13x winners and current holders Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by local rivals Chelsea on Sunday in a thrilling quarter final.
Former Gunner Katie Chapman gave Chelsea the lead with a towering header before Gemma Davison scored her fifth goal in four games for the visitors.
Emma Mitchell pulled one back with a 30-yard rocket on the stroke of half-time but the hosts couldn’t find that all important equaliser after the break, and had to relinquish their hold on the trophy.
Arsenal manager Pedro Martinez Losa rewarded Leah Williamson with a place in his starting XI after her dramatic penalty for England’s Under 19’s midweek, and also brought in Kelly Smith for her first appearance of the season after the 36 year-old scored twice in the 2014 FA Cup meeting between these two sides.
But unfortunately, unlike in 2014, it was Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side that finished the game on top, setting up a semi-final tie against fellow WSL 1 rivals Manchester City.
The Blues started the game the brightest, seeking revenge for their semi-final heartbreak last season at the hands of their hosts, when Eni Aluko flashed a shot agonisingly wide after Hannah Blundell had forced a corner which the Gunners failed to deal with.
After 17 minutes Chelsea’s set pieces were causing the hosts trouble again, and Blues Captain Katie Chapman – once a four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal – rose highest to power Ji So-Yun’s delivery in to the back of the net.
Arsenal quickly looked to respond and Smith curled an effort just wide before carving out another chance from 25 yards out which tested Hedvig Lindahl in the Chelsea net.
But it was the current WSL 1 leaders who found themselves on the scoresheet next, doubling their advantage through another former Gunner Gemma Davison, who beat defender Mitchell with a clever stepover before smashing the ball in to the top corner.
Arsenal have now conceded three goals this season in all competitions of which all three have been scored by former players.
Hayes’ side grew in confidence and threatened some more, most notably when So-Yun’s goal-bound header was cleared at the last minute by Alex Scott and the resulting corner led to Chapman’s effort being hooked off the line.
As the first half round to a close, the hosts grabbed themselves a lifeline when Mitchell thundered an early goal-of-the-season contender over Lindahl after finding a yard of space out on the left.
After the break, Chelsea looked to restore their two-goal safety net and So-Yun rattled the crossbar early on before Aluko was denied from close range by the legs of Arsenal keeper Emma Byrne.
Down the other end Jordan Nobbs nearly levelled for the holders but Millie Bright was on hand with an excellent block to ensure her side of the victory.
2014 heroine Kelly Smith spoke to the media after the defeat. “Chelsea were well organised and we just struggled to break them down. The effort was there today and everyone gave 110 per cent – you couldn’t ask for any more.
“This is what you play the game for. In quarter-finals and semi-finals you want to win the trophies that are up for grabs and it wasn’t meant to be today.”
