13 February 2020

Miedema nets brace as Arsenal beat Liverpool in thriller to close gap on Manchester City at the top of the table

Vivianne Miedema scored twice as Arsenal beat Liverpool 3-2 in an exhilarating game to move three points off Manchester City at the top of the Women's Super League.

Vicky Jepson's Reds took a surprise lead early on as Rinsola Babajide outpaced the Gunners' backline to give the hosts the lead, before Miedema and Jordan Nobbs both converted from close range to turn the game on its head in quick fashion.

After the break, the match remained level until 12 minutes from time when Miedema headed past Anke Preuss to give Joe Montemurro's side all three points.

The win moves Arsenal within earshot of Man City and a second successive WSL title.

The home side got off to a flier when Babajide sped onto a ball over the top to slot home neatly past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

But it took Arsenal just 16 minutes to respond as a deflected Nobbs cross found its way to Miedema six yards out, who didn't need a second invitation to stab in for her 14th league goal of the season.

And the comeback was complete two minutes later when Evans pulled the ball back from the byline for an unmarked Nobbs to head home.

But a pulsating first half was not yet over as Evans failed to deal with a high cross-field ball, inadvertently flicking it into the path of Furness who smashed home a sensational strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The second half was played at a slower pace as the game seemed to be petering out as a score draw.

But just as the hosts looked to be good for a point, Miedema rose to nod in from a Leonie Maier ball in and snatch victory for the reigning WSL champions.

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