Arsenal celebrate a goalGetty Images

Arsenal are five points behind WSL leaders Chelsea, who have a game in hand

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal produced a superb display to hammer Liverpool, stay in the Women's Super League title race and cut the gap on leaders Chelsea to five points.

In front of a crowd of 35,628 at Emirates Stadium, the Gunners dominated throughout with their football a joy to behold.

It took 28 minutes for Arsenal to score their first goal, which came from Caitlin Foord when she netted from close range after Liverpool failed to clear a right-wing corner.

The hosts doubled their lead 90 seconds later when Alessio Russo released captain Kim Little whose pullback was steered into her own net by Jasmine Matthews.

The impressive Mariona Caldentey made it 3-0 in the 44th minute, curling a fine strike into the far corner from just inside the penalty area.

Substitute Beth Mead produced an instant impact when her cross was diverted into the net by the unfortunate Matthews for her second own goal.

That meant Arsenal became the first side in WSL history to score at least four goals in six successive home matches - also beating Brighton 5-0 in November, Aston Villa 4-0 in December, Crystal Palace 5-0 in January, Tottenham 5-0 in February and West Ham 4-3 this month.

The only surprise on Saturday was they did not score even more.

Frida Maanum also hit the post twice, England skipper Leah Williamson hit the side-netting and had an effort tipped over, and England striker Russo was unlucky to see a deflected effort go just wide.

Chelsea have won the WSL title for the past five seasons and Arsenal will be hoping the Blues slip up in a tricky game on Sunday at Manchester City (14:30 GMT).

Asked about her side's chances of winning the league, Gunners manager Renee Slegers said: "We need to push. We can do whatever we can do. If their [Chelsea's] position slips, we want to be ready, we want to be there."

Gunners end tough week with big win

Victoria PelovaGetty Images

Victoria Pelova (right) made her comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained last summer

For Arsenal it was a fine end to a tough week in which their Champions League hopes were left in the balance following a 2-0 defeat by Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of their quarter-final.

That match took place at Real's Estadio Alfredo di Stefano training ground, on a pitch Gunners legend Ian Wright called "a disgrace".

There were no such problems at the Emirates with this game proving the perfect warm-up for the second leg against Real on Wednesday.

Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 this month in the Women's FA Cup quarter-finals, but never looked like gaining another victory in Amber Whiteley's fourth game in interim charge since the sacking of Matt Beard.

The Reds had a shout for a penalty when the game was goalless, but while Taylor Hinds' cross did hit the arm of Emily Fox, it was across the chest of the defender.

Liverpool had won their past three games under Whiteley, but failed to have a shot on target, with a lofted attempt from Sophie Roman Haug that went well over one of their few opportunities.

The only negative for Arsenal was a fifth booking of the season for left-back Katie McCabe, who will now miss their next league game - at home to bottom side Crystal Palace on 30 March.

But there was another huge boost for the Gunners when midfielder Victoria Pelova made her first appearance of the season since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on international duty for the Netherlands in June, 308 days ago.

Pelova received a great reception from the Arsenal fans, who will still be dreaming of a WSL title.

Liverpool boss backs Matthews after two own goals

After the match, Whiteley backed Matthews to quickly recover from scoring two own goals.

"Jaz has been brilliant the last three weeks," said Whiteley. "They put us under a lot of pressure. It's something we will look at and look to work on."

Liverpool midfielder Sam Kerr added: "Jaz has been one of our best players since she came back in and we have really missed her.

"You can see the class she brings. We are all behind her, we all support her and these things happen. On a different day it goes out for a corner. She has got our support."

Liverpool host relegation-threatened Aston Villa on 30 March when Whiteley expects a better performance.

She said: "We need to be braver with the ball. It wasn't like us. We didn't look like we had the same belief going forward. We need to be better with the ball and look after it a lot better."

Player of the match

C. Foord
8.56
19 C. Foord
8.56
8 Mariona Caldentey
8.39
18 C. Kelly
8.05
10 K. Little
7.90
2 E. Fox
7.82
6 L. Williamson
7.73
23 A. Russo
7.70
21 V. Pelova
7.65
7 S. Catley
7.56
12 F. Maanum
7.54
9 B. Mead
7.38
13 L. Wälti
7.35
14 D. van Domselaar
7.33
22 J. Nighswonger
7.16
62 K. Reid
7.07
11 K. McCabe
7.05
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