Stina Blackstenius scored her ninth and tenth goals of the season in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday in the Women’s Super League.
The win sees Jonas Eidevall’s side leap-frog Manchester City and go back into the Champions League spots.
Brighton vs Arsenal — Lineups
Brighton
Walsh; Kullberg, Bergsvand (Visalli 78’), Morse, Pattinson, Zigiotti (Symonds 78’), Robinson (Carter 78’), Stefanovic (Bance 46’), Green, Lee (Sarri 46’) and Terland
Unused Subs: Startup, Stott, V.Williams
Arsenal
Zinsberger; Maritz, Beattie, Rafaelle (Gio 46’, Foord 74’), Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Taylor, Maanum, Pelova, Kuhl (Godfrey 88’) and Blackstenius (Goldie 85’)
Unused Subs: D’Angelo, Marckese, Walti, Doe
Embed from Getty ImagesHow the game unfolded
Arsenal opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Blackstenius. A long ball over the top cut open Brighton’s defence and allowed the Swedish international to take full advantage. A brilliant cut inside left her open, and she slotted the ball into the far corner.
Blackstenius was on target again a few moments later, after she was quickest to react to the loose pass on the edge of the box. The striker calmly placed the ball beyond Megan Walsh for a 2-0 Arsenal lead.
Brighton did have a chance to pull a goal back through Kayleigh Green. The forward rose highest to meet Katie Robinson’s cross at the back post but wasn’t able to direct the header on target.
Blackstenius joined on the scoresheet
The Gunners continued to dominate the first half and lengthened their lead. Frida Maanum added to her season tally after she nodded home Noelle Maritz’s cross from close range.
Victoria Pelova added a fourth on the stroke of half-time. She latched onto a through ball and powered her shot into the near post for her first WSL goal of the season.
Melissa Phillps made two substitutions at the start of the second half. Libby Bance came on for Dejana Stefanovic, and Veatriki Sarri replaced Lee Geum-Min for the Seagulls.
Brighton came out the better team following the restart and had a couple of chances at goal. These were not enough to deny Zinsberger her 10th clean sheet of the season . Sarri came the closest to scoring after the possession was robbed inside the Arsenal box. The Arsenal defence charged down the shot and cleared the danger.
Embed from Getty ImagesArsenal had an opportunity to get a 5th through Katherine Kuhl. Jodie Taylor’s square pass found her in space but Walsh produced an excellent save to deny the young Danish international from close range.
Coming Up Next
Both sides’ next fixtures respectively are against Everton. Arsenal travel to the Toffees first on May 17th, that game kicks off at 6.15 pm. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Football channels. Brighton’s visit to Walton Hall Park comes a few days after on the 21st of May. That match will be available on the FA Player from 1 pm.
