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      Arsenal 4 West Ham 0: Little reaches half-century of WSL goals as Gunners trounce Hammers to extend lead at top

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      KIM LITTLE kept Arsenal’s unbeaten show on the road with West Ham falling prey to the relentless Gunners.The Meadow Park captain notched up her 50th WSL goal as the league leaders snuffed out the Hammers’ bright start to win 4-0.
      Kim Little bagged a brace during Arsenal’s defeat of West HamCredit: Focus Images
      Dagny Brynarsdottir had a shot blocked as the Irons attempted to get on the score sheet at Meadow ParkCredit: PA
      And the home side kept their fifth clean sheet in the top-flight this season.
      Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “I thought Kim Little was brilliant. She’s so dynamic in midfield and with her defensive runs.
      She takes the best positioning and it really glues the different units together. 
      “Kim is so impressive with her dynamics when she gets on the ball.
      “She’s a very hard player to defend against and played a huge part in the victory
      On the clean sheet, Eidevall added: Everything in football starts with having a solid defence and not conceding easy goals.
      “I want us to work very hard, every game to keep a clean sheet.”
      The Irons – who stunned Man City last time out – were hoping to end a top-flight losing streak with their hosts having beaten them in all five of their WSL duels.

      They began positively pressing Eidevall’s juggernauts early on.
      And they came close to netting inside the fifth minute with Claudia Walker aiming to take advantage of temporary disarray in Arsenal’s defence before a Tameka Yallop chip was caught by Manuela Zinsberger.
      But Arsenal began to take control with Caitlin Foord forcing a quality reaction save from Mackenzie Arnold in the 20th minute.
      And their dominance paid off with Beth Mead teeing up Little who breezed past her marker to bury Arsenal’s opener close to half-time. 
      The second half began much like the first with the Irons making a good start with Dagny Brynarsdottir evading Leah Williamson to head over the bar.
      But the hosts extended their lead with Little bagging her 50th Women’s Super League goal in the 51st minute, her eleventh across all competitions this term. 
      But the hosts came close to conceding shortly after when Williamson lost possession before Brynarsdottir’s shot was blocked and Yallop sent a curled strike wide.
      At the other end, Mead prompted another classy save from Arnold who got her fingertips to the forward’s shot.
      But there was little the Australia keeper could do about Mead’s next attempt with Nikita Parris finding her in space with the England ace punting in Arsenal’s third.
      And a Grace Fisk own goal wrapped up a clinical performance for the Gunners who moved three points clear of Chelsea before their trip to Tottenham.
      The result saw the hosts extend their lead at the top by three points with West Ham sitting sixth ahead of their clash with Reading.
      Beth Mead turned from provider to scorer to net the Gunners’ third goalCredit: Rex
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      Leicester 1 Manchester City 4: Walsh and Hemp strike as City bounce back from tough start to season

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      KEIRA WALSH netted a wondergoal as Man City trounced Leicester 4-1 to recover from their worst ever start to a WSL season.The midfielder’s rocket and a Lauren Hemp strike were among the goals that saw the Foxes fall to a sixth consecutive defeat.
      Keira Walsh netted her first WSL goal of the season Man City’s win against LeicesterCredit: Getty
      The victory saw City bounce back from a first-minute defensive howler to go seventh and one spot above Everton before their clash with Chelsea.
      On Walsh’s goal City boss, Gareth Taylor said: “We know she’s capable of that and it was nice to see her arrive there on the edge of the box.
      “Keira is a player who needs rhythm, who needs games, and she’s not had that consistently. 
      “But the more she plays and the more game time she gets under her belt, I’m pretty certain we’re going to see performances like that.”
      Coming in this game the Citizens had picked up just four points from their opening five league games.
      And their opponents got off to a dream start at the King Power stunning City in the process. 
      Ex-Manchester United striker Jess Sigsworth opened the scoring capitalising on an error from Jill Scott to put the hosts ahead after 59 seconds.

