Beth Meade scored twice as Arsenal kicked off their Women’s Super League campaign with a dominant win against Brighton at a sold-out Meadow Park. Captain Kim Little and forward Stina Blackstenius scored either side of the break before Mead made it four. The Euro 2022 top scorer became the top scorer in WSL opening day history with two clinical finishes in 21 second-half minutes to seal an emphatic victory for the Gunners. Brighton were reduced to 10 men in the seventh minute as Emma Cullberg was sent off for bringing down Blakstenius when the Sweden international crossed on goal. In the season opener for both sides after the first round of WSL fixtures were postponed to honor the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Mead’s resumption of prolific form added determination to a confident performance as the Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall is targeting the title for a side that finished a point behind champions Chelsea in 2021-22. A much-changed Brighton produced a remarkable performance, going close to leveling the scores at 1-0 through good chances for Elizabeth Thurland and Katie Robinson.
Lining up
Arsenal women
Formation 4-2-3-1 1 Zinsberger 26 Wienroither 6 Williamson 2 Carvalho Souza 15 McCabe 13Wälti10Small 9Mead11Miedema19Foord 25 Blackstenius
1 Zinsberger 26 Wienreuther 6 Williamson replaces Gouben-Moyat in 83′ 2 Carvalho Souza 15 McCabe 13 Wälti Change for Maanumat in 77′ 10 A little 9 Mid 11Miedema Change for Nobbsat in 77′ 19FordReservation at 59 minutesChange for Cateleyat in 64′ 25 Blackstenius Change for Hurtigat in 64′
Substitutes
3Wubben-Moy 5 Bits 7 Catley 8 Nobbs 12 Maanum 16 Maritz 17 Hertig 18 Marquis 23 Iwabuchi
Women of Brighton
4-4-2 formation 1 Walsh 2Fox20Williams16Kullberg3Pattinson 12Bance10Olme9Lee7Sarri 11 Terland15 Green
1 Walsh 2 Fox 20 Williams 16KulbergReservation in 7 minutes 3 Pattinson 12Bance Substitution for Robinsonat 45′ 10 Change of Olme for Fergusonat in 86′ 9 Li 7 Sarri 11 Terland 15 Green
Substitutes
14 Park 22 Robinson 23 Jarvis 24 Ferguson 40 Startup
Referee: Lisa Benn Participations: 3,238
