Arsenal: Borbe; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Hinds; Cooney-Cross, Mariona; Smith, Maanum, Mead; Russo
Substitutes: Liddiard, Codina, Williamson, Little, McCabe, Foord, Pelova, Nighswonger, Blackstenius
Arsenal are back to winning ways in the WSL, beating Liverpool 2-1. Arsenal went ahead early through Olivia Smith and looked like they’d comfortably beat Gareth Taylor’s injury-depleted side. However, in tale becoming quite frequent, Arsenal were pegged back and squandered a good number of chances before Blackstenius struck late in the second half.
Anneke Borbe started in goal for the first time with Daphne van Domselaar out for the block. Taylor Hinds started at left back, and Kyra Cooney-Cross continued in midfield. There was a place for Leah Williamson on the bench, but Chloe Kelly was out after suffering a knee injury on international duty.
Arsenal got to a bright start, with Maanum bursting into space but having her low shot from range saved by Faye Kirby.
A long ball from Wubben-Moy played Russo in behind. She crossed, with the ball coming to Smith who played the ball back in, with Mariona flicking a header. The save, though, was comfortable for Kirby.
Liverpool, though, threatened. Catley missed the header, Olsson ran behind and Borbe came out. Olsson took the ball around Borbe, but went over without much contact, and Catley was able to clean up.
Arsenal should’ve taken the lead on 14 minutes. Mead went short from a corner, and Mariona, from the edge of the box, played a cross to the back post, and Wubben-Moy, from close range, headed against the woodwork.
Arsenal took the lead with a brilliant individual effort from Olivia Smith on 16 minutes. Receiving possession on the left wing, she beat three players as she drove in field and then shot low from range. With Kirby slightly unsighted the shot flew past her at the near post. 1-0.
Fox’s brilliant pass found Smith. She shot again, and her shot came to Russo who couldn’t sort her feet, allowing Liverpool to scramble the ball behind for a corner.
Liverpool equalised on 30 minutes. Liverpool won the ball in midfield, and Enderby played the ball around the corner for Olsson, who ran off Cooney-Cross’ shoulder and was played onside by Catley, who slotted through Borbe. 1-1.
Enderby and Olsson nearly combined again, as Enderby ran past Mead. Her center for Olsson, but Wubben-Moy got between Olsson and the goal and Mead cleared.
Enderby was played into space, but Wubben-Moy blocked her shot. The rebound came to Kapocs, and Parry blocked the follow-up.
Russo should’ve put Arsenal 2-1 up on 50 minutes. Maanum played into Russo, who turned her defender but slotted wide of the goal.
A minute later, Russo should’ve again scored. Hinds’ cross found Russo, but her shot was saved by Kirby and pushed around the post.
Kirby saved from Russo again after she was found at the back post from a corner.
On 57 minutes, Katie McCabe replaced Hinds, Blackstenius replaced Maanum, and Foord replaced Mead.
Wubben-Moy found Smith, whose cross was parried by Kirby in front of goal but Foord blasted over the bar.
On 69 minutes Kim Little replaced Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Smith and Mariona combined on the right hand side. Mariona’s cross was deflected but came to McCabe on in the inside right channel of the penalty box but her volley went just over.
Evans denied Blackstenius on 81 minutes. On the halfway line, Foord played a ball around the corner. Evans, trying to pass back, set Blackstenius away. She went around Kirby but Evans caught up and blocked the shot.
At the other end, Enderby and Olsson broke, but Wubben-Moy blocked Olsson’s shot.
Russo looked to find Foord with a low cross but Clark intervened.
From the corner, McCabe went short. She got the ball back from McCabe and from the edge of the box crossed to the back post. The ball came to Foord’s midriff, and she couldn’t get the shot away.
Stina Blackstenius put Arsenal 2-1 up on 87 minutes. Liverpool, playing a high line, were caught out by Fox’s long ball over the top. Blackstenius took the ball down, turned, and fired a left footed shot into the far corner. 2-1.
7 minutes were added on.
On 96 minutes Laia Codina replaced Smith.