      However, the visitors went on the attack swiftly in response, with Georgia Stanway testing Kirstie Levell with a 20th-minute shot skimming the crossbar.
      And they got their equaliser with Caroline Weir whipping in a low effort past Levell following a cross from Hemp moments before the half-hour mark.
      Leicester made an early substitution with Sophie Howard coming on for Georgia Brougham in a bid to nullify the threat of Hemp.
      But the hosts went behind again with Walsh walloping in her first league goal of the season on the edge of the 18-yard box close to half-time.
      Lauren Hemp got on the scoresheet with Man City’s third goal of the gameCredit: Getty
      The second half saw no let-up from the visitors.
      Jess Park forced a save from Levell with the starlet outpacing Molly Pike before unleashing a shot aimed for the top-left corner.
      And Stanway stung the palms of the ex-Everton keeper in the 55th minute. before she pulled off a stunning acrobatic save to keep out a Hemp strike moments later.
      However, the winger got on the scoresheet to bury City’s third in the 70th minute before Laura Coombs made it four in the closing stages.
      Taylor added: “Lauren is a fantastic outlet for us.
      “I think at times we overuse her and one of the challenges we’ve tasked her with is to connect in the final third and up her ratio of goals and assists.
      Jess Sigsworth netted her first goal for Leicester since sealing a summer switch to the Foxes from Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      “She produced a lot of numbers in half a season last year. I thought in this game she looked so dangerous from the start and took her goal really well.”
      The result leaves Leicester without a point after six games following a tough introduction to life in the WSL.
      Foxes boss Morgan said: “We were just a bit short in terms with our quality out of possession. I think we just need to build on our quality out of possession as well as with the ball.”
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      Mace relishing the chance to show ability at Manchester City and hopes to play alongside idol Houghton

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      RUBY MACE reckons it is ‘crazy’ that she could one day be playing alongside her childhood idol Steph Houghton.And the versatile Manchester City centre-back is eager to prove herself following her high profile move north from Arsenal this summer.
      Ruby Mace has impressed with her performances for Man City in the Conti CupCredit: Getty
      And the former Gunners starlet, who some have talked of as being the next Houghton, admits the long-serving City captain is a player she hopes to emulate.
      Mace, who is 18, said: “I’ve idolised Steph since I was younger.
      “She has always been someone I’ve admired, especially when watching the Arsenal matches when she used to play for them and England matches.
      “Steph is someone that I always wanted to be like (on the pitch) so having her in and around me right now is crazy.
      “I used to sit down with my family and watch her in games and she’s someone that my parents said that I should look up to.
      “I haven’t spoken much to Steph yet but she has given me advice. With her being injured at the moment I don’t want to disturb her rehab.”

      Mace, who began her football career in Arsenal’s academy, also competed as a sprint hurdler for her school at county level.
      The defender, who can also play in midfield, earned plaudits for eye-catching Birmingham performances whilst on loan there from the Gunners last term.
      The East London-born starlet, who did some of her training at Hale End with Arsenal’s under-15 boys’ side, netted two goals in 11 top-flight appearances helping Brum to beat relegation.
      The Man City centre-back, who hopes to help England Under-19s win the Uefa Women’s Under-19 Euros next year, is yet to make her WSL debut for Gareth Taylor’s team.
      But she is eager to play her way into contention after impressing in the club’s 5-1 and 3-0 Continental Cup match wins against Everton and Durham this term.
      Mace helped Birmingham avoid relegation during her loan spell at the club last seasonCredit: Alamy
      Mace added: “I want to improve as a player and – when I get my chance – prove that I’m good enough to be here and that I am willing to work hard and show my ability to everyone.
      “If I get the chance to perform in the matches where I can be a part of this season’s Conti Cup and FA Cup, I will do my best to help the team.
      “When I was looking to move to the club I had a look at who had come through their academy.
      “Many players have come through and I’ve seen the development work Manchester City put in with players like Jess Park.
      “That’s something that I wanted to be a part of. I want to be in and around the best players as training with the best is going to help me develop the most.”
      City, who hope to pick up their first win in the top-tier since their 4-0 demolition of Everton look set to be without Khadija Shaw with the striker recovering from a painful foot injury.
      The progress of players from Man City’s academy is one of the things Mace looked into prior to her moveCredit: Rex
      Meanwhile, Leicester will be without the services of Hannah Cain with the forward ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing her ACL
      Jonathan Morgan is confident his side will eventually pick up points following five losses from their first five games in the league.
      The Foxes boss said: “The points will come when they come. We’re not putting ourselves under any pressure.
      “A season isn’t defined by the first quarter. Our aim is to stay up and get more points than the bottom team.”
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      Brighton go third behind Arsenal and Chelsea after beating Everton in the Women’s Super League

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      AILEEN WHELAN and Brighton ruined Jean-Luc Vasseu’s first game in charge of Everton.Rampaging forward Whelan combined to clinical effect with Danielle Carter as Albion leapfrogged Tottenham to third with a 1-0 win.
      The Seagulls have moved to third ahead of their game against LeicesterCredit: Reuters
      Aileen Whelan netted Brighton’s winner against EvertonCredit: Getty
      The result saw Everton’s tough start to their WSL season continue with the club beaten for the fourth time in six games.
      It was also their first loss this term to a side that finished outside the top three last season.
      The Seagulls were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing the last time the two sides met with the Toffees trouncing Albion at their home ground.
      It was Hope Powell’s visiting side who had the upper hand this time with Whelan close to putting them ahead early on.
      Her goal-bound header hit the post before being cleared out of danger by the hosts in the 15th minute,
      One of the Toffees’ best chances came through Toni Duggan taking advantage of a poor back pass before forcing a comfortable save from Megan Walsh moments before.

