- Arsenal 2, Albion 1
Emma Koivisto’s second goal of the season gave Albion hope of a first WSL win over Arsenal before the champions hit back in the second half to win at Meadow Park on Thursday.
The Finland defender headed home Inessa Kaagman’s 15th-minute free kick but the leaders rallied after the break, scoring twice inside five minutes through Vivianne Miedema and a brilliant free kick by Beth Mead.
It was an energetic and committed performance by Albion nonetheless and there will be positives for Hope Powell to take into Sunday’s Vitality FA Cup tie against Reading.
Albion gave a first start to Julia Zigiotti and the Swedish international had to clear a fourth minute header from Arsenal’s prolific striker Miedema off the line as Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges.
But the Gunners were stunned in the 15th minute when Albion went in front. Inessa Kaagman floated a free kick from the left into the six-yard box and Koivisto got in front of a couple of defenders to head into the roof of the net with keeper Manuela Zinsberger helpless. It was Albion’s first goal in eight games.
Albion had to make an early change when Megan Connolly went off after clattering into the advertising boards and Aileen Whelan, who had been left out of the starting line-up for the first time this season, came on.
With a lead to protect Albion had the bit between their teeth. Ellie Brazil was booked for a foul on Beth Mead and Arsenal were allowed no time on the ball. Apart from a 38th-minute free kick by Jordan Nobbs from inside the D, which was straight at her, Walsh had little to do before the break.
Albion must have expected a response from the leaders and it duly came. Walsh had to get behind efforts from Miedema, Kim Little and Tobin Heath before Arsenal’s mounting pressure paid off when they scored twice in the space of five minutes.
On 56 minutes Maya Le Tissier was booked for bringing down Mead on the left. Mead drilled the free kick into the box and Miedema got a touch to take it beyond Walsh and into the far corner.
Mead struck again when Williams conceded a free kick on the edge of the box for which she was booked. Mead took aim from 20 yards and hammered it with her right foot into the top corner, giving Walsh no chance.
Albion regrouped and brought on Emily Simpkins and Kayleigh Green but Walsh remained the busier keeper, saving from Mead and Jordan Nobbs before the visitors forced Zinsberger into her first save of the second half when she held Simpkins’ effort from outside the box.
Albion kept going but couldn’t conjure up another chance that might have brought an equaliser.
Albion: Walsh, Le Tissier, Kerkdijk, Williams, Kullberg, Koivisto, Brazil, Connolly (Whelan 22), Zigiotti (Simpkins 70), Kaagman, Carter (Green 70).
Subs: Gibbons, Bowman, Bance, Green, Simpkins, Symonds, Startup.
Attendance: 1617