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A 3-0 win at Women's Super League leaders Liverpool lifted Arsenal up to third in the table as the league stepped into the second half of its campaign.

Midfielder Jordan Nobbs struck twice, her goals sandwiching right-back Alex Scott's strike as the WSL champions claimed a revenge victory.

A shock 4-0 win at the Emirates in May had been Liverpool's springboard to the top spot ahead of the league's Euro 2013-enforced mid-season break.

But Arsenal, top-flight champions for the last nine years, showed their determination to hang on to their crown with a convincing win.

They went ahead after just nine minutes, Nobbs sweeping the ball home following good work by playmaker Kim Little and striker Ellen White.

Liverpool hit back but midfielders Nicole Rolser and Corina Schroder both squandered good openings.

And they were punished as Little and White once more combined to set up Scott for a simple tap-in to double the lead 10 minutes before the interval.

It should have been game over four minutes after the break, but winger Gemma Davison shot wide following a poor back-pass by full-back Lucy Bronze.

An even better chance was wasted at the other end in the 67th minute, striker Natasha Dowie having a penalty saved by goalkeeper Emma Byrne.

And Liverpool paid the price when Nobbs, latching on to a 75th-minute pass by striker Danielle Carter, lashed in the clincher from 20 yards.

The result put the Gunners five points behind Liverpool but with two games in hand to leave the race for the title wide open.