Brighton fall to defeat against Arsenal in WSL clash

Brighton and Hove Albion women fell to a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Women’s Super League in front of a sell-out crowd at the Broadfield Stadium, which puts an end to the Albion’s two-game unbeaten run.

Arsenal started the brighter of the two teams as they took the lead in the 12^th minute of the game through Stina Blackstenius. Her initial shot was scuffed but with enough time and space her follow up lobbed Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley to put the Gunners ahead.

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Albion looked to respond shortly after with some intricate play in the final third. The ball was played out wide to Katie Robinson who put a cross into the box and it was Elisabeth Terland’s headed effort that couldn’t be directed on target.

Most of the game was played inside Brighton’s half as Arsenal looked to move the ball and hurt the Seagulls in wide areas. Melissa Phillips side however were resolute without the ball, sitting in a 3-4-3 shape which allowed them cover at the back with two spare CBs and control attacking threats Beth Mead, Blackstenius and Alessia Russo.

Brighton forced Manuela Zinsberger into her first save in the 43^rd minute. The ball was played to Terland beyond the defence at a tight angle and her shot was struck from the edge of the 18-yard box, but it was comfortable enough for Zinsburger to parry away.

Brighton had a brilliant chance to equalise as Robinson was played through on goal Lotte Wubben Moy made a vital interception to force an Albion corner.

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Arsenal doubled their lead with ten minutes to go through a low driven strike from Caitlin Foord, before ending the game 3-0 in stoppage time as Lacasse set the ball on the edge of the box for Maanum to place it into the net.

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Brighton head coach Phillips spoke after the game about her sides lack of attacking quality, she said:

“We didn’t ask enough questions in their box. Ultimately, we didn’t deliver balls into the box or create enough clear opportunities from wide areas in the box to ask enough questions of Zinsberger really”.