Arsenal 3-0 West Ham: Mead at the double as Gunners secure win

Goals from Beth Mead (2) and Frida Maanum gave Arsenal a 3-0 victory over struggling West Ham at Meadow Park.

Jonas Eidevall’s team remain second in the Women’s Super League as a result of Sunday’s success, while West Ham remain level on points with bottom club Bristol City after seeing their winless run extend to seven games in all competitions.

The Gunners made a fast start and opened the scoring inside two minutes through Maanum. The Norwegian midfielder swung over a cross from the right that swirled over goalkeeper Megan Walsh and into the far corner of the net.

West Ham almost levelled two minutes later when Lisa Evans delivered a sublime cross for Viviane Asseyi, whose glancing header bounced off a post.

At the other end, Caitlin Foord cut inside the penalty area and hit a low drive that Walsh did well to save at her near post.

Arsenal doubled their lead in the 18th minute when Kyra Cooney-Cross’ threaded pass allowed Mead to curl an effort towards goal that nestled into the top left corner of the net.

Asseyi tried her luck from long-range with a right-footed shot that flew over the bar, before Arsenal went 3-0 ahead five minutes before half-time.

Mead failed to connect with Alessia Russo’s low cross, following Evans’ misplaced backpass, but the West Ham backline failed to clear their lines and the 28-year-old forward converted the rebound for her second goal of the game.

The hosts could have gone further ahead at the start of the second half, with Maanum’s fierce shot on goal superbly blocked by defender Hawa Cissoko, before Hammers forward Asseyi saw her deflected strike hit the woodwork for the second time.

Rehanne Skinner’s side created some tidy play and threatened again when Kristy Smith crossed into the six-yard box but Lotte Wubben-Moy produced a vital clearance to clear the danger.

Walsh almost gifted Arsenal a goal with a misplaced clearance straight to Foord but the former Brighton keeper managed to get back and prevent the Australian from finding the net.

In the closing stages, Riko Ueki’s strike was narrowly wide before Cissoko was denied twice from close range by Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger.

The Austrian was called into action once again in added time, pulling off a brave stop from Izzy Atkinson’s low driven shot from the centre of the box.