Fulham 1-1 Arsenal
AET Fulham win 3-2 on penalties
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Fulham Ladies congratulate Kim Jerray-Silver for her winning penalty |
A dramatic penalty shoot-out secured victory for League Cup holders Fulham in a fiercely-competitive encounter against London rivals Arsenal in front of more than 2,000 fans at Swindon's County Ground on Sunday afternoon.
In a repeat of this season's Community Shield victory in August, Fulham once again beat their closest rivals in the ultimate test from 12 yards in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Kim Jerray-Silver eventually decided the match from the spot after Arsenal had four penalty kicks saved by Norway international Astrid Johannessen.
The match went to extra-time after a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser by Arsenal's Republic of Ireland international Ciara Grant, two minutes after former Gunner Rachel Yankey looked to have sealed the game for the professionals when she steered the ball past goalkeeper Emma Byrne at the second attempt in the 88th minute.
Extra-time yielded chances for both sides, with Fulham's Margunn Haugenes and Jayne Ludlow of Arsenal both coming close, but in the end penalty misses by four Arsenal players proved crucial.
Fulham Ladies: Johannsen, Silva, McArthur, Unitt, Phillip, Haugenes, Duncan, Moore, Yankey, Petersen, Nwajei.
Subs Not Used: Spacey, Gibbons, Smith, Therkelsen, Bennett.
Arsenal Ladies: Byrne, Pealling, Fletcher, Champ, Tracey, Ciara Grant, Williams, Ludlow, Wheatley, Maggs, Banks.
Ref: W Toms (Poole)