Search

show me:

Caitlin Foord fires Arsenal to crucial win

3 minute read

Caitlin Foord scored Arsenal's decisive fourth goal in a 4-2 win over Birmingham that puts the Gunners eight points clear in the Women's Super League.

CAITLIN FOORD.
CAITLIN FOORD. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Australian international Caitlin Foord has kept up her fine form for table-topping Arsenal in the Women's Super League.

Substitute Foord struck the crucial fourth in a 4-2 win over battling Birmingham on Sunday which has pushed the Gunners eight points clear in the English top-flight.

For the second weekend running, the 99-times capped Foord was on target, following her double in the FA Cup trouncing of Liverpool.

And her Matildas' teammate Steph Catley also played a big part in the victory as she helped make two of Arsenal's first three goals as they raced into what had looked an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Catley's 14th minute corner had been headed home by Rafaelle for the Brazilian's first goal for the club and she also laid on the third for Beth Mead down the left flank.

In between, Vivianne Miedema, the WSL's greatest-ever player, became the first to reach 100 goal contributions in the league, scoring her 70th goal to go with her 30 assists since her arrival in 2017.

Foord was brought on after an hour with Arsenal cruising, only for Birmingham to hit back with goals from Libby Smith and Lucy Quinn and make it a nervy finish for the home side.

So Foord's goal in the 92nd minute came as a huge relief to manager Jonas Eidevall, who noted later: "It looked like we just wanted the game to end - but you can't play football with fear and I'm happy we scored that fourth."

It was a considered finish from the Matilda. Freed by a ball over the top from Lia Walti, Foord took her time before firing through the legs of keeper Marie Hourihan from the right edge of the box.

In the day's other game, another Australian international striker Kyah Simon was in the wars for Tottenham, needing her head bandaged for the second half after a collision with Reading's Faye Bryson in a goalless draw.

Spurs had gone into the game with the chance to go second behind Arsenal with a victory but they remain fourth behind Manchester United and champions Chelsea, who still have three games in hand on the leaders.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au