Chelsea takeaways as Kerr plays hero in controversial Arsenal draw
Keeping with a common theme, there is no shortage of controversy whenever the Blues meet up with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. Emma Hayes’ side returned to action in the Women’s Super League for the first time since holding off Reading 3-2 at Kingsmeadow in the snow.
Given the lead through a questionable penalty in the 57’, Arsenal looked like it was going to pull level with CFC at the top of the table. Jelena Cankovic’s world-class ball into the box just minutes before stoppage time found the head of Sam Kerr, who picked up right where she left off against Paris Saint-Germain in December, netting a clutch goal to seal a vital point for Chelsea.
Chelsea passion. 🔵#CFCW pic.twitter.com/vLR8xSv69V
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 15, 2023
Zecira Musovic got the nod for just her fifth start this season in all competitions, coming up with a plethora of massive saves to prevent the Gunners from landing a gut punch for Chels’. Only two shots found the target all day for the Blues while Arsenal totaled seven on frame.
On both sides of the ball, the match was extremely even with both clubs having their spells of quality in the contest, so despite the penalty controversy, a draw seemed like a fair result in the clash of the best of the best in the WSL. For the first time in quite a while, Guro Reiten was neutralized on the left-hand side, but Erin Cuthbert’s work rate in the middle of the pitch was once again remarkable to watch.
A draw keeps the title race between the top-three teams in the WSL very much alive. Exactly 11 matches in the WSL remain for Hayes’ squad including another meeting with Arsenal and Manchester United. Going out of a long break, it was a match many fans should have expected from the Blues offensively, but the game-clinching goal right at the death should eject the group with confidence heading into a revenge match against Liverpool at Kingsmeadow.