Arsenal ease past struggling West Ham to close on Champions League spot

Arsenal made it eight wins in a row as they moved three points clear of Manchester United in the race for the third Champions League place with victory over struggling West Ham.

The Gunners were rarely troubled defensively and deservedly led at the break through Vivianne Miedema.

She showed typical class to create space on the edge of the box before curling a shot into the top corner.

Kim Little raced through and delicately dinked a second goal to clinch the win.

Defeat leaves West Ham just two points clear of bottom-of-the-table Bristol City with two games remaining.

Arsenal’s focus remains at the other end of the table and finishing in the final spot in Europe’s premier competition for next season, and their vastly superior goal difference effectively means one win will guarantee it.

But they still should have added to a goal difference that now stands at plus 47.

Caitlin Foord had an early header tipped over by fellow Australian Mackenzie Arnold and Miedema teed up Jordan Nobbs, who shot just wide.

Nobbs also found the net from an offside position and Netherlands striker Miedema shot into the side netting before her delightful strike made it 1-0.

The chances continued to fall the way of the home side but it was not until Little pounced with 12 minutes left that victory was as good as sealed.

West Ham, who remain winless in all their 14 WSL London derbies, almost got back into the game when Lydia Williams had to make a superb save to palm away a Martha Thomas header.

But Arsenal stood firm to make it eight games without conceding since losing to Chelsea in February.