Vivianne Miedema’s hat-trick helped Arsenal stay top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, while Everton and Manchester City were both held.
FA WSL results – Sunday 18 October
West Ham United 2-4 Manchester United
Everton 2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Reading 1-1 Manchester City
Bristol City 0-4 Birmingham City
Arsenal 6-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Miedema makes history in North London derby
Vivianne Miedema moved clear of Nikita Parris as all-time WSL top scorer with 50 goals in as many games, as Arsenal thrashed Spurs.
Katie McCabe whipped in a third-minute free-kick from the side of the box that flew in off the far post.
Moments later, Becky Spencer denied McCabe from another set-piece but with only 7 minutes played, Miedema scored a record 50th goal in the WSL.
Rianna Dean saw her 25-yarder tipped over by Manuela Zinsberger but Caitlin Foord soon had the Gunners’ third goal.
A deflected Miedema shot made it 4-0 and she completed her first-half hat-trick after exchanging passes with Foord.
Zinsberger saved a spot-kick by Dean and Ashleigh Neville fired the rebound over, Foord later making it 6-0 via a defender, Lucia Leon later getting a consolation goal.
Russo sets up win for four-goal United
Alessia Russo’s first-half brace and one assist set unbeaten Manchester United on the road to a 4-2 victory at West Ham.
Opening the scoring 20 minutes in, the England international three minutes later set up Tobin Heath to double the lead.
Kenza Dali was involved as Emily van Egmond replied but Russo again received the ball from Leah Galton to head home and make it 3-1 by the break.
Rachel Daly pulled a late goal back for the Hammers but Christen Press fired in via the post from a Lucy Staniforth free-kick.
Royals hold off Citizens
Reading held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals took a third-minute lead when Amalie Eikeland nodded in an after Ellie Roebuck had kept out Lauren Bruton’s initial effort from Emma Mitchell’s corner.
Georgia Stanway had an effort cleared off the home line by Deanna Cooper as the hosts held the advantage for the best part of an hour, until Sam Mewis cut inside to hit the equaliser from 20 yards out.
Stanway and Mewis in particular threatened a winner for City but goalkeeper Grace Moloney kept Reading on level terms.
Brighton end Everton’s perfect start
Having lost the lead away to Everton, Brighton earned a draw with Aileen Whelan’s goal in the final dozen minutes, which ended their hosts’ 100% record.
Ex-Toffees player Inessa Kaagman delivered the free-kick from which the unfortunate Rikke Sevecke headed into her own net.
Izzy Christiansen found the top corner from a free-kick to equalise and later took a corner that saw Valerie Gauvin headed home.
Brighton levelled it through Whelan and Danielle Turner nearly won it for Everton but struck the post.
Birmingham beat basement side Bristol
Birmingham City made it back-to-back wins with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Bristol City.
Rachel Corsie headed Birmingham in front from a corner on 16 minutes and Mollie Green got their second from Connie Scofield’s cut-back.
Five minutes into the second half and Claudia Walker curled home from outside the box, Christie Murray then further extending the lead from the penalty spot after being brought down in the box.
