The Subway League Cup quarter final between Brighton and Arsenal played out at Broadfields Stadium on Wednesday night. Arsenal were playing their first game in the competition due the their UEFA Women’s Champions League participation this season giving them a bye to the knockout rounds. The hosts topped group D edging past their closest rival Leicester City to make the quarters.
Both sides made a string of changes utilising their squads to keep the line ups fresh. German goalkeeper Melina Loeck came in for Sophie Baggaley while Maria Thorisdottir and Madison Haley also returned to the starting eleven. Arsenal also chose to start their substitute goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger. They also introduced Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Beth Mead, Lia Wälti and Rosa Kafaji with one eye perhaps on a trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
While Arsenal are looking to win the competition for the third year in a row, Brighton were hoping to make history and make their first semi final in the competition.
Line ups
BHA: Loeck, Olislagers, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Thorisdottir, McLauchlan, Losada, Čanković, Seike, Haley, Vilamla
ARS: Zinsberger; Reid, Codina, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Cooney-Cross, Wälti, Maanum, Mead, Kafaji, Russo
The Action
Arsenal found an early rhythm within moments calmly controlling possession in the early exchanges. The first opportunity of the match fell for Arsenal as a mix up between Vicky Losada and Guro Bergsvand gifted Alessia Russo an opportunity to fire a shot away but she was leaning backwards and her effort was fired over the bar.
Brighton were battling in the early stages but Arsenal’s press was beginning to cause issues for Brighton. The Seagulls were beginning to make mistakes with another poor pass finding Kyra Cooney-Cross whose shot failed to trouble Melina Loeck. Shortly after Arsenal had their best effort of the match with Katie McCabe and Rosa Kafaji combining brilliantly down the left wing. McCabe’s ball in behind was found by Kafaji, the Swede held the ball up expertly for the onrushing McCabe whose fierce effort was lifted over the bar.
As it did at the Emirates in the league Brighton’s insistence on playing out from the back was causing them defensive issues with Arsenal turning the ball over in the Brighton half multiple times in the first 30 minutes. Russo had her first shot on target of the match with ten minutes remaining in the first half peeling off the back of her defender but she was only able to head the ball right at the Brighton keeper. Arsenal ended the first half without Lia Wälti who was concerningly forced off with an injury, in her place came club captain Kim Little.
The second half began with a ball flashed across the Brighton box by Beth Mead but no Arsenal touch could direct it goalward. A cross from the other side would represent the next big chance as Kafaji put a stinging ball into the box, headered just wide by Russo. Just before the match hit 60 minutes Mariona Caldentey came on and immediately Arsenal became more dangerous and her vicious shot just after the 62nd minute rattled the post. Arsenal were in control but still without the all important goal to show for it but that was soon to change.
Once again Brighton attempting to play out from the back proved their undoing, Loeck played the ball directly to Caldentey who moved forward clean through on goal, she used the outside of her boot to play in Frida Maanum who fired home largely unopposed. A fantastic move just minutes later saw Arsenal double their lead. Little played through Russo who passed the ball along to McCabe who fired into an untended net.
Arsenal were purring and the flurry of goals was not finished, once again it was Caldentey playing the composer, cutting inside she found Cooney-Cross who whipped a wicked ball into the far corner of the net, the goal her performance deserved. With ten minutes to play it was Caldentey’s turn to get the goal her performance deserved. After the Brighton keeper failed to clear a cross into the box with a weak punch, Caldentey quite brilliantly took it on first time lobbing the keeper and finding the net.
Arsenal return to London with a place in the semi final confirmed, where they will face Manchester City.
Arsenal Player Ratings
Manuela Zinsberger – 6/10 – The Austrian had precious little to do throughout but looked confident with the ball at her feet.
Katie Reid – 6/10 – Left a little isolated as Mead in front of her played more the role of an inside forward than a winger. At times she was a touch passive when challenging for the ball. Carried out her defensive duties capably more often than not. Booked for a professional foul on Haley.
Lotte Wubben-Moy – 7/10 – At times wasteful in possession especially early on but grew into the game and helped dictate the play for Arsenal from the back.
Laia Codina – 6/10 – Celebrated her birthday with a place in the semi final of the League Cup, did very little wrong.
Katie McCabe – 7/10 – The captain for the night, she combined well with Kafaji in front of her on the left wing. An at times erratic performance defensively she struggled to find her mark with her set piece delivery. However she took a magnificent throw early in the second half to set Russo away running at the defence. Found her way onto the scoresheet with a marauding run enabling her to be in position for a tap in.
