West Ham shock Arsenal on Williamson's WSL return

2 years ago 108

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Leah Williamson's first start since suffering an anterior crucial ligament injury in April was spoiled as West Ham came from behind to beat Arsenal.

The Gunners were 1-0 up through Alessia Russo when Williamson, making her first Women's Super League (WSL) appearance since 19 April 2023, was taken off at half-time as she eases her way back to full fitness.

But Viviane Asseyi levelled from the penalty spot five minutes after the break and West Ham were ahead before the hour as Hawa Cissoko's cool first-time finish punished an error from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Arsenal piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but Rehanne Skinner's side held on for their first WSL win over the Gunners to move up to ninth, five points clear of the solitary relegation place.

Jonas Eidevall's side stay third, three points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more.

Such a setback did not seem likely as Arsenal dominated the first half. Vivianne Miedema twice came close to opening the scoring but was denied first by a goal-saving challenge from Honoka Hayashi and then the crossbar.

The goal eventually came two minutes before the break when West Ham keeper Mackenzie Arnold came for a corner but saw it flick off the head of team-mate Kirsty Smith, leaving an unmarked Russo to head into an empty net at the far post.

Williamson went off with Arsenal in control but, within five minutes of the restart, Steph Catley tripped Riko Ueki and referee Melissa Burgin judged that the foul was inside the box.

Asseyi sent Zinsberger the wrong way from 12 yards and, eight minutes later, the Hammers were ahead.

Zinsberger got no distance on her punch from a West Ham free-kick and centre-back Cissoko lifted the ball into an unguarded net from just inside the area with the confidence of a striker.

Russo blazed over Arsenal's best opportunity to equalise after good work by Cloe Lacasse down the right and West Ham clung on for a win that has big ramifications at both ends of the table.

Relive West Ham v Arsenal and follow all of Sunday's WSL action

More to follow.

Line-ups

West Ham Women

Formation 3-5-2

1Arnold
23CissokoSubstituted forCookeat 85'minutesBooked at 86mins
5Tysiak
14Zadorsky
3Shimizu
19HayashiSubstituted forBergman-Lundinat 85'minutes
22Gorry
16ZiuSubstituted forSnerleat 40'minutes
2SmithBooked at 78mins
20AsseyiBooked at 90mins
9UekiSubstituted forAdemiluyiat 90+4'minutes

Substitutes

7Bergman-Lundin
8Snerle
12Harries
15Mewis
18Denton
21Cooke
25Walsh
30O'Hanlon
35Ademiluyi

Arsenal Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Zinsberger
2Fox
6WilliamsonSubstituted forIlestedtat 45'minutes
3Wubben-Moy
7Catley
13Wälti
21PelovaSubstituted forCooney-Crossat 63'minutes
9MeadSubstituted forLacasseat 63'minutesBooked at 88mins
11MiedemaSubstituted forBlacksteniusat 63'minutes
19FoordSubstituted forMaanumat 78'minutes
23Russo

Substitutes

10Little
12Maanum
14D'Angelo
24Lacasse
25Blackstenius
27Codina
28Ilestedt
32Cooney-Cross
40Williams

Referee:Melissa Burgin

Attendance:4,172

Live Text

Match ends, West Ham United Women 2, Arsenal Women 1.
Second Half ends, West Ham United Women 2, Arsenal Women 1.
Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Viviane Asseyi (West Ham United Women).
Attempt blocked. Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Alessia Russo.
Attempt missed. Alessia Russo (Arsenal Women) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Steph Catley with a cross following a corner.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, West Ham United Women. Princess Ademiluyi replaces Riko Ueki because of an injury.
Delay in match because of an injury Riko Ueki (West Ham United Women).
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Mackenzie Arnold.
Attempt saved. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Emily Fox with a through ball.
Attempt blocked. Frida Maanum (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kyra Cooney-Cross with a cross.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Amber Tysiak.
Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Shannon Cooke (West Ham United Women).
Foul by Kyra Cooney-Cross (Arsenal Women).
Katrina Gorry (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women).