The Blues battled to a huge home victory over Renee Slegers' side, who never really found their rhythm and finished the game with ten players

Chelsea pulled nine points clear at the top of the WSL table after beating Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Guro Reiten's penalty six minutes from time was enough for the hosts, who had largely been kept quiet by a stubborn Gunners performance.

Lionesses star Beth Mead missed the visitors' best chance in the first half and was substituted early in the second to compound her misery, before Katie McCabe was sent off for protesting the late decision to award Chelsea a spot-kick.

Arsenal stay third behind Manchester City in the table after the loss, which leaves them with a mountain to climb in the WSL title race.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Stamford Bridge…

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Daphne van Domselaar (7/10):

Was involved in moments of uncertainty with Williamson and McCabe in the first half but did produce a good save from Catarina Macario before a couple of other impressive stops in the dying moments. Was close to becoming the first goalkeeper to keep a league clean sheet away to Chelsea this season and could do nothing about the winning penalty.

Emily Fox (7/10):

Provided plenty of energy from right-back. Did well defensively up against Sandy Baltimore and was good in attack, too – notably going close with a shot in the opening period.

Leah Williamson (6/10):

Nearly put her team in trouble with a few hairy moments, particularly early on, but also came up with a few crucial defensive interventions. Mayra Ramirez was subbed at half-time having failed to make an impact, which can be considered job done.

Steph Catley (7/10):

Similarly to Williamson, Catley did not always seem comfortable, but stepped up to help her side weather the early Chelsea storm. Produced some nice passes to start attacks.

Katie McCabe (4/10):

Defended stubbornly to keep Chelsea quiet and was an outlet in possession, but was stupidly sent off for her remonstrations after Chelsea were awarded their late penalty. Her side had little chance of fighting back with 10 players.

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Kim Little (6/10):

Produced some lovely touches as Arsenal grew into the game, with her passing between the lines impressing. Dovetailed nicely with Cooney-Cross but then rashly gave away the penalty that lost her side the game, so has to be marked down.

Kyra Cooney-Cross (8/10):

Grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck after Chelsea's early pressure, dictating play from deep and picking out team-mates with some delightful short and long-range passes. The Gunners always looked most dangerous when she was in possession.

Mariona Caldentey (6/10):

Teed up Mead for one of Arsenal's best chances with a nicely-judged pass on the edge of the box just before half-time. Was otherwise quiet, though, particularly when forced into a wide position after Foord was subbed off just before half-time.

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Beth Mead (5/10):

Was disciplined tactically, working diligently to help Fox in defence when positioned on the right. Her job is to produce in attack, though, and she missed the Gunners' best chance when bending wide of the far post not long before half-time. She was subbed off on 66 minutes.

Alessia Russo (6/10):

Produced some nice hold-up play to help her side get up the pitch and threatened on one occasion in the second half when weaving her way into the box. Generally seemed isolated, though, with Arsenal having less joy in attack than their hosts.

Caitlin Foord (6/10):

Was involved in some of Arsenal's promising moves before being subbed off with an injury before the break.

Subs & Manager

Frida Maanum (6/10):

Missed a decent chance in the second half when the ball fell to her in the box but she bent her shot high and wide. Forced Hannah Hampton into another save but was not hugely influential.

Stina Blackstenius (7/10):

Produced one of Arsenal's best pieces of play when pinning Millie Bright from a long throw, spinning and teeing up Caldentey for a close-range effort. Seemed to cause more of a headache for Chelsea than Mead and Russo.

Rosa Kafaji (N/A):

Lotte Wubben-Moy (N/A):

Renée Slegers(7/10):

Can't be disappointed with her side's efforts, considering they were just a few minutes away from holding Chelsea to a 0-0 draw and had some decent chances themselves. Her side just needed to be better in both boxes.