Ellen White’s hat-trick rocked former club Arsenal and led Birmingham City to a 3-0 win in the WSL.

Arsenal had a chance to put pressure on title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City – who were in Champions League action – but were left stunned by White’s treble.

Sari van Veenendaal did well to hold a fierce shot from Charlie Wellings on eight minutes, but White ran on to Marisa Ewers’ through ball and lobbed home from 25 yards soon after.

Arsenal captain Kim Little fired straight at Ann-Katrin Berger before Blues doubled their lead on 40 minutes as Emma Follis crossed for White to squeeze home at the near post.

Van Veenendaal saved a penalty from Aoife Mannion on 77 minutes, after Emma Mitchell fouled Follis, but Dominique Janssen glanced a header wide for Arsenal.

White completed her fine day with another classy lob over the head of van Veenendaal from a Rachel Williams pass on 86 minutes and said: “It’s a few years now since I played for Arsenal and I love playing against them.

“They are a great team and I’ve got some really good friends there, but I’m at Birmingham now and we want to beat the best teams.”

Arsenal’s Danielle Carter added: “Obviously we’re disappointed to lose in the manner that we did.

“The best team on the day definitely won. Ellen White took her chances well and we didn’t create many at the other end. We were aware of the quality Ellen possesses and she shone through.

“I don’t think the cup final being next week is a valid excuse for us – as a team, in the changing room, we weren’t looking ahead to the final, we were focused on this game and trying to get the three points that we needed. But, unfortunately, for some reason, we didn’t turn up.

“This result, as well as the one a couple of weeks ago (0-0 draw with Yeovil) has damaged our title chances but we have to keep going and keep looking to win games.

“We have to put the Birmingham defeat to bed, have a debrief and look at what we didn’t do so well, so we don’t make the same mistakes on Saturday in the final against Chelsea.

“Every game between now and the end of the season is crucial. They were crucial a few weeks ago but even more so now, just for us to end the season on a positive. We need to look to get the maximum points that we can now.

“Champions League football is what we have been lacking and missing but obviously we are now depending on a few other teams to drop points so it is not in our hands.”

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