Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Stina Blackstenius has been the standout player for me tonight.
She's unable to add to her tally of one goal and one assist though, guiding a header onto the roof of the net.
The offside flag does go up moments later anyway.
Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Mariona Caldentey dinks the ball over the Leicester defence for Victoria Pelova to run onto.
She controls it wonderfully on her chest but her shot is smothered by tomorrow's birthday girl Janina Leitzig.
Arsenal 5-1 Leicester
Anita Asante
Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
It's a really professional performance from Arsenal.
They're dominating the ball, creating a lot of opportunities to score, and also allowing Renee Slegers to make these changes ahead of what is going to be a massive game this weekend.
Arsenal thrash Leicester to keep title hopes alive
Caitlin Foord scored twice as Arsenal kept their Women's Super League title hopes alive with a comfortable 5-1 win over Leicester City.
With victory at Emirates Stadium, Renee Slegers' side cut Chelsea's lead at the top of the WSL to three points.
The Blues, who are yet to lose in the league this season, have four matches remaining while Arsenal have three.
Arsenal, who have now scored at least four goals in seven successive WSL home matches, required just nine minutes to open the scoring, Foord converting Frida Maanum's pinpoint cross at the back post.
Stina Blackstenius quickly doubled their lead, slotting the ball in from close range, before Foord struck from the edge of the box to make it three before the break, her shot taking a huge deflection which left goalkeeper Janina Leitzig stranded.
Beth Mead added her name to the scoresheet in the second half, heading in Kim Little's cross.
While Yuka Momiki pulled one back for Leicester, finding space on the edge of the box and firing a low shot into the bottom-right corner, Arsenal restored their four-goal advantage three minutes later, Victoria Pelova volleying home for her first goal since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in March.
Leicester City remain 10th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Arsenal have scored at least four goals in seven successive WSL home matches
Weeks do not come much bigger than this. On Saturday, Arsenal host eight-time Women's Champions League winners Lyon at the Emirates, knowing they are just two matches away from Europe's showpiece final.
Therefore losing three key players - goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, Chloe Kelly, and their WSL top scorer Alessia Russo - to injury during the international break was not great timing.
Slegers is optimistic Kelly and Russo will be in contention for selection at the weekend, telling Sky Sports "it is looking really good for Chloe and Alessia", but even without two of their standout forwards, Arsenal always looked fluid in attack against Leicester.
City, it should be said, are no slouches in defence. They had conceded 27 goals in 18 WSL matches heading into this fixture - the best defensive record outside the top four.
However, they were simply chasing shadows in London. Arsenal made their intentions clear from kick-off, immediately launching an attack down the left flank, they took the lead inside 10 minutes, and were three up shortly after the half-hour mark. Enjoying 70% of possession, goals four and five felt inevitable.
"It was a good performance. We wanted to set the standards for the block [of fixtures] and in many ways we did that today," Slegers said.
"We are a big club and a big brand. We play to win but I also feel the responsibility to play an entertaining type of football. We want people to support what we are doing and we want to be inspiring."
Their best attacks relied on rapid pass-and-move build-up play, with Mariona Caldentey, playing in a deep central role, at the heart of the moves which led to Arsenal's second and third goals.
Equally impressive was their movement off the ball, with Mead frequently darting into a more central position while Blackstenius, nominally the lone striker, floated over to either flank.
And with the five goals shared between four players and Maanum and Little picking up assists, they did not feel the absence of Russo and Kelly. Goals can come from anywhere in this Arsenal squad.
This latest thrashing takes Arsenal to 34 goals scored in the WSL in 2025 - the most of any side - and extends their run of scoring four or more goals at home to seven league matches.
They have also won their past eight games at the Emirates in all competitions by an aggregate score of 31-2.
Lyon, who sit top of the league in France, will be tough opponents on Saturday but form suggests their defenders could be in for a long afternoon.
Beth Mead was one of four players to score for Arsenal against Leicester
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Chelsea | 18 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 13 | 36 | 48 |
|
2 Arsenal | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 54 | 14 | 40 | 45 |
|
3 Manchester United | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 36 | 9 | 27 | 42 |
|
4 Manchester City | 18 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 40 | 23 | 17 | 35 |
|
5 Brighton & Hove Albion | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 26 | 32 | -6 | 22 |
|
6 Liverpool | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 18 | 31 | -13 | 21 |
|
7 West Ham United | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 25 | 33 | -8 | 19 |
|
8 Everton | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 27 | -9 | 19 |
|
9 Tottenham Hotspur | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 21 | 37 | -16 | 18 |
|
10 Leicester City | 19 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 32 | -17 | 16 |
|
11 Aston Villa | 18 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 18 | 37 | -19 | 13 |
|
12 Crystal Palace | 18 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 15 | 47 | -32 | 9 |
|
Manager: Renee Slegers
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Amandine Miquel
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Renee Slegers
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Amandine Miquel
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
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