Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders Arsenal saw off a Birmingham City comeback and Spurs missed a chance to go second.
Arsenal 4-2 Birmingham City
Reading 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal went eight points clear of Chelsea although from three games more after victory over a battling Birmingham City, with Vivianne Miedema becoming the first player to 100 WSL goals and/or assists.
The Gunners were ahead after 13 minutes, Rafaelle’s downward header from a Steph Catley corner bouncing high into the net, after Laura Wienroither’s deflected shot was tipped onto the post by Marie Hourihan.
On the half hour, Miedema netted at the second attempt to make another league record.
Beth Mead slotted in the third goal with 20 minutes to go but Birmingham replied twice to set up a tense finish.
Libby Smith bundled the ball in after Melissa Lawley knocked it across the six-yard box and Lucy Quinn won possession off Rafaelle and lobbed Manuela Zinsberger.
In stoppage time, Caitlin Foord was sent clear to shoot between the keeper’s legs and finally secure the points at 4-2.
Tottenham held at Reading
A goalless draw saw Spurs miss the chance to go second and instead stay behind third-placed Manchester United on goal-difference.
Spurs were dominant for much if the first half but could not make the breakthrough, Ashleigh Neville hit the post early on, Rachel Williams was wide with a diving header and Ria Percival twice denied by Grace Moloney.
The Royals then had two close efforts, Amalie Eikeland’s volley turned round the post by Tinja-Riikka Korpela and Natasha Harding just over the bar on the half-volley.
In added time Williams missed a great chance to score and Neville’s cross beat Moloney but came back off the far post.
Moloney saved from Neville’s header early in the second half, the Royals’ Gemma Evans lashed over the top from inside the six-yard box.
Percival’s last touch was a deflected cross from the touchline that Reading only just cleared off the goal line.
Coming Up Next …
On Thursday 10 March, West Ham United host Chelsea at Dagenham & Redbridge FC kick offf 7.45pm, with tv coverage on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HD.
