Foord's WSL stunner in vain as Arsenal lose to Chelsea

Arsenal's Caitlin Foord celebrates her brilliant goal which proved in vain in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea. (AP PHOTO)

Matildas ace Caitlin Foord did her utmost to put a stop to Arsenal's woes but even her brilliant solo goal couldn't stop them sinking to another dispiriting 2-1 defeat at home to champions Chelsea.

Foord proved Arsenal's livewire down the left flank and it was a goal out of nothing just before halftime that brought the Gunners to life at the Emirates Stadium after Chelsea had moved into a dominant 2-0 lead through their brilliant Colombian Mayra Ramirez and French international Sandy Baltimore.

Picking up the ball near the left corner flag, there was nothing on for Foord but she shimmied past star England defender Lucy Bronze along the goalline and, though the narrow angle was against her, then worked the ball back on to her right foot to somehow unleash a pinpoint finish via the far post.  

The brilliance, in front of a crowd of 45,860, was typical of some of the fare the 29-year-old has produced for Arsenal this term in what has been a pretty tough time for the Gunners. 

Foord was voted the Arsenal fans' player of the month for September and continued her flying form here with another wholehearted effort.

But Chelsea were still too good for the home side as they now lead the table with a perfect nine points after their opening three games.

Arsenal, in contrast, have five points from four and sit sixth in the 12-team standings, a fairly calamitous start for a side with such high ambitions under their increasingly under-pressure boss Jonas Eidevall.

Foord's response kick-started a much better showing from Arsenal after the break but after their substitute Stina Blackstenius hit the crossbar late, there was nothing left to cheer for the home fans after a week in which their Champions League hopes had also taken a major dent with a 5-2 hammering by Bayern Munich.

Chelsea's win, even without their still injured totem Sam Kerr, maintained new coach Sonia Bompastor's 100 per cent league record, while her predecessor Emma Hayes, now boss of the Olympic-winning USA women's team, was in the stands to watch.

Foord's fellow Matilda Kyra Cooney-Cross came on late as a second-half sub for Arsenal while Olympic captain Steph Catley remained on the bench.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store