The Women’s Super League title will be decided on the final day of the season after Arsenal’s victory over rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium ensured they remained in contention.
Beth Mead’s goal and a Caitlin Foord double helped Arsenal move one point off leaders Chelsea with one game left.
The Gunners need to better Chelsea’s result on the final day to lift the trophy.
Chelsea are aiming to be the first team to win a third successive WSL title.
It was set up to be a frenetic and nervy affair between two north London rivals at the Emirates and an explosive start saw Mead allowed the space to fire in the opener within four minutes.
Moments before, Jessica Naz had come close for Spurs after Maeva Clemaron got the better of the experienced Kim Little down the left wing.
Tottenham almost responded immediately when striker Kyah Simon could not bundle it over from a corner and was denied twice by Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema on the goalline.
The hosts began to pile the pressure on as Leah Williamson’s impressive passing caused problems from the back and Foord forced several saves from goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela.
Miedema also came close but Tottenham remained in the game, making for a nervous second half until Foord confirmed victory with a sliding finish at the back post, before curling in a stunning third for Arsenal.
Emotions flared following some heavy challenges in midfield and Tottenham almost got a late consolation when Angela Addison missed from the penalty spot in stoppage time but the job was already done for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
It means the WSL title will be decided on a the final day of the season between two sides who began the campaign with a fiery encounter at the Emirates – that day, victory went to Arsenal.
The Gunners are bidding to win their first piece of silverware since 2019, while Chelsea are hoping to win a double as they also prepare to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 15 May.
Arsenal travel to Dagenham to play West Ham on Sunday, while Chelsea host Manchester United.
More to follow.
- Line-ups
- Match Stats
- Live Text
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 16MaritzSubstituted forWienroitherat 87′minutes
- 6WilliamsonSubstituted forBeattieat 87′minutes
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 7Catley
- 13Wälti
- 10Little
- 9MeadSubstituted forParrisat 88′minutes
- 11Miedema
- 19FoordSubstituted forMaanumat 83′minutes
- 25BlacksteniusSubstituted forMcCabeat 68′minutesBooked at 73mins
Substitutes
- 5Beattie
- 12Maanum
- 14Parris
- 15McCabe
- 18Williams
- 20Boye
- 23Iwabuchi
- 26Wienroither
- 28Cull
Tottenham Women
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Korpela
- 29Neville
- 5Bartrip
- 3Zadorsky
- 7NazSubstituted forLaneat 69′minutes
- 4GreenBooked at 73mins
- 21ClemaronBooked at 74mins
- 6Harrop
- 17SimonBooked at 24minsSubstituted forSummanenat 45′minutesBooked at 57mins
- 10WilliamsSubstituted forChoat 72′minutes
- 23AyaneSubstituted forAddisonat 80′minutes
Substitutes
- 8Cho
- 9Tang
- 13Ale
- 14Addison
- 22Spencer
- 24Summanen
- 44Lane
- Referee:
- Louise Saunders
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home21
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away2
- Corners
- Home9
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home4
- Away12
Live Text
-
Post update
Match ends, Arsenal Women 3, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0.
-
Full Time
Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 3, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0.
-
Post update
Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Post update
Foul by Isabella Lane (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
-
Post update
Penalty missed! Still Arsenal Women 3, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0. Angela Addison (Tottenham Hotspur Women) hits the left post with a right footed shot.
-
Post update
Penalty conceded by Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal Women) after a foul in the penalty area.
-
Post update
Penalty Tottenham Hotspur Women. Angela Addison draws a foul in the penalty area.
-
Post update
Attempt missed. Nikita Parris (Arsenal Women) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Stephanie-Elise Catley with a cross following a corner.
-
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Isabella Lane.
-
Post update
Attempt saved. Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Laura Wienroither.
-
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Nikita Parris replaces Beth Mead.
-
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jennifer Beattie replaces Leah Williamson.
-
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Laura Wienroither replaces Noëlle Maritz.
-
Post update
Attempt blocked. Frida Maanum (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Vivianne Miedema.
-
Post update
Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Post update
Foul by Ashleigh Neville (Tottenham Hotspur Women).
-
Post update
Hand ball by Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women).
-
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Frida Maanum replaces Caitlin Foord.
-
Goal!
Goal! Arsenal Women 3, Tottenham Hotspur Women 0. Caitlin Foord (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Beth Mead.
-
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur Women. Angela Addison replaces Rosella Ayane because of an injury.