Ex- SAFC ladies star Beth Mead admits she is still 'on cloud nine' following her Euro 2022 triumph with England and a strong start to the Women’s Super League season with Arsenal.
The Gunners are top of the table with two wins from two after beating Tottenham 4-0 in the North London derby at the Emirates.
Mead scored the opening goal after just four minutes before Vivianne Miedema scored in either half and Rafaelle Souza also netted on a dominant afternoon for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
Read more: Who is Beth Mead? Lioness superstar and Euro Golden Boot hopeful
Women’s football is feeling the effects of England’s victorious summer and Saturday’s game saw a new WSL attendance record set, with 47,367 watching at the Emirates. The PA News Agency reports that Mead earned rapturous applause from the crowd when she was substituted in the 74th minute, which she called 'ridiculous' as she praised the fans for their support.
“Ridiculous, I’ve never experienced that before and, like I say, the fans have been incredible,” Mead told BBC Sport.
“The fans being here and having so much of an energy, it was incredible what we did over the summer, but now we want to continue this. Hopefully again this is still the beginning and we’re putting the performances in.”
The forward was named player of the tournament at the Euros, finishing as the competition’s top-scorer, and has since been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. She added: “I still feel like I’m on cloud nine, that’s just me and I don’t think it’ll sink in for a long, long time.”
Arsenal captain Kim Little was awarded player of the match in the derby and praised the noise generated by the fans throughout the game.
She said: “Obviously first of all thank you to the fans for coming, they made an incredible atmosphere. I think we turned up today and did everything we planned, put on a show so I hope they enjoyed it.”
Beth Mead began her youth career at California Girls FC before joining Middlesbrough's Centre of Excellence aged 10. When she turned 16, she moves to Sunderland Ladies, scoring 29 goals in all competitions in her first season.
She also took home the FA WPL Golden Boot and was named Sunderland's Player of the Year.
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