The Reds made a positive start to the Barclays Women’s Super League fixture but, after our hosts – the reigning European champions – settled midway through the first half, Phallon was kept busy for much of the encounter’s remainder.
Our no.91 dived at the feet of Olivia Smith, Arsenal’s record signing, to smother a close-range attempt on goal, before staying alert to keep out a deflected effort from former Reds striker Alessia Russo in first-half stoppage time.
After the break, the Gunners continued to put the pressure on and Marc Skinner’s side had to defend resiliently. As we did, Tullis-Joyce continued to thwart Russo, stretching out a leg to keep out a scrappy strike before getting down to gather a clever goalbound flick from the Arsenal forward.
Substitute Caitlin Foord was also denied from range before our goalkeeper made a big stoppage-time intervention, diving low to her left to stop a shot from Victoria Pelova, which threatened to undo our good work at the last and nick the points for the hosts.
