Matildas defender Steph Catley scored a brilliant, rare goal for Arsenal to deliver the Gunners a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in a battle of Women’s Super League heavyweights that featured four Australians.
The match came just four days after the Matildas were last in action in Perth, but this time it was Catley and Caitlin Foord who earned bragging rights over City’s own Aussie duo of Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy.
Watch the Melbourne Cup LIVE, 3pm on Tuesday November 7, with RACING.com’s coverage on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >
Catley rocketed the ball into the top corner to hand Arsenal the lead in the 14th minute after being teed up by fellow Australian star Caitlin Foord.
City equalised in the second half through Chloe Kelly, with Australia’s Mary Fowler involved in the lead-up to the goal. After seeing a penalty saved, Arsenal got the breakthrough in the 88th minute after a horrible error from 19-year-old keeper Khiara Keating.
Keating misjudged a long ball and failed to clear it outside the box, with Stina Blackstenius racing through to seal a 2-1 Arsenal victory.
PL TALKING POINTS: ‘All over the place’ VAR masks $57m Arsenal backfire; Reds’ brutal title truth
Arsenal now sit alongside City in a four-team pack on 10 points after five games of the new season, but are three points behind Chelsea, who crushed struggling Aston Villa 6-0 despite Sam Kerr sitting on the bench.
It was just a third league goal in four seasons at Arsenal for Steph Catley.
“I usually score about one a year, so that might be me done,” Catley said.
“It’s nice to get a goal whenever but obviously in a big game, it’s important. It feels good and just happy to get three points.”
Arsenal’s third Australian player, young midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross, was left on the bench.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold’s West Ham suffered a tough 3-2 defeat to Bristol City.
‘Tough seeing Kerr miss Ballon D’or’ | 01:20
