Sonia Bompastor: Chelsea chances of retaining WSL title 'probably gone' after Arsenal defeat | OneFootball

Blues could be as many as nine points off the pace by the end of the weekend

The match, staged in front of around 30,000 fans at Stamford Bridge, was decided by six inspired minutes from Beth Mead, who beat Hannah Hampton to open the scoring before setting up Mariona Caldentey to put Chelsea to the sword.

They now trail leaders Manchester City by six points, but Andree Jeglertz’s side can extend their advantage to nine as they face London City Lionesses on Sunday.

Speaking at full-time, Bompastor promised her side would not go down without a fight but admitted her chances of reviving Chelsea’s title hopes are effectively extinguished.

“Today we understand the situation,” she said. “We know the title race is probably gone, but our mentality is to fight until the very end.

“We will never give up. Now we have to focus on getting points and staying in that second position and doing the best we can.

“There is a big gap and if City win tomorrow then the gap is nine points. They are in control and if they perform at their best it will be a difficult gap to close.”

She continued, promising that Chelsea would come back stronger following this setback. They remain in contention in both the Champions League and FA Cup, and will face Manchester United in the League Cup final in March.

“My job is to make sure I lift everyone up and we take the learnings and we go into the next game ready to perform.

“We will have one or two days really low but we will have a good conversation, as usual, and from that everyone will be lifted.”