Arsenal took control of their Women's Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea, winning 3-1 in the first leg at the Emirates.
The Gunners - current holders of the European title - have been near-perfect in north London this season, and have lost just once in 21 games under Renee Slegers at the ground.
They were in good form heading into the game too - unbeaten in seven across all competitions, a run that started against Chelsea in January when they won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge - and the form book went in their favour.
Chelsea had the better of the opening 15 minutes - twice hitting the post through Alyssa Thompson and Lauren James - but Arsenal went ahead against the run of play as Stina Blackstenius nodded home a Katie McCabe free-kick.
Just after the half-hour, Chloe Kelly dazzled again on the big stage with a super goal. She was unmarked over on the left-hand side before arrowing a thunderous effort under Hannah Hampton, who will disappointed not to stop her England team-mate's effort.
Chelsea should have pulled a goal back later in the half. Veerle Buurman rose above Laia Codina at the back post to nod the ball home, but as the Arsenal defender fell to the floor, the referee blew her whistle for a foul and ruled the goal out. VAR checked it and agreed with the on-field decision, although it looked to be incredibly soft.
The Blues needed their big players to step up in the second half - enter James. She pulled a goal back for Chelsea in stunning fashion in the 66th minute as a corner was cleared her way. She looped a sumptuous effort into the back of the net, making it look easy with a nonchalant finish.
But the visitors' hope was somewhat extinguished 10 minutes later as Alessia Russo scored her eighth goal of the Champions League campaign - the most of any player. She was found in the middle of Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze by Blackstenius before turning and hitting a brilliant effort past Hampton.
Chelsea had another goal ruled out late on. Kadeisha Buchanan bundled the ball home, but in the process, caught Anneke Borbe in the midriff with a high foot, and the goal was again ruled out for a foul - this time understandably.
It gives the Gunners a big advantage heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday April 1. Chelsea, meanwhile, have a huge task on their hands as they continue their search for that elusive Champions League title.
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor says the women's game needs more respect in terms of officiating after Buurman's goal was ruled out in the first half.
It is not the first time Chelsea have been on the end of an ambiguous VAR decision in the Champions League this season, and the latest drew the ire of the Blues boss.
Bompastor said: "It's really frustrating. It's always more difficult to complain about the referees when you lose the game, but to be honest, it's not good enough.
"We need to really find solutions because when you are playing the quarter-final of the Champions League, you need to respect the women's game more, you need to respect the players more because they work hard every week to put a good performance on the pitch.
"The first goal is a goal. I don't see with VAR how you cannot allow that goal. It's a shame to be honest, so it is what it is. There's nothing we can control about that and we need to now focus on the next game."
On the performance, she added: "We're frustrated about the result. I'm really proud of my players, I think tonight the performance was good as a team.
"It's always difficult to say that when you lose the game, but if you analyse the performance, we created enough again to be in a better place in terms of the result. We hit the post twice in the first ten minutes and in these games when you are able to score, you change the game mentally."
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers praised the mentality of her team, but added they must remain critical of themselves if they are to see the tie through next week.
"It was a very tight game. Both teams create chances and there was very little time and space in the middle of the pitch, so there was a lot of duels back from second balls, both teams that wanted to exploit spaces, centrally, and in behind.
"In combination with the weather, it being a Champions League quarter-final, and there's a London rivalry, it was a battle on the field.
"I'm not happy with how we started the game and they created two big chances, but we stayed in the game, we stayed on the task, we stayed calm and we found solutions.
"There are still things we want to do better and look at for the second leg, but for half time [in the tie], I'm happy for the players and their performance, because there was a lot of grittiness and mentality going on.
"There's a lot of things I'm happy with, by the way, but we always stay critical because it was a very tight game and certain things, we can definitely have a look at how we can manage those moments better, or those phases of the game.
"But of course, I'm happy with a lot of things. It's a lot about the mentality and our mindset throughout the game, whatever the scenario or whatever the momentum, we were in the game constantly and we were happy to do the work.
"And if the spaces are so congested, it's a lot about battles in central areas and it's hard for us to play, then we do it a different way and that's what I'm really proud of.
"The North London derby is our next game, so we work towards that game, we're looking forward to it and then we'll have to have a really good plan in place for the second leg, because this is a different scenario being two goals up."
