Arsenal’s Kim Little holds off the challenge of Fara Williams. Picture: FA via Getty Images

Published: 8 August, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

ARSENAL Ladies gained sweet revenge over Liverpool on Saturday when they netted an emphatic victory upon their return to action in the Women’s Super League.

In their first match following a mid-season break for the European Championships, the Gunners eased to a 3-0 win at the Halton Stadium in Widnes courtesy of a Jordan Nobbs brace of strikes either side of a goal from Alex Scott.

The result will be of great relief for manager Shelley Kerr, who saw her side suffer a shock 4-0 defeat against the Reds in their opening league game back in May.

Arsenal, top-flight champions for the last nine years, went ahead after just nine minutes, Nobbs sweeping the ball home following good work by playmaker Kim Little and striker Ellen White.

Little and White combined again to set up Scott for a simple tap-in 10 minutes before the interval, with Nobbs adding the finishing touches to the convincing win in the 75th minute when she struck from 20 yards.

The result gave captain Kelly Smith double cause for celebration after she was appointed as Arsenal’s new player-coach.

England’s all-time leading goal­scorer will combine her playing duties with the new role, which will see her help with training sessions and prepare the team for matchdays.

“I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity to coach the girls,” Smith said. “Coaching is an area I’ve been interested in for some time. It will be a new challenge for me and I’m looking forward to it.” `