West Ham shock Arsenal on Williamson’s WSL return

Leah Williamson’s first start since suffering an anterior crucial ligament injury in April was spoiled as West Ham came from behind to beat Arsenal.

But Viviane Asseyi levelled from the penalty spot five minutes after the break and West Ham were ahead before the hour as Hawa Cissoko’s cool first-time finish punished an error from Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Arsenal piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but Rehanne Skinner’s side held on for their first WSL win over the Gunners to move up to ninth, five points clear of the solitary relegation place.

Jonas Eidevall’s side stay third, three points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more.

Such a setback did not seem likely as Arsenal dominated the first half. Vivianne Miedema twice came close to opening the scoring but was denied first by a goal-saving challenge from Honoka Hayashi and then the crossbar.

The goal eventually came two minutes before the break when West Ham keeper Mackenzie Arnold came for a corner but saw it flick off the head of team-mate Kirsty Smith, leaving an unmarked Russo to head into an empty net at the far post.

Williamson went off with Arsenal in control but, within five minutes of the restart, Steph Catley tripped Riko Ueki and referee Melissa Burgin judged that the foul was inside the box.

Asseyi sent Zinsberger the wrong way from 12 yards and, eight minutes later, the Hammers were ahead.

Zinsberger got no distance on her punch from a West Ham free-kick and centre-back Cissoko lifted the ball into an unguarded net from just inside the area with the confidence of a striker.

Russo blazed over Arsenal’s best opportunity to equalise after good work by Cloe Lacasse down the right and West Ham clung on for a win that has big ramifications at both ends of the table.

More to follow.

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