Today I watched the women’s FA Cup final, Arsenal vs. Everton at the Nottingham Forest Ground. Everton won, from a goal scored in the last minute of added time, in extra time. I was convinced it was going to go to penalties.
While I was a bit disappointed Arsenal didn’t win, I was well impressed by the quality of football played. Everton’s number 8, central mid-fielder Jill Scott was brilliant. She won every air borne ball in the mid-field. Other players I’d rate are Rachel Yankey and Kim Little from Arsenal’s side. Yankey’s pace completely blew away Everton’s right back. She had some explosive runs with the ball, allowing her to deliver excellent crosses into the box. Kim Little, who is quite a small player, had a dominating presence on the pitch. Despite several tackles and challenges from Everton, she remained sturdy and pushed through. After reading in the program she’s only 19, I was even more impressed. And, she has scored 2 hat tricks in the FA cup matches leading up to today.
Disappointing day for Arsenal Ladies (and Arsenal men losing 2-1 to Blackburn) but great day for women’s football.
(Image from Everton FC)