Arsenal 2-1 Everton: Player ratings as Gunners return to winning ways to reignite title charge

FROM MEADOW PARK - Arsenal returned to winning ways to put pressure on Chelsea at the top of the Women's Super League with a comfortable 2-1 win over Everton at Meadow Park.

After finishing 2023 with a north London derby loss at Tottenham, the Gunners looked to change the narrative by starting sprightly as Caitlin Foord finished well in the ninth minute.

The Toffees responded, however, when Katja Snoeijs cancelled out that opening strike midway through the first half.

Beth Mead scored what turned out to be Arsenal's winner in first-half stoppage time, though the hosts' relentless second-half attacks caused Everton further defensive woes.

Visiting goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan did well to keep the Gunners' threats at bay, forcing Arsenal to settle for a 2-1 victory.

How the game unfolded

Arsenal made a flying start for their first league game of 2024. The positive early signs indicated the hosts would pile on pressure all afternoon against a struggling Everton, who had a lacklustre start to their campaign.

Mead rattled the woodwork early on but the deadlock was soon broken in the ninth minute.

Foord capitalised as some smart skills from Victoria Pelova, who kept the ball in play and allowed her to slot home from close range. It was 24-year-old Pelova's fifth assist of the season, the most in the league, as she and compatriot Viv Miedema dictated proceedings in the engine room.

The first-half pressure from the hosts was relentless, not allowing Everton to string more than four passes together before pouncing to regain possession. Yet as the Toffees' comfortability grew, their first attack was conjured and Snoeijs' solo effort rolled past a statuesque Manuela Zinsberger to level the scores.

Goalkeeper Brosnan pulled off an impressive block to deny Mead who looked to restore Arsenal's lead. Itching not to squander another chance, the 28-year-old headed home Lia Walti's pin-point cross in first-half stoppage time.

In her league debut, new signing Emily Fox almost added a third early in the second half but her curling shot inched just wide of the far post. The US international retained her starting spot after impressing last weekend in the FA Cup in Arsenal's 5-1 win over Watford.

For the remainder of the half, Arsenal pulled the strings. With one-way traffic directed at Brosnan, the visitors did well to contain Arsenal's continuous attacks. The Gunners kept piecing together clever moves but squandered chance after chance while searching for their third, lacking a composed end product.

Everton's substitutions added fresh impetus in six minutes of stoppage time as they engineered several well-worked attacks. However, they were unable to convert those chances as the Gunners claimed all three points, temporarily moving level with league leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Manuela Zinsberger - 5/10 - Should have done better to prevent Everton's goal after coming off her line, failing to read the strike well enough.

RB: Emily Fox - 7/10 - Sprightly on her WSL debut and provided an alternative attacking option that kept Everton at bay.

CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy - 7/10 - Calm and composed from the centre-back who led the defence incredibly well.

CB: Amanda Ilestedt - 7/10 - Impressive from the Sweden international who has fully found her stride in the WSL since signing in the summer.

LB: Katie McCabe - 8/10 - Dominant and controlled returning to her native full-back flank.

CM: Lia Walti - 8/10 - Another stellar performance from the Switzerland international whose use of the width of the pitch was unmatched.

CM: Victoria Pelova - 7/10 - Was overrun at times in the middle but played a crucial role in engineering attacks and assisted the first goal.

RW: Beth Mead - 9/10 - Direct and controlled from Mead who was relentless in searching for more goals.

AM: Vivianne Miedema - 8/10 - Read the game expertly and made the right calls. Was let down by lacking any end product.

LW: Caitlin Foord - 7/10 - Recent lacking form was evident as she failed to capitalise on clear chances. A better effort than before the winter break, however.

ST: Alessia Russo - 7/10 - Unable to convert her chances and was too selfless, opting for passes rather than taking a shot.

Substitutes

SUB: Frida Maanum (71' for Miedema) - 6/10

SUB: Stina Blackstenius (82' for Russo) - N/A

SUB: Steph Catley (82' for McCabe) - N/A

SUB: Cloe Lacasse (96' for Mead) - N/A

Subs not used: Sabrina D'Angelo (GK), Naomi Williams (GK), Jennifer Beattie, Laia Codina, Kyra Cooney-Cross.

Manager

Jonas Eidevall - 6/10 - Set his side up well initially but failed to make changes when the game plan began to falter.

Everton player ratings (3-4-3)

GK: Courtney Brosnan - 7/10 - Despite leaking two goals, it was a collected and defined performance from the Ireland international who was let down by a fleeting defence.

CB: Elise Stenevik - 5/10 - Struggled to get a hold of Arsenal's direct attacks.

CB: Megan Finnigan - 6/10 - Did well to lead the side but was unable to gather control of the defence to help prevent the second goal.

CB: Sara Holmgaard - 5/10 - Did well in the battle against Fox and Mead but struggled when the pressure mounted.

RM: Heather Payne - 8/10 - Impressive on the flank and made vital contributions in both attack and defence.

CM: Clare Wheeler - 6/10 - Struggled to maintain possession in a battling midfield.

CM: Aurora Galli - 6/10 - Tussled with Pelova and Walti but was overrun and couldn't match Arsenal's composure in the middle.

LM: Emma Bissell - 6/10 - Used the wide option well but Walti's experience caused trouble for the youngster.

RW: Hanna Bennison - 7/10 - Sprightly but was unable to have much effect.

ST: Katja Snoeijs - 7/10 - Managed to level the score out of nowhere in the first half but was unable to capitalise later on, ultimately let down by a lack of chances.

LW: Karoline Olesen - 7/10 - Impressive from the youngster who spearheaded all of Everton's attacks.

Substitutes

SUB: Lucy Hope (61' for Oleson) - 6/10

SUB: Rikke Madsen (61' for Payne) - 7/10

SUB: Megan Campbell (61' for Bissell) - 6/10

SUB: Toni Duggan (73' for Galli) - 7/10

SUB: Martina Piemonte (73' for Snoeijs) - 8/10

Subs not used: Libby Hart, Annie Wilding.

Manager

Brian Sorensen - 5/10 - Managing a threadbare squad was a challenge for Sorensen but Everton were impressive to keep Arsenal at bay considering their past drubbings.

Player of the match: Beth Mead (Arsenal)

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