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      The second half saw Brighton threaten again with Maya Le Tissier’s half-volley forcing a quality save from Sandy MacIver.
      Albion eventually broke the deadlock with Whelan heading them in front courtesy of a pinpoint cross from Carter with an hour on the clock.
      Everton came close to getting a leveller when Valerie Gauvin flicked the ball narrowly wide in injury time.
      But Brighton wrapped up a win to leave the Toffees eighth before their clash with Manchester United.  
      Brighton are set to take on Leicester at home in one of six Women’s Football Weekend next week.
      Jean-Luc Vasseur will hope for better luck Everton in their next game which is against Man UnitedCredit: PA
      Earlier, Emma Hayes saw her players notch up a hard-fought 1-0 win against Aston Villa ahead of their Champions League clash with Servette and a top-flight duel with Manchester City.
      Jessie Fleming’s first-half strike led Chelsea to their fifth win from six WSL games – although they had to withstand some late forays forward from Carla Ward’s side.
      After the game, Hayes said: “I felt calm (about the narrow lead) because there is experience in the group.
      “They knew what the game was, like I said at 1-0, you’re away from home, the opponent is going to be buoyed by the opportunity.”
      Ward, whose side play Birmingham next, added: “They’ve competed against world-class players out there af you look at that last 10-15 minutes, we were the ones on top, pushing them back and you could see a little bit of nerves in them.
      “Had there been another five minutes, you never know. I’m massively proud of the girls.”
      Ji So-yun, Magda Eriksson and their Chelsea team-mates are now level on points with leaders ArsenalCredit: Getty
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      Brighton’s Powell reckons Vasseur faces a ‘big task’ with helping Everton to reach the Champions League

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      HOPE POWELL believes Jean-Luc Vasseur is facing a huge challenge in leading Everton to their dream of battling with Europe’s top sides.And the Brighton gaffer wants her players to enforce her ‘hard to beat’ mantra on the pitch with the team facing the Toffees and their new boss later.
      Hope Powell believes there will be huge expectations of Jean-Luc Vasseur with Everton’s hopes of playing in the Champions League
      The Walton Hall Park clash will see the hosts play their first WSL game under the ex-Lyon chief who took charge of Everton after Willie Kirk’s sacking following three losses from five top-flight matches.
      Powell, 54, said: “I think Jean-Luc Vasseur has a big task ahead with the expectations quite high.
      “But he has had that experience with the Champions League before and he has good quality players so I guess everyone will be assuming that he will fulfil the stuff he fulfilled with Lyon.
      “The expectation was certainly to push on and I guess the future aim is finishing in the top three.”
      Vasseur steered Lyon to their seventh Champion League crown and three major silverware wins in 2019-20 before the club dropped the axe on his reign after a trophyless run last term.
      Powell added: “They have brought somebody in with a track record. They spent a lot in the summer and brought in some bright players with a good pedigree.”
      Brighton, who are currently fifth and three points and four places above, Everton who nabbed two draws from her last three away duels with the Toffees.

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      And the latest Opta statistics reveal the club have won nine of their last 14 WSL games with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City the only teams to have won more matches.
      On Albion Vasseur, 52, said: “I have watched footage of Brighton, they’re a good side. We have to stay vigilant and prepare in the best way possible.” 
      Meanwhile, Brighton’s Lee Geum-min could be set to make a return to the Seagulls starting 11 after coming on as a sub during Albion’s loss to Arsenal in the semi-finals of last season’s delayed FA Cup.
      And the South Korea ace, who made her loan move from Manchester City to Brighton permanent this summer, has scored five times in her last six WSL appearances.
      Powell believes Lee Geum-min’s form for Brighton has improved following her permanent switch to AlbionCredit: Getty
      Powell said: “Initially when Lee came to us from Man City, she wasn’t in the best physical condition that we thought she should be in. 
      “She’s worked very, very hard, she’s a highly technical player and has just got better and better and better. 
      “We are really pleased that she chose to stay with us after her loan period. She brings so much not just on the pitch, but also off it.”
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      Plumptre hopes for fans boost for Leicester in Conti Cup clash with Everton and new Toffees boss Vasseur

