Report: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace (inc goals)

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Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Cooney-Cross; Mead, Maanum, Mariona; Russo
Substitutes: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Wälti, Foord, Wienroither, Reid

Renée Slegers has won her first match as permanent head coach, as Arsenal rolled past Crystal Palace 5-0 at Meadow Park. Leah Williamson gave Arsenal the advantage in the first half before Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, and Mariona all scored in the second half, with Arsenal temporarily moving up to second in the WSL.

Renée Slegers restored Beth Mead to the starting lineup, while Kyra Cooney-Cross started in central midfield with Kim Little. Stina Blackstenius, an ever present this season, wasn’t in the in the squad.

First Half

Quick, one touch passing between Fox and Maanum put Russo in a good position but she got crowded out, and Arsenal had to settle for a corner. From the corner, McCabe’s delivery went between Palace defenders and Williamson reacted quickly to prod the ball in from close range. 1-0.

Arsenal were passing quickly and sharply, and only an offside flag denied Russo a one on one after another sharp move.

After twenty minutes, Crystal Palace had their first shot. Stengel held the ball up, and found Gejl as Palace found themselves in a two v two. Gejl got a shot away, but it was straight at Daphne van Domselaar.

Williamson, having put Arsenal ahead, came close to doubling the lead on thirty minutes. Up for a corner, she stayed in the box as the ball was recycled to Mariona. Her deep cross found Williamson, but the header went over Yanez and the bar.

Arsenal had been fairly comfortable but Palace should’ve equalised on 34 minutes. Stengel played an excellent ball over the top, and Cato ghosted into the middle of the penalty box to meet the pass, but, totally unmarked, she shot wide of Van Domselaar’s post.

At the other end, Fox crossed for Maanum in the centre forward position. Maanum’s first attempt was blocked but she quickly shot again, and her shot flashed over the bar.

Mariona had the final effort of the half with a shot from range that skipped into Yanez’s arms.

Second Half

Fox had an effort cleared off the line on 49 minutes. Little did well to get to the byline, and she pulled the ball back to the edge of the box. Fox looked to guide her shot, but it was blocked by a defender, and Palace scrambled clear before an Arsenal player could get to the rebound.

Arsenal made their first substitution on 57 minutes, with Caitlin Foord replacing Frida Maanum. That saw Mariona deployed to a number 10 role.

Foord’s first major involvement led to Arsenal’s second goal on 63 minutes. McCabe drove forward before finding Foord out wide. She then drove inside from the left past Josie Green before shooting low. Yanez parried Foord’s shot, but Russo was quickest to the rebound and slammed the ball into the roof of the net. 2-0.

Russo was the provider four minutes later as Arsenal added a third. From a throw in, Arsenal worked the ball quickly from back to front. Williamson drove forward, played into Mariona, who flicked the ball around the corner for Fox. Fox played down the right for Russo, who cut the ball back for Mead, who swept the ball past Yanez. 3-0.

On 71 minutes, Slegers made a double substitution. Rosa Kafaji replaced Beth Mead, and Lia Wälti replaced Kim Little.

Arsenal were rampant now, and had two good chances to make it four. Foord drove into the box and shot, and Yanez saved at full extension. The rebound came to Kafaji, and her shot was blocked by a teammate.

Foord won a penalty on 74 minutes after she was clattered into by Blanchard. Mariona stutted, and passed her shot into a corner. 4-0.

Palace had a decent chance to pull a goal back, as Weerden sharply crossed across the box, but fortunately for Arsenal, the cross evaded the two Palace attackers in the box.

On 82 minutes Katie Reid replaced Emily Fox.

Arsenal recycled possession from a corner, and Russo, on the inside left, played a ball over the top for Williamson on the right hand side of the 6-yard box. She volleyed and made clean connection, but her shot went into the side netting.

Arsenal would add a fifth goal in the final minute of stoppage time. Russo cut onto her right foot, but her curling effort struck the post. The rebound came to Mariona, who took a touch before shooting, with her shot going through Yanez at the near post. 5-0.

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