The Gunners move within one point of retaining The FA WSL title.
Arsenal Ladies 4-1 Liverpool Ladies
The FA WSL
2pm, Sunday 23 September 2012
Meadow Park, Borehamwood FC
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Arsenal Ladies striker Ellen White insists her side’s thoughts have not turned to the prospect of an unbeaten season after a 4-1 mauling of Liverpool edged them closer to the defence of their FA WSL crown.
Her brace, as well as a double from skipper Katie Chapman, which sandwiched a superb strike from Liverpool midfielder Katie Brusell, maintained the Gunner’s unbeaten run. It means they’ve now scored in each of their last 25 League outings.
The win also keeps them six points clear of second-placed Birmingham City, who won 2-0 at Doncaster in Sunday night, with just two games left. One more point will see Laura Harvey's side retain their title.
However White, whose goals both came in the last five minutes, insists that winning the league is their first is their main priority.
"It would be very nice to be unbeaten, but ultimately we want to keep our trophy again,” said the England forward.
The relentless rain contributed to a cagey start with both sides struggling, particularly in the final third.
However, the defending champions soon settled into their groove. Two teasing crosses from the effervescent Gemma Davison surprisingly failed to lead to a goal, while Ellen White was twice prevented from breaking the deadlock by former Gunner Sarah Quantrill.
And the breakthrough came with just 19 minutes on the clock. Rachel Yankey, who earned a record 120th cap for England during midweek, produced a trademark inswinging corner-kick from the right and it was met by Chapman. Her bullet header pierced a seemingly impermeable wall of bodies and arrowed into the back of the net.
Chapman’s effort provided the cue for the hosts to up the ante, and they increased their lead just three minutes later.
White’s cute pass found the advancing Chapman, and the skipper emphatically drove home past Quantrill to double her tally for the afternoon.
Wave after wave of Arsenal attack ensued, and they were unlucky not to enter the interval with a greater margin of victory. Both Yankey and Jordan Nobbs seeing efforts crash off the woodwork and away to safety.
Liverpool appeared stronger after the half-time break, and they were rewarded for their improved display when Katie Brusell halved the deficit in the 66th minute.
A long ball was partially cleared and landed at the feet of the Reds midfielder, who looped her fierce first-time effort beyond Emma Byrne from 25 yards out.
But White bagged two close-range strikes in the last two minutes to seal victory and put Arsenal within one point of the championship.
