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European champions Arsenal capitalised on two terrible defensive blunders by Lyon on Sunday to come from behind and win the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final 2-1.

The French league leaders went ahead in the 18th minute at the Emirates Stadium when Jule Brand scored with the visitors’ only shot on target in the first half.

But the Gunners rallied after the break and levelled courtesy of an own goal from Ingrid Engen after goalkeeper Christiane Endler failed to gather the ball. They took the lead when Olivia Smith took advantage of another mix-up at the back late in the game.

The two sides met at the same stage of the competition last season, with Arsenal winning 5-3 on aggregate before going on to lift the trophy with victory over Barcelona in the final.

Lyon drew first blood on Sunday when Brand surged forward and cut inside before beating Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar with a confident finish.

The home side thought they had been offered a way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

However, Arsenal were level in the 58th minute when Mariona Caldentey’s low free-kick somehow made its way into the net.

Lyon’s Endler mishandled the ball as Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius darted into the six-yard box, and the unfortunate Engen touched it into her own goal.

Kadidiatou Diani rattled the crossbar as the French team threatened to retake the lead, but it was Arsenal who scored again.

Endler and Engen collided after a moment of miscommunication, and Smith collected the loose ball to slot into an empty net in the 83rd minute. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers warned her team still had work to do.

“It’s only half-time, but if you look at the game, a lot of bits played out how we wanted it,” she told the BBC.

“There was a phase in the first half where we wanted more aggression in our press, and I think we had some great solutions at half-time.”

Lyon forward Ada Hegerberg described the goals her team conceded as “brutal”.

“You know in sports you get punished, but we stick together,” she said. “We have to accept it but find ways to move on.

“It’s important to take a step back and keep perspective.”

The second leg takes place in Lyon next weekend. Bayern and Barcelona drew 1-1 in the other semi-final on Saturday.

AFP

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Nico Gonzalez’s stunning strike fired Manchester City into the FA Cup final as Pep Guardiola’s men produced a late fightback to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.

The Saints appeared heading towards a first FA Cup final since 2003 when Finn Azaz’s brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.

However, City avoided the same fate that Arsenal suffered in the quarter-finals to remain on course for a domestic treble.

Jeremy Doku’s deflected effort quickly levelled before Gonzalez rifled in from long range three minutes from time.

The defeat ends Southampton’s 20-game unbeaten run that has propelled them into contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Saints also knocked out City’s title rivals Arsenal in the previous round and will rue a glorious chance missed to return to Wembley next month.

Guardiola made eight changes from the side that went top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday.

Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Doku were among those to miss out and City took 45 minutes to find their feet.

Leo Scienza found the bottom corner early on, but Southampton’s joy was cut short by the offside flag.

City came out for the second half a changed team even before Guardiola turned to his bench to unleash the stars he had kept in reserve.

Omar Marmoush missed his chance to shine on a rare start ahead of Haaland.

The Egyptian spooned the best of City’s chances over the bar before he was replaced by Haaland.

Guardiola also introduced Doku, Savinho and Nico O’Reilly to break down Southampton’s mass ranks of well-marshalled defence.

Daniel Peretz repelled Gonzalez’s powerful effort before Southampton pounced to take a shock lead on a rare second-half foray forward.

Kuryu Matsuki fed Azaz, who spun before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

However, Southampton could not hold on as City roared back to become the first club to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals.

Doku’s effort from the edge of the box deflected off James Bree to wrong-foot Peretz.

The Southampton goalkeeper was then left helpless as Gonzalez’s piledriver completed the comeback.

Savinho should have added a third in stoppage time after Peretz came forward in search of an equaliser and left his goal gaping, but Matsuki raced back to clear off the line.

City, though, did just enough to remain on course to match their own achievement of being the only English side to win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, in 2018/19.

AFP

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Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League with a slim 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium earlier today, April 25.

The breakthrough arrived early. Eberechi Eze scored in the ninth minute after a clever short corner routine. Kai Havertz teed up the England international on the edge of the box, and Eze bent a fine effort into the top corner to hand the hosts control.

Naijapunchnews reports that Mikel Arteta had seen his side slip to second in midweek after Manchester City beat Burnley on goal difference. This response restored Arsenal’s lead and kept the title race firmly in their hands.

Newcastle threatened before the break but lacked the finishing touch. William Osula, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali all had opportunities yet failed to convert.

After the halftime break, Eddie Howe turned to his bench, sending on Yoane Wissa and Harvey Barnes in search of an equaliser. The visitors pushed hard late on, but Wissa squandered a gilt-edged chance that summed up a frustrating afternoon.

The result leaves Arsenal three points clear at the summit, albeit having played a game more than City. The only sour note came with injuries to both Havertz and Eze, who were forced off before the final whistle.