Women's Super League: UEFA Women's Champions League finalists Arsenal dealt heavy defeat by Jelena Cankovic-inspired Brighton

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Arsenal had three chances to secure second spot in the Barclays Women's Super League, but are down to their final roll of the dice after Brighton hit four past them at the Broadfield Stadium. Ahead of their UEFA Women's Champions League final - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - Renee Slegers' side have a decisive showdown with third-place Manchester United on the final day of the season.

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Jelena Cankovic inspired Brighton to an emphatic 4-2 win over Arsenal, who now face a straight shoot-out against Manchester United for second place on the final day of the Women's Super League season.

The former Chelsea midfielder had just one league goal for The Seagulls before Monday evening, but walked off the pitch with a brace and an assist as Arsenal suffered another heavy defeat.

Despite securing a spot in the UEFA Women's Champions League final with a first-ever win over Lyon at the end of April, The Gunners have shipped nine goals in their last two matches.

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Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike were also on the scoresheet for the home team, with Caitlin Foord netting an ultimately fruitless equaliser and Mariona Caldentey hitting a stoppage-time consolation.

Brighton's first victory over Arsenal in WSL history meant Renee Slegers' side missed the chance to secure second place.

They must now avoid defeat to United on Sunday to ensure Champions League third-round qualification.

Kirby opened the scoring, picking out the top corner from the edge of the box with 16 minutes gone, after a well-measured lay-off from Cankovic.

Brighton 'keeper and Player of the Match Sophie Baggaley was in inspired form at the Broadfield Stadium, making a string of fine stops to deny Arsenal a quick equaliser.

But the England youth international could only parry Emily Fox's 29th-minute effort into the path of Foord who grabbed the leveller from close range.

A stunning Cankovic volley directly from a corner clearance meant the hosts went into half-time with the lead, despite having only 25% possession in the first period.

And the Serbian netted her third goal of the season seven minutes after the interval, following a slack lofted drive from Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger.

Marit Auee collected the wayward pass and fed Cankovic, who deftly lobbed the Austrian.

Kiko Seike netted Brighton's fourth in their final home game of the season

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Brighton's fourth arrived almost immediately, prompting a quadruple substitution from Slegers on the hour mark.

Seike was the scorer, latching on to Marisa Olislagers' through ball and firing beyond Zinsberger.

Slegers' substitutes failed to make a direct impact in the remaining half hour, but starter Caldentey curled a fine consolation past Baggaley in the 93rd minute.

Arsenal now have two opportunities to avoid entering next season's Champions League in the second qualifying round.

Even if they lose to United on the final day of the season, clinching the club's second Champions League trophy against Barcelona on May 24 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - would grant them direct entry into the competition's group stage.

Watch the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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