Striker Vivianne Miedema netted a treble as a dominant Arsenal kicked-off the Women’s Super League One season with a 5-0 rout of Liverpool.
The 22-year-old former Bayern Munich attacker opened the scoring on six minutes after she slotted home from close range following Katie McCabe’s cross to put Joe Montemurruo’s impressive Gunners 1-0 ahead at Boreham Wood on Sunday afternoon.
The Netherlands international striker then turned provider to set up Lisa Evans to make it 2-0 eight minutes later.
The 5ft 9in Hoogeveen-born former Heerenveen forward was the architect as Kim Little showed composure to finish past shellshocked Reds keeper Anke Preuss ten minutes before half-time before Miedema scuffed in the fourth 240 seconds later as Arsenal went into the break 4-0 up.
She then completed her treble – the first by an Arsenal player in the WSL since Gunners and England legend Kelly Smith four years ago – by aiming a powerful drive into the roof of the net with moments remaining after being teed up by McCabe following an indirect free-kick in the box.
Arsenal were majestic as they showed excellent movement on and off the flair, supplemented with touch, tecnhique and flair allied with a high intensity which never allowed the beleagured visitors to settle.
It could have been more as the influential Jordan Nobbs fired across the face of goal late on.
Liverpool’s best chance was a dangerous long-range shot by Christie Murray’s which was tipped over by keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Match facts:
Arsenal (4-3-3): Pauline Peyraud-Magnin; Lisa Evans, Dominique Bloodworth, Louise Quinn, Katie McCabe; Kim Little, Lia Walti, Jordan Nobbs; Danielle van de Donk, Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead
Substitutes: Jessica Samuelsson for Evans 67; Ava Kuyken for Little 83
Substitutes not used: Sari van Veenendaal, Emma Mitchell
Goals: Miedema 6, 39, 90, Evans 14, Little 35
Liverpool (5-3-1-1): Anke Preuss; Satara Murray, Sophie Bradley-Auckland, Leandra Little, Jasmine Matthews, Leighanne Robe; Niamh Fahey, Laura Coombs, Christie Murray; Niamh Charles; Jess Clarke
Substitutes: Rinsola Babajide for Little 45; Courtney Sweetman-Kirk for Charles 81
Substitutes not used: Fran Kitching, Amy Rodgers, Missy Bo Kearns, , Yana Daniels, Kristy Linnett
Bookings: Fahey 81
Referee: Jason Richardson
Follow Arsenal reporter Layth on Twitter @Laythy29 and join the Islington Gazette Arsenal Facebook page for more
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here