Chelsea punish wasteful Arsenal as Alyssa Thompson strike dents Gunners' title hopes

Thompson strike sinks wasteful Arsenal as Chelsea tighten the screws

Alyssa Thompson's first-half finish settled a competitive London derby at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as Chelsea beat Arsenal 1-0, a result that deals a significant blow to the Gunners' title chances and leaves head coach Renée Slegers with more questions than answers about how to rescue their season.

A familiar tale of profligacy

How to solve the problem of an inability to take your chances is the question that will haunt Slegers over the coming days. Arsenal applied more than enough pressure to make a difference, but in registering just two of their 18 shots on target, a fundamental lack of ruthlessness remains. They dominated the opening stages at Stamford Bridge, but – as has often been the case this season – they were made to pay for their wastefulness.

None of their nine first-half attempts troubled the Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while the hosts were far more clinical, working the keeper with five of their eight attempts and striking at the perfect moment through Thompson just before half-time. The Guardian's match report also noted that the Gunners struck the woodwork twice.

'They will get the rewards for their work'

"I wanted to keep it away from the players because they can score goals and they can finish and they will get the rewards for their work," Slegers said.

Solutions need to be found quickly.

The pressure was building before kick-off

Reporting on the eve of the game laid bare the scale of the concern. Arsenal arrived at Stamford Bridge already seven points adrift of the WSL summit after successive draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United, with just two goals from 56 shots this season, and Slegers had admitted a "cocktail" of problems behind the misfiring attack. Questions were also being asked about her use of Alessia Russo in midfield, and the visit to Chelsea carried the feel of a must-win match.

What the result means

The defeat leaves Arsenal seventh on five points from four games, seven points behind the leaders Manchester City, who edged out Charlton on Saturday. Chelsea move on to 10 points, third behind Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference. Arsenal's season is in danger of slipping away before autumn has even arrived.

WSL table after four rounds of the season.