Match report and highlights as Arsenal scored four first-half goals to ease past Brighton; Stina Blackstenius was on target twice in the first eight minutes; Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova rounded off the scoring before half time
Thursday 11 May 2023 06:11, UK
Stina Blackstenius scored twice as Arsenal humbled Brighton 4-0 to rise to third in the Women's Super League table, displacing rivals Manchester City in the quest for a Champions League spot.
Manager Jonas Eidevall professed to "not care" about the results of Arsenal's direct competitors after City dropped points to Liverpool at an inopportune juncture in the season last weekend, but the slip-up has allowed the Gunners to leapfrog Gareth Taylor's side in the standings.
Only the top three teams will qualify for European competition with Arsenal now level on 44 points with City, holding a better goal difference and a crucial game in hand after taking Brighton to task with an impressive display of attacking efficiency.
A stunningly fast start from Blackstenius had Arsenal two up inside eight minutes, scoring with her first two efforts on goal, as Eidevall's side, suffering with yet more injury woe, hurried to put the result beyond their hosts before the game had even reached its midway point.
Frida Maanum then headed Noelle Maritz' scooped delivery beyond the clutches of Megan Walsh five minutes before the break, and Victoria Pelova rounded off the scoring on the stroke of half time to seal a statement victory in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
"We had to take smart decisions," Eidevall commented post-match, referring to Arsenal's threadbare squad, which suffered another blow when Lia Walti was taken ill in the warm up. "I'm not one for excuses, we have to find solutions," he concluded.
The game was won inside 10 minutes, but there was no let up in intensity for Champions League chasing Arsenal - goal difference may yet play its part in this season's top three race.
Blackstenius, the epitome of calm and controlled in the early exchanges, rather lost her composure thereafter, crashing a simple header against the crossbar after fine work from Katie McCabe on the left, but her opening two strikes proved how deadly she can be from open play.
McCabe fashioned the first entry as Blackstenius gave Zoe Morse the slip before rifling into the far corner, while the second was somewhat more straightforward, with Arsenal's high press gifting the Swedish striker the ball deep in Brighton territory, only needing to apply a routine side-foot finish to beat an unsighted Walsh.
Further chances for Blackstenius to complete her hat-trick came and went, cruelly denied by a wrongful offside flag, before Maanum used Arsenal's relentless momentum to steal a lead on Guro Bergsvand, converting Maritz' cross with a guided header.
The visitors showed little sign of stopping as three quickly became four when Pelova gave Walsh the eyes before sneaking the ball beyond the Brighton goalkeeper at her near post. The pass from Maanum was superb, the angle acute, but the finish wonderfully accurate.
Arsenal's dominance continued throughout a far less consequential second half, with Brighton rallying to prevent any further damage to the scoreline, but ultimately without the guile to create much up the opposite end.
Nevertheless, Brighton look far more assured under the guidance of Melissa Phillips having taken seven points from five games played with the American at the helm, and although are not yet mathematically safe, remain five points better off than bottom-club Reading, who they face in one of two remaining WSL fixtures.
"We knew we were going to learn a lot about ourselves," Phillips told Sky Sports. "There is a lot to take away, and a lot to look at where we can shift some habits still."
Arsenal manger Jonas Eidevall:
"It was the most important game because it was the one we just played, but also the conditions. We had to take smart decisions in how to use the squad. The first half was a strong performance.
"We kept hold of the ball so well and gave ourselves a margin going into the second half.
"It's challenging but that's what we're here for. We have to deliver the best possible result. I'm not one for excuses, we have to find solutions.
"It's no coincidence we're improving in our attacking output now [former striker] Kelly Smith is a part of our coaching staff, she has made the difference with small details."
Arsenal travel to Everton on May 17, live on Sky Sports Premier League, knowing only a win will be good enough to keep their dreams of qualifying for next season's Champions League competition alive, while Brighton are also in action against the Toffees a few days later. The penultimate weekend of the WSL season commences on May 20, with Brighton taking on Everton on May 21, kick-off 1pm.
