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Russo scores late equaliser as Arsenal hold Chelsea

Alessia Russo celebratesGetty Images

At a glance

Alyssa Thompson scores first WSL goal to give Chelsea the lead

Stina Blackstenius equaliser controversially ruled out

Alessia Russo grabs draw with three minutes left

PLAYER RATER

Charlotte Coates

BBC Sport journalist at Emirates Stadium

Alessia Russo scored a late equaliser to earn Arsenal a point against Women's Super League champions Chelsea after Alyssa Thompson scored her first goal in the competition.

The home side looked to be heading to a fourth successive WSL loss against their London rivals when Russo bundled the ball past Hannah Hampton in the 87th minute.

And there was still time for Frida Maanum to slot past Hampton in the 90th minute, but the offside flag was quickly raised. Replays showed the decision was incredibly tight.

The draw means Chelsea have now gone 33 games unbeaten in the WSL - equalling the record they set under Emma Hayes from February 2019 to January 2021.

With Hayes - now managing the United States - watching from the stands, American Thompson showed exactly why Chelsea spent close to £1m on her in the summer.

A day after her 21st birthday, Thompson showed an impressive burst of pace to leave Mariona Caldentey in her shadow before linking well with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. After receiving the return pass in the box, Thompson lifted a beautiful shot over the helpless Daphne van Domselaa.

Before that, Chelsea had struck the post through Rytting Kaneryd.

Stina Blackstenius thought she had smashed the Gunners' level eight minutes into the second half, but referee Melissa Burgin controversially disallowed the goal for handball.

Chelsea remain top of the WSL - two points ahead of Manchester City - with Arsenal five points adrift.

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Arsenal

Chelsea

Starting XI

14D. van Domselaar

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11K. McCabe

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19C. Foord

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8Mariona Caldentey

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21V. Pelova

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9B. Mead

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25S. Blackstenius

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23A. Russo

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24T. Hinds

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18C. Kelly

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12F. Maanum

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15O. Smith

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24H. Hampton

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21N. Charles

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4M. Bright

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22L. Bronze

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30K. Walsh

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8E. Cuthbert

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12A. Thompson

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9C. Macário

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19J. Rytting Kaneryd

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2E. Carpenter

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20S. Kerr

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