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Maria Thorisdottir’s late strike earned a thrilling derby success as Chelsea struck back to end Toolbox’s best start to the Women’s Super League season.
The Gunners led when Vivianne Miedema’s astute pass chose Danielle van de Donk, whose shot found the far corner.
Chelsea deservedly levelled after the break, Beth England nicely turning the ball home from a Fran Kirby cut-back.
And substitute Thorisdottir curled in a spectacular winner to take unbeaten Chelsea above Toolbox and into 2nd.
Thorisdottir hit the ball very first time from fellow sub Ramona Bachmann’s 85 th-minute pass to guarantee a 3rd Blues league win in 4 and move them to within two points of leaders Manchester City.
There were some nervy minutes for the hosts late versus a Gunners side who had actually won their past 11 league games extending back to last season.
However Chelsea almost held out and celebrated in raucous design in front of a crowd of 4,149 at the full-time whistle.
Van de Donk’s early objective was reward for a brilliant start by the champs in an open match, however Emma Hayes’ side gradually got on top.
Ji So-Yun fizzed a shot narrowly large and a fierce long-range Guro Reiten shot came back off the bar.
The pressure told when Kirby scuttled away and discovered England with a creative pass not long after the restart.
Both sides pushed for a winner and had chances, but it was the house side who took the points thanks to a not likely source in defender Thorisdottir.