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      ASHLEIGH PLUMPTRE is backing Foxes fans to give Leicester a boost as they target a bounce back from a tough run of six losses from six games.The Nigeria centre-back’s club are aiming for their first win of the season when they face Everton in a league cup duel at Pirelli Stadium.  
      Ashleigh Plumptre reckons lively support from Leicester fans has given the team a boostCredit: Rex
      Jonathan Morgan’s team are yet to pick up a point in the league having lost five top-flight matches after a tricky start that has seen them play three of the tier’s top-four sides.
      But the WSL debutants came close to nabbing a draw against champions Chelsea before the international break until two late Blues goals saw them consigned to defeat.
      Plumptre, told Leicester City TV: “The fans really make a huge difference and, although we haven’t got the results so far, when we come back into training and after games, we all talk about how the fans have given us that extra push.
      “I vividly remember in the Tottenham game when we were trying to get a goal back and every time it felt like we had momentum and were getting forward.
      “You could hear the crowd every time we stepped forward and it’s something that I don’t think we would have got if we were still playing at Quorn (FC’s ground).
      “We’re very lucky to be playing there (Pirelli Stadium) and at King Power Stadium.

      “It’s the perfect stage for fans and other people to see what we can do.
      This evening’s clash will see Everton play their first match under new manager Jean Luc-Vasseur a day after commercial director Sarvar Ismailov quit his role for health reasons.
      The 52-year-old Frenchman has taken charge of the Toffees following the sacking of their former boss Willie Kirk.
      The Walton Hall Park side parted company with the Edinburgh-born coach following a poor start to the season with the club losing three of their five opening top-flight games this season.
      Everton will play their first game under new boss Jean-Luc Vasseur (left) when they take on LeicesterCredit: Getty
      And those defeats for the Merseyside team came against last term’s top three Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.
      Everton, who harbour ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League, are thought to see Vasseur as a coach with the required experience to help them achieve their goal of competing in Europe.
      The Frenchman, who began his senior playing career as a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain in 1986, comes to the club off the back of trophy-winning success in Europe’s top club competition with French giants Lyon.
      I have the ambition to build a team that can achieve Champions League qualificationJean Luc-Vasseur
      Following his appointment, Vasseur said: “I’ve come here to write new history with Everton and to win titles.
      “We have a lot of talent and resources, so I think there is good capacity to improve.
      “I have the ambition to build a team that can achieve Champions League qualification. We have to be patient and fight to win.”
      Vasseur coached teams in Paris Saint-Germain’s academy from 2001 to 2011 before managing men’s sides Creteil, Chateauroux, Paris FC and Reims between 2011 and 2019.
      He went on to become Lyon Women’s manager in June 2019.  
      Everton finished fifth last year and harbour hopes of competing in the Champions LeagueCredit: Rex
      And he led the side to a trophy treble in 2020 including France’s top-flight title and their seventh Champions League crown.
      However, the Ligue One Women’s giants went on to sack the coach in April this year following a trophyless season.
      Last term Lyon lost their domestic title to rivals PSG in June this year and were knocked out of the Champion’s League by the Paris side in April.
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      Gunners icon Wright reckons Katie McCabe gives Arsenal no less than ‘eight out of ten’ on the pitch

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      IAN WRIGHT revealed he is ‘loving’ Katie McCabe’s performances on the pitch for Arsenal.And the Highbury hero, who turned 58 today, likened goal ace Vivianne Miedema to former club team-mate Dennis Bergkamp.
      Ian Wright reckons Katie McCabe is in fine form for top-flight leaders ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Wright, who was a guest on the YouTube sports show UMM, was sharing his thoughts on the WSL stars who have been earning plaudits for their efforts in domestic contests and the Champions League.
      On whether Miedema is presently his favourite Arsenal player, Wright said: “Listen, Viv is like how Bergkamp was. Everybody loves her because of how great she is.
      “I have to say at the moment it is probably Katie McCabe at left-back.
      “She’s one of those players you don’t get less than eight out of from 10 from her.

