Smith puts Arsenal in command

Kelly Smith scored twice and was then sent off as Arsenal FC took a commanding position in their quest to become the first English side to reach the UEFA Women's Cup final after holding Brøndby IF to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their semi-final in Denmark on Saturday.

Early strike
Arsenal twice held the lead and went ahead for the first time on nine minutes when Kelly Smith fired in a free-kick after Julie Fleeting had been fouled just outside the area on the right side. Their advantage was shortlived, however, with Maiken Pape pulling the home side level with a header just two minutes later. Arsenal regained the lead seven minutes into the second half when Smith claimed her second of the afternoon only for Lene Jensen to restore parity with 60 minutes played.

Smith off
Arsenal's hopes of taking a win back to London were hit when Smith was dismissed following a second yellow card 12 minutes from time, but Brøndby were unable to press home their woman advantage. Smith will miss the second leg at Boreham Wood FC next Saturday through suspension.