Women's Super League Weekender: Arsenal crush West Ham but questions over officials remain

It would be odd to say a contest which ended 9-1 in the visitors' favour turned on one incident but West Ham were well in the game until the dismissal of captain Gilly Flaherty for dissent.

At that point, Arsenal had just retaken the lead 2-1 but the home side were furious with some dubious offside calls and Flaherty allowed her frustration to get the better of her.

From then on, it was all Arsenal - the Gunners have scored 15 goals in their opening two Women's Super League fixtures of the season, shrugging off suggestions the campaign would be dominated by big-spending Chelsea, City and United.

Jill Roord scored a second hat-trick in as many matches, there were two more for Vivianne Miedema plus further strikes from Beth Mead, Kim Little, Leah Williamson and Caitlin Foord. 

At least the West Ham fans could enjoy the fact they were actually at the match. Around 700 season ticket-holders were in attendance as the Government's series of pilot schemes for reintroducing crowds at matches continued despite the return of stricter coronavirus restrictions this week.