Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to key eventsSkip to navigation

Two goals from Bethany England and another from Jonna Andersson ensure an error-prone Arsenal are knocked out of the Women’s FA Cup

 Updated 
Sun 17 Feb 2019 10.55 ESTFirst published on Sun 17 Feb 2019 08.03 EST
Chelsea celebrate Bethany England’s goal.
Chelsea celebrate Bethany England’s goal. Photograph: Ker Robertson/Getty Images
Chelsea celebrate Bethany England’s goal. Photograph: Ker Robertson/Getty Images

Live feed

Key events

Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal

A pretty atrocious afternoon at the office for Arsenal who just couldn’t compete with Chelsea today. The fact they were second best was mainly down to a defence that fell well short of expectations. The goalkeeper gifted one goal, Mitchell another and the third was certainly avoidable but Arsenal just could not cope with the concept of defending a ball over the top. Chelsea took their goals well and could have scored more but stopped at three to be polite.

89 min: Mead tries to get the better of Blundell down the left but the defender holds her up and eventually earns possession.

87 min: Bachmann latches onto a pass into the box and fires a shot from an acute angle at goal but Peyraud-Magnin is equal to the effort.

85 min: Evans pings a cross into the box which Bright heads wide while facing her own goal. It could have gone anywhere that but the defender knew what she was doing.

83 min: Arsenal just aimlessly lumping the ball into the channels has been a constant theme in this. Midfielders have taken no responsibility for their team today, just hoping the forwards are willing to chase the ball regardless. They really miss Nobbs in midfield, that’s for sure.

81 min: It’s almost 4-0 as Ingle launches a straight ball over the top for Kirby, she controls the ball and tries to lift the ball over the onrushing Peyraud-Manning but the goalkeeper stops the ball with her feet. The ball then loops up but it is headed wide by a defender to clear.

79 min: The best thing Arsenal have done for ages starts with a Williamson pass through to Mead who tricks her way past a defender to get into the box but her low shot is saved by Berger who came out quickly.

77 min: Kirby dinks a cross into the box which Peyraud-Magnin tries to catch but flaps at the ball and completely misses it but a defender is on hand to clear.

75 min: Kirby plays the ball through to Bachmann who chips a cross to the back post but the header is blocked by Quinn on the edge of the six-yard box.

73 min: The Arsenal fans are still singing, which is great considering how badly their team is doing, but the A R S E N A L song is making me slowly go mad as it is pumped into my ears.

71 min: Chelsea toy with Arsenal on the edge of the box before Bachmann sends a tame shot well wide with her left foot.

Ji departs and Kirby replaces her. Not a bad change to make at this stage.

69 min: Finally Evans comes on, with McCabe exiting. I’m not sure it will make much difference at this stage, mind. Mitchell is outfoxed by Cuthbert and gains retribution for a foul, which she is booked for. Not a great day for Mitchell.

67 min: Chelsea withdraw England, one assumes out of pity for the Arsenal defence. Bachmann replaces her.

65 min: A strong theme of this match for Chelsea has been to send the ball over the top for England to chase, which has been quite successful and it’s quite worrying how Arsenal can’t combat such a simple tactic.

63 min: Arsenal are definitely being more aggressive now but it’s more out of frustration than any desire to actually get back into the game.

61 min: Arsenal have brought on Williamson as they finally realise their defence is not fit for purpose.

GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal (England, 58)

A long ball down the middle is flicked on for England to chase, which she does and gets to the ball before the sleeping Arsenal defence, allowing her to whack the ball into the top corner beyond Peyraud-Magnin who was rooted to her line for some reason.

Share
Updated at 

57 min: Veje does well down the left and flashes a cross to the front post for Mead to flick towards goal but Berger stays big to deflect the shot wide.

53 min: Carney lifts a cross to the back post from the left but Cuthbert sends the ball straight at Peyraud-Magnin from close range. Moments later Ingle heads the ball to England who volleys just wide from the edge of the area.

51 min: Ji tries to drive through the middle of the Arsenal defence and looks set to achieve her aim until a bad touch on the edge of the area takes the ball through to the goalkeeper.

49 min: Ji goes down under pressure from Arnth to win a free-kick on the edge of the box. Carney takes it and aims for the far corner, forcing Peyraud-Magnin to dive to her left but the ball goes just wide.

47 min: Arsenal have started on the front foot here but without threatening. They need to keep this up to get back into the game.

Williamson is currently discussing how great it was to play in the FA Cup final last season. Not looking like she will be repeating that this time around.

How can Arsenal change this? It might be worth bringing Williamson on at the back as they need someone to provide stability there.

Half-time: Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal

Arsenal’s defence has been pretty poor throughout, looking nervous whenever Chelsea attack and at two crucial moments they have made catastrophic mistakes. First Mitchell was caught on the ball and then Payraud-Magnin let a shot from distance slip through her hands. Chelsea have been good in patches but Arsenal have set their own downfall.

44 min: It should be 3-0. A long pass over the top reaches England after Quinn heads it into her path but the forward’s shot is wayward.

Ps a very generous description of the goal from Chelsea.

Special from @Jandersson25, who takes aim from 25 yards and the swerve is too much for Peyraud-Magnin!

Her first goal of the season! 👌

2-0 [40'] #CFCW

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) February 17, 2019

42 min: Well ... Arsenal really need to take a long, hard look at themselves at the break. Another mistake nearly costs them a third as Arnth sends a stray pass straight to Cuthbert who gleefully runs at the Arsenal defence but smashes her shot from 20 yards straight over.

GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal (Andersson, 39)

Andersson picks the ball up around 25 yards from goal and whacks a shot with her left foot straight at Peyraud-Magnin but the Arsenal goalkeeper lets it go right through her hands. A terrible piece of goalkeeping from her. Mistakes have certainly cost Arsenal today.

Share
Updated at 

38 min: Bright sends a atrocious backpass in the direction of Berger but it was nowhere near her and drifts out for a corner. Luckily for Bright, the set-piece is easily cleared.

Most viewed

Most viewed