Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal: Vivianne Miedema’s first WSL goal since ACL injury gives Gunners victory

Vivianne Miedema scored her first Women’s Super League goal since returning from a long-term knee injury as Arsenal battled to victory at Liverpool.

After a drab first half, Miedema strode forward on the hour mark and her thumping 20-yard effort flew in via a deflection off Liverpool centre-back Gemma Bonner.

Arsenal doubled their lead nine minutes later when Beth Mead burst down the right channel before squaring for Caitlin Foord to finish from close range.

With Liverpool offering very little threat, that was enough to clinch victory for the Gunners in Jonas Eidevall’s 100th game in charge – and move them back within three points of leaders Chelsea.

The visitors dominated possession throughout but it was a sterile domination in the first 45 minutes as both sides struggled to create much of note.

That changed in injury time at the end of the half as Liverpool counter-attacked swiftly. Melissa Lawley powered down the left and put in a teasing cross but Yana Daniels, well placed in the middle, blazed her shot over the bar under pressure from Arsenal skipper Katie McCabe.

Arsenal responded immediately and Foord’s cutback from the byeline squeezed past Liverpool goalkeeper Rachael Laws, but was hacked off the line by defender Niamh Fahey.

The game followed a similar pattern after the break but Arsenal were able to find a way through with a fortunate ricochet allowing Miedema to celebrate a special goal, more than a year since her last.

After Foord made it two, substitute Stina Blackstenius had a number of presentable opportunities but was unable to convert and hit the post in stoppage time.

Meanwhile, England captain Leah Williamson was an unused substitute as she nears a return from her own ACL injury.

More to follow.