Second-half goals from Beth Mead and Mariona Caldentey leave Chelsea six points behind leaders Manchester City.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Chelsea vs. Arsenal English Women's Super League game from January 24, 2026 on ESPN.

Sonia Bompastor continued making adjustments on the pitch, using all her subs and changing our defensive shape. But this Chelsea team, who often look slower and weaker in battles against teams of the same level, especially in midfield despite Erin Cuthbert’s best efforts, couldn’t pull it through.

Beth Mead puts Arsenal in front in the 55th minute before Mariona Caldentey completes a 2-0 victory for the Gunners at Stamford Bridge.

We closed the gap to Chelsea to one point in the Barclays Women’s Super League with an outstanding 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Beth Mead opened the scoring early in the second half before setting up Mariona Caldentey for our second moments later to bring about wild celebrations in the away end.

Arsenal were well on their way to booking their place in the League Cup final at 2-0 ahead just four minutes into the second half on Wednesday, until super-sub Alejandro Garnacho gave Chelsea faint hope of a second-leg comeback.

Chelsea sat six points behind WSL leaders City before Saturday's game at Stamford Bridge, knowing victory in this London derby would be crucial to their title hopes. It was Arsenal who had the better chances in the first half, but the Blues managed to keep the visitors at bay to reach half-time with the score at 0-0.

Mikel Arteta’s side began on the front foot and took the lead after seven minutes, Ben White heading home — virtually unchallenged — from a Declan Rice corner. The remainder of the first half failed to serve up any chances as good as that one, with an Estevao shot, well saved by Kepa, the closest Chelsea came to levelling it up.