Brighton 0-4 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners keep UWCL hopes alive
By Emily Keogh
Arsenal dominated the first half against Brighton to steal a 4-0 win at Broadfield Stadium, keeping their hopes of a place in the Women's Champions League next season alive.
Jonas Eidevall's side needed as many points as they could muster to land a top-three spot in the WSL. A brace from Stina Blackstenius, alongside goals from Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova, secured an important victory for the Gunners.
It did not take long for Arsenal to take the lead as Blackstenius struck into the bottom right-hand corner after the use of the left flank to split the Seagulls defence.
Within two minutes of taking the lead, Blackstenius had a brace to double the visitor's lead. After a plethora of injuries has marred the past few months for the north London side, the game's opening minutes felt reminiscent of the Arsenal of old.
Conceding early took the sting out of Melissa Phillip's team as their attack struggled to gather momentum and conviction moving up the pitch. With Blackstenius vying for her first hat-trick for the Gunners, the pressure was mounting on the home side as their first chance of the game was sent wide of Maneula Zinsberger's net.
As the Arsenal goalkeeper made light work of Poppy Pattinson's cross, Brighton were struggling to be creative moving forward as they began using the counter to press the visitors.
Emma Kullberg failed to contain Katie McCabe on the left flank, her cross falling to Noelle Martiz, who set Maanum up perfectly for a free header to triple the Gunners' lead.
Young Dutch international Pelova had been kept relatively quiet during the first half, moving into midfield in place of Walti but, after dancing with defenders into the 18-yard box, stole a fourth for the visitors as halftime rolled around, registering her first WSL goal for Arsenal since signing in January.
A nervy moment in the opening half nearly saw Kayleigh Green send the ball into the back of her own net as Brighton attempted to crawl their way back into the game.
Read the latest Women's Super League news here
feed
With a flurry of attempts headed towards Megan Walsh, who had been hit with a pretty tough run in, she did well to prevent a fifth as Arsenal's press set higher on the pitch. Brighton in turn, had a good spell of possession as they looked to close in on a goal.
Zinsberger was forced to make the first diving save of the evening just after the hour mark rolled around as Elisabeth Terland had a goal in her sights but it was dealt well with by the Austrian keeper.
Julia Zigiotti Olme's attempt also fell to the clutches of Zinsberger as Jen Beattie was called into make two impressive saves to deny Brighton a way back into the game. At the other end of the pitch, Walsh made an impressive save to get a hand to Katherine Moller Kuhl's shot to deny the young Danish international her first WSL goal.
Katie Robinson's physicality posed issues for Arsenal as she looked to play in Libby Bance, who sent the ball over the woodwork after an impressive interference from Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Blackstenius almost had her hattrick as Maanum played her in at the near post after being given far too much space to run, but it was not to be for the Swedish striker as she was replaced by Teyah Goldie moments later, who stepped onto the pitch for the Gunners for the first time in over a year.
With neither side managing to look threatening in the last few minutes despite a possible penalty call from the home side, the four early goals for the visitors were enough to seal an all-important three points.
Brighton player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Megan Walsh- 4/10- A tough evening but managed to not concede in the second half.
RB: Emma Kullberg- 5/10- Could not contain McCabe and failed to track her runs.
CB: Zoe Morse- 4/10- Dispossessed to lead to Arsenal's first goal.
CB: Guro Bergsvand- 4/10- Could not contend with Arsenal's aggression moving forward.
LB: Poppy Pattinson- 5/10- Made some good recoveries.
CM: Dejana Stefanovic- 5/10- Made some good recoveries. Subbed off at half-time.
CM: Julia Zigiotti Olme- 5/10- Struggled to retain possession.
RW: Katie Robinson- 7/10- Physicality caused issues for Arsenal.
AM: Elisabeth Terland- 6/10- Struggled to make a way through.
LW: Kayleigh Green- 7/10- Looked sprightly moving forward but could not press passed Arsenal's back line.
ST: Lee Geum-min- 6/10- Used her pace to put pressure on Arsenal. Subbed off at half-time.
Substitutes
Libby Bance (45' for Stefanovic)- 6/10
Veatriki Sarri (45' for Lee)- 5/10
Maisie Symonds (76' for Zigiotti)- N/A
Danielle Carter (76' for Robinson)- N/A
Brianna Visalli (76' for Bergsvand)- N/A
Manager
Melissa Phillips- 6/10- Team talk at half time worked to hold Arsenal off in the second half.
Arsenal player ratings (3-4-2-1)
GK: Manuela Zinsberger- 7/10- Did well keeping Brighton's areal threats out.
CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy- 8/10- Big interference to deny Brighton their best shot of the evening.
CB: Jen Beattie- 8/10- Did well to keep Brighton's threats minimal.
CB: Rafaelle- 6/10- Not as convincing as her CB counterparts, but did well under pressure.
RM: Noelle Maritz- 7/10- Used the right wing very effectively.
CM: Frida Maanum- 8/10- Created several of Arsenal's chances.
CM: Victoria Pelova- 8/10- Kept relatively quiet but broke down Brighton for their third goal.
LM: Katie McCabe- 8/10- Cut inside the left side incredibly easily. Was everywhere on the pitch.
RF: Jodie Taylor- 6/10- Made good passes into the final third.
LF: Katherine Kuhl- 5/10- struggled to break into the game. Put in defensive miles when needed.
CF: Stina Blackstenius- 9/10- Took early lead for Gunners and nearly had a hattrick.
Substitutes
Gio (45' for Rafaelle)- 6/10 - Immediately impacted the game but subbed off after 28 minutes.
Caitlin Foord (73' for Gio) - N/A
Teyah Goldie (85' for Blackstenius) - N/A
Freya Godfrey (86' for Kuhl) - N/A
Manager
Jonas Eidevall- 7/10 - Rotated well and started the game of strong.