Chelsea beat Arsenal 1-0 as Putellas stars for London City
Alyssa Thompson's late first-half goal sinks wasteful Arsenal, who managed two shots on target from 18, while Alexia Putellas shines in London City's 2-0 win.
Arsenal had 18 shots at Stamford Bridge, put two of them on target and lost 1-0 to Chelsea. Alyssa Thompson scored just before half-time.
Arsenal held the early play, and none of their nine first-half attempts tested the Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Chelsea put five of their eight on target in the same period and punished them once. Head coach Renée Slegers said afterwards:
"I wanted to keep it away from the players because they can score goals and they can finish and they will get the rewards for their work."
Arsenal have lost this way before this season, by creating enough and not taking it. Earlier this month the club signed the France defender Élisa De Almeida from PSG on a three-year deal, to cover injuries to Katie Reid and Vivianne Miedema. The problem in this game was at the other end of the pitch.
London City Lionesses beat Brighton 2-0, and Alexia Putellas scored the goal that settled the nerves. The Spaniard joined in the summer and has taken time to find her place. Against Brighton she played in central areas, set the tempo and created more chances than anyone on the pitch. Her shot beat the goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.
Eder Maestre's side are fourth in the FA WSL with 9 points from 4 matches. Brighton, under Arturo Ruiz, had spells of good football but made little of them. The Guardian's report says they have lacked a proper striker for almost a year.
If Putellas keeps playing like this, City London may have the creative player they were missing. Arsenal, for their part, may find the table moving away from them unless the chances start to go in.
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