HEATH RELIEF AS GUNNERS GET OFF MARK
ARSENAL bounced back from their 4-1 thrashing by Barcelona to ease past Hoffenheim 4-0 in their second Champions League group game. The Gunners’ bruising defeat by the Catalans meant victory on home turf was vital for Jonas Eidevall’s side and goals from Kim Little, Tobin Heath, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson secured all three points. The hosts were heavy favourites before kick-off but it was their German opponents who almost took the lead early on. Jule Brand’s cross was not dealt with and the ball fell kindly for Nicole Billa, but the striker could only fire wide from close range. Arsenal grew into the game and won a penalty in the 20th minute when Beth Mead was caught by the trailing leg of Michaela Specht. Little stepped up to send the spot-kick past Martina Tufekovic into the bottom-right corner. A slick team move saw the Gunners score a vital second just before half-time. Miedema headed Katie McCabe’s cross down to Heath at the back post and the American finished on the half-volley into the far corner for her first Arsenal goal.
Manuela Zinsberger was called into action at the start of the second half as Gia Corley fired a fierce effort goalwards but the Arsenal keeper was equal to it. That early warning kicked the hosts back into life and almost immediately they grabbed their third goal. Jordan Nobbs’ curling effort was pushed into the air by Tufekovic and Miedema was on hand to chest the ball into the back of the net from a yard out. Hoffenheim would have been worthy of a goal with Brand in particular putting in an impressive performance. First her deflected shot was tipped away by Zinsberger. Sarai Linder then had a header cleared off the line before Zinsberger denied Brand again with another smart stop. Williamson added gloss to the win with a bullet header at the near post from a McCabe corner to send Arsenal second in Group C.