Liverpool Women vs Arsenal Women. Women's Super League.
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Report and free match highlights as Vivianne Miedema's stunner saw her score for the first time since December 2022; Caitlin Foord followed up with a fine second to break down a stubborn Liverpool side; Arsenal keep pace with Man City, with the pair level on 28 points
Monday 29 January 2024 07:14, UK
Vivianne Miedema scored her first goal since returning from an ACL injury as Jonas Eidevall marked his 100th Arsenal game with a 2-0 win at Liverpool.
It was another landmark moment for the Netherlands forward after spending 11 months on the sidelines, netting for the first time since December 2022.
She rifled home an emphatic strike on the hour, having now scored nine goals in seven WSL games against Liverpool. It was the perfect way to mark Eidevall's century - and 41st birthday - too, winning for the 68th time.
Miedema told Sky Sports after the game: "It's been really tough. I've had a few setbacks in my recovery and before today I've just not felt myself.
"Something over Christmas shifted my mindset and I feel more myself again. I'm happy I'm playing and back at the point where I can help the team.
"I'm so happy this goal flew in today and I can move on. Coming back, some players don't overthink it but I did. I was a bit scared coming back. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I wanted to be old me again - or even better than old me even.
"I've finally started enjoying training again and being back out there with the girls. I don't think about my knees any more."
Arsenal doubled their lead soon after with a neat finish from Caitlin Foord (69), which sends Arsenal back level on 28 points with Manchester City, who beat Tottenham earlier on Sunday. The pair remain three points behind Chelsea at the top of the WSL.
But Liverpool - who were vastly improved after their own 5-1 thrashing by Gareth Taylor's side last weekend - were difficult to break down for much of the game, with goalkeeper Rachael Laws particularly impressive.
They have now slipped to three points behind Manchester United in fourth and remain level on 18 points with Tottenham, who they face in the WSL next Sunday.
Arsenal dominated the first half, and had some decent openings - although none that were completely clear cut.
Miedema set up Victoria Pelvoa - but her fizzing effort went straight at Laws. The goalkeeper also collected one of Arsenal's best first-half chances as Lotte Wubben-Moy nodded into her hands from a Beth Mead corner.
But Liverpool - who gave Manuela Zinsberger very little to do - could have gone ahead in first-half injury-time. Melissa Lawley burst down the field, winning the foot race with Amanda Ilestedt. Her cross found Yana Daniels in the middle, but her shot zoomed into the stands.
The start of the second half continued in much the same fashion as Arsenal struggled to break Liverpool down - and it took a moment of much-missed Miedema magic to open the scoring.
Emily Fox won the midfield battle before finding Miedema in the middle. She took a few strides before sending a thunderous volley into the top corner, albeit with a deflection off Gemma Bonner. But the damage was done in the build-up as she was mobbed by her ecstatic team-mates as Miedema scored for the first time in 15 months.
Fox was involved in Arsenal's second too, winning the midfield battle before slotting in Alessia Russo down the right of the area. Her squared ball found the run of Foord - who was ahead of Grace Fisk - before slotting home.
Afterwards, there was a raft of changes from both sides, and Stina Blackstenius had three glorious chances to add Arsenal's third. As the clocked ticked into the 82nd minute, she fired over the bar before Laws' outstretched foot denied her again. With almost the last kick of the game, she also fired wide of the target.
Zinsberger was called into action late on too as Mia Enderby raced through on her goal, but the Arsenal goalkeeper saved the low effort, keeping her third clean sheet of the season.
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall to Sky Sports: "It looks like she's played with us forever, but she's only been here a month. She's integrated so well. Today was her best performance, it was phenomenal.
"She should have a lot of credit for doing that because it's hard coming in as a new player. She has many good qualities. A lot of people have played a role in helping her integrate."
Arsenal defender Emily Fox to Sky Sports: "I put it [goal involvements] down to so many things - my team-mates, coaches, staff, coming here and being welcomed so easily and fitting right in, I feel really lucky.
"The amount of people that come tonight is amazing, they came so far and I feel like I owe it to my team-mates and coaches who have made it easy for me to do well and excel.
"There are so many talented players on our team. With all the girls coming back, it's so supportive and exciting to have them back and an exciting time to be in this team."
Sky Sports' Stephen Warnock: "With the way modern teams play at the moment, it's all about full-backs playing high and overlapping, the quality that they have to have, especially coming into this Arsenal team, they're expected to get wide and deliver quality into the box.
"She certainly has quality on the ball, but also defensively, one vs one situations, she was very solid and didn't really get beaten at all. She had loads of energy and she looks like a powerful player athletically."
Sky Sports' Karen Carney: "She's only new coming in. Laura Bassett said in commentary, maybe she started a bit safe in the first half.
"I said at half-time, Arsenal needed the full-backs to get involved more if you're trying to break down this Liverpool side and she was brilliant - positive, forward thinking and she got the assist for the goal."
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall to Sky Sports:
"We were good on the ball. We always knew the first goal would be tough because Liverpool defend with so many players. We created a lot of almost chances before the goal. It's nice we scored a second but we probably should have scored a third as well."
On Miedema: "Return to play comes in many different phases. Getting back on the pitch for first time doesn't mean you're fully back with your decision making, with your technique, with your self-confidence - that takes longer to build. It's really nice Viv feels that way and it shows on the pitch.
On Leah Williamson's return: "Not long [before she plays in the WSL]. She played in the Conti Cup and did very well. Today I felt it was a bit of a tricky game in making a sub on the central defence, so I didn't see any need for that. There will be a new opportunity next weekend."
Liverpool's next Women's Super League game is also at home to another north London team as they host Tottenham next Sunday, kick-off 2pm.
Meanwhile, Arsenal face a London derby away at West Ham next Sunday, kick-off 12.30pm.
