Arsenal maintained their 100 per cent FA WSL record with a 4-0 win over Everton in Southport.

A second-half brace from Vivianne Miedema and goals from captain Jordan Nobbs and Danielle Van De Donk sealed the points and an eighth straight league win for the leaders.

The defeat stretches Everton’s winless run to seven FA WSL games and they remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

The Gunners started brightly and Miedema was inches away on 10 minutes, but Kirstie Levell reacted well to deny her from close range.

Everton were a threat on the counter, with Hannah Cain seeing an effort deflected wide soon after.

But Arsenal continued to press for the opener and Levell pulled off two more fine saves to deny Katie McCabe and Miedema.

Joe Montemurro’s side found the breakthrough on the stroke of half time as Miedema’s strike fell kindly for Van De Donk, who lashed the ball home.

And the visitors picked up from where they left off after the break, with two quick goals making it 3-0 to end Everton’s hopes.

Beth Mead’s low cross was cushioned into Nobbs’ path by Miedema and the skipper slotted home on 49 minutes.

And Dutch international Miedema then pounced on a loose ball, drove into the Everton area and powered an effort past Levell, two minutes later.

Miedema grabbed her second goal of the day – and 13th WSL strike of the season – on 66 minutes, curling home from close range, following Nobbs’ cutback.

Van De Donk said: “We knew we needed to have patience in the first half, as we knew the goal was going to come. We could all feel that, and I think Everton could feel it too.

“I was happy we started getting shots at goal, as sometimes we were dribbling too much, and try to give each other a goal, and sometimes you just need to take your chance.

“It was pleasing to score straight away after the break, and then make it 3-0, and from there I do not think Everton had the confidence to win the game.

“Everton tried to disrupt us, they often only had one player up front and looked to defend deep against, which is their decision.

“But we stuck to our plan, we looked to keep the ball well and make sure that we recovered it quickly when we lost it.”

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