**FROM BROADFIELD STADIUM: A headstrong performance from Brighton & Hove Albion saw the Seagulls fly past Arsenal in Crawley. The victory at hom****e all but confirms Brighton’s record-high 5th place finish in the WSL ahead of the final weekend.**
Arsenal’s failure to return from the dreamtime comeback in Lyon has seen them drop six points and concede nine goals in just two fixtures. The Gunners were awarded the opportunity to claim second place in the league standings, but are now left with all to play for at Emirates Stadium next weekend as the side host third place Manchester United on the final day.
Two sensational strikes from Fran Kirby and Jelena Cancovic put Brighton ahead at the break, before a brace for the latter and a sealer from Kiko Seike buried the Gunners at Broadfield.
Read as _The Halfway Line_ breaks down the action and rates all Arsenal players on the occasion.
The Lineups
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**BHA:** Baggaley; Auee, Olislagers, Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, Hayes; Symonds, Cancovic, Kirby; Parris, Seike
**ARS:** Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona; Maanum; Mead, Foord, Russo
The Action
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The fixture got off to an extremely fast start as Brighton piled the pressure on Arsenal in the early moments. Two strong saves from Manuela Zinsberger were nearly undone as Mariona Caldentey’s back pass nearly found the back of her own net before a crucial intervention from Zinsberger cleared play away.
Arsenal then worked from the build up, locating Alessia Russo in the right channel before the England striker sent a inch-perfect ball to Caitlin Foord at the penalty spot. The Australia took far too long to come to her decision, twisting and turning before dragging her strike wide.
The Seagulls reaped the rewards of their efforts in the 15th minute as Beth Mead coughed up possession on the defensive wing. Fran Kirby ended up with the ball on the top of the box, curling a stunning strike into the top right corner to give Brighton the lead.
Arsenal were able to regain their composure in the 30th minute as Mead, Fox and Williamson passed the ball back and forth in the right channel. Mariona Caldentey was the one to deliver the blow, looping a brilliant ball toward the back post. Sophie Baggaley managed to save Foord’s initial volley, but the Australian refused to miss twice and fired the rebound into the back of the net.
A first half of end-to-end excitement was tied up by another brilliant finish as Brighton pulled themselves ahead. Frida Maanum’s clearing header off the back of the corner fell only as for as Jelena Cancovic, who slammed home a perfectly timed volley to bring the Seagulls ahead.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2213560939)
A disastrous blunder at the back allowed Brighton the opportunity to deliver another blow as Cancovic caught Zinsberger out of position before lobbing the Gunners goalkeeper to give the Seagulls a 3-1 lead.
Before the journalist writing this post was even provided ample time to describe that goal, Brighton went again, this time through Sieke. The hosts were able to split Arsenal down the middle with a lofting ball before the Albion striker slammed home Brighton’s fourth for the game.
Mariona Caldentey was able to pull a rabbit out of the hat in the final minutes of the game, slamming home a top shelf finish to draw one back for Arsenal. Russo tried to have a final say in the fixture, rolling her defender’s shoulder before slamming a strike goalward. However, Brighton goalkeeper Baggaley topped off a heroic display with another save at the death.
The Gunners enjoyed the main share of possession as the game ran on, but it was never enough for the visitors as Brighton sealed a emphatic 4-2 victory in their final home game of the season.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2213555022)
Arsenal Player Ratings
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**Manuela Zinsberger – 2/10 –** Self explanatory.
**Emily Fox – 7/10 –** Arsenal’s best defender despite the low bar. Fox worked hard to cover the territory and got the better of Nikita Parris.
**Leah Williamson – 6/10 –** Often in two minds when deciding whether to press or drop, and it cost Arsenal.
**Steph Catley – 6/10 –** Not a lot either centre back could have done for the wonder-goals, but Brighton’s second half brace displayed moments of weakness from the pairing. Slow on transition and not at her best distribution wise.
**Katie McCabe – 5/10 –** A really weak showing from a player that is usually one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers.
**Kim Little – 6/10 –** Did what she could to steady the ship, but nothing to call home about.
**Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 –** Struggled to work her usual magic in the opening half, but teed up Foord wonderfully for Arsenal’s goal. A great finish to soften the blow on a poor team showing.
**Frida Maanum – 4/10 –** Slegers needs to drum up a new idea of how to correct Arsenal’s attacking woes in support of Alessia Russo, because Frida Maanum has been struggling. Almost anonymous when it matters.
**Caitlin Foord – 7/10 –**Arsenal’s most direct performer on the occasion, but that’s a low bar. Instinctive and strong in transition but her decision making let her down more than once.
**Alessia Russo – 7/10 –** Her hold up play and work off the ball is second to none, and Arsenal failed to feed her through on the ball for 90 minutes. Did what she could under the circumstances.
**Beth Mead – 4/10 –** Dominated by Caitlin Hayes all afternoon, Mead was far below average.
**Substitutes**
**Lia Wälti (60′ for Little) – 7/10** A catalyst for Arsenal’s ability to regain the control of the midfield areas, but the forwards offered little signs of following suit.
**Jenna Nighswonger (60′ for McCabe) – 6/10 –** Played her role well.
**Chloe Kelly (60′ for Mead) – 7/10 –** Gave Arsenal an attacking presence down the right channel after an anonymous display from Mead. Did well to carry possession into the final third.
**Stina Blackstenius (60′ for Maanum) – 5/10 –** Unlike Kelly for Mead, Blackstenius made no improvement to the Arsenal side after Maanum’s omission.
**Victoria Pelova (89′ for Foord) – N/A**
Player of the Match – Sophie Baggaley
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Replacing Melina Loeck just minutes before kick-off, Baggaley did not put a foot wrong in Crawley. Brighton deserve the piling praise for the performance, but the goalkeeper’s inspirational performance certainly did give this spirited display a beating heart.