Women's Super League: Brighton & Hove Albion 0-4 Arsenal - Gunners move three points clear

Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Women's Super League with a straightforward win over Brighton.

Danielle van de Donk cut in the from the left to slot the defending champions into an early lead.

Unmarked Netherlands team-mate Jill Roord fired in the second from the edge of the box, before Jordan Nobbs drove in the third after the break.

Beth Mead smashed in to complete the scoring late on after Brighton keeper Megan Walsh spilled Lia Walti's cross.

The closest Brighton came to a response was when Emily Simpkins fired wide just before half-time.

Arsenal, who also won 4-0 when the sides met in September, controlled the game from start to finish, helped by Van de Donk's early strike after racing on to Leah Williamson's long diagonal pass.

Roord saw an effort blocked near the line by Danique Kerkdijk and Nobbs' shot was well saved low down by Walsh before Roord capitalised on another Williamson pass to score.

Van de Donk slid in Nobbs for the Gunners' third, aided by a neat dummy from top scorer Vivianne Miedema.

Mead then wrapped up a victory which lifts the Gunners three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City and four in front of Chelsea, in third, who thrashed Bristol City 6-1 on Sunday.

Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro: "I was very pleased with the maturity of the team, and they've come a long way. There's a lot of football to play this week, so it was good to get the job done.

"It was so important to get an early goal and then once we did we settled and then got that second. It was then a case of managing the game and we did, and that allowed us to conserve energy and work with the ball.

"We need to keep growing now, getting better and pushing on. There's no way anybody can start thinking or mentioning the title, because there's still a long, long way to go."

Brighton midfielder Emily Simpkins: "We're obviously disappointed to lose the game, but we showed plenty of desire and togetherness. But, if you switch off at this level, you get punished, it's simple as that.

"I would say that if you look at all four goals, there's more we can do. We've seen first-hand today that if you make even a slight error, or aren't mentally there, teams like Arsenal will take full advantage.

"What I would say is that we've tried to implement our game plan today and stick to what we wanted to do. I'm proud of the team for showing the character to do that, but quality players and teams will hurt you if you aren't at 100%."

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