FA WSL: Arsenal emerge victorious in historic game

April 14, 2024

A record-breaking crowd of 2,510 watched Arsenal overcome Chelsea, 1-0, in the first ever Women’s Super League game at the Imperial Fields Stadium in Morden.

Chelsea-v-Arsenal The only goal of the game came courtesy of a first-half strike from Gilly Flaherty, when the defender connected well with a bouncing cross from Kim Little.

Arsenal manager Laura Harvey is now hoping the league can build on the success of the opening game: “I’m not surprised at the crowd for the first game. I just hope that we can keep this up for the whole of the summer.”

“For each club that’s got to be the priority. The more paying people you can get through the door the better,” she added.

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Opposite number Matt Beard was equally optimistic about the future of the league: “Hopefully today has shown the fans in the stadium and the people on TV that it’s a great game to come and watch.”

“It was a pleasure to be part of this game and we’ve played our part in making history – I’m just disappointed we didn’t come away with at least a point from the game.”

Arsenal, who have won nine of the last ten Premier League titles, lived up to their tag as competition favourites against a Chelsea team that almost ceased to exist two years ago.

The club were rescued from the brink by a sizable donation from Chelsea and England captain John Terry when their annual budget was cut dramatically.

The home side’s performance last night proved that Terry’s donation was money well spent as they pushed Arsenal all the way to the final whistle.

The visiting team dictated much of the opening period but were almost caught out by an audacious long-range effort from Chelsea’s Ashlee Hincks.

After enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Arsenal finally found the breakthrough with a tidy finish from Flaherty 37 minutes in.

Arsenal begun the second half much like the first, but they continually found it difficult to break down a well-organised and hard-working Chelsea side.

Chelsea’s back line were marshalled impressively by captain Davies and they were on hand to rescue their goalkeeper 60 minutes in when Carly Telford misjudged an Arsenal free kick.

Chelsea almost snatched a late draw when Buet’s corner came off the top of the bar but Arsenal goalkeeper, Emma Byrne, cleaned up from the resulting goal scramble to send Arsenal home with the three points.

Arsenal’s first win of the season will please Harvey who predicts a tough road ahead: “Every team are going to be working hard and there’s going to be slim goal margins in each game.”

FA WSL: Arsenal emerge victorious in historic game

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FA WSL: Arsenal emerge victorious in historic game

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