Arsenal 4-0 Reading: Gunners extend lead at top of WSL

Arsenal scored three first-half goals as they cruised to victory over Reading to extend their lead at the top of the Women's Super League to five points.

Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring on 22 minutes, and Katie McCabe doubled the advantage two minutes later.

Leah Williamson, starting her first WSL game since November, nodded in the Gunners' third, then Stina Blackstenius poked home Miedema's cross.

Defeat means sixth-placed Reading have lost back-to-back league games.

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Miedema, who sat out Arsenal's 4-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool on Sunday, linked superbly with January signing Blackstenius to slot home her opener before her square ball set up the Swedish forward's second-half goal.

Miedema's goal means she has scored in seven consecutive games against the Royals and draws level with Chelsea's Sam Kerr on nine for the season season.

Williamson, who was absent with a hamstring problem before captaining England to Arnold Clark Cup victory in February, rose highest to mark her return to the starting line-up with a rare goal.

The Gunners, seeking their first league title since 2019, face Birmingham on Sunday and could go eight points clear of Chelsea, though the Blues will have three games in hand.

Reading, meanwhile, face a tough run with matches against Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City.