We recorded our third consecutive win in the Women's Super League on Wednesday night with a 4-1 win over Everton.
A flurry of first-half goals from Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe and Lotte Wubben-Moy secured the three points on the road before the hosts bagged a consolation goal just before full-time.
What happened
Manuela Zinsberger, on her 100th appearance for The Arsenal, had little to trouble her in the opening 45 minutes, despite Everton enjoying large spells of possession from the start.
An early ball from Lotte Wubben-Moy over the top of the Everton defence nearly found Stina Blackstenius on a surging run but the delivery was soon collected by keeper Emily Ramsey.
Victoria Pelova's quick footwork proved a problem for the Toffees and our Dutch winger linked up well with Frida Maanum in midfield. Playing on the front foot with a demanding high press, our Gunners found the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark as Noelle Maritz spied Caitlin Foord unmarked in the box. Our Aussie winger capitalised on the chance to score on her return to the starting XI following injury.
Katie McCabe doubled our advantage less than five minutes later through a spectacular long-range strike. Our skipper received the ball on the turn, took one look up and struck the ball into the bottom corner.
We wasted no time in adding to our tally through Foord once again. Maanum drove at the Everton backline with her characteristic pace and intensity, finding McCabe on the left channel. Our captain launched a ball into Blackstenius, lurking by the penalty spot, who nodded onto Foord to complete the move from close-range.
Lotte Wubben-Moy made it four just before the break with a fantastic header after Maanum delivered a looping free-kick into the congested penalty area.
This was the second game in a row that our Gunners headed down the tunnel at half-time four goals to the good.
The second half had barely got underway before Lia Walti was brought down in her own penalty area through a reckless challenge from Aggie Beever-Jones. Visibly in a lot of pain, Walti was eventually stretchered off the pitch, forcing our players to once again reckon with an injury to a key teammate. Everton, meanwhile, were reduced to ten as Beever-Jones was shown a straight red card from the referee.
A hush descended on Walton Hall Park and even as we attacked the Everton box time and time again, we were unable to further extend our lead.
Katja Snoeijs gave the hosts a consolation goal in the 86th minute but even when 10 minutes of added time were given, the Toffees were in no danger of staging a late-stage comeback.
What's next
Another victory consolidates our position in the table, three points above Man City with two matches yet to play.
Our clash against current league leaders Chelsea at the weekend will be another huge test as the season comes to a close.
Team news
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger (GK), Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Rafaelle (Taylor, 46), McCabe (C) (Catley, 89), Walti (Kuhl, 54), Maanum, Pelova, Foord (Gio, 67), Blackstenius (Godfrey, 90)
Subs not used: D'Angelo (GK), Marckese (GK), Goldie, Doe
Everton starting XI: Ramsey (GK), Veje (Hope, 62), Bjorn, Wheeler, Bennison, Sorensen (C) (Finnigan, 73), Beever Jones (red card, 49), Galli (Sevecke, 46), Holmsgaard (Stenevik, 63), Snoeijs, Holmsgaard (Christiansen, 73)
Subs not used: Brosnan, Maier
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