Alessia Russo’s late goal secured a well-deserved 1-1 draw for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, allowing Chelsea to match their Women’s Super League record of 33 unbeaten matches.
England striker Russo netted in the 87th minute, equalizing after U.S. forward Alyssa Thompson had given Chelsea an early lead with a brilliant solo goal.
Chelsea came close to scoring twice, with shots from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Catarina Macario hitting the woodwork. Additionally, Sonia Bompastor remains unbeaten in her tenure as Chelsea’s manager since taking over from Emma Hayes in May 2024.
Arsenal felt wronged when Stina Blackstenius had a second-half goal disallowed due to a handball call before she scored from a corner.
Meanwhile, Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the Women’s Super League season, falling 1-0 to Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village.
A strike from Miri Taylor in the first half marked United’s first loss after eight matches, causing them to miss the opportunity to take the top spot in the table.
Villa’s win extended their unbeaten streak to six matches across all competitions and secured their second league victory of the season.
United sought a quick start, with Fridolina Rolfö delivering a threatening cross, but Villa defender Anna Patten effectively cleared the danger.
Both teams struggled to create chances in the first half, and Villa’s first shot on target, a weak effort by Georgia Mullett, was comfortably saved by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
However, 10 minutes before half-time, Taylor delivered a quality moment by scoring, benefiting from a mishandled corner that fell to her, and she struck it past Tullis-Joyce to give Villa the lead.
After the break, United pushed for an equalizer, with manager Marc Skinner introducing top WSL goalscorer Melvine Malard, along with winger Leah Galton and left-back Anna Sandberg.
Sandberg’s cross later set up fellow substitute Rachel Williams for a shot, but her header was easily caught by Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo as the visitors held on for a surprising win.