Arsenal close gap to 6 points after mature win at Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Arsenal delivered a composed and professional 4-0 win away to Crystal Palace, capitalising on Chelsea’s unexpected slip-up at home to West Ham to narrow the gap at the top of the WSL table to six points with four games remaining.

It would still be a surprise to see Chelsea drop enough points to be overtaken, but Sunday’s result demonstrated their vulnerability when rotating, as they were held to a draw.

Meanwhile, Manchester City edged past Brighton 2-1, and Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 to keep their own hopes alive.

In that context, Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 away win was particularly impressive.

The teams involved in last week’s Women’s Champions League quarter-finals were physically and mentally taxed, but it was Arsenal who responded best, showing not just resilience but real control in a fixture that could have been a banana skin.

Aside from a 10-minute spell, Arsenal managed the match superbly, dictating tempo and leaving Crystal Palace with almost nothing in front of goal. The intensity didn’t match the heights of their clash with Real Madrid, but it was evident they had gears left to shift into if needed.

The first goal was a moment of real quality: a precise cross from Cloé Lacasse Kelly met by Beth Mead, who applied an excellent finish on the volley.

The second came from a textbook high press, with Mariona Caldentey dispossessing her marker and feeding Alessia Russo, who made no mistake.

Kelly was instrumental again for the third, her cutback turned into her own net by Chantelle Swaby.

Mead capped her superb performance with a thunderous top-corner strike to seal the result.

It was a statement of maturity from Arsenal, underscoring the gulf between a side competing in the latter stages of the Champions League and one battling relegation. Crystal Palace looked blunt in attack and uncertain at the back. Their new manager remained upbeat in the mixed zone, but the scale of the task ahead is clear.

Arsenal shifted gears with ease, demonstrating depth as they rotated players without diminishing performance. It was a composed, ruthless win that keeps pressure on the leaders.

The updated WSL table now reads:

Chelsea have now secured a Champions League place for 2025/26, guaranteeing entry into the Qualifying Round 2 League Path.

The WSL runner-up will begin in Qualifying Round 3, while the league winner advances directly to the group-stage League Phase.

While Arsenal will continue pushing for the title, second place remains the most likely outcome, provided they maintain this level of performance after the international break. The priority now will be to ensure key players return unscathed from national team duty.