UEFA Cup: Lyon 0-0 Arsenal - Match report

If Arsenal Ladies are to retain their grip on the Uefa Women's Cup they will have to finish off Lyon next Wednesday at Boreham Wood FC.

Vic Akers' side shared a goalless draw in the Quarter-Final first leg on Wednesday in front of an estimated 5,000 spectators at the Stade de Gerland.

Despite the scoreline it was an attacking, open affair. Arsenal dominated the first half and came closest to scoring when Jayne Ludlow's effort was cleared off the line. Lyon replied in the second period and might have snatched a surprise victory when Hoda Lattaf fired just over the bar in injury time.

The French champions were clearly intent on enjoying their first foray into European football. In the opening stages striker Elodie Thomis was denied by keeper Emma Byrne and then a well-timed tackle from Anita Asante.

It was enough to rouse to home support but, slowly, Arsenal gained a measure of control. Midway through the half they won a succession of corners and, on the half-hour, Karen Carney set-up Ludlow. However the Welsh international midfielder's trickling shot was hacked off the line.

Kelly Smith then created chances for Ludlow and, from the rebound, Rachel Yankey. At this stage, Arsenal were looking the more likely side to score and, two minutes from the break, Smith nearly obliged but her effort flew over the bar.

However Lyon were re-vitalised by the interval. Within six minutes of the restart, Thomis had forced another fine save from Byrne and Louisa Necib went close. Sanderson's free-kick came out to Smith who fired over from distance but, just before the hour, only Scott's vigilance stopped the dangerous Katia Teixeira Da Silva storming down the left.

In the 69th minute, Smith curled a wonderful free-kick against the outside of the post but Lyon were cute on the counter-attack and threatened three times via that method before Scott went close four minutes from the final whistle.

However, the best chance would come deep into injury time. Teixeira Da Silva cut the ball back and somehow Lattaf hoisted the ball over the bar when she was standing just two yards from the line.

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