Arsenal women maintain winning record with victory against Brighton

League leaders Arsenal fell behind to a Ini Umotong goal but came back to win their ninth match of the season and remain unbeaten.

Arsenal were nearly ahead in the first minute when Vivianne Miedema fired from close range after losing her marker but Brighton goalkeeper Marie Hourihan prevented the goal with her trailing leg.

Danielle van de Donk was next to try her luck but her header hit the crossbar before Miedema’s volley inside the six-yard box was saved.

Against the run of play, Brighton went in front. Ini Umotong raced through on goal, unchallenged, and slotted past Arsenal keeper Sari van Veenendaal to give the visitors a surprise lead.

Miedema’s header was off target as the league’s top scorer tried to get Arsenal back in the game. Brighton almost doubled their lead when Kaleigh Green’s effort from outside the box crashed off the bar.

A minute later Arsenal equalised. Miedema latched onto a loose ball and rounded Marie Hourihan to fire home.

Hourihan was in fine form denying Miedema and Katie McCabe with her foot in quick succession to keep the game level. The Gunners were not phased and Dominique Bloodworth had a shot deflected before scoring from the resulting corner to put Arsenal 2-1 up after Miedema’s cutback.

The Netherlands international then had a shot saved as The Gunners looked to extend their lead.

Just before half-time, van de Donk got on the scoresheet. The Dutch international got on the end of Beth Mead’s cross from a corner to head home and give Arsenal a two-goal cushion.

Joe Montemurro’s side had the chance to increase their lead at the beginning of the second half when Lisa Evans’ shot went wide. Lia Walti dragged an effort wide before Miedema had a shot saved.

Iniabasi Umotong, who was Brighton’s biggest threat during the game, headed just wide with the visitors trying to reduce the deficit. In the 80th minute, Mead scored the best goal of the match when her looping effort from the left side curled into the top right corner.

The Gunners remain top of the league while Brighton are ninth with four points.

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