      “She gets on with her game flies into tackles, great footballer great crosses, scoring great goals. I’m loving Katie McCabe.”
      McCabe and Miedema, whose side play West Ham next, have notched up a combined tally of seven WSL goals and five assists for their club
      Their team have lost just once in 13 games in all competitions this term falling to a 4-1 defeat in a Champions League group stage clash with Barcelona.
      McCabe, who signed a new long-term Arsenal contract in May, has featured in midfield and as well as left-back for the Gunners.
      Last month club boss Jonas Eidevall praised the Republic of Ireland star’s versatility on the pitch following her Player of the Match performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 home win against Everton.
      Wright says Miedema is a similar to Dennis Bergkamp on the pitchCredit: Getty
      The Sweden-born coach said: “What I like about Katie is that she can bring different things to the team depending on where you have her in the starting position.
      “So, as a coach, sometimes you can fit her into a position where you think it will fit the match picture.
      “She’s so versatile and to be honest, she has played a little bit as an attacking midfielder for us this year as well
      Katie McCabe and Arsenal are due to face Chelsea in this year’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      “In all those positions (winger, full-back and attacking midfield), she will give you the pace, give you the dribbles with her left foot and obviously her crosses and finishes.”
      McCabe and her team-mates are due to play in their first major cup final this year following their 2019 Continental trophy triumph.
      The WSL leaders will take on Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday 5 December in the delayed final of last term’s Women’s FA Cup.
      And they will be hoping to avenge their loss to the Blues in the finals of the tournament back in May 2018.
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      Arsenal 3 Brighton 0: WSL leaders dispatch Seagulls to seal FA Cup final duel with Chelsea

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      ARSENAL toppled stubborn Brighton to set up an all-London FA Cup final with Chelsea in December.Two goals in four minutes from Kim Little and Beth Mead and a strike from Leah Williamson secured a gritty 3-0 win at Meadow Park.
      Beth Mead scored as Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 to set up an FA Cup final with rivals ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Captain Kim Little opened the scoring for Gunners in the second halfCredit: Reuters
      The North London giants will be keen to avenge the 3-1 loss they endured in the last FA Cup final clash between the top tier’s top dogs.
      Mead told BBC Sport: “We had the disappointment last time myself included. 
      “What a feeling (it would be) to go and win an FA Cup, one of the biggest trophies in the women’s game and the men’s game. 
      “It will be a good game. Hopefully, we can try and get the win.”
      Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “The closest I’ve come to being at Wembley was when I bought tickets for Adele a few years ago but then my wife and I couldn’t go. I’m definitely going this time.
      “It feels a little bit surreal, to be honest. I never imagined having the chance to receive a trophy or success so so quickly, so really feels like a great opportunity for us to go there and compete.
      “I’m really enjoying watching us play at the moment. I think we play some exciting football.
      “Apart from the Barcelona game, I think we have scored at least three goals in every game that we played so far in competitive games.”

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      Brighton, who were appearing in a cup semi-final for the first time in 45 years, have developed a reputation as a tough team to breakdown.
      And this proved that to be the case in the opening period at Meadow Park with the Seagulls keeping the scoreline level in the first half.
      One of the earliest Arsenal efforts came via Beth Mead in the eighth minute with the forward showing quick feet to send a Seagulls defender sliding on the turf before the ball was hoofed out of danger.
      And moments later Brighton attempted to counter with ex-Gunner Danielle Carter latching on to a long pass from Megan Walsh, before Jen Beattie got the ball away.
      Ex-Arsenal ace Danielle Carter was Brighton’s most dangerous threatCredit: Getty
      Arsenal had a decent shot on goal a little later with Jordan Nobbs’ angled strike being comfortably caught by Walsh.
      And the hosts had an excellent chance of going in front minutes before half-time with Albion skipper Victoria Williams clearing Nikita Parris’ goal-bound header off the line.
      The second half saw the floodgates open for Arsenal netting twice in five minutes with Mead wrong-footing her marker to tee up Little the 48th minute.
      And the in-form Lionesses forward got on the score sheet moments later nutmegging Maya Le Tissier to slot the ball home past Walsh.
      Brighton, who brought on Emma Koivisto in the second-half, came close to netting themselves shortly after, with the Finland full-back firing narrowly wide in the 60th minute.
      Leah Williamson got on the scoresheet for the hosts heading in their third goal against AlbionCredit: Reuters
      But the hosts crushed any hopes of an Albion comeback with Leah Williamson’s bullet header sealing a 3-0 victory and a trip to Wembley for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
      Of the game, Hope Powell said: “When we got the ball, we turned over too quickly and too cheaply, but I’m very proud at the way we committed ourselves.
      “We tried, we kept running for the 90 minutes but on the day, we were just beaten by a better team.”
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