Club news

Powell: It's An Education For Us

By Jake Ketley • 25 November 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Hope Powell believes she can take heart from her team’s performance against league leaders Arsenal, even though the Seagulls ended up falling to a 4-1 defeat.

Powell was impressed with her side’s ability to create chances against the high-flying league leaders

She said, “I think considering where we are and the level we are at, we did really well today. I think even when we scored, which was perhaps against the run of play, we always knew that they would have more possession of the ball.

“Credit to Arsenal, they were lethal in front of goal. We dug deep and worked hard, and I think we were a little unlucky not to go 2-0 up.

“We always knew that they are a good side and that they are better than us. We did well to score against them, create chances and be positive, and I think we were a bit unlucky.

“Despite the scoreline, I’m very pleased and think we did well. It was an education for us, and we can learn a lot from this match. We weren’t expected to win today, but I can see plenty of positives to take from it.”

The Seagulls took the lead in the ninth minute and Powell spoke of the mindset the team would have had following the goal, and looked ahead to next week’s fixture against West Ham.

“We haven’t scored many goals this season, so in every goal we score and every game we play, we try to bolster ourselves and take heart from it.

“When it went 1-0 we had to try to be sensible. Credit to our goalkeeper [Marie Hourihan], I thought she kept us in it. She didn’t have the best game last week [against Reading], but she somewhat redeemed herself today.

“I’m feeling very philosophical, it was a tough game but I think we did well.

“All the games we play in this league are very tough and we’re under no illusions that we have to work hard, and it will be the same for West Ham. It’s a difficult league and we’ll do our best to stay in it.

“It’s a big game for us next week but I believe this performance will have done us no harm despite the scoreline.”

Tickets are on sale for Albion’s next FA Women’s Super League match against West Ham United on Sunday, 2 December at the Broadfield Stadium, kick-off 2pm. Buy yours in advance on line at BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com/tickets. Prices start from £7 for adults and £3 for under-10s.