Controversial Arsenal Winner Sees Blues Beaten

Stina Blackstenius’ controversial winner in the 93rd minute stole a point from Everton’s grasp at the Emirates, as the Blues were beaten 1-0 by reigning European champions Arsenal.

A battling performance saw the Toffees head in to injury time with the scores rightly tied at 0-0.

However, the Gunners secured a late victory despite Courtney Brosnan being fouled in the build-up, with the offside Leah Williamson unfairly challenging her to the ball.

Head coach Scott Phelan named a rotated XI that saw Maz Pacheco deployed at the unfamiliar position of left-wing, with Katja Snoeijs handed her first start since mid-January.

Alessia Russo registered the first attempt of the evening with six minutes on the clock, the England-international’s half-volley sailing over.

The Gunners came even closer on 16 minutes as Beth Mead rattled the crossbar via a looping header after meeting Emily Fox’s lofted ball from the left.

Russo threatened once more four minutes later – her powerful effort stopped by the trailing leg of Brosnan, with Player of the Match Martina Fernandez on hand to clear the danger.

At the other end, Clare Wheeler was inches away from replicating Yuka Momiki’s superb chip against Chelsea. The midfielder intercepted Lotte Wubben-Moy’s stray pass and looked to catch out the retreating Anneke Borbe. Her lob had slightly too much weight on it, the ball landing on top of the goal’s netting.

Mead struck the crossbar for a second time on 32 minutes. The 31-year-old latched on to Fox's cutback and arrowed the ball at goal. Thankfully, her venomous effort rebounded off the upright, again.

That concluded the action for the opening 45, with the scores even at the break.

Three minutes after the interval, the Gunners had a goal disallowed for offside after the Toffees reacted rapidly to trap Laia Codina. The defender prodded home after meeting Mariona Caldentey’s flicked header, but failed to keep onside in the box.

The hosts hit the woodwork for a third time in the 53rd minute, as Olivia Smith came dangerously close after cutting-in on to her favoured foot. Upon receiving the ball, the winner wrong-footed Hannah Blundell before arrowing a strike against the frame of the goal.

Russo tested Brosnan again on the hour mark, with the keeper equal to her low effort.

Phelan rolled the dice three minutes later, as Ornella Vignola and Kelly Gago replaced Snoeijs and Kramzar.

The Blues boss was forced in to another change with four minutes remaining, with Honoka Hayashi making way for Aurora Galli after Everton’s number six went down in the middle of the park.

Seconds later, substitute Vignola’s low effort deflected wide after the Spaniard raced on to Gago’s threaded through ball. From the resulting corner, Blundell volleyed over after collecting the half-cleared ball on the edge of the box.

The game was harshly decided in the dying seconds, with Blackstenius finishing in to an empty net following the offside Williamson's impedement on Brosnan.

Attention now turns to Everton's season finale against Leicester City at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon (1pm BST).

Tickets for the clash can be purchased here.