Women’s Super League (WSL) action returned at the weekend with some big results at both ends of the table in the penultimate games before the winter break.
Chelsea they are top of the table, five points clear of the rest, while the battle for survival at the other ends of the table intensifies every week. Manchester United returned to winning ways, Liverpool are being hit by injuries and West Ham United picked up vital points.
That said, here they are 90 minutes six key takeaways from WSL game week nine…
Another week, another win for Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea. Sjoeke Nusken scored a brace, while Aggie Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd were also on the scoresheet in a 4-2 win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Things got a little edgy when the visitors pulled one back at 3-2 with 20 minutes to play, but Chelsea’s fourth stoppage-time goal put the result beyond doubt. They have now won all nine of their WSL games this season, maintaining a 100% start to the league season.
They are five points clear at the top of the standings and, at the moment, look untouchable. Their final game before the winter break will see them travel to face Leicester City, but one thing is for sure – they will be at their best by Christmas.
It was shaping up to be a dreary afternoon for West Ham at Crystal Palace. With just over ten minutes remaining, they were two goals down after goals from Mille Gejl and Indiah-Paige Riley.
However, a remarkable turnaround saw them go into half-time 3-2 up. Viviane Asseyi halved the deficit before Seraina Piubel pulled the Hammers back level, and Manuela Pavi fired them ahead in the 44th minute.
Second-half goals from Anouk Denton and Katrina Gorry secured victory for Rehanne Skinner’s side to move into eighth place in the WSL table after failing to win any of their opening seven matches. This win was as remarkable as it was crucial given the way they started the game, and West Ham will be full of confidence ahead of this week’s trip to Villa Park.
Chelsea are undisputed leaders at the top of the WSL at this stage, however Manchester City they step back to make way for the fight. But, both Manchester United i arsenal they are now within striking distance of second place as well.
All three recorded comfortable 4-0 victories in their respective matches over the weekend, which has only served to intensify the race for the top three and Champions League qualification. Arsenal and United are level on 18 points with City not far behind on 22.
Despite Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, Brighton are also clinging to that European conversation as they have 16 points from nine games. While keeping pace in the latter stages of the campaign is a tough task, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they stay in the mix.
Liverpool were only able to name 16 players in their matchday squad for the short trip to face Manchester United, such is the injury crisis that has dominated their season so far. The Reds canceled a pre-season game against United due to injuries and the situation hasn’t really improved, with key midfielder Marie Hobinger the latest casualty of the international break.
Lucy Parry, Sophie Roman Haug, Sofie Lundgaard, Racheal Laws, Hannah Silcock and Gemma Evans were also missing on Sunday, ruled out for varying periods of time. He has opened the first-team door for impressive teenager Zara Shaw, while Maddy Duffy made her debut against United. But it’s a consolation given the overall impact the lack of senior players is having on results.
Liverpool beat United home and away in the WSL last season. But while they initially competed well in this one, conceding twice in quick succession on half-hour and half-hour killed them en route to a 4-0 loss.
Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged Liverpool in the table with a narrow 2-1 win at Everton at the weekend. Robert Vilahamn’s side took an early lead thanks to a goal from Bethany England, but this was quickly canceled out by a strike from Toffees midfielder Sara Holmgaard.
Spurs were awarded a penalty early in the second half and England calmly rose to restore the hosts’ advantage at Brisbane Road. The Lilywhites were then able to hold on to their slender lead to move up to sixth, one point ahead of Liverpool in the table.
Usually in the WSL, there are a small number of teams fighting at the bottom of the table and there is usually a firm favorite to go down. This time, not so.
Leicester and Crystal Palace have five points each, Everton and Aston Villa on six, West Ham on eight, Liverpool on nine and Spurs on 10. Only five points currently separate 12th from the top half.
On current form, either of these teams could realistically go down this season. It will be an exciting and drama-filled end to the campaign, but very stressful for those fighting to survive.
