READING FC WOMEN were on the end of a defeat at the hands of Women’s Super League leaders Arsenal.
A dominant first-half display from the Gunners saw them race into a three goal lead thanks to Vivianne Miedema, Katie McCabe and Leah Williamson.
The Royals improved in the second-half after manager Kelly Chambers made a trio of changes at the break.
The table toppers added a fourth in the second-half through Stina Blackstenius to round off the scoring.
But defeat was inflicted upon them as they stay in sixth in the table, three points behind Manchester City having now played the same number of matches.
Chambers made one change from Reading’s FA Cup exit to West Ham as Tia Primmer came in for Deanne Rose.
Rhiannon Stewart started in goal in the place of the absent Grace Moloney to make just her third league start.
The Royals came into the match in sixth, hoping to break into the top six by gaining victory in their game in hand on Manchester City. Meanwhile, Arsenal came into the contest leading the Women’s Super League table, two points above Chelsea.
Reading got forward with a chance in the opening minutes when they played a ball over the top to try and release Natasha Harding, but it was slightly overhit and ran through to Arsenal goalkeeper Manu Zinsberger.
Amalie Eikeland linked up effectively with Harding and delivered a cross to try and pick out Natasha Dowie in the middle that flew just inches over the forward’s head.
Arsenal broke forward immediately following Reading’s missed chance and won a corner through Caitlin Foord that was punched away confidently by Stewart.
Having held off Arsenal’s attack for 23 minutes, Reading’s back line was broken when Vivianne Miedema slammed the ball into the far corner from a tight angle in the box.
It proved to be a disastrous couple of minutes for the Royals as the Gunners struck again just over a minute since opening the scoring.
Stina Blackstenius thought she had found the net only to be stopped by an excellent block on the line from Lily Woodham and te ball fell in the path of Katie McCabe who prodded in from close range.
The hosts looked hungry for more and McCabe searched for her second when she cut in from the right and drilled a low shot at goal that Stewart clutched onto.
The league leaders continued their rampant first-half display when they found a third goal in the 34th minute.
A delightfully hit out-swinging corner kick was met by the head of Leah Williamson who rose above Gemma Evans in the air and powered a header into the net.
The Royals struggled for possession and were pushed onto the back foot for the remainder of the half as Jonas Eidevall’s team tried to extend their advantage.
Blackstenius stole possession from Woodham deep in the Reading half and played the ball to Foord who cut inside and unleashed a shot that was held by Stewart.
Another big chance brought the half to a close when Foord was caught in two minds whether to shoot at goal or pick out Blackstenius at the back post and in the end did neither.
Chambers took drastic action at the break, making a triple switch as Justine Vanhaevermaet, Deanne Rose and Rachel Rowe replaced Dowie, Harries and Primmer.
Reading managed to stem the flow of constant Arsenal attacks in the opening 20 minutes of the second-half.
The north London side came a whisker away from adding a fourth goal when substitute Beth Mead crashed a thunderous effort off the crossbar.
The visitors recorded their first strike on target in the 70th minute after a swift move upfield that was kickstarted by Rose and eventually worked its way to Rowe who stung the gloves of ZInsberger but didn’t cause her too much trouble.
The home team put more gloss on the scoreline with a fourth goal when Miedema showed a turn of pace down the byline and squared the ball into the middle for Blacksetnius who tapped in from close range.
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Maritz, Williamson, Souza, Catley, Walti, Little (c), Miedema, Foord, Blackstenius, McCabe
Subs: Williams, Beattie, Boye, Wienroither, Nobbs, Maanum, Heath, Iwabuchi, Mead
Reading: Stewart, Bryson, Evans, Cooper, Woodham, Troelsgaard, Harding (c), Eikeland, Primmer, Harries, Dowie
Subs: Poulter, Roberts, Baigent, Peplow, Rowe, Vanhaevermaet, Thomann, Joslyn, Rose
Goals: Miedema 22’, McCabe 24’, Williamson 34’, Blackstenius 72’
