WSL: Manchester City's Miedema returns to haunt Arsenal in 2-2 draw

Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema scored and assisted another goal against her previous side Arsenal, who earned a 2-2 draw at The Emirates on the first weekend of the Women's Super League thanks to a late Beth Mead strike on Sunday.

Champions Chelsea began the season with a 1-0 home win against Aston Villa on Friday, but Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur top the standings on goal difference after 4-0 victories over Everton and Crystal Palace, respectively.

After City finished second and Arsenal third last season, the drama began in the eighth minute when Frida Maanum fired the Gunners ahead, putting the ball in the top-right corner following a quick move down the right.

It was almost inevitable that all-time WSL top scorer Miedema, who joined City as a free agent in the offseason after seven years at Arsenal, would score, and the Dutch international did so in the 42nd minute with a heavily deflected effort that caught keeper Manuela Zinzberger off guard.

Arsenal's Caitlin Foord had an effort ruled out for offside early in the second half, but it was City who took the lead, with Jess Park collecting Miedema's headed knock-down and smashing a magnificent half-volley in off the underside of the bar to make it 2-1.

Arsenal's Mead, on the other hand, had the final word, reacting quickly after fellow replacement Rosa Kafaji hit the left-hand post to score the rebound in the 81st minute, earning her team a vital point.

"I’m really happy with the reception I got from the Arsenal fans, and the most important thing today was to start the season well with the new team. It’s always nice to get off that zero again and get a goal. From now on it’s just focus on the next games," City scorer Miedema said.

Later, in north London, Tottenham recorded four different goals as they welcomed promoted Crystal Palace to the top flight with a thrashing that saw Eagles substitute Brooke Aspin sent off in second-half stoppage time.

That result brought Spurs level with Brighton, who defeated Everton on Saturday with Kiko Seike scoring the first hat-trick by a WSL debutant.

Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester City on Sunday, while FA Cup holders Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory over West Ham United on Saturday.

SportsLigue