Match ends, Reading Women 1, Arsenal Women 1.
Reading WomenReading Women1Arsenal WomenArsenal Women1
Arsenal dropped further points in their Women's Super League title quest as they were held to a draw at Reading.
Lauren Bruton turned in Emma Mitchell's free-kick to put the Royals ahead against her old side.
But the out-of-sorts Gunners levelled with their first chance when Vivianne Miedema tapped in a rebound after Grace Moloney had saved Jill Roord's header.
Moloney did superbly to turn Roord's point-blank flick around the post as Reading earned a deserved point.
After opening the season with five straight wins, Joe Montemurro's side have taken eight points from their past six matches and sit third.
A week on from their chastening 5-0 home defeat by champions Chelsea, Reading responded with a dominant first half and deserved Bruton's opener, pinning back the title chasers for prolonged spells and troubling their shaky defence.
A positive coronavirus test in their ranks had seen Arsenal's previous match postponed and they struggled to get anything going after a four-week lay-off, yet equalised with their first real chance.
Montemurro responded with a triple change at half-time - with Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Jen Beattie coming on - but the hosts gave as good as they got until the visitors turned up the heat in the final stages.
Miedema appeared to be held as she volleyed Mead's pinpoint cross over the top from three yards, while Mead shot wide as Reading - who had defender Kristine Leine stretchered off late on - held out for a fifth draw in eight matches to stay sixth.
Line-ups
Reading Women
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Moloney
- 2LeineSubstituted forWilliamsat 90+4'minutes
- 14Cooper
- 5Bartrip
- 3Mitchell
- 9Eikeland
- 8FishlockBooked at 58minsSubstituted forHarriesat 82'minutes
- 6James
- 23Rowe
- 11Harding
- 10BrutonSubstituted forCarterat 64'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Williams
- 16Nayler
- 18Carter
- 29Skeels
- 31Roberts
- 32Childerhouse
- 36Harries
- 72Stewart
Arsenal Women
Formation 3-2-4-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 15McCabe
- 4PattenSubstituted forBeattieat 45'minutes
- 3Wubben-MoyBooked at 26minsSubstituted forWilliamsonat 45'minutes
- 14Roord
- 13WältiBooked at 76mins
- 21GutSubstituted forMeadat 45'minutes
- 10Little
- 7van de DonkSubstituted forFoordat 69'minutes
- 11Miedema
- 17Evans
Substitutes
- 5Beattie
- 6Williamson
- 9Mead
- 16Maritz
- 18Williams
- 19Foord
- 20Maier
- 24Stenson
- 30Mace
- Referee:
- Lisa Benn
Match Stats
Home TeamReading WomenAway TeamArsenal Women
- Possession
- Home41%
- Away59%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home4
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Reading Women 1, Arsenal Women 1.
Post update
Foul by Beth Mead (Arsenal Women).
Post update
Rachel Rowe (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Reading Women. Fara Williams replaces Kristine Leine because of an injury.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jill Roord (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kim Little.
Substitution
Substitution, Reading Women. Emma Harries replaces Jess Fishlock because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Kristine Leine.
Post update
Corner, Reading Women. Conceded by Manuela Zinsberger.
Post update
Corner, Reading Women. Conceded by Jill Roord.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Natasha Harding (Reading Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Rachel Rowe.
Booking
Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Lia Wälti (Arsenal Women).
Post update
Jess Fishlock (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jill Roord (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Caitlin Foord.
Post update
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Grace Moloney.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jill Roord (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Offside, Reading Women. Kristine Leine tries a through ball, but Natasha Harding is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Caitlin Foord replaces Daniëlle van de Donk.
- Missed all the goals, highlights and talking points from Saturday's Premier League action? Match of the Day is streaming now
