Summary

  • Reading 0-1 Arsenal - Blackstenius with clinical first-half finish

  • Arsenal hit post twice in second half and Little missed penalty, while Royals struck woodwork once

  • Victory takes Gunners level on nine points with Chelsea and Man Utd

  1. Goodbye!published at 21:00 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    As it turns out, Zinsberger and her team-mates have to very quickly focus on another huge game.

    Arsenal's next assignment? A trip to Champions League holders Lyon when the group stage of competition starts on Wednesday.

    We'll be back then to talk you through all the fun.

    Sithee later!

  2. 'Focusing on every game as it comes'published at 20:58 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    FT: Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Player of the match and Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger said to Sky Sports:

    "As long as I am making saves for my team, I am doing well. I am looking game to game and if I end up getting a clean sheet at the end, then it a good team job."

    "If we end up getting the trophy at the end of the season then it is good teamwork but right now, I'm focusing on every game as it comes."

    Manuela Zinsberger with her player of the match award.Image source, Getty Images
  3. Postpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    So that's the WSL weekend over and five games today.

    Here's a reminder of what happened and how that leaves the table...

    • Man Utd 4-0 Brighton
    • Everton 1-3 Chelsea
    • Man City 4-0 Leicester City
    • Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
    • Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Women's Super League table
  4. Postpublished at 20:53 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    FT: Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Two of the candidates for the player of the match were the two goalkeepers.

    Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger gets the nod after keeping her eighth clean sheet in a row - a WSL record.

  5. Postpublished at 20:49 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    FT: Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Hmmm. Arsenal would argue they dominated and created enough chances to deserve their victory.

    But Reading will take a lot of encouragement from that performance and hoping a similar display at West Ham next Sunday will finally see them get some points on the board.

    Beth Mead interacts with Lina Hurtig after the gameImage source, Getty Images
  6. 'Deserved a draw'published at 20:49 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    FT: Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Leila Dickinson
    Former Reading captain on BBC Radio Berkshire

    I really enjoyed that. Fantastic game. They got better and better in the second half. Reading deserved a draw from that though.

  7. Postpublished at 20:47 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    FT: Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    The Arsenal players look mightily relieved at the full-time whistle.

    Relieved to have earned all three points after being made to work extremely hard by Reading in the second half.

    And relieved to get out of that horrid Berkshire rain.

    Frida Maanum and Stephanie Catley celebrate their winImage source, Getty Images
  8. FULL-TIMEpublished at 20:44 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    All over! Arsenal edge to victory against a gallant Reading side, thanks to Stina Blackstenius's first-half goal.

    That's their 11th league win on the bounce - their third of the new season - and puts them into second behind Manchester United on goal difference.

  9. Postpublished at 90+7 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Into stoppage time of stoppage time...

  10. Postpublished at 90+6 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Reading are drinking in the last chance saloon now...

  11. Postpublished at 90+5 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Reading are not able to throw the kitchen sink at Arsenal like they'd hope. In fact, they're not even flinging a spoon or two yet.

    Arsenal's Beth Mead is still determined to finish Reading off with a second, but her low shot doesn't trouble the home goal.

  12. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Reading survive that corner, but then have to defend another when Beth Mead tries to wriggle through on the right byeline.

  13. Postpublished at 90+3 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Arsenal have the ball in the Reading half. Exactly where they want it.

    Reading keeper Jackie Burns - who has been excellent on her WSL debut - pushes out for a corner.

  14. Postpublished at 90+2 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Injury concern for Beth Mead. The cynic might claim it's a ploy to run down the clock, but I'm sure that isn't the case.

  15. Postpublished at 90+1 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Oooh, another chance for Reading. A free-kick from deep is swung into the Arsenal box, with a cluster of blue and white shirts fling themselves at the ball.

    None of them can stick a meaningful touch on the ball, though.

    Arsenal survive.

  16. Postpublished at 90 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Lots of stoppages means lots of injury-time. There will be SIX minutes for Reading to find an equaliser/Arsenal to put this to bed.

  17. 'Arsenal have been sound defensively'published at 20:36 British Summer Time 16 October 2022

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

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  18. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 89 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Not a good sight as Emma Harries looks to be close to tears as she is helped off the pitch.

    The positive news is she is walking off, so hopefully that's a sign it isn't too serious for her. Fingers crossed.

  19. Postpublished at 88 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Oh no. Reading's Emma Harries, who is only just back from a serious knee injury, goes down after a collision with Jordan Nobbs.

    Her team-mates quickly rush to her aid, with fears she might have suffered a similar problem.

  20. 'The intensity is still there'published at 87 mins

    Reading 0-1 Arsenal

    Leila Dickinson
    Former Reading captain on BBC Radio Berkshire

    Reading have not struggled. They have stuck at it. The intensity is still there. It is brilliant.

    Rachel Rowe battles for possession with Kim Little.Image source, Getty Images