Miedema nets brace as Arsenal maintain 100% record to go joint top of WSL after routing Reading 4-0

By Football Reporter

Reading Women 0 Arsenal Women 4

A brace from Vivanne Miedema coupled with goals from Jennifer Beattie and Beth Mead helped Arsenal to a 4-0 win over Reading at the Car Leasing Stadium in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.

Reading suffered their second consecutive defeat this season and have yet to register a goal so far this season.

Arsenal came close to open the scoring in the fifth minute when Stephanie Catley whipped cross found Katie McCabe, whose diving header went narrowly wide of the post.

Another chance fell to the visitors as Miedema struck a close-range effort which was superbly blocked by Gemma Evans.

The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when Beattie met McCabe’s corner, with a planting header into the top right corner.

Jonas Eidewall’s side got their second goal of the game as they took advantage of Reading’s sloppiness on the half hour mark.

Kim Little instinctively intercepted the ball and played it to Frida Maanum, but her effort was deflected and fell to Mead who poked her effort into the top corner.

Arsenal third goal of the first half saw Mead launch a bursting run before cutting inside the Reading box, squaring the ball to Miedema, who comfortably nodded the home.

The visitors added their fourth goal through Miedema, who was left unmarked and struck a long-range header to get her second goal of the game in the 49th minute.

Kelly Chambers’ side tried their luck and created chances through Brooke Chaplen, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Deanne Rose and Natasha Harding who had all their efforts blocked by the Arsenal backline as they maintained a clean sheet and a comfortable win.

To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player's live Barclays FA Women's Super League coverage, visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com

Reading: (4-3-3): Rhiannon Stewart; Faye Bryson, Deanna Cooper, Gemma Evans, Lily Woodham; Rachel Rowe, Chloe Peplow, Brooke Chaplen; Natasha Harding, Emma Harries, Amalie Eikeland

Substitutes: Justine Vanhaevermaet for Peplow 55, Deanne Rose for Harries 65, Jeon Ga-Eul for Bryson 87

Substitutes not used: Bethan Roberts, Leila Lister

Goals: N/A

Bookings: Rowe 23

Red Cards: N/A

Arsenal: (4-3-3): Manuela Zinsberger; Stephanie Catley, Leah Williamson, Jennifer Beattie, Noelle Maritz; Lia Walti, Kim Little, Frida Maanum; Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Katie McCabe

Substitutes: Anna Patten for Maritz 61, Nikita Parris for Miedema 61, Mana Iwabuchi for Walti 61, Alex Hennessy for Catley 79,Halle Houssein for Maanum 86

Substitutes not used: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lydia Williams, Teyah Goldie

Goals: Beattie 17, Mead 30, Miedema 32 & 49

Bookings: McCabe 84

Red cards: N/A

Referee: Emily Heaslip

Attendance: 1,127