Vivianne Miedema's delightful double marked a momentous occasion for Arsenal as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
Beth Mead and Rafaelle Souza also netted in front of a crowd of 47,367 that smashed the previous attendance record for a Barclays FA Women's Super League match. Arsenal took control from the start as a mistake from Amy Turner saw her misplaced pass give the hosts an early chance while the dangerous Mead also came close early on.
The home side’s number nine did not have to wait long to strike, however, her superb fifth-minute strike curling past Rebecca Spencer and into the corner to put Arsenal up 1-0. Katie McCabe soon saw a chance go over the bar as Arsenal continued to apply pressure, Kim Little firing into the side netting just before the half-hour mark.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Tottenham highlights: Miedema brace, Mead and Rafaelle goals in front of record crowd
Spurs made a rare foray forward soon afterwards and Celin Bizet gave Manuela Zinsberger a momentary job to do in goal but Arsenal were straight back on the attack as player of the match Caitlin Foord headed narrowly wide. The Emirates Stadium erupted once more before half-time as a calm and collected Miedema, gifted the ball by another clumsy Spurs move, easily steered past Spencer in the 43rd minute to double the lead.
The break brought no let-up from Jonas Eidevall's side as Laura Wienroither found a pocket on the right and forced Spencer to make an incredible save. And the subsequent corner brought more joy for the hosts as Mead found the head of Souza to steer past Spencer for Arsenal's third in the 53rd minute.
Both Foord and Turner were soon booked and Ashleigh Neville would later join them as challenges flew in on derby day. It was nearly 4-0 in the 64th minute but stubborn work from the Tottenham defence stopped Miedema getting her second. But just four minutes later, the Dutch star completed her brace by glancing home a header to put the seal on a day to remember for the red half of North London.
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