There was a sense of déjà vu at the City Ground, Nottingham, yesterday when Arsenal continued their domination of the English game. Clinching a third successive FA Women's Cup, and a record ninth in all, they repeated the scoreline of last year's triumph

The 24,582 attendance broke last year's record for this match by 53 and, while Leeds United held out bravely for almost an hour, Carly Telford, their England goalkeeper, producing an inspired performance, Vic Akers's team eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Kelly Smith scored twice, once more opening and rounding off the scoring, as she did in last year's rout of Charlton Athletic. Yet, for a long period, Leeds promised to ride their luck. Telford, who put herself in contention for Thursday's European Championship qualifying match away to Belarus, made fine saves from Smith, Lianne Sanderson, Jayne Ludlow and Karen Carney, while Alex Scott thundered a shot against the crossbar.

Akers, the Arsenal manager, told his team to keep patience with their passing game and, from the 54th minute, they scored three times in six minutes to confirm their superiority. First, Smith hooked home by accelerating on to Carney's incisive through-pass, then Ludlow volleyed in Sanderson's free kick before Sanderson scored< a third.

Leeds responded with a consolation goal. Sue Smith chipped against the crossbar and, from the rebound, Jessica Clarke headed in. Eight minutes from time, however, Kelly Smith was on hand to tap in after a Julie Fleeting shot had come back off a post.

Akers appreciated the “fantastic atmosphere” at the City Ground, but again urged the FA to consider hosting the showpiece of the women's game at Wembley in future. “It would need all parties to buy into the planning to consider that,” an FA spokesman said.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): E Byrne — A Scott, F White, A Asanté, M Phillip — J Ludlow, C Grant (sub: Y Tracy, 74min) — K Carney, K Smith, R Yankey (sub: G Davison, 74) — L Sanderson (sub: J Fleeting, 74). Substitutes not used: R Spencer, G Flaherty.

Leeds United (4-1-4-1): C Telford — S Houghton, S Bradley, J Wright (sub: G Bonner, 90), A Culvin (sub: O Thackray, 80) — J Moore (sub: M Sutcliffe, 60) — J Clarke, S Walton, K Holtham, S Smith — A Barr. Substitutes not used: E Higgins, A Hutton. Booked: Culvin.

Referee: A Ihringova.

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