Arsenal hammer Spurs in record-breaking derby

LONDON – Arsenal ran rampant against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to secure a 4-0 victory in front of a record-breaking attendance of 47 367 in the Women’s Super League (WSL) yesterday.

Spurs, in their fourth season in the WSL, can be considered relative newcomers in the top-tier and Arsenal demonstrated the level needed to compete at the top of the table with an untroubled display.

Signs of a difficult afternoon for Rehanne Skinner’s Spurs appeared immediately when Beth Mead’s deflected effort trickled just wide early on, and it was a sign of things to come as Mead opened the scoring two minutes later.

Vivianne Miedema extended Arsenal’s lead shortly before half-time while Rafaelle added a third and Miedema put further daylight between the two sides with her second goal in an onslaught after the break.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall felt his side put on a performance worthy of the occasion and made clear his appreciation for the support the club have given to the women’s setup.

Eidevall made three changes to the side which drew 2-2 with Ajax on Tuesday, dropping Stina Blackstenius, who had scored twice in as many games, to the bench alongside Lina Hurtig and Noelle Maritz.

The effervescent Mead nearly struck Arsenal ahead just moments into the match. Mead, riding the momentum of her impressive European Championship campaign, was not to be denied, however, and within five minutes she found the opening goal.

Arsenal had worked themselves into a comfortable position to see the game out and earn their second 4-0 win in as many WSL matches this season. Eidevall’s side sit at the top of the table going into Sunday’s round of fixtures.