Man Utd 0-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners extend lead in WSL

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Women's Super League to four points on Sunday as Vivianne Miedema and Katie McCabe struck to down Manchester United.

Beth Mead came close to opening the scoring as she saw a thunderous strike come back off the woodwork, while United offered more of a counter attacking threat with Ella Toone looking lively in patches.

The Gunners dominated possession and got the goal their superiority warranted in the second half when Miedema found space on the edge of the box to hit the bottom corner with a well directed strike.

The visitors doubled their lead from the penalty spot when Katie McCable was brought down in the area by Aoife Mannion, with McCabe tucking her strike past the outstretched Mary Earps.

United started to create better openings when they were 2-0 down and a great chance for Katie Zelem needed to be repelled by Manuela Zinsberger.

Chelsea get the chance to reduce the gap between themselves and Arsenal later on Sunday but this win is the Gunners' seventh in eight games in all competitions and an excellent way to bounce back from the draw with Tottenham last week.

MAN UTD WOMEN PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Mary Earps (GK) - 5/10 - Positioning was slightly off for Miedema's strike but probably wouldn't have got there regardless. Couldn't get close enough to McCabe's penalty.

Ona Batlle (RB) - 5/10 - Arsenal overloaded their left hand side at points, causing problems for Batlle.

Aoife Mannion (CB) - 5/10 - Alert to stop Miedema charging through on goal early on. Brought down McCabe for the penalty which saw United go 2-0 down.

Maria Thorisdottir (CB) - 6/10 - Did well to hold up Little and stop the Scot getting a shot away at one point.

Hannah Blundell (LB) - 5/10 - Almost gave away a penalty, being booked for a foul on the edge of the box.

2. Midfielders

Lucy Staniforth (CM) - 6/10 - Great cross set up a wonderful chance for Zelem.

Katie Zelem (CM) - 6/10 - Couldn't close Miedema down quick enough before she scored. Great chance to pull one back was repelled by Zinsberger.

Ella Toone (AM) - 6/10 - Had a good chance when in space in the box but smashed it across goal wastefully. Looked lively at times but just couldn't find a way through.

3. Forwards

Kirsty Hanson (RW) - 5/10 - Took a whack and had to be replaced late on by Carrie Jones.

Alessia Russo (ST) - 5/10 - Was strong on the ball but just struggled to find decent passes at times.

Leah Galton (LW) - 5/10 - Her touch evaded her a lot throughout and she couldn't make much of a discernible impact.

4. Substitutes

Carrie Jones (RW) - 5/10 - Got clattered in a challenge and looked like she might have to come off, but shook it off to continue.

Vilde Boee Risa (CM) - 5/10

ARSENAL WOMEN PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Manuela Zinsberger (GK) - 7/10 - Important stop at 2-0 to deny Zelem from close range. Wasn't overly tested.

Noelle Maritz (RB) - 6/10 - Probably should have done better when a cutback found her in space but the Switzerland international could only strike straight at Earps.

Jennifer Beattie (CB) - 6/10 - Had to stand firm when United grew into the game in the second half. Took a knock and needed treatment but came back on.

Lotte Wubben-Moy (CB) - 7/10 - Leah Williamson's boots are pretty tough to fill, but Wubben-Moy was calm and composed throughout here.

Steph Catley (LB) - 7/10 - Had a header from a corner easily saved. Pushed very high up the pitch and caused problems down United's right.

6. Midfielders

Frida Maanum (CM) - 7/10 - Sent a lovely flick through a United player's legs during one Arsenal attack. Got the assist for Miedema's strike.

Lia Walti (CM) - 7/10 - Won plenty of second balls and released her passes at the right moments to set teammates away on attacks.

Kim Little (CM) - 8/10 - Was pulling strings all over the place in glorious fashion during her 100th WSL appearance. Came off at half time with a suspected injury.

7. Forwards

Beth Mead (RW) - 7/10 - Came close to opening the scoring, seeing her great effort cannon off the bar.

Vivianne Miedema (ST) - 8/10 - Got the opener with a half chance in the second half, shooting low into the bottom corner for her sixth WSL goal of the season. She has now scored against every WSL team she has faced. Struck the bar late on with a free kick.

Katie McCabe (LW) - 8/10 - Slammed a free kick and its rebound into the wall. Reckless challenge on Hanson saw her booked. Won the penalty and tucked it away well. Was pretty excellent throughout.

8. Substitutes

Jordan Nobbs (CM) - 7/10 - Came on at half time and helped Arsenal continue their dominance in the contest.

Nikita Parris (LW) - 6/10

Caitlin Foord (ST) - 6/10

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