Kyra Cooney-Cross – 9/10 – Cooney- Cross has grown so much this season, the faith placed in her by Renée Slegers is being repaid. She was calm, cool and collected on the ball and kept Arsenal ticking. She took her goal exceptionally well.
Lia Wälti – 6/10 – Did well in midfield combining with Cooney-Cross however the Switzerland captain picked up an injury before half time and had to be replaced by Kim Little.
Frida Maanum – 7/10 – Was not as involved as she would have liked to be in front of the Brighton goal in the first half. That changed in the second half, her positioning in attack ensured she broke the deadlock.
Beth Mead – 6/10 – Showed flashes of her talent, a brilliant touch here and a wicked cross there but still missing that cutting edge replaced by Caldentey early in the second half.
Alessia Russo – 8/10 – Russo is playing with a swagger that was missing at the start of the season, she was a consistent presence and focal point of Arsenal’s attack.
Rosa Kafaji – 7/10 – Slegers has been flirting with the idea of a start for Kafaji for a while now and this tie presented the perfect opportunity. She took a knock in the face early doors but even with a cold night in Crawley doing its best to dampen her evening Kafaji impressed looking extremely lively and causing real issues for the right side of the Seagulls defence.
Kim Little (subbed on 45’) – 7/10 – Immediately demonstrating her breadth of passing beginning to dictate proceedings before the end of the half continued to do so after the break.
Mariona Caldentey (subbed on 56’) – 10/10 – A livewire who injects purpose and authority into Arsenal’s attack. Set up two of the three goals she was simply unplayable tonight and ensured Arsenal found another level when they needed to.
Emily Fox (subbed on 56’) – 7/10 – Consistent as ever Arsenal looked noticeably stronger and more comfortable with Fox at right back.
Leah Williamson (subbed on 79’) – N/A
Stina Blackstenius (subbed on 79’) – N/A
(subbed on 80’) – N/A
Brighton Player Ratings
Melina Loeck – 5/10 – The German goalkeeper has made a number of appearances in the cup for Brighton since joining in the Summer but this was her sternest test. She looked extremely solid saving from Russo, Cooney-Cross early on. But the second half was her undoing she was at fault for the second goal and caught out for the fourth.
Poppy Pattinson – 6/10 – Typically committed in her application she sets a great example to the rest of the team. Had her pocket picked by Mead when she should have cleared the ball was lucky no goal came from it.
Maria Thorisdottir – 7/10 – A serviceable performance and came off with the score at 0-0.
Guro Bergsvand– 5/10 – An early mix up almost cost her side and shortly after she passed the ball straight to Cooney-Cross whose attempt went straight at the keeper, another let off. Did okay in managing the threat that Russo posed.
Marisa Olislagers – 6/10 – Did well for much of the match but struggled to keep up as the match progressed.
Rachel McLauchlan – 6/10 – Another serviceable performance from a player who is making herself a first team regular.
Vicky Losada – 5/10 – The former Arsenal midfielder took a while to settle into the match, almost presenting Russo with the opening goal within ten minutes. Struggled to keep possession for Brighton.
Jelena Čanković – 6/10 – Demonstrated excellent close control on the ball when in possession under pressure was replaced by Nikita Parris early in the second half.
Madison Haley – 6/10 – The American had more joy against Reid than Seike once the pair switched wings. Yet to hit her stride on the south coast but promising signs are there.
Kiko Seike – 6/10 – Struggled to get involved and was wasteful in possession when she did. Difficult to be too harsh on the Japanese winger as Brighton struggled to get the ball to her.
Bruna Vilama – 5/10 – Found it difficult to get her foot on the ball and struggled to hold up the ball for her side. Was replaced after being largely ineffectual.
Nikita Parris (subbed on 60’) – 5/10 – Parris hardly touched the ball and was provided with precious little support, cut an isolated figure.
Jorelyn Carabalí (subbed on 60’) – 5/10 – Had a tough evening and was unfortunate that she shared her minutes on the pitch with Caldentey.
Masie Symonds (subbed on 60’) – 5/10 – Had very little impact on the match after coming on.
Dejana Stefanovic (subbed on 72’) – 5/10 – Returned from a long spell on the side-lines to great applause from the home crowd. Came on when the match was finished as a contest.
Paulina Bremmer (subbed on 72’) – 5/10 – Just as with her attacking contemporaries the ball rarely found her feet.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match – Mariona Caldentey
The Spanish forward transformed this match for Arsenal, introduced from the bench she made the difference setting up two goals for Arsenal. Topped off her performance with a wonderful goal which was a controlled chip with the goalkeeper off her line. The type of player that can warm up even a freezing cold night in Crawley, tonight she did exactly that.
