Shove affairs and heated rivalries can push women’s game forward

Rivalries and tribalism are two of the things we love about the game and there’s none stronger than that between Arsenal and Chelsea.

The teams met in the Continental League Cup final, with an extra-time goal earning the Gunners a 1-0 win in a match which ended with a shove from Blues boss Emma Hayes on opposite number Jonas Eidevall.

Tensions had been simmering for a while between the two clubs and the narrative involving those two teams gives us all something extra to enjoy while we’re watching.

Arsenal historically are the history makers in the English women’s game and were dominant for a long time but Chelsea now are the new kids on the block having their time as the team to beat.