Arsenal lifted the first trophy of the domestic women’s season after a first-half fightback downed Chelsea 3-1 in the Conti Cup final.
In an open, pulsating clash, it was the Gunners who got their hands on silverware - for the first time in the Jonas Eidevall era - after a brave comeback. Goals from Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little and an own-goal proved the difference in arguably the best final in the tournament's history.
In a breathtaking start, star striker Sam Kerr powered Chelsea into the lead from close-range less than two minutes in. But Arsenal showed their mettle with a fightback led by Blackstenuis' 16th-minute equaliser.
The energetic Katie McCabe was then tripped in the penalty area by Sophie Ingle, giving captain Kim Little the chance to beat Ann-Katrin Berger and give them the advantage. And when Niamh Charles headed into her own net in first half added time, the Gunners had one hand on the trophy.
Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert went close after the break as Chelsea rallied, and Manuela Zinsberger saved superbly from Maga Eriksson's lone-range effort, but Arsenal held-on for a memorable win.
Here are the big talking points from a classic at Crystal Palace.
Eidevall's team selection pays off
Arsenal's failure to recruit another forward in January had hung manager Jonas Eidevall slightly out to dry, but the Swede has consistently talked since the ability of the group he has, and his faith in them paid off.
He only made one change from the team beaten at Chelsea in the FA Cup last week - Noelle Martiz replacing Laura Weinroither at right-back - but his decision was vindicated with a superb display. Despite going a goal down inside two minutes, the Gunners didn't panic and showed remarkable resilience to roar back into a 3-1 lead by half-time.
There were good performances all over the pitch, with red shirts feeding off the charged Selhurst Park atmosphere. They were rewarded with a huge win, not only picking up the first trophy of the Eidevall reign, but getting one over on their fiercest rivals.
Arsenal forward issues fade away
Arsenal only reached the 2023 final after Stina Blackstenius stuck in extra time to down Manchester City at Meadow Park. However, the Swedish striker has had a tough weight to carry up front in recent times as Beth Mead and Viv Miedema are out with long-term injuries.
She saved one of her best performances in a red shirt for the final, disrupting Chelsea's previously impenetrable backline. The Swede hasn't had a huge amount of luck in front of goal of late but was given a welcome slice of fortune when Frida Maanum's shot ran kindly for her to fire the Gunners level.
At 2-1, she was only denied by the offside flag, superbly controlling a Steph Catley pass and nutmegging Berger. Although the decision was the correct one, it showed a renewed confidence from the 27-year-old. When she was withdrawn in the 86th minute, the Arsenal faithful gave her the ovation of the day - and it was richly deserved.
Arsenal engine room proves crucial
Chelsea hadn't lost since the opening-day Women's Super League defeat by Liverpool back in September. But Emma Hayes' team were never able to get control of this game, despite striking first.
Rather than kick on after Sam Kerr's early goal, the Blues failed to seize the initiative, allowing Arsenal to find their feet. Once they did, Lia Walti and Kim Little ran the show in midfield.
They were consistently able to play through the Blues' press and bring the likes of Maanum and Blackstenius into the game. Arsenal were so dominant in midfield that Hayes was forced into a tactical change towards the end of the first half, reverting to a back three.
Sadly for Blues fans, by that point the damage was done.
Kerr shows big-game mentality
Jonas Eidevall said before the fixture that he couldn't solely focus on Sam Kerr. Yet the Aussie forward once again showed why she needs special attention, bringing her A game to the final.
Kerr had already bullied the Arsenal centre-backs once within the first minute and when Guro Retien stood up an excellent cross seconds later, she was in the right place to send the ball and herself into the goal. Her physicality and willingness to press Leah Williamson and Rafa Souza allowed Chelsea to stay in the contest even when they were struggling at the other end.
The Aussie star yet again threatened to steal the show and could have restored Chelsea's lead at 1-1, only to head straight at Manuela Zinsberger after clever movement. She didn't have any room to play with in the second 45 minutes as Arsenal defended deeper and deeper, but Kerr was still the best player in a blue shirt and unlucky to be on the losing side.
Arsenal take psychological advantage
Just because there were no WSL points up for grabs today, don't believe this won't have an impact on the title race. The two sides meet again in the league on May 21, in the penultimate game of the campaign.
If they still need to claim points to win the league, Arsenal will now go into that game with the knowledge that they can beat Chelsea and that they were the team to end the Blues' quadruple changes.
After not looking capable of getting one over on Chelsea earlier this season, the Gunners didn't just win, they did so in emphatic fashion.
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