Photo credit: GETTY IMAGES
Arsenal defeated Everton 3-1 at Walton Hall Park, strengthening their chances of qualifying for the Champions League. A brace from Alessia Russo and an own goal were enough for the Gunners.
Arsenal Women secured a vital 3-1 victory over Everton at Walton Hall Park, propelling them to second place in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Alessia Russo’s brilliance shone through as she netted twice, with an own goal from Everton’s Maren Mjelde sealing the win for the Gunners.
The match began with both teams testing the waters. Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Manuela Zinsberger, made an early save to deny Honoka Hayashi, while the Gunners’ forward line struggled to stay onside. Arsenal found their rhythm around the 20-minute mark, showcasing improved passing and one-touch football. This effort bore fruit in the 24th minute when Mariona Caldentey’s through ball found Kim Little, who set up Russo for a simple tap-in. However, Everton equalized ten minutes later through Toni Payne, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.
The second half saw Arsenal’s head coach, Renée Slegers, make impactful substitutions. Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, and Kyra Cooney-Cross entered the fray, injecting energy into the team. Their efforts paid off when Emily Fox’s cross led to an own goal by Everton’s Mjelde, putting Arsenal ahead. Russo sealed the victory in the 89th minute, rounding the goalkeeper after a precise pass from Mead.
Arsenal now shifts focus to the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, where they face Real Madrid in the first leg on March 18.
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