WSL: Chelsea cruise past Arsenal to go three points clear at the top

League leaders Chelsea defeated third-placed Arsenal 3-1 on Friday, thanks to a Lauren James strike and a Sjoeke Nusken double, moving three points clear atop the Women's Super League after the kickoff was delayed due to a kit clash.

Chelsea's victory in front of a record WSL home crowd of 32,970 puts them on 40 points, three points ahead of Manchester City, who visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, and six ahead of Arsenal.

The start was delayed by half an hour when Arsenal arrived with the same white socks as Chelsea, prompting the Gunners to visit the hosts' souvenir shop to purchase dark replacements, covering up the Chelsea logo with tape.

When the game finally got going, James scored after 15 minutes, slowing her run and then accelerating again before blasting a shot at Manuela Zinsberger, which spun into the goal despite the Arsenal goalkeeper's block.

Six minutes later, the Blues doubled their lead when Nusken diverted Erin Cuthbert's long-range effort, and the German international added a second when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's shot deflected off her heel into the net.

Zinsberger made several fine saves in the second half, but Arsenal struggled to create chances until Kim Little's strike deflected off Chelsea substitute Catarina Macario for an own goal in the 86th minute.

Chelsea coach Emma Hayes praised her injury-plagued team for how they handled the game.

"We've been depleted. We had to play Lauren James as a centre-forward today and she did a tremendous job but this is about the whole team and it's an amazing effort from everyone," she told the BBC.

Little was disappointed, but not ready to write off Arsenal's title chances with six games remaining.

"Chelsea are obviously in the driving seat but we go into these games and give it everything we've got to give it a small chance," she told Sky Sports.

SportsLigue