Chelsea Women’s Player Ratings vs Arsenal: Hannah Hampton Makes a Mess of It!

Lionesses Goalkeeper’s Error Costs Blues After USWNT Sharpshooter Alyssa Thompson’s Moment of Magic

If you’re looking for calm and control, you won’t find it when Chelsea and Arsenal Women collide. The WSL’s most-played fixture once again lived up to its reputation — drama, controversy, late goals, and a twist that left both sides wondering what might have been.

Chelsea may have equaled their own 33-game unbeaten record in the Women’s Super League with this 1-1 draw at the Emirates, but the result felt more like a narrow escape than a triumph. Alyssa Thompson’s breathtaking opener had the Blues flying early, only for Hannah Hampton’s late misjudgment to hand Alessia Russo and Arsenal a lifeline.

It was a game of momentum swings and fine margins — the kind that defines seasons. Sonia Bompastor’s side were slick, ruthless, and in control for much of the first half but faded badly after the break. By full-time, Chelsea’s unbeaten run remained intact, but their aura of invincibility took a hit.

Thompson’s Moment of Magic — and Chelsea’s Early Control

It’s hard to start stronger than Chelsea did. From the first whistle, their front line — spearheaded by the fearless Alyssa Thompson and flanked by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd — tore into Arsenal’s high defensive line. Within minutes, Kaneryd’s curling effort smacked the post, sending an early warning that the Blues meant business.

And then came the moment of magic.

In the ninth minute, Thompson, the teenage starlet already being hailed as the future of the USWNT, glided through Arsenal’s right side like she was skating on air. After a sharp one-two with Kaneryd, she lifted a delicate chip over Daphne van Domselaar — a finish so calm, so instinctive, it seemed to unfold in slow motion.

Pure class.

It was Chelsea’s seventh goal in the opening 15 minutes of a WSL match this season, a testament to their lightning starts. The Emirates fell silent — but Chelsea didn’t stop.

Moments later, Catarina Macario tested Van Domselaar with a fierce drive. The keeper spilled it, and the rebound clattered off the bar before Wieke Kaptein narrowly missed the follow-up.

At that point, Chelsea looked untouchable. Their pressing was sharp, their transitions devastating. But as the first half wore on, cracks began to show.

From Control to Chaos — Arsenal’s Fightback and Hampton’s Nerves

For all of Chelsea’s first-half brilliance, there was an unease about their buildup play. Twice before the break, careless passes from Hannah Hampton and Millie Bright almost gifted Arsenal goals.

Hampton, who has largely impressed since replacing Zecira Musovic as Bompastor’s No.1, looked jittery with the ball at her feet. Her distribution was slow, her decision-making hesitant. Bright, usually a pillar of composure, also had her nervy moments — a five-minute spell where she was caught in possession twice.

Arsenal sensed vulnerability and began to grow. By halftime, the tide had turned.

Then came the controversy that reignited old tensions between these two rivals.

Just after the hour mark, Stina Blackstenius capitalized on a loose clearance from Niamh Charles, hammering the ball into the net. But joy turned to fury within seconds as referee Melissa Burgin ruled the goal out for handball. The replays? Inconclusive at best. It was the kind of call that leaves you questioning whether VAR would have seen it differently.

Chelsea fans may point out that the corner leading to that incident shouldn’t have been given in the first place — and they’d have a case. Football’s fine margins were on full display.

Russo’s Late Strike — and Hampton’s Costly Error

When Russo finally equalised in the 87th minute, there was an air of inevitability about it. Arsenal had been knocking for most of the second half, and Hampton had been flirting with danger.

As Bruno Fernandes-esque as it sounds, goalkeepers live or die by their ability to handle pressure. Unfortunately for Hampton, this was one of those moments where composure deserted her.

Russo’s shot was powerful but hardly unstoppable. Hampton got a strong hand to it — but not enough. The ball trickled agonisingly over the line, sparking Arsenal celebrations and Chelsea disbelief.

It wasn’t a howler, but it was a moment that defined the game. A fingertip stronger, and Chelsea would have been walking away with all three points. Instead, it was a reminder that even elite goalkeepers can blink when it matters most.

