Brian Sørensen’s Everton clinched a late point against Arsenal at Walton Hall Park on Sunday, with 16-year-old Issy Hobson heading home inside stoppage time to deliver a stunning result for a threadbare Toffees side.
Arsenal had generated a plethora of chances throughout the match but were poor in front of goal, with Alessia Russo’s opener in the 80th minute ultimately proving to not be enough for the Gunners.
Jonas Eidevall’s side will face Manchester City at Joie Stadium next weekend, with the Cityzens currently leading the race for the Barclays Women’s Super League title.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs it happened
Sunday’s match on Merseyside was by no means a classic, and it’s one that arguably leaves Arsenal with plenty to ponder after a positive run of form that saw the Gunners seemingly score for fun.
Jonas Eidevall’s side scored five past Bristol City a fortnight ago, putting another three past Leicester City at Emirates Stadium last weekend – but the goals simply would not come at Walton Hall Park.
It wasn’t for lack of trying, it was simply a failure to convert chances when they arose – and celebrations when Alessia Russo opened the scoring with ten minutes remaining were perhaps overshadowed by a feeling of sheer relief.
Everton had come close to seizing the lead earlier in the match, when Karen Holmgaard connected with a corner delivery from her twin, Sara, but could only nod her effort against the crossbar. The duo recently combined when the Toffees saw off Brighton at the AMEX Stadium.
But Everton would be left celebrating after a corner inside stoppage time wasn’t cleared adequately by Arsenal, allowing Issy Hobson to loop a headed effort over Manuela Zinsberger and clinch a late point – just weeks before she sits her GCSEs.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt just 16 years and 180 days old, Hobson is now the youngest goalscorer in Barclays Women’s Super League history, breaking Lauren Hemp’s previous record of 16 years and 258 days.
The lineups
EVE: Brosnan; S Holmgaard, Stenevik, Finnigan, Vanhaevermaet, Hope; Snoeijs, Wheeler, K Holmgaard, Bissell; Piemonte
ARS: Zinsberger; McCabe, Catley, Williamson, Fox; Little, Pelova; Foord, Russo, Mead; Blackstenius
