Albion bow out of League Cup

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Holders Arsenal score three goals in five second-half minutes in 4-0 quarter-final victory.

Bruce Talbot

2025-01-22T21:00+00:00

Vicky Losada battles for the loose ball with Beth Mead. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

Albion’s League Cup hopes ended after they were floored by three Arsenal goals in the space of five second-half minutes at the Broadfield Stadium.

Albion held out under considerable pressure, especially in the second half, until the 65th minute when Arsenal broke the deadlock through Frida Maanum. Five minutes later Mariona Caldentey and Kyra Cooney-Cross had added further goals and the holders were deservedly on their way to the semi-finals. Caldentey made it 4-0 with eight minutes to go.

Dario Vidosic’s side could not be faulted for their effort. They were well organised and defended doggedly for more than an hour but rarely threatened at the other end as they suffered their first home defeat of the season.

Kiko Seike and Bruna operated furthest forward in a team that showed three changes from the team beaten by Liverpool last Friday. Melina Loeck, the fit-again Maria Thorisdottir and Mady Haley came in while Dejana Stefanovic made a welcome return as a second-half substitute having played just twice since the 2022/23 season because of persistent injuries.

Poppy Pattinson surges past Frida Maanum. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

It was the visitors who had the first chance when Vicky Losada’s pass went straight to Alessia Russo in the D. The England international opted to shoot first time but was well off target.

Loeck was tested for the first time in the 24th minute when Albion again gave the ball away. Guro Bergsvand tried to play out but passed straight to Lotte Wubben-Moy whose right-foot strike was straight at Albion’s keeper.

As usual Albion kept a premium on keeping possession and Arsenal carried the greater threat. Russo took a pass on the edge of the box and hit a first-time shot a yard over. The Gunners were getting closer.

Albion broke from an Arsenal corner in the 33rd minute to create their best chance of the first half. Rachel McLauchlan linked up with Haley on the right before lofting a cross to the unmarked Kiko Seike, who had more time than she thought. Seike opted for a first-time shot which flew into the considerable Arsenal contingent behind the goal.

Back came the visitors and when Russo was picked out by a fine cross from Katie McCabe inside the six yard box Albion were grateful that she directed her header straight at Loeck.

Russo headed just wide early in the second half as Arsenal began to find another geaer. Vidosic reacted by making a triple change on the hour, bringing on Jorelyn Carabali, Maisie Symonds and Nikita Parris.

Kiko Seike tries to get the better of Kyra Cooney-Cross. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

Loeck was beaten on 62 minutes – but fortunately for Albion Caldentey’s right-foot drive from 20 yards thudded against the post. Albion were being pinned back and two minutes later Arsenal went in front. Losada was dispossessed on the edge of the box by Caldentey who teed up Maanum for a crisp finish from ten yards.

Arsenal doubled their lead in their next attack. Albion were opened up by a pinpoint Arsenal passing sequence involving substitutes Caldentey and Kim Little which ended with McCabe converting Russo’s cross from the right

It was 3-0 when Cooney-Cross hammered a right-foot shot into the top corner, with Loeck again helpless and Caldentey got a fourth with eight minutes to go to round off an impressive performance by Arsenal.

Albion: Loeck, McLauchlan, Thorisdottir (Carabali 60), Bergsvand, Pattinson, Haley (Bremer 73), Losada (Stefanovic 73), Olislagers, Seike, Vilamala (Symonds 60), Cancovic (Parris 60).