Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal: Blues thrash struggling Gunners in WSL clash at Stamford Bridge as Lauren James and Sjoeke Nusken combine in dominant Stamford Bridge affair

Arsenal had turned up at Stamford Bridge with the wrong colour of socks, causing a 30-minute delay to their top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea.

But as it turned out, the kit clash proved to be the least of their problems.

They were beaten convincingly by a rampant Chelsea team who showed why they have been champions four years running – and why Arsenal have not.

When Lauren James cut-through the Gunners defence with ease, sending a shot which goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger should have saved into the net, it should have been a warning.

Arsenal did not take heed. Two further goals from Sjoeke Nusken had Chelsea 3-0 up at half-time. They would have scored more in the second half had it not been for some fine saves from Zinsberger. A consolation goal came from Kim Little in the 87th minute, a fine volley from the edge of the box. Too little too late.

Chelsea produced a dominant performance in front of thousands of spectators at Stamford Bridge

Sjoeke Nusken scored two more times before half time to put the Blues in control

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall knew his side really needed to come here and win to sustain any chance of a title charge. Defeat leaves them six points behind Chelsea, who came into this level at the top with Manchester City.

The Blues had been beaten 4-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates in December and lost at home against City last month.

This was Emma Hayes’ last WSL match at Stamford Bridge before she departs for the United States at the end of the season. She needed a big performance from her team and she got one. Even more impressive is the number of injured players Hayes was not able to call upon.

Sat behind the dug-out was last season’s top scorer Sam Kerr, captain Millie Bright and club record signing Mayra Ramirez. For Hayes’ depleted side to demolish Arsenal with such conviction is testament to their character.

The Gunners night got off to a bad start before a ball was kicked when match officials pointed out they had brought white socks with them instead of red, meaning they clashed with Chelsea’s home strip.

Arsenal were forced to go to the Chelsea megastore to buy enough pairs of Chelsea’s away socks for their 10 outfield players and substitutes. Due to Adidas being the Gunners’ kit manufacturer, they had to tape over the Nike sponsor on the Chelsea socks they had purchased.

Chelsea had their own tumultuous build-up to this game after Jess Carter had liked a series of posts on social media which criticised manager Emma Hayes for her comments on player relationships. But any danger of backlash on the pitch soon subsided when James struck in the 15th minute.

The forward was played in by Nusken and held off a challenge from Steph Catley before firing at goal. Manuela Zinsberger got a strong hand to her effort but the ball bounced behind the goalkeeper and into the net. Chelsea doubled their lead six minutes later when Erin Cuthbert’s shot was turned in by Nusken.

Arsenal gathered in a huddle as they tried to find a way back in the top of the table clash

Pre-match scenes dominated the build-up as Arsenal turned up with the wrong socks

Arsenal appealed for offside but replays showed the midfielder was level with defender Leah Williamson.

The Gunners were shell shocked but worse was still to come, as Chelsea scored a fortuitous third before half-time. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd drove forward and hit a shot which deflected off Nusken’s backside, leaving Zinsberger wrong-footed as the ball bounced into the net.

Chelsea had numerous chances to extend their lead in the second half but Zinsbeger produced fine saves to deny James and Rytting Kaneryd from close range.

Arsenal did manage to find the net in the closing stages, as Little’s volley deflected off Catarina Macario and into the bottom left corner.