Everton welcomed Arsenal at Walton Hall Park for the 16th round in the Women’s Super League. Arsenal started out with their usual possession and control but struggled to create big chances. Everton, on the other hand, were more efficient and ready for every counter. It wasn’t until Slegers made a quadruple change that the game broke open. Read our match report on Everton vs Arsenal here.
Match Highlights
Russo opened the score & scored the 1-3.
Toni Payne’s first Everton goal.
Super sub Foord scored the 1-2.
Excellent goalkeeping from Brosnan.
Source: Arsenal on X
A lot of the same from The Gunners
As we’ve seen from Arsenal many times in this year: they are in control but struggle to find a way through the opponents defence. Apart from Fox and Little, who sent good crosses into the box, there was not created enough.
The first big chance went to Everton. McCabe was unaware of Gago behind her and allowed the ball to go past her, thinking a teammate would pick it up. Gago quickly intercepted and charged towards the goalkeeper. She got the ball to Hayashi, who unleashed a powerful shot, but Zinsberger was able to make the save.
Russo finds the net
Arsenal kept pressing, with McCabe often higher on the pitch and Williamson alongside Wälti, trying to find an opening. The Gunners found the net when Little made a very clever run into the box. The captain was free, sent a low cross to Russo, who slotted it home.
The goal relieved some pressure on Arsenal, and their game improved. Everton struggled to keep possession, but they were still very dangerous on the counter.
The equaliser before the break
Toni Payne scored her very first goal for Everton. Snoeijs pressed Wälti, who lost the ball to Gago. She continued her run towards the box and found Snoeijs with space to shoot. Although, her shot was blocked by Catley, Toni Payne was there to tap it in.
Second half: Both sides unchanged
Both teams come storming out of the gates in the second half. Snoeijs nearly scored an own goal, but Brosnan saved her header, and Maanum’s effort was just wide. As a result, after ten minutes in, the score is still 1-1.
Head coach Renée Slegers made the following changes at the one-hour mark:
Foord, Mead, Cooney-Cross and Blackstenius came on for Maanum, Kelly, Wälti and Kim Little.
Manager Brian Sørensen was ready to make some changes as well:
K. Holmgaard and Wheeler came on for Snoeijs and Vanhaevermaet.
Foord saves the day and gives Arsenal the lead back
She could not have had a more immediate impact than she did. Russo found Fox in the box, who sent in a low cross. Both Blackstenius and Foord were ready to tap it in, and it was the Australian International who did.
The substitutions changed the Arsenal midfield. Where Little and Wälti had been together in the pivot, it was now Cooney-Cross and an extra player up top (Blackstenius). Slegers made the right call, as her team began creating opportunity after opportunity, hitting the post or being denied by Brosnan.
Short break in play
Steph Catley received treatment, giving Everton a break from the continues pressure from Arsenal. In the meantime, Sørensen made a double change: Ladd and Toni Payne came off for Lawley and Olesen.
Ten more minutes to go
In the final phase of the match Lina Hurtig came on. She replaced Emily Fox, who sat down needing treatment just before. The Toffees also made a final change: Watson on for Hayashi.
Just before we went into stoppage time, Alessia Russo scored her second of the night. Mead sent a perfect pass into the box, Russo picked it up, cut around goalkeeper Brosnan and sends it in.
The Gunners secured three points and take the second place in the table on goal difference (Manchester United are currently down 1-3). An improved display compared to last weekend. Renée Slegers made the changes in time, completely turning it around.