WHAT HAPPENED
We returned to winning ways in the Women’s Super League on Sunday as we beat West Ham United.
Janni Arnth marked her debut with a fine header, while Kim Little made her return from injury.
The opening exchanges proved to be a midfield battle with neither side threatening in the final third - but following a dangerous lofted pass over our defence, it was the hosts who opened the scoring.
Alisha Lehmann stormed down the left wing and reached the byline before cutting the ball back to Jane Ross, who made no mistake in finding the bottom left corner from inside the six-yard box.
Shortly after Vivianne Miedema had a golden opportunity to equalise from close range, but her drive was cleared behind for a corner.
We continued to apply pressure on the Hammers defence though, and they eventually caved in.
Beth Mead delivered a dangerous ball into the box for Leah Williamson to head home, before Arnth went on score an almost identical goal just moments later.
Mead was once again the provider - only this time from a corner - and Arnth wriggled free from her marker to find the top right corner with a powerful header.
We looked to be in control as the half-time whistle edged nearer, but with less than two minutes remaining the hosts countered and levelled the scores through Ross.
Following the break, Danielle van de Donk showed great attacking instinct to dispossess Becky Spencer inside the box and tee up Little, but the latter’s chip was comfortably cleared off the line.
However, the Netherlands international continued to hunt for space in the the final third - and just moments before the hour mark she restored our lead.
Katie McCabe fizzed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, leaving van de Donk the simple task of finishing from a yard out, before scoring her 10th WSL goal of the season just five minutes later.
Our attacking midfielder lost her marker inside the box and provided the finishing touch to Mead’s stunning whipped delivery.
WHAT IT MEANS
We remain at the top of the WSL table with 30 points from 11 fixtures.
WHAT’S NEXT
Our next game is against Birmingham City on Wednesday, January 9.
The game will take place at Meadow Park with kick-off at 7:30pm (UK time).
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