England star Beth Mead scored a brace as Arsenal opened their Barclays Women’s Super League marketing campaign with a dominant 4-0 victory over Brighton.
Forty-eight days after England’s historic Euro 2022 triumph in opposition to Germany at Wembley, the WSL season opened at a sold-out Meadow Park after final week’s scheduled spherical of fixtures was postponed as a result of dying of the Queen.
Lionesses’ captain Leah Williamson and golden boot winner Mead had been again within the highlight, and again on the successful facet, as Arsenal cruised to all three factors.
Brighton had been already going through an uphill activity to take something away from Friday evening’s fixture following eight defeats in eight matches in opposition to the Gunners.
And the guests’ night was thrown into disarray when Emma Kullberg was proven a straight crimson after simply seven minutes.
With Stina Blackstenius storming in on Brighton’s purpose, Kullberg tripped her Swedish compatriot, and referee Lisa Benn was left with little possibility aside from to dismiss the beleaguered defender.
Kullberg’s crimson card gave Brighton an uphill activity
(Getty Images)
Jonas Eidevall’s facet, who fell only a level wanting beating Chelsea to final season’s title, had been thrust into full management and the breakthrough got here on 28 minutes when Kim Little struck, moments after Elisabeth Terland spurned an opportunity to place the Seagulls forward.
Terland was afforded a uncommon sight of the Arsenal purpose, however pulled her effort vast. Ninety seconds later, the house facet capitalised.
Caitlin Foord dazzled down the Gunners’ left and her pinpoint pull-back was expertly transformed by Scotland worldwide Little.
Little scored the primary purpose of the 2022-23 season
(PA Wire)
Arsenal got here near doubling their lead when Blackstenius rattled the crossbar 4 minutes later, with Megan Walsh then denying Lia Walti following a high quality save on the stroke of half-time.Somehow Hope Powell’s Brighton had been just one purpose behind on the break.
But 5 minutes into the second half, Blackstenius put the outcome past doubt when she scored Arsenal’s second.
Mead put the ball on a plate for Blackstenius and the Sweden worldwide lashed her shot into the roof of the online.
Mead added her second after some fast ft
(The FA by way of Getty Images)
Mead was named the participant of the event on the Euros after scoring six occasions on England’s run to glory. And she discovered the again of the online shortly after the hour mark.
Little and Vivianne Miedema had been concerned within the build-up with Mead coolly slotting residence.
With 9 minutes remaining, Jordan Nobbs’ shot hit the woodwork, earlier than Mead pounced on a high quality save from Walsh to attain for a second time in entrance of three,238 followers – and fireplace an early title warning to rivals’ Chelsea who journey to Liverpool on Sunday.
Source: www.impartial.co.uk
