Barclays WSL
The Barclays Women's Super League delivered a weekend of high drama and pivotal results, with Manchester
City extending their lead at the top to nine points, Arsenal claiming a statement victory over Chelsea, and
several other sides making significant moves in the table.
Manchester City secured a hard-fought 2-1 win away to London City Lionesses to maintain their commanding
position. Kerolin broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, racing onto Vivianne Miedema's through ball to slot home low past Elena Lete. The Lionesses, in their first home league game under new head coach Eder Maestre, responded strongly: Isobel Goodwin twice hit the woodwork—first denied by Ayaka Yamashita's fingertip save onto the post, then thundering a header off the bar. Freya Godfrey levelled midway through the second half with a fierce near post strike, seemingly earning a deserved point. However, Khadija Shaw pounced on a loose ball in the 86th minute, smashing into an empty net to seal City's 12th consecutive league victory and move them nine points clear at the summit and on course for a second WSL title.
Arsenal dealt a major blow to Chelsea's title defence with a 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Beth Mead opened the scoring in the 55th minute, finishing emphatically into the far corner after being played in by Alessia Russo. Mead turned provider six minutes later, teeing up Mariona Caldentey, who shifted the ball past a defender before calmly stroking into the bottom corner. Chelsea, chasing the game, spurned two glaring headed chances through Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nüsken, while Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made smart saves from Stina Blackstenius efforts late on. The result leaves Sonia Bompastor's side nine points adrift of leaders Manchester City , with Arsenal now just a point behind them in third.
Manchester United returned to winning ways with a convincing 4-1 victory at Aston Villa, moving them to within a point of Arsenal in the chasing pack. Julia Zigiotti Olme gave United the lead in the 35th minute when Ellie Roebuck failed to deal with her inswinging corner, the ball sailing into the top corner. Kirsty Hanson equalised almost immediately against her former club, finishing through Jayde Riviere's legs to wrong-foot Phallon Tullis-Joyce. A second half surge saw substitutes Elisabeth Terland, Jess Park and Hanna Lundkvist all find the net to seal the points.
At the other end of the table, Liverpool finally claimed their first WSL win of the season in dramatic fashion, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 thanks to two injury time goals from substitute Mia Enderby. The bottom side had gone 12 games without victory and were facing opponents who are still in the reckoning for a Champions League place, but Enderby met Jenna Clark's cross for a six yard finish in the 93rd minute before driving home a low shot in the 95th to spark wild celebrations. The result means Liverpool stay within a point of second bottom West Ham.
Brighton & Hove Albion edged Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park, where Jelena Cankovic scored the winner four minutes before half time after Kiko Seike blocked a clearance and cut the ball back. Chiamaka Nnadozie made key saves to preserve the lead, including denying Maz Pacheco from close range late on. Brighton climbed to sixth with their first league win since early December, while Everton's wait for a home point at Goodison Park this season continues, leaving them in tenth.
West Ham United secured their first away win of the campaign with a 2-1 success at Leicester City to greatly boost their survival hopes. Verena Hanshaw curled in a superb 25-yard free-kick just after the half hour, and Shekiera Martinez doubled the lead midway through the second half with a low drive after cutting inside. Leicester pulled one back through an own goal from Eva Nystrom, under pressure from debutant Alisha Lehmann, but West Ham's resolute defence—making 39 clearances—held firm for three precious points. Leicester now sit just one point above West Ham in ninth place.
With Manchester City now boasting 36 points from 13 games after their latest triumph, the title race intensifies as Chelsea (27 points) and Arsenal (26) remain in pursuit, while Manchester United (25) keep the pressure on. The mid-table and relegation battles are equally tight, promising more crucial action in the weeks ahead.
Leading goalscorers:
13 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);
7 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);
5 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
5 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
5 - Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City);
5 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);
5 - Jess Park (Manchester United);
5 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
4 - Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea);
4 - Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Aoba Fujino (Manchester City);
4 - Shekiera Martinez (West Ham United);
4 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);
4 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);
4- Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United);
4 - Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea);
4 - Ornella Vignola (Everton);
(League goals only)
