Barclays WSL
Khadija Shaw struck four times as Manchester City defeated Aston Villa 5-1 at the Joie Stadium to take a
six-point lead at the top of the Women's Super League into the new year.
The Jamaican forward's opener marked her 100th goal in all competitions for City and she doubled her tally before
half time, completed her hat-trick late in the second period, and added a fourth in stoppage time for good measure.
Villa began brightly but faded after falling 2-0 behind, with Aoba Fujino adding a third before Lucy Parker headed a consolation from a corner.Fujino then set up Vivianne Miedema for City's fourth just three minutes later.
City end 2025 six points ahead of defending champions Chelsea, while Villa sit eighth with three wins from 11 matches.
Chelsea ended a four-match winless run in the league with a comfortable 3-0 victory away to Brighton & Hove Albion. Sandy Baltimore's stunning solo effort in the 42nd minute broke the deadlock, before a Caitlin Hayes own goal and Alyssa Thompson's finish sealed the points. The Blues had suffered their first WSL defeat in 34 games prior to three successive draws, leaving them six points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Brighton stand-in goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley frustrated Chelsea early on, but Baltimore's curling right footed strike from the left proved unstoppable. Sonia Bompastor introduced Sam Kerr at half time, and the Australian's presence forced Hayes to head Erin Cuthbert's cross into her own net. Thompson rounded off the scoring in the 73rd minute from Kerr's low delivery – her third goal in four league outings.
On Saturday, Alessia Russo marked her 100th WSL appearance with a goal as Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 at Everton and temporarily move into second place until Chelsea moved back above them the following day. Katie McCabe's looping half volley gave the Gunners an early lead, only for Honoka Hayashi to equalise almost immediately with a curling effort from distance.
Russo restored Arsenal's advantage in fortuitous fashion shortly after, chesting Kim Little's volley goalwards – with the ball crossing the line despite Courtney Brosnan's efforts, before Caitlin Foord tapped in the rebound. Substitute Olivia Smith sealed victory late on with a 25-yard volley.
Leah Williamson made her long awaited return from injury, playing her first minutes since England's Euro 2025 final triumph in July.
Manchester United staged a remarkable comeback from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Tottenham Hotspur in a thrilling finale to 2025 at Old Trafford. Spurs appeared destined for their first ever competitive victory over United, leading on the hour 3-0 through Beth England, Eveliina Summanen, and former United striker Martha Thomas.
United had struck the woodwork four times and seen three efforts cleared off the line, but Ella Toone's hooked volley sparked the revival. Fridolina Rolfö reduced the arrears further before heading in Leah Galton's cross in stoppage time for a dramatic equaliser – United's 11th shot on target from 34 attempts overall.
The draw leaves United fourth, one point outside the Champions League spots, with Tottenham just below them in fifth.
Leicester City claimed their first WSL win in three months, edging out London City Lionesses 1-0 thanks to goalkeeper Janina Leitzig's stoppage time penalty save. Shannon O'Brien scrambled home the winner on 59 minutes from Asmita Ale's header. Leitzig then denied Kosovare Asllani from the spot in the 96th minute after Janice Cayman had fouled Grace Geyoro.
The victory ends an eight-match winless league run for Rick Passmoor's side, lifting them to ninth and six points clear of the relegation play-off spot. Promoted London City remain in the top half.
Beata Olsson's late equaliser earned Liverpool a vital point in a 2-2 draw at relegation rivals West Ham United. The Reds played over 70 minutes with ten players after Gemma Bonner's straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity. Riko Ueki then headed West Ham ahead, only for Mia Enderby to level almost immediately.
Ffion Morgan restored the hosts' lead, but Olsson pounced on Amber Tysiak's error in the 87th minute to give her side a share of the spoils. Liverpool remain bottom and winless, two points behind West Ham, but the draw – secured despite the numerical disadvantage – will feel like a point gained for Gareth Taylor's team.
Leading goalscorers:
12 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);
5 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
5 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);
5 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
5 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);
5 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
4 - Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea);
4 - Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Aoba Fujino (Manchester City);
4 - Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City);
4 - Jess Park (Manchester United);
4 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);
4 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Ornella Vignola (Everton);
(League goals only)
