Brighton & Hove Albion Women don shock Arsenal Women 2-0 for Meadow Park, send the Gunners packing from Adobe Women FA Cup quarter-final. The Seagulls take the win with goals from Madison Haley and Caitlin Hayes, book their place for semi-final.
Arsenal dey come into this match with confidence after dem beat Chelsea midweek reach Champions League semi-final. But manager Renee Slegers make six changes to starting line-up, maybe because of that midweek wahala. Brighton start strong pass Arsenal.
Inside two minutes, Jelena Cankovic nearly put Brighton ahead with powerful drive wey Daphne van Domselaar tip over the bar. From the corner wey follow, Charlie Rule try shot inside box but Arsenal defenders clear am off the goal line. Manuela Vanegas also test van Domselaar with shot wey the keeper collect easily.
Arsenal begin find their footing as first half dey go. Smilla Holmberg get golden chance to score around 30-minute mark when she meet Chloe Kelly cross, but Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie pull brilliant save from point-blank range. Stina Blackstenius drill effort narrowly wide before half-time end goalless.
Second half start and Brighton come out blazing. Just three minutes after restart, Madison Haley race past Laia Codina collect through ball from Fran Kirby, then slot low shot past van Domselaar into bottom left corner. Fine finish wey put visitors ahead.
Arsenal try respond with Holmberg pulling shot wide. Manager Slegers make triple substitution around 60-minute mark, bring on Alessia Russo, Olivia Smith and Caitlin Foord to inject attacking threat. But Brighton double their lead just five minutes later.
Caitlin Hayes rise highest meet Kirby corner delivery, send looping header past van Domselaar at back post. The second goal settle the match proper. Brighton nearly make it three when Kirby almost connect with Carla Camacho low cross, but she miss by inches.
Arsenal push for consolation goal in final minutes. Laia Codina take excellent strike from top of box but Nnadozie dive low to her left make fine save. Alessia Russo blaze wildly over from tight angle. Katie McCabe, making her 300th appearance for Arsenal, curl shot just wide of post.
Brighton defend solidly throughout, hold on for famous victory. The Seagulls now reach FA Cup semi-final for fourth time in their history. For Arsenal, this na another disappointing FA Cup exit – dem last lift the trophy for 2016.
The Gunners’ only chance for silverware this season now na Champions League, where dem qualify for semi-final after beating Chelsea. Brighton, wey already safe from league relegation but out of reach for European qualification, leave everything for field as dem push to keep trophy hopes alive.
Match happen for Mangata Developments Stadium in Borehamwood, with Brighton showing superior energy and clinical finishing. Arsenal look weary at times, maybe feeling effects of midweek Champions League battle.
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