A stunning strike from Matildas star Steph Catley inspired Arsenal to a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Manchester City in a Women’s Super League (WSL).
In a blockbuster showdown pitting Catley and Caitlin Foord against fellow Australia internationals Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy, it was the former who set the tone with a sublime 14th-minute opener on Sunday.
Chloe Kelly equalised for City with 18 minutes remaining before Arsenal’s Sweden international Stina Blackstenius scored the 87th-minute winner. scored a late winner at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium.
The Gunners had opened the scoring through Catley just before the quarter-hour mark after she was teed up by countrywoman Foord, then seen Keating save a Kim Little penalty – awarded following a foul by the teenage keeper on Cloe Lacasse – soon after, before Chloe Kelly brought things level in the 72nd minute.
Stina with the winner! 🥰 pic.twitter.com/c9FuGMipuK
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) November 5, 2023
The result means Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal – who had Kyra Cooney-Cross as an unused substitute – join Gareth Taylor’s City on 10 points from five games, three behind leaders Chelsea.
After the game, Taylor accused his counterpart Eidevall of “bullying” the fourth official.
Speaking to the BBC, Taylor said of Eidevall: “That is always the same with him because he is constantly at the fourth official and I think it is bullying.
“I am protecting the fourth official, but that’s not my job.”
There are two other teams with the same amount of points as City and Arsenal, one of which is Tottenham, who were denied a fourth successive victory by Aurora Galli’s late penalty as they were held 1-1 at home by Everton.
FT. A well-earned point on the road!
1-1 🟠 #TOTEVE pic.twitter.com/wqYMQ6R14S
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) November 5, 2023
Galli converted from the spot with five minutes of normal time to go to cancel out Grace Clinton’s first-half goal for Spurs.
The other side on 10 points is Liverpool following a 2-1 home win over Leicester.
Marie Hobinger’s 84th-minute goal secured the Reds victory after Melissa Lawley had given them the lead early in the second half and Missy Goodwin equalised just before the hour.
Promoted Bristol City claimed their first points of the season as they won 3-2 at West Ham, with Brooke Aspin netting the decisive goal.
An eventful first half saw the hosts lead via Viviane Asseyi’s penalty, the visitors reply with efforts from Amalie Thestrup and Ella Powell and West Ham’s Riko Ueki notch a stoppage-time equaliser, before Aspin put the Robins back in front 10 minutes after the break.
