Chelsea Women 2 – 0 Arsenal Women

Goals from Sophie Ingle and Sam Kerr put FA Women’s Cup champions Chelsea into the quarter-finals, beating Arsenal 2-0 at Kingsmeadow.

The match pits two of the Women’s Super League heavyweights in the early stages, as well as a preview of next Sunday’s Conti Cup final between the two at Selhurst Park.

But Arsenal will need to sharpen their finishing if they are to lift their first silverware since 2019, having squandered chance after chance in south-west London.

However, the tie showed once again how strong Chelsea are, despite not playing at their best. Sophie Ingle scored in the 21st minute through the left post, just after Stina Blackstenius had lifted the ball over the crossbar in one of the gilt-edged Gunners’ three chances in the first half.

Arsenal also dominated the second period, but Sam Kerr – making his 100th Chelsea appearance – tapped home 11 minutes after the restart to send the reigning champions into the last eight.

Despite their best efforts, The Gunners were unable to find an answer, while Chelsea continued to cruise to their third consecutive FA Cup trophy.

How Chelsea view wasteful Arsenal

The pendulum swung both ways early on, but Arsenal saw the better of the chances.

A cross into the area from Caitlin Foord deflected off Blackstenius, causing a defensive mix between Ann-Katrin Berger and Magda Eriksson. The ball appeared to roll into an open net, but Niamh Charles raced back to clear the line.

Soon after, Leah Williamson’s long ball was met by Maanum, with Blackstenius muscling in front of Eriksson to collect. However, he put his effort well over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Chelsea took the lead. Lauren James ran down the right wing without Arsenal’s pressure, before slotting the ball past Ingle at the top of the area. He then fired home past the left post to see the FA Cup winners in front.

It was also the end of the half as Arsenal saw two more chances. In the 38th minute, Blackstenius’ run was picked off by a long ball from Foord. He drives down the left side of the area, but his square ball just misses Maanum’s bent leg.

After Manuela Zinsberger made an acrobatic stop to keep out a Jelena Cankovic strike, the Gunners went close again. Katie McCabe’s strike was cleared by Berger, but the keeper reacted brilliantly to save the ball from the inbounds foot of Foord, who only had to lift the keeper.

Chelsea added their second against the game 11 minutes after the break. It was a delightful ball from Cankovic that caught Kerr and he easily beat Zinsberger, who had been very committed.

Arsenal’s lack of luck was illustrated in the 66th minute. After a sensational run from Foord, past Eve Perisset on the left, his cross deflected off Blackstenius and into Eriksson. However, the Chelsea captain’s touch struck Berger from close range before he was cleared. Blackstenius was also flagged for offside.

The Gunners continued to press for goals as the half continued, but it seemed to send everything on Berger as the goalkeeper helped guide Chelsea to the next round.

What’s next?

Chelsea’s next game again at home for Arsenal, with this meeting coming to the Conti Cup there; kick-off at 3pm. Emma Hayes’ side then hosted Brighton in the WSL on March 8, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 7.30pm.

After traveling to Selhurst Park on Sunday, Arsenal play host Liverpool at WSL on Wednesday March 8; kick-off 7.15pm.