FA WSL Recap & Highlights: Arsenal 3-0 Everton Women

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Sunday’s outing began with a show of solidarity with the NWSL, which has been embroiled in controversy of toxic workplaces and misogynistic management. Players from both sides linked arms to show support for the struggles of their counterparts in America.

The early moments of the match saw a lot of back-and-forth football as each team settled into the afternoon, but it was the home side that threatened first. Just over five minutes into the game, Vivianne Miedema picked out Nikita Parris in the box, but the English forward dinked her shot over the bar.

Minutes later, right back Noëlle Maritz rocked a left-footed curler that was destined for the back of the net, but Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver made a diving save to keep Arsenal off the scoresheet.

The Gunners had another golden opportunity in the 20’, but Gabby George made a goal-saving block on Miedema four yards out to keep the home side from netting the opening tally.

Arsenal finally broke the deadlock in the 32’. Following a broken corner kick, the ball fell to fullback Katie McCabe at the upper left-hand corner of the 18, and the Irish international took one touch to settle the ball before hitting a peach of a shot that dipped up and over MacIver.

It took the hosts just nine minutes to double their advantage. Lotte Wubben-Moy was left unmarked in front of net on a corner kick, and the young English defender headed the ball through MacIver’s legs for her first goal of the season.

On the stroke of halftime, Izzy Christiansen nearly picked out Toni Duggan in front of goal, but the pass was just a few inches too high.

After an hour played, Arsenal saw three attempts on target all parried away in the same sequence.

Second half substitute Beth Mead almost made it three for Arsenal in the latter stages of the second, but McIver got a strong foot to the attempt to keep the lead at two.

The fireworks didn’t let up for the home side at any point; 22-year-old Frida Maanum’s 86th-minute shot acted like a heat-seeking missile into the back of the net. Even more impressive about Maanum’s strike was the distance, 24 yards out, and pressure with Christiansen was on her tail.

LINEUPS

Arsenal (4-3-3): Manuela Zinsberger; Noëlle Maritz, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie McCabe; Kim Little (Viktoria Schnaderbeck 90), Mana Iwabuchi (Jordan Nobbs 64), Frida Maanum; Tobin Heath (Beth Mead 64), Vivianne Miedema (Caitlin Foord 76), Nikita Parris
Unused Substitutes: Jennifer Beattie, Steph Catley, Lydia Williams, Teyah Goldie, Halle Houssein
Goals: McCabe 32, Wubben-Moy 41, Maanum 86
Bookings: N/A

Everton (4-3-3): Sandy MacIver; Danielle Turner, Gabby George, Rikke Sevecke, Leonie Maier; Izzy Christiansen, Aurora Galli, Kenza Dali; Toni Duggan, Anna Anvegård (Valerie Gauvin 64), Hanna Bennison
Unused Substitutes: Courtney Brosnan, Poppy Pattinson, Megan Finnigan, Grace Clinton
Goals: N/A
Bookings: N/A

HIGHLIGHTS