READING FC women’s Gemma Davison blamed a sloppy start after they were thumped 6-0 by Arsenal in Super League 1 on Sunday.

Vivianne Miedama scored a hat-trick as the hosts maintained their fast start to the season with a comfortable victory.

Miedema’s hat-trick was sandwiched by goals from Jordan Nobbs, Beth Mead and Danielle van de Donk, while Reading’s season-long sturdiness – a run which has seen them concede just one goal in their first four WSL games – quickly fell apart as they conceded two inside the opening seven minutes.

After a looping header from Miedema found the far corner after just two minutes, Nobbs capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put the Gunners 2-0 up.

Arsenal continued to have a gluttony of chances during the first half, with the two goalscorers guilty of spurning clear-cut opportunities to further extend their advantage.

And Davison admitted: “I just don’t think we started well in the first 10 minutes.

"We were a little bit too respectful, but they’re on form at the moment and they performed well, so fair play to Arsenal.

“Unfortunately for us, it didn’t work out.”

Reading’s two brightest sparks in the first half combined as Davison put Fara Williams through, but the former Gunner’s attempt was well saved.

Deep into added time, Mead added a third as she curled an attempt past a helpless Grace Moloney.

Arsenal picked up where they left off after the break as Miedema finished from a precise Katie McCabe cross, before coming tantalisingly close to her hat-trick after a low cross from Evans.

The rest of the half was plain sailing for the Gunners as they continued to pepper the Reading goal, with Van de Donk adding a fifth from close range.

With the game coming to a close, Miedema completed her hat-trick with an accurate finish into the bottom corner.

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Arsenal: Peyraud-Magnin; Williamson, Bloodworth (Quinn 64), Mitchell; Walti; Evans, Nobbs (Kuyken 84), McCabe, Van De Donk, Mead (Samuelsson 78); Miedema.

Sub not used: Van Veenendaal.

Reading: Moloney; Jane, Pearce, Potter, Harding; Allen (Bartrip 54); Bruton, Furness; Williams; Chaplen (Woodham 77), Davison (Estcourt 77)

Sub not used: Laws.

Bookings: Pearce 8, Furness 45 + 1 Referee: Abigail Marriot. Attendance: 1,586.