WSL: Man United hit late double to sink Arsenal

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:52 am
Ella Toone scored the opening goal as Manchester United beat Arsenal 3-2 on Saturday.
Harriet Lander/Getty Images

On a 14-match winning run coming into the match, Women's Super League leaders Arsenal finally succumbed to a defeat following a late flurry of goals from Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Having missed their chances to take an early lead, United found the breakthrough late in the first half when Manuela Zinsberger failed to get a clean contact on an aerial ball -- a theme of the match -- allowing the visitors a moment to strike as Ella Toone nibbled the ball into the waiting net.

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After the break, the hosts wasted no time in levelling the scores, having forced a turnover in midfield, Frida Maanum carried the ball forward before chancing her arm from outside the box. Her effort low and uninspired, yet an intervention from Maya Le Tissier caused the ball to deflect into the top right side of Mary Earps' goal.

With the wind in their sails, Arsenal enjoyed their better attacking chances in the second half and turned the game on its head when Laura Wienroither floated behind the visiting defence to volley Katie McCabe's dangerous cross home. Yet instead of killing the game off, it inspired United to come back and find their own equaliser.

Katie Zelem's free-kick proved to be vital for United in north London as the midfielder's delivery landed on the head of Millie Turner. The ball pinged from the defender's head to the underside of Zinsberger's crossbar as the Arsenal goalkeeper stretched her fingers to greet the ball but could do little as it dropped into the goal.

The equaliser fuelled United further as they soon followed up with their third of the night. Another set piece creating the chance after a strong save from Zinsberger, the goalkeeper then helpless to stop Alesia Russo's powerful 90th-minute header.

Even with seven minutes of stoppage time shown which was added to after a couple of young children invaded the pitch, the hosts couldn't find another goal, their winning run finally brought to an end.

Without time to dwell on the result, Arsenal are back in midweek action in the Champions League with a trip to Italy to face Juventus.