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Thursday, May 7, 2026

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Barclays WSL

Manchester City have been crowned Barclays WSL champions for the first time in a decade after Arsenal were held to a draw in their must-win match away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

With three games in hand on City and trailing the leaders by eleven points, Arsenal required no less than a victory at the Amex Stadium to keep the title race alive heading into the final stretch of the season. However, the Gunners were unable to find a winner, handing City their second WSL title – and first since 2016 – as well as their first major trophy since lifting the Continental Tyres Cup in 2022.

Fuka Tsunoda gave Brighton a deserved lead two minutes before half time, only for Frida Maanum to equalise for Arsenal in the 62nd minute. The visitors pushed hard for a decisive goal in a frantic finish but were ultimately frustrated by resilient home defending.

Arsenal looked below par in the opening 45 minutes and were fortunate not to fall behind inside the first two minutes. Olaug Tvedten’s left footed strike was well saved by Daphne van Domselaar, before Carla Camacho headed the rebound over the bar.The Seagulls took a fully merited lead shortly before the interval when Arsenal failed to clear a free kick, allowing Tsunoda’s deflected effort to loop past van Domselaar.

The introduction of Mariona Caldentey at half-time – one of five changes from the Arsenal side beaten by Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi final second leg on Saturday – injected fresh energy into the visitors. Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced a superb fingertip save to keep out Caitlin Foord before denying Caldentey from distance.

Maanum eventually restored parity just after the hour mark, calmly sweeping home Alessia Russo’s incisive through ball. In a lively finale, Nnadozie was again equal to the task, getting down well to block a header from Russo as Brighton held firm to secure a valuable point.

The result did extend Arsenal’s unbeaten run in the league to fourteen matches, but they must now set their sights on the runners-up spot where they currently trail second placed Chelsea by four points, but with two games in hand. Brighton meanwhile need to avoid defeat in their final game to clinch a top half finish but in the meantime, will be up against Liverpool in the semi finals of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup this Sunday, looking to reach the final for the first time in their history.

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Rebecca Knaak scored a dramatic stoppage time header as Manchester City defeated Liverpool 1-0 to stay firmly in command of the Women’s Super League title race.

City were far from their best and spent long periods on the back foot, but Liverpool failed to capitalise on their dominance. Grace Fisk struck the post for the visitors, while City struggled for fluency until late in the game. Knaak’s persistence paid off in the dying seconds as she powered a header past Jennifer Falk, with the goalkeeper unable to keep it out.

The victory moved City eleven points clear of Arsenal, albeit having played three games more. A win against West Ham on the final day would secure the title regardless of Arsenal’s remaining four results.

Lauren James scored twice as Chelsea comfortably beat Leicester City to guarantee themselves a return to the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season. Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a header at the back post – his 64th WSL goal for Chelsea, breaking Fran Kirby’s club record. James then produced two moments of magic, first whipping a no-look strike into the far corner and then curling a free kick over the wall and in off the underside of the bar.

Shannon O’Brien pulled one back for Leicester, but the result was never in doubt. Chelsea remain second, while Leicester’s relegation play-off place was already confirmed.

Lea Schuller’s injury time equaliser rescued a point for Manchester United in a 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion, however this result virtually ends the Red Devils’ hopes of Champions League qualification. Jelena Cankovic gave Brighton a deserved first half lead, pouncing on a loose pass from Phallon Tullis-Joyce and finishing neatly. Brighton looked set for a first away win at United this season until Schuller struck at the death. The result leaves Arsenal needing just three points from their final four matches to confirm fourth place - the first of which is on Wednesday night against Brighton. It also extends United’s run to just one win in nine games.

Tottenham Hotspur claimed fifth place in the WSL with a 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses at Brisbane Road. Signe Gaupset opened the scoring for Spurs by capitalising on a defensive error, before Olivia Holdt smashed home a long range effort. Alanna Kennedy pulled one back for the visitors, but Tottenham held on to record their tenth win of the season and a club record 33 points.

Riko Ueki produced a moment of brilliance to inspire West Ham United to a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Bank Holiday Monday. The Japan international superbly lobbed Villa goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo to break the deadlock, before assisting substitute Seraina Piubel for a stoppage time second. The win gave West Ham back-to-back victories and clean sheets, lifting them to tenth in the table.

Leading goalscorers:

19 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);

12 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);

10 - Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City);

9 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);

9 - Kerolin (Manchester City);

9 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);

8 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);

7 - Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur);

7 - Olivia Holdt (Tottenham Hotspur);

7 - Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea);

6 - Sam Kerr (Chelsea);

6 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);

6 - Shekiera Martinez (West Ham United);

6 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);

6 - Jess Park (Manchester United);

6 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);

6 - Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United);

(League goals only)