Beth Mead stars in Arsenal's win over Chelsea in WSL at Stamford Bridge, won't rule out mounting title challenge

Arsenal's England international forward Beth Mead scored her third club goal of the season and created another for her side as they won 2-0 against Chelsea in the Women's Super League on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. Mead was pleased to get a goal against the Gunners, while Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze was disappointed her team-mates were unable to get a goal after creating a number of chances.

Arsenal forward Beth Mead admitted "I like scoring against Chelsea" and said the club are not out of the Women's Super League title race after a 2-0 win over the reigning champions on Saturday.

The England forward was named player of the match for her contributions, as she opened the scoring in the 55th minute after an assist from Alessia Russo, and then turned provider six minutes later to tee up Mariona Caldentey.

The victory earned Renee Slegers’ side all three points and cut the gap between Arsenal in third and second-placed Chelsea to just one point.

Transfers

London City Lionesses announce signing of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas

08/07/2026 at 17:29

Manchester City lead the way with 33 points from 12 games - seven clear of Arsenal - and have a game in hand against their London rivals.

In their next match, City play on Sunday at 11.55am UK at the London City Lionesses, where a victory would see them go nine points clear at the top.

After a relatively low scoring return by her standards, Mead now has three goals in 21 appearances for the Gunners this season, and the 30-year-old England international reflected on her team-mates’ performance.

'It's winner takes all' - McCoist weighs up English team's chances in Champions League qualification

Video credit: TNT Sports

She told the BBC: "I just thought we figured out where we could hurt them, and we did that in the second half especially, and we put our chances away. I thought we could have had more, we created more, and we are really happy to get the three points today.

"Apparently I like scoring against Chelsea, but I love playing for this club, for this badge and always to get a goal feels like the first time, and I am very proud about that."

Mead was asked about what it felt like to win at their rivals’ home ground after a few years without success and she answered that it had been, "too long. Happy to be able to get rid of that one, and long may it continue," she added.

While a win for City would mean that they would move 10 points clear of Arsenal, Mead would not rule her side out of the title race completely.

She explained: "Possibly. As cliche as it is, we go one game at a time. A lot can happen in this league and there are still a lot of games to play and all we can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other."

• Fernandes scores rocket as Hammers cruise to win over Sunderland
• Trent to leave Real, Casemiro on Saudi shortlist - Paper Round
• Ally vs Fletch predictions: Can Man Utd surprise Arsenal?

‘Second goal was a bit of a killer’ - Bronze rues defeat

Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze was disappointed that her side were unable to score a goal given the number of chances they had in front of goal.

She said: "I think at the end we probably created enough chances to at least get one goal back, which might have swung it a little bit. 

"In the first half they started really well, and it was like a bit of a basketball game, and then they were just clinical in the second half with the chances that they had."

Bronze thought Caldentey’s goal knocked the stuffing out of a potential Chelsea comeback, adding: "The second goal was a bit of a killer. Two in quick succession. At the end, you saw us pushing, should have got a goal and maybe could have nicked a point, but that's football.

"At the end we competed, we were winning every single duel, but it probably took us a little too long to get into our rhythm. Off the back of the City game midweek there were some tired legs today, and they probably attacked the game a bit quicker. The last 25–30 minutes was all us, and probably should have scored."

Watch the 2025/26 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers

'I’m here to win' - England star Mead joins Man City after Arsenal exit

12/06/2026 at 12:48

Premier League

Rice and Fernandes lead six-man Players’ Player of the Year shortlist

05/06/2026 at 10:45