Women’s Super League: Birmingham City upstage leaders Arsenal 2-0 to move off bottom of table

Darren Carter says he went into management “for moments like this” after his Birmingham side produced the shock of the Women’s Super League season to beat leaders Arsenal.

Blues led 2-0 at the break, after goals from Libby Smith and Veatriki Sarri.

Arsenal, who had scored 66 goals in 22 games in all competitions this season, were well contained in response.

Defeat ends the Gunners’ unbeaten start to the WSL season.

Blues join European champions Barcelona and WSL title holders Chelsea as the only sides to keep Jonas Eidevall’s team scoreless this term.

The result has major implications at the both ends of the table, with Arsenal missing the chance to move seven points clear of Chelsea – whose game against Tottenham was postponed because of Covid-19 cases – while Birmingham move above Leicester City, who lost to Reading.

Victory also ended a 805-day winless league run at home, having last triumphed in October 2019.

Blues boss Carter, who oversaw a defeat to fellow strugglers Leicester last time out, said his players “deserved huge, huge praise” for the win.

“They have put in so much hard work, they have had so much adversity thrown at them – especially this season and results not coming – it’s been a long wait for a win for them.

“The Leicester game was a huge disappointment for us, so to go away and have that break over Christmas and then come back with a real refreshed energy and confidence as well – they deserve to enjoy that one tonight.”

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Blues had scored just four league goals before the visit of a side with the best defensive record in the division.

Smith’s cool finish after racing on to an excellently threaded long ball from Lucy Quinn – having tenaciously won possession – gave the hosts the perfect start to 2022 after the winter break.

Sarri started and finished Birmingham’s move for the second goal, spreading the ball wide on the right before racing into the box to score on the rebound after Jade Pennock had an attempt blocked.

Gemma Lawley cleared off the line from what was Arsenal’s best chance to pull a goal back, as Kim Little aimed at an empty net after meeting a cut-back pass from Vivianne Miedema.

Birmingham captain Louise Quinn helped ensure the league’s leakiest defence, which had conceded 26 goals in 10 WSL games, were not breached with a excellent individual display.

“To go and get your first win against a team like Arsenal – the performance was everything to me,” said Carter.

“Seeing the reaction of the players and the smiles on their faces – that’s what it’s all about, that’s why I’m in management, for moments and games like these.

“If they give that every single week, I’m very confident we can start pushing up the table.”

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