Determined display earns big point against Arsenal

Another resolute performance in an impressive start to the Women's Super League campaign secured a point in the north London derby in front of a record WSL attendance at Leyton Orient on Sunday.

So disciplined defensively, Lize Kop wasn't seriously tested as the Gunners had the lion's share of the chances without really cutting us open in front of goal.

At the other end, Daphne van Domselaar had to field efforts from distance from Eveliina Summanen and Oliva Holdt, while Martha Thomas blasted a late chance wide.

It was our first goalless draw in the WSL in 81 matches - the last at Reading in March, 2022 - and only the third time in 12 WSL encounters we've taken points off Arsenal. For the record, the attendance was 6,788.

We had the first effort on target on seven minutes as Summanen went for goal from a 30-yard free-kick - a decent hit, comfortable for van Domselaar. Efforts from distance would be the story of a competitive afternoon at Brisbane Road.

Matilda Vinberg couldn't reach Jess Naz's cross on 18 minutes, but the visitors took over from there in terms of efforts at goal - Kyra Cooney-Cross and Alessia Russo were just off target and two efforts from Emma Blackstenius, the first a routine save for Kop from a header, the second a good reaction stop from a rasper from the right angle.

The arrival of Olivia Smith off the bench added a spark to Arsenal's right, and the Canada international created the best chance of the game on 50 minutes when she reached the byline and cut back for Blackstenius, who skied it from six yards. Two minutes later, Emily Fox's effort looked set to test Kop, but Toko Koga, so solid again at the back with Clare Hunt, got in the way.

Smith forced Kop into action again just after the hour, similar to Blackstenius's chance in the first half, a powerful strike from the angle, Kop getting her angles right to block. Koga was there to clear a dangerous cross from Frida Maanum before Arsenal's final effort of note, Mariona Caldentey again off target from 20 yards. We also had two decent efforts before the whistle as Olivia Holdt hit the target from 30 yards and then Thomas - matchwinner from 2023/24 - lashed wide from the right angle late on.

Match data

Yellow cards: Spurs - Thomas 82; Arsenal - McCabe 40.

Referee: Emily Heaslip.

Venue: Brisbane Road.

Weather: Cloudy, 11 degrees at kick-off.

Attendance: 6,788.