Arsenal Women showcased resilience and determination in an unforgettable Women's Super League match against West Ham United Women on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Managata Pay UK Stadium. Despite trailing 3-1 early in the second half, Arsenal staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 4-3 victory. This thrilling encounter saw Arsenal score three goals in a rapid seven-minute spell, highlighting their fighting spirit and tactical prowess.
West Ham United Women took an early lead, with Amber Tysiak finding the net twice within the first 12 minutes. Her goals gave West Ham a promising start and put pressure on Arsenal, who had not conceded a single goal this year prior to this match. The early setback tested Arsenal's defense as they navigated through West Ham's aggressive play.
Despite the initial deficit, Arsenal Women found their stride in the second half. Chloe Kelly, making her mark since returning to the team, sparked the comeback with a crucial goal. Her performance drew praise from manager Renee Slegers, who noted Kelly's impact by saying:
"Chloe [Kelly] was unbelievable today and when you need an injection of something she has a bit of bite about her. We needed that today to turn things around." – Renee Slegers
Katie McCabe further fueled Arsenal's revival by scoring in the 56th minute. Just two minutes later, Leah Williamson capitalized on a disorganized West Ham defense to equalize the score. Mariona Caldentey then sealed the turnaround with a penalty goal in the 62nd minute, putting Arsenal ahead for good.
Arsenal's resurgence left West Ham reeling, as they struggled to regain control of the match. West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner reflected on the chaotic period that saw her team lose their lead:
"There was a chaotic moment where I thought there was a lot of direct play from Arsenal and we didn't clear our lines well enough. Unfortunately, the ball kept dropping to them and we did not deal with it." – Rehanne Skinner
While Arsenal celebrated their comeback, Skinner questioned the validity of one of Arsenal's goals, expressing concerns over its legitimacy:
"I need to see the third goal back because I'm pretty sure it didn't cross the line, it is important to look back at that. We didn't quite see out that section of the game and that is where it got away from us." – Rehanne Skinner
Throughout the match, both teams displayed tactical flexibility and determination. Skinner commended her players for their efforts despite the loss:
"I thought first half we capitalised on our chances really well, showed our pace, got in behind and our set play deliveries were really good. We were not prepared to let anything go, fighting for everything and got goals out of the game. They weren't expecting us to play in a back five and we did it really, really well. I am proud of the players' efforts today." – Rehanne Skinner
Arsenal's victory keeps them in third place in the Women's Super League table, eight points behind leaders Chelsea. Meanwhile, West Ham United Women now sit ninth after this defeat. Despite the loss, West Ham's impressive tally of 110 corners during the match demonstrated their attacking ambition.
Renee Slegers acknowledged her team's perseverance and highlighted the positives they could draw from this challenging encounter:
"There was a chaotic moment where I thought there was a lot of direct play from Arsenal and we didn't clear our lines well enough. Unfortunately, the ball kept dropping to them and we did not deal with it." – Rehanne Skinner
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