Clinical Arsenal reach first final

Arsenal LFC became the first English side to reach the UEFA Women's Cup final after goals from Rachel Yankey, Karen Carney and Julie Fleeting ended the challenge of Brøndby IF.

Clinical performance
Only teams from Germany, Sweden and Denmark have played in the five previous finals, but Arsenal prevailed this afternoon with an efficient performance despite the absence of the inspirational Kelly Smith, suspended after a red card followed her two goals in the 2-2 semi-final first-leg draw in Denmark. And her replacement, fellow English international Carney, was on target, setting up a likely home-and-away tie in April with two-time European champions Umeå IK, who lead Kolbotn IL 5-1 ahead of their home second leg in Sweden on Sunday.

Yankey danger
Although a goalless draw would have been enough for Arsenal, they knew they could not sit back and their 4-3-3 formation caused Brøndby some early concerns, notably through Yankey down the left. The visitors, who brought in teenager Kicki Nielsen for Signe Petersen, were more direct in their approach, with Lene Jensen - scorer of the second equaliser last week - a real menace, while Julie Rydahl Bukh's rampaging run was only stopped by advancing Arsenal goalkeeper Emma Byrne.

Arsenal ahead
Yankey forced the first save from Tine Cederkvist on 22 minutes after cutting in from the left and shooting low. But the visiting No1 could do nothing on the half-hour when Yankey picked up the rebound and curled the ball into the goal. Brøndby, now needing to score twice, took time to recover but Stine Kjær Jensen shot over from a promising position just before the break and early in the second half Bettina Hansen's effort fizzed fractionally above the bar.

Victory secure
But Carney soon doubled the Arsenal lead as she escaped her marker and confidently turned in Yankey's low cross. Another Yankey centre was then headed wide by Julie Fleeting. The visitors were struggling to create chances, though Cathrine Paaske Sørensen was denied by Byrne at close range. Arsenal, now so close to reaching the final having missed out this stage two years ago, kept their cool and ensured they were not pressed deep into their own territory for long periods. The match then ended on a joyous note as Jayne Ludlow hit the bar and Fleeting followed up in clinical fashion.