Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 in front of a Barclays Women’s Super League record crowd of 60,160 at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal keeper Sabrina D’Angelo brought down Nikita Parris only just outside the penalty area in the first minute but with less than ten gone, it was the Gunners who had the early lead. Katie McCabe’s corner took a double deflection, off Geyse and then Maya le Tissier, going down as an own-goal to the latter.
Manchester United’s Millie Turner headed a goal-bound Beth Mead strike wide, before Ella Toone’s shot which deflected off Steph Catley slipped just past Arsenal’s near post.
The lead was doubled ten minutes from half-time and in more unfortunate circumstances for the visitors. Katie Zelem attempted to sweep the ball to safety but only found the head of Cloe Lacasse, who directed it into the back of the net.
United would go in three down though, as Gemma Evans took down Mead in the penalty area and Kim Little converted from the spot.
Mary Earps denied Stina Blackstenius one-on-one, Mead struck the far post and minutes later had a shot deflected onto the other.
Lucia Garcia bundled home a stoppage-time consolation from an Ella Toone cross, following a short corner.
The result moved Arsenal to within three points of the leading pair and leaves Manchester United seven points short of the Champions League places.
Manchester City Women beat Chelsea to go level on points at the top
