Arsenal came from behind to salvage a crucial point in the race for the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title as they held third-placed side Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at the LV Bet Stadium this afternoon.
Alessia Russo’s goal gave the visitors an early lead but Stina Blackstenius levelled matters for Arsenal in the second half after Katie McCabe had been sent-off.
The visiting side established an early lead inside the opening 10 minutes in Boreham Wood. Katie Zelem’s corner was met by Russo whose downward header took a slight nick off McCabe which took the ball away from Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger and into the net.
The Gunners weren’t without chances of their own in the opening 45 minutes and they came agonisingly close to an equaliser shortly after going behind. Vivianne Miedema received the ball just outside of the United area and she let rip with a pile-driver towards goal, only to be denied by the fingertips of Mary Earps who turned her effort on to the bar.
Earps was called into action again early in the second half when Caitlin Foord met a cross on the volley, her powerful shot was saved with a strong hand from the United stopper.
Ella Toone then had a golden opportunity to put her side two goals to the good. The forward managed to beat Rafaelle to the ball and her touch took her one-on-one with Zinsberger but United’s top scorer contrived to guide the ball wide of the post.
Arsenal’s job then became all the more difficult as McCabe received her marching orders for a second bookable offence. The first came after a late challenge in the air on Russo before then being followed with a slightly high boot on Ona Batlle.
The odds looked well in United’s favour from that point but birthday girl Stina Blackstenius had other ideas. The Swedish international was played in on goal and she steered the ball past Earps to score her first goal for her new club.
The result means that Arsenal move five points clear at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table while Manchester United are now level on points with second-placed side Chelsea ahead of The Blues’ meeting with Manchester City tomorrow.
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