Arsenal 2-1 Everton: Beth Mead scores winner as Gunners move level with WSL leaders Chelsea

Report as Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 in the WSL to move level with leaders Chelsea; Caitlin Foord opened the scoring, only for Katja Snoeijs to level against the run of play; Beth Mead headed in excellent Lia Walti cross to seal win; Everton remain eighth

@JoeShreadSky

Saturday 20 January 2024 16:53, UK

Beth Mead's header from a sumptuous Lia Walti cross helped Arsenal earn a 2-1 win against Everton to move level with Chelsea at the top of the WSL.

Arsenal restarted the season following the winter break in impressive fashion, thumping Watford in the FA Cup last weekend, and were similarly dominant against Everton at Meadow Park.

The Gunners started impressively and took an early lead through Caitlin Foord, only for Katja Snoeijs to level the score entirely against the run of play.

Snoeijs' goal ended up being Everton's only shot on target but Arsenal lacked ruthlessness despite their superiority, scoring through Mead in first-half stoppage time before going on to waste several promising openings in the second period.

Arsenal's lack of efficiency in front of goal led to a slightly nervy ending but Jonas Eidevall's side held on to an important win that moves the pressure onto champions Chelsea, who welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Arsenal: Zinsberger (6), Fox (7), Ilestedt (7), Wubben-Moy (7), McCabe (7), Pelova (7), Walti (8), Mead (8), Miedema (8), Foord (8), Russo (7).

Subs: Maanum (6), Blackstenius (n/a), Catley (n/a), Lacasse (n/a).

Everton: Brosnan (7), Stenevik (6), Finnigan (6), Holmgaard (6), Payne (6), Wheeler (6), Galli (6), Bissell (6), Bennison (6), Snoeijs (7), Olesen (7).

Subs: Hope (6), Madsen (6), Campbell (6), Piemonte (6), Duggan (6).

Player of the match: Beth Mead

Arsenal’s