(Football news) Women’s Super League leaders Arsenal emphatically defeated bottom side Leicester City 4-0 at the LV Bet Stadium. Having lost their last two matches to Chelsea and Barcelona, the Gunners needed a strong reaction and did just that right from the get go as Jordan Nobbs opened the scoring in the 22nd minute followed by Vivianne Miedema 12 minutes later. 

The Dutch international also missed a couple of good opportunities, missing one from point blank range as Leicester goalkeeper Demi Lambourne denied her. Substitute Frida Maanum scored a brace late in the match, heading home from a Nobbs’ cross for the first and doing the same with Steph Catley’s delivery. With this result, the Gunners are now four points ahead of second place Chelsea while Leicester have lost every single one of the nine games they have played and are currently at the bottom of the table.

Manchester United Women got back to winning ways after defeating Brighton 2-0 at the People's Pension Stadium in Crawley. Despite Marc Skinner’s side being dominant throughout the clash, Brighton showed great resilience with Victoria Williams and goalkeeper Megan Walsh putting on particularly inspiring performances. 

However, the visitors managed to break the deadlock when Ella Toone shot from the edge of the box and Hayley Ladd ensured it went into the back of the net. Manchester United doubled their score with 20 minutes to go when Alessia Russo put on a majestic run on the right flank and crossed to Vilde Boe Risa who converted from close range. With this result, the Red Devils are fifth on the WSL table, two points ahead of sixth place Man City while Brighton are on fourth, level on points with Manchester United but ahead on goal difference.

Manchester City secured three points at the St. Andrews Stadium after being made to come from behind to defeat Birmingham 3-2. They were unlucky to not be ahead within the first five minutes as Ellen White struck the post but eventually took the lead in the 28th minute when Christie Murray scored from the spot.

However, Birmingham managed to level the score with a brilliant equalizer by Georgia Stanway and then went on to take the lead when Louise Quinn found the back of the net. City’s Lauren Hemp made it 2-2 after scoring from a header, assisted by Hayley Raso. Ellen White then went on to score the winner of the match after a cut-back from Khadija Shaw. With this result, Man City are sixth on the WSL table, level on points with West Ham and Reading while Birmingham are second last with only one point to their name.

Also read: Premier League’s top five teams secure vital wins in the busy festive period