We reached the semi-finals of the Subway Women’s League Cup with a 2-0 win away to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Laia Codina fired us into the lead and Stina Blackstenius added our second late on.
The next round will be at home to the winner of Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur at Mangata Developments Stadium in Borehamwood on the weekend of January 21.
### FIRST HALF
Kyra Cooney-Cross corners caused a few problems for Palace throughout the game, with the first one ending up at the feet of Caitlin Foord, who hooked the ball onto the far post only to see the offside flag raised.
Foord then ran down the left and played it inside to Frida Maanum, who went for goal with power, but it took a deflection wide of the post.
Cooney-Cross’ next corner was lifted back in by Victoria Pelova, but Jessica Yanez was first to it with Maanum challenging for a header.
At the other end, Palace had their first sight of goal as Annabel Blanchard’s free-kick flew just over the bar.
Moments later, Foord pulled it back for Maanum and her first-time effort was knocked behind for a corner, and it was from that Cooney-Cross delivery that Codina headed the ball back across goal and into the back of the net by way of a deflection.
The home side should have equalised straight away though, as Ashleigh Weerden’s cross was cannoned off the post by Abbie Larkin from close range.
Emily Fox was next to try her luck from distance, shooting over the bar.
Continuing our hunt for a second, Foord’s cross was turned just wide by Allyson Swaby. The following corner came out to McCabe, who struck over on the volley.
Larkin tested Borbe’s reflexes with an effort from distance, our goalkeeper diving to her right to make a good save, but Palace kept looking dangerous as Larkin charged down the right and curled one onto the crossbar.
McCabe’s inswinging free-kick, headed onto the roof of the net by Leah Williamson, was the last moment of action and we went into the break a goal to the good.
### SECOND HALF
Palace thought they had an opening early in the second half as Weerden squeezed the ball just past the far post, but the flag went up for offside.
McCabe’s corner was then headed wide by Blackstenius, before we made a triple change with Steph Catley, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Kim Little coming on for Williamson, Codina and Pelova.
Catley did well to track back and block Larkin’s cross from the right with Palace on the counter-attack. The subsequent corner was played to Larkin on the edge of the area and she shot straight at Borbe.
Foord fires wide of the bottom left from the edge of the 18-yard box in the 74th minute, before a powerful effort from Maanum was blocked by Swaby and went behind for a corner.
Beth Mead then came on for her 250th Arsenal appearance, replacing Olivia Smith.
Foord and McCabe both had shots blocked late on, and it was in the 93rd minute that Mead went through on goal and around the goalkeeper before unselfishly pulling it back for Blackstenius to bury.
### WHAT’S NEXT
That’s it for 2025! We’ll be back at Emirates Stadium on January 10 for the visit of Manchester United in the Barclays Women’s Super League. That’s a 12.30pm kick-off.
Then we make our return to Mangata Developments Stadium in Borehamwood for the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round against Aston Villa at 2pm on January 18.
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