Cloe Lacasse's rocket of a strike gave Arsenal a dramatically late equaliser away at Manchester United on Friday night, a thoroughly entertaining match given the incredible conclusion it deserved when the Gunners' substitute found the top corner in stoppage time. It had looked like Melvine Malard's 81st minute strike would see the three points stay in the north west but there was one more twist in this early season clash between two sides expecting to fight for the Women's Super League title.
Stina Blackstenius gave Arsenal the lead with just 14 minutes on the clock, bursting down the left and finishing well across the face of goal. However, Man Utd were level before the half hour mark, Leah Galton pouncing on a huge error by goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo to tap into an empty goal.
The hosts started the second half well and were close to taking the lead for the first time in the game when Geyse was slipped in behind by Maya Le Tissier, but she fired just wide from an angle. Instead, it was when Arsenal were on top that United would go 2-1 up.
Alessia Russo, whose every touch of the ball was booed on her return to her former club, looked like she'd scored the inevitable winner as the game ticked into the final stages but her curling effort cannoned off of the woodwork, to the despair of the travelling fans.
Moments later, at the other end, Malard made her fresh legs from the bench count when she caught the Arsenal defence sleeping and pounced on a hopeful ball forward from Hinata Miyazawa, finishing expertly on her Man Utd debut. It wouldn't be the winner, though, with Lacasse's wonderstrike ensuring the spoils were shared at the end of a thrilling game.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Leigh Sports Village...