Chelsea Women's thrashing of champions Arsenal gets the approval of Drogba

Chelsea want their title back - and Emma Hayes' side made no mistake in telling the reigning champions all about it by hammering them in their own back yard on Sunday.

'Our club means everything to our dressing room. This rivalry isn't a matter of life or death, it's far more than that,' said the Chelsea manager, still yet to see her team beaten this season.

The West London club were the last side to beat Arsenal at Meadow Park in the FA Women's Super League (January 2019) and it was another record they would comfortably hold on to in-front of a sell-out crowd.

Big players make their mark in big games and Bethany England is going someway to cementing her name amongst the league's best. The 25-year-old striker put the visitors in front just 10-minutes in, first beating Louise Quinn and then curling the ball beyond a helpless Manuela Zinsberger.

But whilst Chelsea's top scorer continued to hog the limelight, new arrival Sam Kerr wanted in on the action - the Australian striker opening her Blues account in just her second start in three games. Latching onto a deep cross from Guro Reiten, Kerr punished the Arsenal keeper again as she headed home Chelsea's second in as many minutes.

With Hayes' side dictating the tempo, Joe Montemurro's un-forced changes to his starting line-up were proving costly - even the ever-present Lisa Evans had seen herself left out of the Arsenal manager's starting XI for the first time this term.

'I take responsibility for the set-up,' he admitted 'It's always hard sitting back and seeing a team so powerful, putting us under a lot of pressure and creating chances. The disappointing thing is we couldn't even get the ball down and play.'

Wales' midfielder Sophie Ingle quickly made it three, lashing a half-volley with her weaker left foot into the top corner from 25 yards out - a contender for goal of the season, surely.

'I think I knew it was going in as I hit it. Beth [England] ducked out of the way as I shouted, I caught it sweet and thankfully it went in', said Ingle, who even earned plaudits on social media from Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.

Montemurro had watched his side concede more goals in 20 minutes than he had all season. If he thought his side lost their way in the reverse 2-1 defeat at Kingsmeadow, they certainly had here.

He added: "It's probably the biggest set-back I've had in my two year here so we can give [the players] a little bit of leeway. But this team is resilient, it won't give up..."

Chelsea saw off any hopes of an Arsenal comeback with a well-worked team goal mid-way through the second half, this time Ingle turning provider and setting up Reiten for a glancing header.

A lapse in concentration from the usually assured Chelsea shot stopper Ann-Katrin Berger gifted the home side a consolation goal. With her first real contribution since coming on from the bench, Beth Mead headed in Katie McCabe's looping cross under the Blues' keeper. But it was too little too late.

Chelsea's win closes the gap at the top of the table to just one point. Manchester City lead the race (after securing a 2-0 win at Birmingham City), with Arsenal dropping into second - though Hayes' side, still third, have an all-important game in hand.