Women’s Super League LIVE: Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea – watch and live text

Leading up to this week, there was no sugarcoating the magnitude of the game.

Arsenal were sixth in the table with just one win in three and were defeated by Bayern Munich in the European Cup on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Chelsea had won their three games under Bompastor.

That was a backdrop to the intensity that had built up with Arsenal coach Eidevall, who is in his fourth season in charge of the club and has yet to win a WSL title.

A London derby against rivals Chelsea was probably the toughest test Eidevall could face. Many fans who entered the Emirates Stadium on Saturday demanded an answer, having already expressed a desire for him to step down from his role as manager.

When Baltimore headed Chelsea’s second goal in 16 minutes after being allowed to run into the six-yard box completely unhindered, frustration boiled over.

Leah Williamson was treated to a torrid afternoon by Chelsea striker Ramirez and spent most of the first half complaining to the officials as things didn’t seem to be going her way.

But Arsenal’s persistence did not let up and Foord, their standout player of the afternoon, danced past England full-back Bronze and fired the ball into the corner from a tight angle to give them salvation before half-time.

It was raining heavily at the start of the second half, but it was Chelsea who began to drown under Arsenal’s relentless onslaught.

Russo’s powerful volley gave goalkeeper Hampton food for thought in stoppage time after she watched Blackstenius’ shot hit the underside of the crossbar.

But despite their fight, the result leaves Arsenal four points behind leaders Chelsea after playing just four games, and dissatisfaction with Eidevall is likely to deepen.

Meanwhile, Chelsea clearly continue to have defensive deficiencies and allowed Arsenal to get back into the game, but Bompastor’s winning streak continues.