By Joseph Rosedon 5/2/24
Above: West Ham celebrate their win over Arsenal at home. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus71
West Ham 2 Arsenal 1
West Ham stunned title-chasing Arsenal with a comeback victory, sealing their first WSL victory against the North London side.
Second-half goals from French duo Viviane Asseyi and HawaCissoko gave West Ham a famous victory.
From the start West Ham deployed a deep block to stifle Arsenal’s attacks. Katrina Gorry in particular employed dogged defensive work in the midfield areas whilst providing important forward passes to relieve pressure.
The North London side used attacking triangles down the right-hand side to open up the stubborn defence but their first chance came from a goalmouth scramble Matilda’s starting goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold tipping a looped effort over the bar and punching away the subsequent corner.
Arsenal came close again. Vivianne Miedema shimmied her way into the box with intricate footwork but was denied by a brilliant last-ditch tackle from match-winner Cissoko
Miedema’s footwork again found space in the West Ham box, this time however her effort cannoned off the bar. It felt that a goal was inventible.
It was her strike partner Alessia Russo who broke the deadlock. Steph Catley found Russo unmarked at the far post from a corner. The England international stooped low to head home to give Arsenal the lead.
After so much Arsenal dominance in the first half, West Ham needed a strong start to the second half if they were to get anything from the game.
Indeed, they did. Catley, who assisted Arsenal’s opener let West Ham back into the game. The left-back gave away a penalty.
Asseyi did the rest, coolly slotted away past Manuela Zinsberger in the Arsenal goal.
The team in Claret and Blue soon made it 2-1. Zinsberger failed to clear a West Ham free kick sufficiently. The ball fell to Cissoko who curled the ball home with a stunning left-footed effort from inside of the box.
In response Arsenal made a triple substitution, bringing on Cloe Lacasse, Stina Blackstenius and Matilda’s midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross but failed to make a significant impact on the game as West Ham were able to cling on to victory.
Russo had chances to add to her goal tally but failed to convert while Lacasse may have felt she should have had a penalty. Blackstenius also had an effort saved by Arnold at her near post.
A third loss for Arsenal this season leaves serious question marks about their title challenge. All three of these losses have come against teams outside of the traditional “Top 4”.
For West Ham, a vital victory in their Women’s Super League survival bid, extended the gap between them and Bristol City at the foot of the WSL table.
After the match, West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner said “I’m absolutely delighted with the grit, determination, and the attitude of the players from start to finish today.
Players were putting bodies on the line, in and out of possession, trying to work and get opportunities. And I think we were diligent and disciplined, and I think it’s a massive credit to the players. I think they were outstanding today”.
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said “I expected West Ham to come out and press a little bit more aggressively than they did.
I do think we missed the last qualitative bit in scoring a second goal, trying to break down their low block”
West Ham: Arnold, Tysiak, Zardorsky, Cissoko Shimiziu, Hayashi Gorry, Ziu Smith, Asseyi, Ueki(
Subs:Lundin, Harries, Mewis, Denton, Cooke, Walsh, O’Hanlon, Ademiluyi
Goals: Asseyi (50) Cissoko(58)
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Williamson Catley, Walit, Pelova Miedema Foord Mead Russo
Subs: D’Angelo, Codina, Williams, Ilestdt, Cooney-Cross, Lacasse, Blackstenius, Maanum, Little
Goals: Russo (43) Asseyi (50) Cissoko(58)
Attendance: 4,172.
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