Barclays WSL
Chelsea’s remarkable 34-match unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League – a league record – came crashing
to an end as Everton claimed a famous 1-0 victory at Kingsmeadow, their first win at Chelsea since 2011.
Honoka Hayashi’s 12th minute close range finish from Toni Payne’s low cross proved decisive. Despite dominating
possession and carving out numerous chances, Sonia Bompastor’s side were repeatedly frustrated by an inspired Courtney Brosnan and a resolute Everton back line. Late drama saw Sandy Baltimore’s corner strike the post, Wieke Kaptein head against the bar and another effort cleared off the line, but the Toffees held firm.
Defeat for Chelsea means that Manchester City have opened up a six-point cushion at the summit with a hard fought 3-0 win at Leicester City – their ninth victory in ten league games this season. For 73 minutes, the league’s most prolific attack were kept at bay by dogged defending and wayward finishing, with top scorer Khadija Shaw unusually spurning four clear chances. Shaw eventually broke the deadlock on 74 minutes, pouncing on Celeste Boureille’s misplaced clearance, before heading home Lauren Hemp’s cross for a second nine minutes later. Substitute Kerolin wrapped things up in stoppage time, racing clear to slot past Janina Leitzig.
Dominique Janssen’s 71st minute free kick rescued Manchester United as they came from behind to beat second bottom West Ham United 2-1 and return themselves to the top three. Elisabeth Terland had given United an early lead, finishing Anna Sandberg’s low cross for her tenth goal of the season in all competitions. West Ham levelled early in the second half through Shekiera Martinez’s spectacular overhead kick, but Janssen’s curling 20-yard set piece sealed the points after Julia Zigiotti had struck the woodwork.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius struck in the 82nd minute to earn Arsenal a 2-1 victory over winless Liverpool on Saturday and, at the time, lifted the Gunners back into third place. Olivia Smith’s superb solo run and finish against her former club had put Arsenal ahead, only for Liverpool teenager Beata Olsson to equalise with a composed low drive – becoming the first player to score in her first four WSL starts. Blackstenius settled it late on, latching onto a through ball, cutting inside and rifling into the top corner.
Olivia Holdt scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 win as ten-player Aston Villa were denied a priceless away point in a dramatic finish at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kirsty Hanson had given Villa a shock lead in the 84th minute after Ocean Deslandes’ earlier red card, only for Beth England to level within 60 seconds. Holdt then pounced on Drew Spence’s pass to slot home at the near post and keep Spurs’ unbeaten home record intact.
Kiko Seike’s early strike earned Brighton & Hove Albion a smash-and-grab 1-0 win away to London City Lionesses, despite the hosts dominating for large spells. A defensive mix-up allowed Rosa Kafaji to intercept and tee up Seike for a clinical finish. Brighton survived a missed penalty – Madison Haley’s effort saved by Elene Lete – and several presentable London City chances to climb to within a point of their opponents in the table.
Leading goalscorers:
8 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);
5 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
5 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
4 - Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea);
4 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);
4 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);
4 - Jess Park (Manchester United);
4 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
4 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);
4 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Ornella Vignola (Everton);
(League goals only)
