Arsenal regained third place in the Women’s Super League table with a ruthless victory over Brighton to keep their pursuit of Champions League qualification on track.
Jonas Eidevall’s side sit above Manchester City on goal difference with three matches remaining, having played one game fewer than their rivals.
They led 2-0 within eight minutes in Brighton through Stina Blackstenius.
Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova added to their tally before half-time.
Having seen Manchester City lose to Liverpool on Sunday, Arsenal knew victory would seriously boost their hopes of securing a top-three place in the table and keep them mathematically in contention for the title.
They got off to the perfect start when Blackstenius coolly placed in the opener after beating Zoe Morse on the left-hand side, before adding a second when she pounced on a costly defensive error.
The Swede should have had a hat-trick within half an hour. She had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside, hit the crossbar with a header from a few yards out and later fired into the side-netting.
But goals continued to flow from elsewhere for Arsenal as Maanum’s header added a third and Pelova’s powerful strike flew past goalkeeper Megan Walsh at the near post to make it 4-0.
Arsenal’s dominance continued throughout the second half against a Brighton side who are not yet safe from relegation, though they are five points above bottom club Reading with two games left.
Brighton have improved under new manager Melissa Phillips but they have shipped 10 goals and kept just one clean sheet in their past five WSL games.
Given what is at stake in the battle for Champions League qualification, Arsenal could not afford to drop points against Brighton.
They were dealt a blow before kick-off as key midfielder Lia Walti dropped out of the starting XI in the warm-up through illness but they showed no signs of weakness.
Goalscorer Pelova dropped into midfield to fill in and was hugely impressive, dictating play and carrying the ball effectively from deeper positions.
Manager Eidevall was full of praise afterwards, telling Sky Sports: “For all young footballers, this is what happens when you have great technique.
“You can be brave on the ball and ask for it in tight spaces. Victoria can play fearlessly because of her great technical ability and she has great versatility.”
Striker Blackstenius was also in electric form in the first half, beating goalkeeper Megan Walsh twice and terrorising Brighton’s defence with her pace and movement.
It exposed the frailties which have led to Brighton being in a relegation battle for the past few months, though Phillips’ side improved in the second half and became harder to break down.
A win would have secured their safety in the WSL but it was always a tall order to beat an Arsenal side who have lost just three league games this season.
Walsh kept the scoreline down with strong saves to deny Kathrine Kuhl and a deflection from team-mate Kayleigh Green, while Brighton had chances at the other end through Elisabeth Terland and Libby Bance.
But with the game wrapped up by half-time, Eidevall was able to introduce forward Caitlin Foord fresh from her return from injury – a welcome addition for the final three games of the season.
There was also a debut for Arsenal’s Freya Godfrey, 18, and a first WSL appearance of the season for Teyah Goldie, 18, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury 14 months ago.
Source – BBC Sport
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