Erin Cuthbert scored twice as Chelsea survived a late scare to beat Arsenal and throw the Women’s Super League title race wide open.
The Scotland midfielder put the title holders ahead with a towering header from Hannah Blundell’s pinpoint cross.
Chelsea’s Beth England had an effort ruled out for offside before Cuthbert volleyed in a second from 15 yards.
Vivianne Miedema tapped in to halve Arsenal’s deficit and went close twice more late on, but the visitors held on.
The defeat was only Arsenal’s second of the season but they lost their grip on top spot after Manchester City’s win at West Ham later on Sunday.
Those results have left Arsenal a point behind City – but Joe Montemurro’s Gunners do have a game in hand on their title rivals.
Defending WSL champions Chelsea are now just two points adrift of Arsenal in third and they dominated at Meadow Park until the closing stages.
Arsenal were without 10-goal midfielder Danielle van de Donk through injury and did not register a shot on target until her fellow Netherlands international Miedema claimed her 15th league goal of the campaign – equalling the record season’s tally set last year by Birmingham’s Ellen White.
It was the first goal Chelsea had conceded since a 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal in October and Miedema forced two saves from Blues keeper Hedvig Lindahl as the Gunners came on strong towards the end.
The visitors were also fortunate not to concede a penalty when Jess Carter tugged back Miedema’s shirt in the box, but their overall performance merited the three points.
Source:BBC