By Lloyd Webb
Summary
Arsenal Ladies beat Liverpool 2-0 on Saturday to move into second position in the Women’s Super League.
The first half produced little opportunity for either side to take the lead until the Gunners were awarded a penalty moments before the interval. Natalia stepped up to take it but missed the target as both teams went into half-time deadlocked.
Dominique Janssen curled a wonderful free-kick into the bottom corner in the 66th minute to give Arsenal the lead and Jordan Nobbs secured all three points when she struck low and hard late on in the game.
Setting the Scene
Pedro Martinez Losa named a strong starting XI as he made four changes to the side that won 4-0 against Millwall Lionesses in the Continental Cup last Friday.
Sari van Veenendaal, Alex Scott, Nobbs and Natalia were all drafted into the team for the away trip to Select Security Stadium.
The Gunners looked to keep the pressure on league-leaders Chelsea, knowing a win would close the gap between the teams to just two points.
First Half
There were few chances in the opening stages of the game and it took Arsenal until the 22nd minute for Dan Carter to fire over the bar following some wonderful build-up play involving Nobbs and Scott.
The hosts could have taken the lead in the 39th minute when Rosie White attempted an audacious lob from 35 yards out, but her effort curled inches over Van Veenendaal’s goal.
Scott won Arsenal a penalty just before half-time after she was fouled by Satara Murray in the box. Natalia took the resulting spot-kick but sent it wide of the goal.
Second Half
Liverpool started the second half brightly and in the 55th minute Van Veenendaal was required to produce a fine save to keep out Gemma Bonner’s volley.
Janssen put Arsenal ahead when she curled a pinpoint free-kick past the outstretched Libby Stout in the 66th minute after Natalia had been fouled by Murray.
Nobbs put the game beyond doubt eight minutes from time when Scott pulled the ball back for the midfielder to apply a driven finish into the bottom corner.
Referee:
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