Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal
by Ruby Perry at the Leigh Sports Village for Impetus
Above: Arsenal celebrate Cloe Lacasse’s late equaliser. Photo: Barclays WSL.
Arsenal salvaged a point at Manchester United in second-half stoppage last night thanks to a sensational Cloe Lacasse strike.
With a crowd of 8,312 inside the Leigh Sports Village, including a vocal contingent from North London, it was the visitors who hit the front as Stina Blackstenius put the ball in the back of the net with fourteen minutes played.
However, United recovered their composure and would level thanks to a piece of goalkeeping that Sabrina D’Angelo would prefer to forget. Gabby George found Leah Galton who advanced towards D’Angelo who completely missed her attempt at clearing, allowing Galton to roll the ball into an empty net.
Summer signing George’s influence was key as she continually showed great passing vision – supplying Galton in particular into huge space. However, the final chance of the half fell to Arsenal as Alessia Russo made it to the edge of the box but could only lift the ball over the top of the goal with Mary Earps advancing.
Into the second half the Gunners became more powerful after making a triple substitution. Steph Catley was developing an ability to race through into the box and Russo also became more prominent. In one move she showed great control and got a shot away under huge pressure in the box which Earps brilliantly got a foot to to keep the scores level.
The former United attacker came even closer later on as she let fly with a stunning effort that beat Earps but came cannoning back off the post.
However, with nine minutes, against the run of play, United hit the front thanks to Melvine Malard who capitalised on less that ideal defensive organisation once more from the visitors.
Then at the death came Lacasse’s stunning long range effort to seal what was a valuable point for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
To follow – Impetus’ Matthew Appleby’s exclusive photo gallery from the match.
Teams: MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps, George, Le Tissier, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Garcia, Turner, Geyse. Substitutes used: Miyazawa, Malard.
Scorers: Galton 27′, Malard 81′.
ARSENAL (3-4-3): D’Angelo, Beattie, Catley, Walti, Maritz, Pelova, Russo, Blackstenius, Codina, Little, Ilestedt. Substitutes used: Wubben-Moy, Lacasse, Foord, Maanum, McCabe.
Scorers: Blackstenius 14′, Lacasse 90+3.
Attendance: 8,312.
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