Arsenal Women return to the top of the table with resounding victory over Liverpool Women

Arsenal beat Liverpool 5-1 to return to the top of the WSL table.

Two goals in two minutes from Kim Little and Beth Mead in the first half set Arsenal on their way to victory.

Little converted from Katie McCabe’s superb cross to put the away side in front before Mead squeezed in a finish from close range in front of England boss Phil Neville, who was watching in the stands.

Despite Mead telling everyone that it was a goal, there was plenty of disbelief that the ball had not hit the side netting and in fact gone in. After a short wait, the referee agreed with Mead and the goal was given.

Liverpool were in shock after the quick-fire goals and struggled to create any attacks of their own during the rest of the first half.

The Gunners scored two goals in two minutes for the second time in the match just past the hour mark. Mead scored one of her trademark cross/shots, catching Anke Preuss completely off-guard, to put Arsenal three goals to the good with 65 minutes played.

Dominique Bloodworth added a fourth a few minutes later when her header came off a defender and wrongfooted Liverpool keeper Preuss.

Just as it looked like Arsenal were cruising to victory, Liverpool had a chance to get a goal back. Katrine Veje clumsily brought down Yana Daniels in the box and Courtney Sweetman-Kirk converted the resulting spot-kick to make it 4-1.

Determined to get on the scoresheet, Vivianne Miedema completed the victory with a classy finish, fooling three defenders and the keeper before chipping the ball into the back of the net, for her 20th league goal of the season.

Arsenal return to the top of the league with Manchester City a point behind. The Gunners still have a game in hand as they continue their bid to win the WSL title. Liverpool remain in eighth place, two points behind West Ham.