Arsenal moved up to second in the WSL table after beating Everton 3-1 at Goodison Park.
Both sides exchanged three goals in a hectic four-minute spell, with Katie McCabe, Honoka Hayashi and Alessia Russo trading blows before Olivia Smith’s late volley sealed the three points for Renee Slegers’ side.
Everton came into the game looking to end their winless run at home in the league, but also buoyed by their stunning win over Chelsea last weekend as they searched for another upset.
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Katie McCabe scores a stunning goal for the Gunners to open the scoring at Goodison Park
However, the Gunners dominated the early stages and deservedly took the lead in style. Mariona Caldentey had seen her initial effort cleared off the line by Hikaru Kitagawa, but that allowed McCabe to find the bottom corner with a dipping half-volley to kickstart a goal-filled spell.
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Honoka Hayashi rockets in the equaliser for Everton to make it 1-1 against Arsenal
Hayashi would go one better with Everton’s first effort of the game, bending an effort from range beyond Anneke Borbe, but Russo would restore the lead moments later in fortuitous fashion.
Kim Little’s miscued volley cannoned off the striker’s chest and while Courtney Brosnan appeared to have done enough to claw the deflection away from goal – only for it to then be thundered home by Caitlin Foord – replays showed the ball had already gone over the line.
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Arsenal go back in front at Goodison Park after an eventful opening 15 minutes!
Everton would continue to offer little threat as Arsenal saw the game out, but not before former Liverpool star Smith fired a volley past Brosnan to seal the game for the visitors.
There was also a moment to savour for Leah Williamson who received a standing ovation from both sets of fans as the England captain made her first appearance since the Euro 2025 final after recovering from an ACL injury.
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Olivia Smith scores Arsenal’s third against Everton at Goodison Park, all but securing the three points for the Gunners
Ahead of Sunday’s WSL fixtures, it means that the Gunners temporarily move to second in the WSL table, while Everton remain ninth and extend their winless home run to five games.
More to follow.