And as if the chaos wasn’t enough, Frida Maanum thought she’d won it for Arsenal deep into stoppage time, only to see her goal ruled out for offside. It summed up the madness of the afternoon — no one quite sure what was fair anymore, only that both teams had been through the wringer.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Arsenal v Chelsea FC – Barclays Women’s Super League

Hannah Hampton – 4/10

A nervy afternoon. Nearly handed Arsenal a goal in the first half with a lazy pass out from the back, and ultimately cost her side two points when she couldn’t keep out Russo’s late equaliser. One of those games she’ll want to forget quickly.

Lucy Bronze – 5/10

Deployed at right-back after a run of games in central defence, and it showed. Rusty at times, she struggled against Caitlin Foord’s direct running and wasn’t as aggressive in her duels as usual.

Nathalie Björn – 5/10

Battled hard against her compatriot Blackstenius and generally did well to cover danger, but nearly scored an own goal with a mis-kick late on. A mixed performance that mirrored Chelsea’s wider inconsistency.

Millie Bright – 5/10

Now level with Steph Houghton for most WSL appearances (210), the captain’s experience showed — but so did her fatigue. Reliable for large stretches but prone to lapses, particularly under Arsenal’s second-half press.

Niamh Charles – 4/10

Struggled throughout. Her poor clearance led directly to Arsenal’s disallowed goal, and she looked uncomfortable facing Olivia Smith, who injected chaos down her flank late on.

Midfield

Arsenal v Chelsea FC – Barclays Women’s Super League

Wieke Kaptein – 5/10

Energetic but erratic. Should have scored when presented with a close-range header in the first half and missed a chance to play in Kaneryd on the counter. Her youthful exuberance is exciting but occasionally costly.

Keira Walsh – 7/10

Chelsea’s best midfielder on the day. Calm, composed, and constantly dictating tempo. Her pass to Thompson in the build-up to the opener was world-class. The kind of performance that makes her worth every penny of her record transfer fee.

Erin Cuthbert – 6/10

As dependable as ever. Never stopped running, rarely misplaced a pass, and did the dirty work that keeps Chelsea ticking. Not flashy, but utterly essential.

Attack

Chelsea FC v Tottenham Hotspur – Barclays Women’s Super League

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd – 8/10

Electric. Hit the post inside two minutes, then combined beautifully with Thompson for the opening goal. Arsenal’s defence couldn’t handle her directness in the first half. Faded after the break, but she had already done the damage.

Catarina Macario – 7/10

Showed flashes of her world-class talent — strong on the ball, creative in tight spaces, and nearly scored with a vicious strike that rattled the bar. Once fully fit, she’ll be unplayable.

Alyssa Thompson – 8/10

Chelsea’s star of the show. Her goal was sheer brilliance — pace, balance, and a finish that screamed confidence. The 19-year-old looks more comfortable with every WSL outing and is already proving why she’s one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

Subs & Manager

Arsenal v Chelsea FC – Barclays Women’s Super League

Ellie Carpenter – 6/10

Brought on for extra defensive solidity and energy down the flank. Did her job without fuss and used her experience to steady the ship when Arsenal pressed hard.

Sam Kerr – 6/10

Introduced late on for Macario, and though short on match sharpness, her movement caused problems. Offered Chelsea an outlet on the break when they were pinned deep.

Oriane Jean-François – N/A

Too little time to make an impression.

Sandy Baltimore – N/A

A very late cameo with no real impact, but her energy was welcome.

Sonia Bompastor – 7/10

Made brave rotation choices, resting key players after a demanding week and trusting youth — and it almost paid off. Her team’s early dominance was textbook, but Chelsea’s second-half fade-out raises familiar questions about game management.

Still, she continues to blend flair and discipline in a side evolving beyond the Emma Hayes era.

The Verdict: A Tale of Two Halves and One Costly Glove

Chelsea will take the point — and the record — but they’ll know this one got away. For 45 minutes, they were irresistible. For the next 45, they were unrecognisable.

Alyssa Thompson’s goal was a glimpse of the future — a fearless, electric forward who thrives on the big stage. Hannah Hampton’s late fumble was a reminder of the fine margins that define goalkeepers at the elite level.

As for Arsenal, they’ll feel justice was served. A controversial disallowed goal, a late equaliser, and yet another fiery chapter in this never-ending rivalry.

The WSL title race remains wide open — and if this clash proved anything, it’s that both of these giants are far from done writing their stories.

Final thought: Chelsea may have equaled their unbeaten record, but the afternoon belonged to Alyssa Thompson — and, for once, not to the Blues’ unbreakable machine.