Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.23 2022-23

Arsenal 3 (Blackstenius 16, Little pen 24, Charles og 45)
Chelsea 1 (Kerr 2)
att: 19,010; at Crystal Palace F.C.
Arsenal lifted the Continental Cup for the sixth time as they overcame an early setback to beat
Chelsea in front of a large crowd at Selhurst Park.
Despite being without two of their most important players, Beth Mead and Vivianne
Miedema due to long term injuries, the Gunners were able to lift their first major trophy on
four years.
Chelsea, beaten in last season’s Final, started off in determined fashion and in the second
minute, Guro Reiten was found in space on the left and crossed for Sam Kerr to head them in
front at the far post, off the underside of the bar.
Despite the early setback, Arsenal settled down well from that point and sought a quick
reply. It came in the sixteenth minute as Frida Maanum drove towards the Chelsea goal and
her shot deflected off Magdalena Eriksson and into the path of Stina Blackstenius, who steered
a first time shot past Ann-Katrin Berger for the equaliser.
Things were completely turned around just eight minutes later, Blackstenius guiding a
pass into the path of Katie McCabe in the area, where she was clipped by Sophie Ingle as she
tried to jink past her. A penalty was awarded and Kim Little stepped up to show trademark
composure and send Berger the wrong way from the spot.
Arsenal continue to dominate matters with Lia Walti is serene form in midfield and they
thought they had increased their lead as Blackstenius latched onto Steph Catley’s pass and
poked past Berger but celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. As the game went into first
half injury time though, a Catley corner was inadvertently headed into her own net by Niamh
Charles, under pressure from Rafaelle Souza.
The Gunners introduced Victoria Pelova as a half time substitute and she tested Berger
with a shot early on after good work from Blackstenius but Chelsea needed to press forward
and a good pass from Erin Cuthbert released Kerr down the right, she cut the ball back for
Lauren James who clipped her shot over the bar.
Arsenal continued to look the more dangerous though and had good claims for a penalty
turned down when Caitlin Foord appeared to be tripped in the area by Kadeisha Buchanan. At
the other end, a cross-cum-shot by Melanie Leupolz was tipped onto the bar by Manuela
Zinsberger, before Rafaelle was able to clear.
Zinsberger palmed away a long range effort by Eve Perisset and she also safely gathered
a snap shot from Jessie Fleming as Chelsea desperately sought a way back into the game. There
was no more time though and Arsenal were able to celebrate a trophy success once again, and
for the first time under Jonas Eidevall.
Arsenal: Manuela Zinsberger, Noelle Maritz (sub Laura Wienroither 70mins), Steph
Catley, Frida Maanum, Rafaelle Souza, Leah Williamson, Lia Walti, Katie McCabe (sub
Victoria Pelova 57mins), Stina Blackstenius (sub Jennifer Beattie 87mins), Kim Little, Caitlin
Foord. Subs not used: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lina Hurtig, Kaylan Marckese, Kathrine Kuhl.
Chelsea: Ann-Katrin Berger, Eve Perisset, Niamh Charles (sub Malanie Leupolz 45mins),
Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson (sub Jessie Fleming 77mins), Sophie Ingle (sub Johanna
Rytting Kaneryd 63mins), Erin Cuthbert, Jelena Cankovic (sub Kadeisha Buchanan
40mins), Sam Kerr, Lauren James, Guro Reiten. Subs not used: Zecira Musovic, Jess Carter,
Maren Mjelde, Alsu Abdullina.
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