MIEDEMA IS ON FIRE AS GUNNERS HIT THE TOP

VIVIANNE MIEDEMA struck twice as Arsenal returned to the head of the WSL table following a 5-0 victory at Brighton.

The Gunners had been dislodged by Manchester United 24 hours earlier but regained top-spot after maintaining a 100 per cent start to the season with their fourth successive win.

Netherlands striker Miedema (above) put the visitors ahead after 10 minutes and capped the win in added time after Danielle van de Donk, Jen Beattie and Lotte Wubben-Moy put the game beyond Brighton’s reach.

Brighton manager Hope Powell said: “Arsenal were superb. Everywhere you look, they’re quick, fast and strong and that’s where we aspire to be.”

Substitute Lucy Graham’s added time winner ensured Everton kept pace with the leaders thanks to a 3-1 home victory against West Ham.

The Hammers’ Kenza Dali cancelled out Nicoline Sorensen’s opener but Graham stepped off the bench to score twice in the final 19 minutes.

Graham said: “We’re not shouting from the rooftops that we’re going to win everything, but we certainly want to make it known that we want to challenge.”

Champions Chelsea are third after a 3-1 victory over last season’s runners-up Manchester City.

Maren Mjelde put the Blues ahead from the penalty spot after Ellen White was adjudged to have handled, before Sam Kerr added the second.

Chloe Kelly’s penalty gave City hope but Fran Kirby made the points safe with 11 minutes remaining.

Birmingham claimed their first points of the season as Claudia Walker’s second-half goal secured a 1-0 win at Reading.