Sunday’s match winner Maria Thorisdottir believes the Blues have laid down a marker to the rest of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League after victory over defending champions Arsenal.
Chelsea Women found ourselves a goal down against the Gunners before Beth England equalised and Thorisdottir sent the 4,149 fans packed inside Kingsmeadow wild with a magnificent strike to win the game five minutes from time.Victory erased all memories of last season’s 5-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal and saw Emma Hayes’s side leapfrog the Gunners in to second in the early season standings.And the importance of the win was not lost on Thorisdottir. The 26-year-old said: ‘It was a big win for us. We know that if we want to be at the top in this league we need to beat teams like Arsenal and it was great to win in front of so many fans as well.‘It was a statement and it’s always nice to beat Arsenal because it’s a London derby and we’re all really happy. We were really good in the second half and got the win we wanted.‘I feel like we’re in a good flow right now That win has given everyone that boost and we want to keep going. It’s very nice to be in this team right now.’The Norwegian – a centre back by trade – has seen her options in defence limited by the form of captain Magdalena Eriksson and vice-captain Millie Bright in the heart of Hayes’s back line. But rather than sit on the sidelines and wait, Thorisdottir has put her head down and targeted a place in midfield. Sunday’s 20-minute cameo and winning goal may go some way to giving her manager a selection headache.
‘There was a lot of emotion when I scored,’ she added. ‘It’s been really tough to not be in the starting 11 because I have been working really hard. I had hoped to be in the starting 11 so I was disappointed that I wasn’t, so to get those 20 minutes in the second half and score that goal meant a lot to me - I was really happy and it was a big relief.
‘I have two good players in front of me so for me it’s just to find a place that I can compete. I really love being in midfield because I can be a box-to-box player and that’s the position I played when I was younger so I’m happy to be playing in midfield.
‘I had a conversation with Emma so that will probably be my position from now on and I’m happy with that.’
Next up for Thorisdottir and the Blues is a trip to Championship side Crystal Palace in the Continental Cup and the Norwegian is looking forward to a new challenge.
‘I have never played against them but every game is tough so we just have to keep going and not take them for granted.
‘We have to be at our best against them and make sure we continue with the momentum we have going.'
Our next home games takes place on Sunday 17 November, with a 3pm kick-off against newly-promoted Manchester United. Tickets are on sale and priced at £1 for juniors (aged under 20), seniors (aged over 65) and £9 for adults.