We witnessed a massive shock yesterday in the WSL League Cup as Arsenal overcame the odds to defeat their bitter rivals Chelsea in a thrilling final.
Chelsea took the lead in the 2nd minute of the game through Sam Kerr, but were pegged back to 1-1 when Stina Blackstenius slotted the ball beyond Ann-Katrin Berger.
The Gunners then took the initiative, pressing Chelsea into mistakes and forcing turnovers of possession in advantageous areas. Katie McCabe found herself in the Chelsea box – only to be brought down, winning a penalty, which was converted by Kim Little.
Arsenal then widened the scoreline to 3-1 from a corner – the goal was credited as an own goal from Niamh Charles. Chelsea continued to pose a threat, but were unable to breach the Gunners’ backline. Time ran out and Arsenal had won their first major trophy in four years.
The Arsenal men yesterday
The Arsenal women today 🏆What a weekend for Arsenal football club
— Steph (@stephpgold) March 5, 2023
The Chelsea Women lose sadly, but they will be back like the true champions they are.
You can’t win every time! Win or lose, up the blues.
— Chelsea Dodgers 🧢 (@TheBlueDodger) March 5, 2023
Arsenal Women’s team have never disgraced me. Queens of my life.
— Professional Biscuit Reviewer (@LazarusKumi) March 5, 2023
So painful
We started the game so badly even with the early goal, gave too much time on the ball to the Arsenal players.
I hate loosing to that club🙃🙃
— Pelumi (@itsPelumy) March 5, 2023
ARSENAL WOMEN HAVE WON THE CONTI CUPPPPPPP
— S👻🇬🇭 (@scrapytweets) March 5, 2023
This is the first game I’ve actually been appalled by pretty much every player on the pitch wearing blue. Sunday league stuff. Passes were slow, barely any tracking back, no urgency, outmuscled to every ball
— ABDISEN (@Honest_Cfc_Fan) March 5, 2023
Arsenal fans were understandably elated with both the result and the performance. So much so, they couldn’t even pick a player of the match – the entire team played extremely well and each individual was worthy of credit.
Chelsea fans, on the other hand, were not quite so pleased. The team’s collective spirit was criticised, as was their urgency. Collectively, Blues were disappointed in their team for not rising to the occasion.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly watched on from the stands at Selhurst Park – while he will have been happy with the men’s 1-0 win over Leeds United, he must have been disappointed with Chelsea’s first-half collapse against the Gunners.