Eidevall hails 'brilliant' Mead after brace in West Ham win

Callum Rice-Coates
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Beth Mead scored her first goals of the season against West Ham
Beth Mead scored her first goals of the season against West Ham

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall heaped praise on Beth Mead after she scored her first goals since returning from a serious injury in a 3-0 win over West Ham.

The England international netted a first-half brace as the Gunners eased to victory and kept in touch with Women's Super League leaders Chelsea.

And Eidevall was delighted with Mead's display in just her second start of the season.

He said: "It was a very good performance from her.

"She reacts so quickly when we lose the ball and she gets it back and she is facing forwards. I had that feeling where it was like, 'OK, that is Beth Mead'.

"Sometimes you get that gut feeling about a player. We know that is what she can bring. We know it is there because we have seen it so much before but now we see her level coming into play today.

Beth Mead was out for 11 months after suffering an ACL injury in November last year
Beth Mead was out for 11 months after suffering an ACL injury in November last year

"The first goal is brilliant, you see her confidence cutting in and using her left foot and she puts herself into good scoring positions."

Eidevall added: "You can see how closely knit the player group is. It's not just that Beth Mead is happy, it's that all the other players are and wishing her success.

"That is what makes a great team, that they all want what is best for each other and to challenge you to succeed and you can really see that, how much the players wanted that for her."

After a run of eight consecutive wins in all competitions, Arsenal next face WSL leaders Chelsea in a huge clash after the upcoming international break.

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Women's Super LeagueArsenal Women