Everton 0-3 Arsenal: Gunners one point behind Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea

Arsenal are “praying” Women’s Super League title rivals Chelsea slip up, England forward Beth Mead said after the Gunners maintained the pressure with a routine 3-0 victory at Everton.

Caitlin Foord had put the Gunners ahead following Leah Williamson’s long pass.

Arsenal are a point behind Chelsea with three league games left for both sides.

“We’ve had a good season but we haven’t come away with anything right now,” said Mead, whose side went out in the Champions League quarter-finals and FA Cup semi-finals after losing in last year’s final in December.

“We’re very critical of ourselves, we expect to win trophies and we have a long way to go but hopefully we’re building something special.

“The pressure is on. We just have to control what we can do and get the three points each game and we’re praying Chelsea slip up.”

Earlier on Sunday, Chelsea went a goal down in their match at Tottenham and also had a player sent off goal recovered to win 3-1 to stay in control of the title race.

Everton, who have now scored only once in six games in all competitions, had only one shot – in second-half stoppage time – and did not have a corner the entire match.

The hosts were lucky to not fall behind in the 29th minute when Stina Blackstenius put the ball in the net but was adjudged offside.

Mead shot just wide soon after before England captain Williamson’s fine long ball, from inside his own half, was expertly brought down by Foord with his scoring from a narrow angle.

Mead doubled Arsenal’s lead midway through the second half before Nobbs also reached the 50-goal landmark shortly afterwards when she provided a fine finish to curl the ball into the top corner.

Arsenal have been champions 15 times but still need Chelsea to drop points in one of their last three matches – Tottenham at home on Thursday, Birmingham away on Sunday or Manchester United on 8 May – to have any chance of winning the league for the first time since 2018-19.

Gunners manager Jonas Eidevall, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “We’re in the title race and fighting to be champions. Last season the team was fighting to get third place.

“It’s much more fun to be fighting for the title and if anyone had told us that before the season we would’ve taken it, so let’s enjoy it.”

Everton have won only five league matches this season and are 10th.

Interim manager Chris Roberts said: “There’s a lot of really good things here but the table doesn’t lie.

“It hasn’t been a good season and we’re lacking pace in certain parts of the pitch. It’s not through a lack of effort, the girls are working really hard.”