WSL leaders Arsenal brush aside Leicester to stretch advantage at the top
Jonas Eidevall’s team took advantage of Chelsea’s shock defeat the previous day.
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Arsenal moved four points clear at the top of the WSL after cruising to a routine 4-0 win over bottom club Leicester
Jonas Eidevall’s side hit back from last week’s FA Cup final disappointment as early goals from Jordan Nobbs and Vivianne Miedema gave them a 2-0 lead.
Leicester defender Jemma Purfield was sent off shortly before the break, and two goals in quick succession from substitute Frida Maanum after the interval put the seal on a solid display from the Gunners.
Tottenham moved up to third place after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Walsall.
Villa captain Remi Allen lofted her side in front in the 18th minute but 10 minutes later Kyah Simon levelled from the penalty spot after Ria Percival was brought down.
Rachel Williams put Spurs in front in the second half and they held firm in the face of some late pressure from the hosts.
Spurs leapfrogged Brighton, whose 2-0 defeat to Manchester United gave the visitors their first league win since October 3.
United dominated and tested Brighton goalkeeper Megan Walsh several times before Hayley Ladd struck on the stroke of half-time.
The Wales international scored from close range and Norway midfielder Vilde Boe Risa doubled the lead after 69 minutes.
Boe Risa turned home Alessia Russo’s cross after 69 minutes as United ended a four-match winless run in the WSL and moved level on points with Brighton.
Boss Marc Skinner told the BBC: “It’s been coming. We were much more like a Manchester United team that we want to develop and progress to be.”
Ellen White ruined Darren Carter’s first game as interim Birmingham manager with a late winner in Manchester City’s 3-2 victory at St Andrew’s.
Birmingham twice led through Christie Murray’s penalty and captain Louise Quinn, with City’s Georgia Stanway striking a spectacular 25-yard effort in between.
Lauren Hemp’s header restored parity again before record England scorer White met Khadija Shaw’s ball in the final minute.
The win means City have now won back-to-back league games for the first time this season.
Everton and West Ham drew 1-1 after Zaneta Wyne had put the visitors ahead five minutes before the break.
The Hammers were good value for their lead and Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver prevented Lisa Evans from doubling the lead.
Toni Duggan equalised 14 minutes from time, the England international’s first league goal since rejoining from Atletico Madrid in the summer.