Arsenal 5-0 Man City: Player ratings as WSL title contenders go head to head
Arsenal continued their winning run at the start of the WSL by thrashing fellow title challengers Manchester City, with Kim Little in particular in inspired form.
The Gunners had already beaten Chelsea on the opening weekend of the campaign earlier this month and now sit top of the WSL table after the statement 5-0 win.
An understrength City side were missing a number of players through injury but it was a sloppy mistake at the back that set the ball rolling for Arsenal. Beth Mead raced onto a misplaced back-pass and set up Vivianne Miedema to open the scoring and set the tone.
Little made it two midway through the first half when her quick feet evaded challenges from every City defender, while a well taken goal from Katie McCabe to make it 3-0 on the hour mark effectively ended the game as a contest.
Despite dominating possession, City were struggling at the back throughout and it was little surprise when Arsenal were awarded a penalty following a trip by Alex Greenwood.
Little stepped up to fire home her second of the evening and Arsenal’s fourth overall, while Leah Williamson rounded off the scoring with a late header.
Arsenal’s start to the season has been phenomenal and will take great confidence into the weeks and months to come, but City are in trouble and have now lost three in a row in all competitions.
Arsenal player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Manuela Zinsberger (GK) - 6/10 - Not really tested but did well when called upon.
Noelle Maritz (RB) - 6/10 - Given a tough time by Hemp in the first half but did enough to help her side keep a clean sheet.
Leah Williamson (CB) - 7/10 - Dictated play from the back and rounded off the scoring with a late header.
Jennifer Beattie (CB) - 6/10 - Never under too much pressure.
Steph Catley (LB) - 6/10 - A willing runner forward at every opportunity.
2. Midfielders
Lia Walti (CM) - 7/10 - Pinpoint assist for the third Arsenal goal.
Kim Little (CM) - 8/10 - Scored Arsenal's fine second goal with magically quick feet and converted a penalty. Terrifically skilled performance.
Frida Maanum (CM) - 6/10 - Missed a glorious chance early in the second half when it appeared she was caught in two minds.
3. Forwards
Beth Mead (RW) - 7/10 - Willing to chase down any ball and that directly led to Arsenal taking the lead. Tireless running.
Vivianne Miedema (ST) - 8/10 - Clinical as always when she got an early chance to break the deadlock. Made other things happen too.
Katie McCabe (LW) - 7/10 - Netted a fine third for the Gunners.
4. Substitutes
Nikita Parris (RW) - 6/10
Caitlin Foord (ST) - 6/10
Mana Iwabuchi (AM) - 7/10
Tobin Heath (LW) - 7/10
Lotte Wubben-Moy (CB) - 7/10
Manchester City player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Karima Taieb (GK) - 4/10 - Beaten to a tackle in the build up to the first goal and should have done better with the second after getting hands on it.
Georgia Stanway (RB) - 5/10 - Won't have enjoyed having to fill in at the back. Didn't track the run across her for the third Arsenal goal.
Alanna Kennedy (CB) - 4/10 - Her blind and under-hit back-pass gifted Arsenal a lead. Could have defended the third goal better.
Alex Greenwood (CB) - 4/10 - Wasn't immune to the sloppy passing around the penalty area more than once. Gave away the penalty.
Demi Stokes (LB) - 6/10 - Made one particularly key last ditch tackle that stopped Arsenal from getting even further ahead.
6. Midfielders
Vicky Losada (CM) - 6/10 - Played some good balls that created chances.
Laura Coombs (CM) - 5/10 - Struggled to compete and came off early.
Caroline Weir (CM) - 5/10 - Had to compromise her game in order to try and get more involved after being starved of the ball in her favoured areas.
7. Forwards
Janine Beckie (RW) - 5/10 - Missed a glorious chance to pull a goal back.
Ellen White (ST) - 5/10 - Hit the bar at one stage. Quality service to her was otherwise lacking for much of the game.
Lauren Hemp (LW) - 7/10 - Typically electric on the left flank but couldn't find the breakthrough.
8. Substitutes
Filippa Angeldahl (MF) - 6/10
Jess Park (MF) - 5/10
Khadija Shaw (ST) - 5/10
Jill Scott (CM) - 5/10
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