Sam Kerr to the rescue as Chelsea share spoils with Arsenal leaving Women’s Super League title race on knife-edge

Sam Kerr’s superb 89th-minute header salvaged Chelsea a point to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in a fascinating top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates.

It was a smash-and-grab result for the Blues, who struck late on to show their title credentials against an Arsenal side that will be left with a horrible sense of deja vu after also conceding late on to Manchester United in November.

Kim Little’s penalty just shy of the hour mark looked to have cut Chelsea’s lead at the top to only goal difference with a game in hand, but Kerr’s strike keeps Chelsea’s three-point lead intact.

The drama began before kick-off, with many fans only reaching their seats after kick-off due to huge queues to get into the ground.

Arsenal released a statement concerning the issue which read: “An early kick-off, combined with a number of new supporters to our stadium, coupled with 50% of supporters arriving in the last 20 minutes before kick-off, resulted in busy turnstile areas.”

Those who did arrive late did not miss too much, in what was a cagey start to the contest. There was not much to excite the bumper 46,811 crowd which eventually found their way inside the stadium – the second biggest in WSL history – with the travelling Blues faithful seeing their side fail to register a first-half shot on target for the first time this season.

The Gunners edged proceedings though and were given a golden opportunity to draw first blood when Niamh Charles brought Caitlin Foord down inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Scotland and Arsenal captain Little was coolness personified to convert the penalty into the right-hand corner, sending Zecira Musovic the wrong way.

Jonas Eidevall’s side would have been rueing several missed opportunities to break the deadlock before Little’s penalty, as Lena Hurtig could only nod a header straight into Musovic’s grasp from a promising position.

Musovic was kept busy after the break too, parrying away an effort from Foord which bounced awkwardly in front of her.

The Blues shot-stopper then pushed Steph Catley’s ball into the box onto the crossbar to prevent Arsenal from doubling their advantage.

However, their hearts were broken late on as Kerr rose highest to nod home her sixth goal of the season.

The Australian met Jelena Cankovic’s sumptuous cross to steal a point with a goal which Leah Williamson will not be eager to re-watch.

Blues boss Emma Hayes led the joyous scenes in the dugout after seeing her side score with one of only two shots on target in the entire match.