Everton Ladies suffer tough away loss to Arsenal

Friday night, Everton came close to drawing against Arsenal at Boreham Wood but ended up losing 1-0. Former US women’s national team and Arsenal midfielder, Heather O’Reilly, has helped her team to a five match winning streak.

While the Gunners played down a woman due to Emma Mitchell receiving medical attention on the sidelines, Beth Mead scored to make it 1-0 in the first half:

Arsenal controlled most of the first half but Everton looked better in the second.

Striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk thought she had leveled in the 54th minute but it was ruled offside. Mollie Green had a gutsy shot on goal from 40 yards when she spotted the Arsenal keeper off of her line but it was tipped onto the bar.

Everton are in 8th place while Arsenal moved up to third.

Woman of the Match:

Gabby George had to step in last minute as Captain due to illness for Danielle Turner. The defender had a lot of nice passes and started many promising attacks.

She said in her post-match interview that a draw was within reach:

“I think, in the second half, we showed what we are capable of doing and I thought we should have got a point at the end of it, but these things happen.

“We are new to the league and we are still finding our feet at the start of the season but we have started putting in good performances – we need to start turning those performances into results now.”

Stats:

Possession: Everton 38%, Arsenal 62%

Shots on Target: Everton 2, Arsenal 5

Lineup:

Everton (4-4-2): Lizzie Durack, Faye Bryson, Gabrielle George (C), Georgia Brougham, Siri Worm, Olivia Chance, Megan Finnigan, Angharad James, Chloe Kelly, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Mollie Green

Next up:

There will be an International break and then Everton plays Durham in the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals on March 18th.