Arsenal sealed their first FA Women’s Super League title in seven years in front of a record attendance after comfortably seeing off Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 at the Amex Stadium.
Goals from Vivianne Miedema, Kaite McCabe, Beth Mead and Danielle van de Donk sealed glory for the Gunners in front of more than 5,000 fans, with the north Londoners sealing the 15th league title in their history.
KEY MOMENTS
Joe Montemurro’s side asserted their dominance early on and were in front after just seven minutes, Miedema powering in a shot off the underside of the crossbar for her 22nd league goal of the season.
The Gunners once again hit the bar moments later – unfortunately for Lisa Evans, her cross- shot hit the woodwork square on before bouncing away.
Arsenal haven’t dropped a point against a team outside of the bottom three all season, and that record looked like staying that way when McCabe side-footed past Marie Hourihan to double the visitors' lead.
Hourihan then tipped over van de Donk’s shot from outside the box. Victoria Williams had to clear off the line from the resulting corner.
The Seagulls had their first real chance after the break, Dan Buet cutting back onto her left foot before firing a low shot which Sari van Veenendaal had to turn around the post.
But the Gunners had practically wrapped things up with 15 minutes left.
Mead rocketed a shot into the top right-hand corner, leaving Hourihan with no chance, and then van de Donk found the bottom corner six minutes later.
The league title is Arsenal’s 15th in their history – and head coach Montemurro will be pleased that his side’s next game at home to nearest challengers Manchester City is merely a victory parade.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
What would prove to be a joyous afternoon for Arsenal got off to a dream start for the visitors, with talismanic striker Miedema lighting up the contest with just six minutes in.
Her emphatic howitzer set the tone for a Gunners title party, the Dutch goal-getter cracking home an unstoppable effort to set her team on the path to glory.
Brighton & Hove Albion (4-5-1): Marie Hourihan, Fliss Gibbons, Dani Buet, Fern Whelan, Aileen Whelan, Kirsty Barton, Kate Natkiel, Kayleigh Green, Victoria Williams, Emily Simpkins, Megan Connolly.
Substitutes: Ellie Brazil on for Simpkins 45, Chloe Peplow on for Whelan 73, Ini Umotong on for Natkiel 79.
Substitutes not used: Laura Hartley, Beth Roe, Laura Rafferty, Amanda Nilden.
Booking: Williams 40
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Sari van Veenendaal, Katrine Veje, Leah Williamson, Danielle van de Donk, Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema, Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn, Lisa Evans, Dominique Bloodworth, Beth Mead.
Substitutes: Viktoria Schnaderbeck on for Williamson 70, Danielle Carter for McCabe 75, Janni Arnth on for Evans 78.
Substitutes not used: Libby Harper, Emma Mitchell, Tabea Kemme.
Goals: Miedema 6, McCabe 31, Mead 69, Van de Donk 75
Booking: Schnaderbeck 90
Referee: Lucy Oliver
Attendance: 5,265
