**Arsenal:** Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Codina, McCabe; Pelova, Cooney-Cross; Smith, Maanun, Foord; Blackstenius
Substitutes: Liddiard, Wubben-Moy, Catley, Mariona, Mead, Little, Russo, Hinds, Harwood
Arsenal are into the semi-final of the Subway League Cup after beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Gander Green Lane. Arsenal made hard work of the tie, with Palace twice hitting the woodwork, but Laia Codina scored from a corner in the first half and Stina Blackstenius added a second goal in second half stoppage time.
Renée Slegers named a heavily changed side. Leah Williamson started for the first time since the Champions League final, while Laia Codina and Victoria Pelova made rare starts. Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius also started, with Kim Little, Mariona, and Alessia Russo all on the bench.
Arsenal’s first corner, on 9 minutes, almost led to an opening goal. Cooney-Cross’ delivery ricocheted off the defender to Foord, who couldn’t make clean contact from close range.
A minute later, Foorde beat Sharpe and passed across the edge of the box. The ball came to Maanum, whose shot was deflected just wide.
From a free kick, Blanchard shot just over, though Borbe would’ve had it covered.
On 18 minutes, Foord was played in down the left by McCabe. She cut back for Maanum, whose left footed shot beat Yanez but was blocked behind by Swaby.
From the corner, Arsenal took the lead. Cooney-Cross’ delivery found Codina, who headed back across goal. Swaby tried to block but helped guide the ball into the far corner with her head. [0-1](https://x.com/BarclaysWSL/status/2002736295156854851).
Palace attacked straight after conceding and nearly equalised but Larkin, played in after a loose touch from Codina, hit the post.
Larkin then forced Borbe into action with a shot from range that Borbe parried behind for a corner. The corner came straight into the 6-yard box but Borbe was able to get a hand to it.
From an Arsenal corner, McCabe’s delivery was met by a Palace head and looped onto the crossbar before going out.
Larkin was played in behind Codina by a through ball. Borbe came out to make herself big, Larkin shot and hit the crossbar.
Smith was fouled on the right. From the free kick, McCabe’s delivery went into the 6 yard box, finding Williamson, who headed just over.
Early in the second half, Weerden, countering, found Blanchard in the box. Weerden continued her run and was found by Blanchard in front of Borbe, but her shot just went wide, with the flag going up for offside. It was, however, another warning for Arsenal.
Arsenal made a triple change on 61 minutes. Kim Little replaced Pelova, Steph Catley replaced Codina, and Lotte Wubben-Moy replaced Williamson.
From a corner, Larkin was found with a pass unmarked at the edge of the area. She took a touch and shot but shot straight at Borbe, who saved.
Foord, cutting inside, fired toward goal but it went wide of Yanez’s near post.
Maanum, showing good movement, combined on the left with Little and shot, with Swaby blocking. Maanum appealed for a penalty but it didn’t appear to hit Swaby’s arm.
On 80 minutes Beth Mead replaced Olivia Smith.
On 88 minutes, Foord drove inside and shot. The ball rebounded to McCabe, who shot, but Swaby again blocked, with Arsenal again appealing for a penalty.
4 minutes were added on at the end of the match.
Arsenal added a second goal in the 93rd minute. Mead, played in behind by Maanum, chopped back onto her left, and having looked to have beaten Yanez delayed taking the shot. She went into more traffic, but rolled the ball back for Blackstenius, who slammed the ball into the net. [0-2](https://streamin.link/v/ae227cc6).
Arsenal will face Manchester United in the semi-final, which will be played on 21/22 January.