Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal: Alyssa Thompson on target in testy WSL derby as Blues go third | OneFootball

Hosts withstood second-half onslaught to take spoils at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea beat London rivals Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge to move up to third in the Women’s Super League.

The Blues went ahead six minutes before half-time when the visitors were caught playing out from the back and Alyssa Thompson slotted in after Keira Walsh’s shot had been saved.

The Gunners – who had drawn their last two WSL matches – improved in the second half, with Chloe Kelly’s angled drive blocked and Alessia Russo’s shot charged down, but the hosts saw out the closing stages for a third WSL win.

Chelsea are level on 10 points with Tottenham, who had earlier thrashed Aston Villa 4-0, with Victoria Pelova scoring twice at the BetWright Stadium.

Katie McCabe left Arsenal to join Chelsea in the summer and took plenty of stick from the away fans at Stamford Bridge

PA

Netherlands midfielder Pelova – signed after leaving Arsenal in the summer – broke the deadlock in the 54th minute and then fired in a second off the underside of the crossbar for a fourth goal in two WSL games.

Spurs – who thrashed promoted Crystal Palace 7-0 last week – sealed victory after Caitlin Dijkstra headed in and Cathinka Tandberg added a fourth with two minutes left.

Beata Olsson’s early header and Cornelia Kapocs’ late goal earned the bragging rights for Liverpool in a 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield.

Manchester United secured their first WSL victory under new boss Eva Olid with a 2-1 win over West Ham in Leigh, after goals from Elisabeth Terland and summer signing Andrea Medina. Viviane Asseyi scored a consolation for the Hammers from the penalty spot in added time.

Birmingham drew 3-3 with Crystal Palace at St Andrew’s – where Oceane Hurtre had fired the Blues ahead after 40 seconds for the quickest goal of the WSL season so far.