The England trio all found the net for Renee Slegers' side before a late Mariona Caldentey double added gloss to the result
Arsenal are up and running after the Women's Super League's winter break, with Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead on target in Sunday's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Renee Slegers’ side dominated throughout in their first game since her appointment as permanent manager, but were made to wait before turning sustained pressure into a glut of goals.
It appeared as though a big win could be on the cards when Williamson bundled home a corner from close range in just the sixth minute, but the floodgates took a while to open. A second finally arrived in the 63rd minute, with Russo – who has netted seven times in her last six WSL outings – producing a poacher’s finish as she reacted quickest to spilled shot and fired into the roof of the net.
Mead then got in on the act four minutes later – with Russo turning provider on this occasion – as she swept home, before Mariona Caldentey converted from the penalty spot and stroked home a fifth deep into stoppage-time.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Meadow Park…
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Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):
Was a spectator for long periods, with Palace unable to pose much of an attacking threat.
Emily Fox (7/10):
The United States star looked to push forward at every opportunity and came close to scoring herself with a low shot that was bundled clear.
Leah Williamson (8/10):
England’s Euro 2022-winning captain was in the right place at the right time to score her first WSL goal since March 2023, and was rarely troubled at the back.
Steph Catley (6/10):
Barely troubled and enjoyed a quiet afternoon when collecting another clean sheet.
Katie McCabe (7/10):
Posed a threat with her crosses from deep, as Arsenal’s endeavour allowed her to push forward, but needs to track runners going the other way.
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Kyra Cooney-Cross (6/10):
Arsenal saw plenty of the ball, and she kept it ticking over without really impact proceedings.
Mariona Caldentey (8/10):
Looked to get beyond the forwards with runs from deep, making her difficult to track, and displayed commendable composure when converting from the spot and sweeping home late on.
Frida Maanum (7/10):
Full of flicks and clever movement, the Norwegian had a couple of sights of goal but fired the best of those over the top.
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Beth Mead (7/10):
Had a quiet afternoon before getting her name on the scoresheet, with a well-taken finish drilled low into the back of the net.
Alessia Russo (8/10):
Restricted to half chances early on, but grew into the game and took her goal well – reacting quickest inside the box – before teeing up Mead to wrap up the points.
Kim Little (6/10):
Capable of offering much more and will hope to be more involved in some of the big games that are fast approaching.
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Caitlin Foord (7/10):
Positive run led to Russo’s goal as her shot was spilled by Palace goalkeeper Yanez.
Rosa Kafaji (6/10):
Helped to keep the Gunners on course for three comfortable points.
Lia Walti (6/10):
Switzerland captain added useful experience as Arsenal saw the game out.
Katie Reid (N/A):
Little time in which to make a telling contribution to the game.
Renee Slegers (7/10):
Named the strongest side available to her, which proved to be more than good enough for a convincing win.
