Arsenal Women head coach Renee Slegers calls for use of VAR in Women's Super League after being denied two goals in Chelsea draw

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Arsenal had two goals ruled out in a keenly contested 1-1 draw with reigning champions Chelsea. Alessia Russo's strike ultimately ensured The Gunners would take a share of the spoils, but would have taken all three points had either of Stina Blackstenius' or Frida Maanum's efforts had counted. Slegers bemoaned the handball call in particular, and feels it may be time to introduce VAR into the WSL.

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Arsenal Women manager Renee Slegers has called for the use of VAR in the Women's Super League after her side were denied two goals in a controversial 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

The Gunners were denied two goals in a pulsating London derby, with efforts from Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum both ruled out for handball and offside, respectively.

That was despite replays suggesting that Blackstenius moved her hands away from the ball, and showing Maanum may have been in an onside position ahead of chipping a shot over Hannah Hampton.

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Alessia Russo’s late strike was the one that counted for The Gunners, after she cancelled out Alyssa Thompson's opener for Sonia Bompastor's side.

Slegers told Sky Sports: "We were very surprised. I don't see any players calling for it, and you watch it back - I've only seen it from one angle, and it doesn't look like a handball. That's frustrating, of course.

"[For the Maanum goal] The angle is really hard to see. For me, in retrospect, watching it on video, it's hard for me to see, so it's really hard for the referee on the pitch.

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"It's a game where you see momentum shift, Chelsea were on top of us at the start of the game, but we came back and showed such a good mentality, so much quality.

"It's fine margins, so certain decisions become really big decisions - that's out of our hands. But if you were to ask me now if I was in favour of VAR, I would say yes."

Thompson broke the deadlock in the ninth minute to score her first top-flight goal with a delightful dinked finish over Daphne van Domselaar, following a neat one-two with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

It looked like the hosts had restored parity eight minutes into the second half with a clinical finish past Hampton, but referee Melissa Burgin chalked off the strike for handball.

The Gunners pressed forward, and two substitutes combined when Olivia Smith picked out Chloe Kelly at the far post, but the latter failed to test Hampton.

Slegers' side netted a deserved 87th-minute equaliser when Russo rifled home an unstoppable volley past Hampton from Maanum's superb delivery.

It initially looked like Maanum had secured all three points at the death after she showed brilliant composure to finish past Hampton in the 90th minute.

However, the party atmosphere inside Emirates Stadium quickly dissipated when the Norwegian was denied by the assistant referee's flag.

The Gunners move up to fourth with this point and remain five points adrift of Bompastor's table-topping Blues.

The Blues could be overtaken at the summit on Sunday, though, if Manchester City win away at Everton.

Both teams will now turn their attention to the Women's Champions League, as Chelsea play away at St Polten on Tuesday, while Bayern Munich host Arsenal a day later.

Man Utd stunned by Villa to end unbeaten run

Manchester United's unbeaten start to the season came to an end after a surprise 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa.

Miri Taylor scored the only goal of the game in the 35th minute with a wonderful strike past Phallon Tullis-Joyce, after the shot-stopper failed to clear a corner.

Ella Toone had a chance to restore parity after the break, but was thwarted thanks to Anna Patten's brilliant defensive block.

Rachel Williams had two similar chances to turn the match in The Red Devils' favour, but her headers were comfortably saved by Villa shot-stopper Sabrina D'Angelo.

This result will be viewed as a huge missed opportunity for Marc Skinner's side in light of the draw between Arsenal and Chelsea.

They remain third and three points adrift of Bompastor's side.

This result for Villa leaves Natalia Arroyo's team in sixth with 10 points, having suffered just one defeat in their first seven WSL games.

United now turn their attention to a UEFA Women's Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, ahead of a tantalising Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium in a week's time.

As for Villa, they are back at home a week on Sunday against the newly promoted London City Lionesses.

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