November WSL roundup: City move top whilst West Ham and Liverpool secure first points of the campaign
Heading into the final international break of the year, the Barclays Women’s Super League is shaping up to be an exciting contest, with teams competing at both ends of the table.
Andrée Jegerletz’s City side are in top form, overtaking Chelsea at the top of the table following a vulnerable defensive performance from the Blues. Meanwhile Liverpool and West Ham picked up their first points of the campaign. Gareth Taylor and Rehanne Skinner are pleased to be off the mark after a challenging start but must continue to compete at the bottom.
In the build-up to the international break, the WSL saw some unexpected results with a huge thirty-four goals score across these two game weeks.
Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea
The London derby at the Emirates had everything: goals, drama and late heartbreaks. Chelsea struck first through Alyssa Thompson's composed finish after a sharp counterattack. Arsenal thought they had equalised twice, but both goals were ruled out: one for offside and another after a handball. The Gunners' persistence finally paid off in the 87th minute when Alessia Russo slotted home with a well-deserved goal. It was a thrilling contest that showed why these two remain the WSL's fiercest rivals.
Manchester United 0-1 Aston Villa
Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the season as Aston Villa pulled off a superb away win at Leigh Sports Village. Miri Taylor struck in the first half with a brilliant finish after a quick Villa break, giving the visitors a lead they refused to surrender. United created several chances but could not find a way through Villa's resilient defence. This was a statement victory for Natalia Arroyo that shakes up the top of the WSL table.
London City Lionesses 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur
London City Lionesses produced a stunning performance at home to beat Tottenham 4-2 in one of the standout results of the weekend. Freya Godfrey opened the scoring early in the second half, before an Amanda Nildén’s own goal added to the hosts' lead. Nikita Parris then took control with a tap in on her two hundredth WSL appearance, alongside a well-taken strike from Godfrey to seal the victory. Spurs responded through Cathinka Tandberg and a wonderful free kick from Eveliina Summanen, but it wasn't enough to stop Jocelyn Prêcheur’s side from claiming a famous and deserved win.
Liverpool 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool claimed their first point of the season after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Brighton at St Helens Stadium. Beata Olsson opened the scoring in the first half with a well-placed finish following a slick attacking move. Gareth Taylor's side looked in control for most of the game, but Brighton struck late to equalise and snatch a share of the points. Despite the disappointment, Liverpool's performance showed clear signs of progress and growing confidence after a challenging start to the season.
West Ham United 1-1 Leicester City
West Ham picked up their first point of the season after a 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Chigwell Construction Stadium. After a tight first half, Shekiera
Martinez broke the deadlock early in the second half with a smart finish to put the Hammers ahead. Leicester responded well and found an equaliser later in the half to deny West Ham all three points. Despite the disappointment, it was an encouraging display and a step forward for Rehanne Skinner’s side who struggled significantly in the opening months.
Everton 1-2 Manchester City
Manchester City edged past Everton at Goodison Park in a tightly contested
WSL clash, with the win moving them to the top of the table. Vivianne Miedema gave City the lead but Kelly Gago brough the game level for Everton, with an adept finish inside the box. However, Khadija Bunny Shaw was City’s saviour once again with a headed goal to secure all three points for the club, keeping their title ambitions firmly on track.
Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United
Manchester City edged past Manchester United at the Etihad in a strong performance that sends them three points clear at the top ahead of Chelsea. Rebecca Knaak opened the scoring, continuing her record of scoring headers in Manchester Derbies, before Bunny Shaw doubled the lead to put City in control. Just before half-time, Lauren Hemp curled in a brilliant strike from outside the box to make it 3-0. City managed the game well after the break, seeing out a comfortable 3-0 win that strengthens their position at the top of the table.
Aston Villa 1-3 London City Lionesses
London City Lionesses produced a stunning performance away from home to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in one of the standout results of the weekend. Saki Kumagai opened the scoring early, but Kirsty Hanson soon pulled Villa level. Isobel Goodwin then restored the Lionesses' lead with a composed finish, before Kumagai struck again in the 55th minute to make it 3-1. Villa pushed forward but couldn't find a way back, and London City Lionesses left with all three points, lifting them up to sixth in the table. The newly promoted side are beginning to gel and look a threat to their mid-table oppositions.
Brighton & Hove Albion 4-1 Leicester City
Brighton claimed their first win in five games with an impressive 4-1 victory over Leicester. Madison Haley opened the scoring in the first half, before Maelys Mpome doubled the lead just before the break. Brighton looked in control throughout, though Leicester pulled one back in the 75th minute through Shannon O'Brien. Brighton responded immediately, adding two more goals to seal a confident and dominant 4-1-win to get them back on track ahead of the international break.
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Liverpool shocked the champions by battling back to earn a draw. Chelsea struck first through Alyssa Thompson's composed finish after a sharp counterattack, but Liverpool hit back in the 33rd minute when Swedish star, Beata Olsson slotted home the equaliser. It was a thrilling contest that highlighted Chelsea’s vulnerability at the back, which Sonia Bompastor must address to bolster their hopes of the domestic treble once again. For Taylor’s side, this draw is a sign of their potential and determination going forward to return to form.
West Ham United 3-1 Everton
West Ham picked up their first win of the season with a 3-1 home victory over the Toffees. After a strong start, Anouk Denton broke the deadlock early in the first half with a smart finish to put the Hammers ahead. They added a second just before half-time when Amber Tysiak scored in the 41st minute. In the second half, Martinez made it 3-0 with a well-taken goal in the 54th minute. Everton responded late when Katja Snoeijs found the net in the 88th minute, but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback as West Ham held on for a deserved 3-1 win, their first three points of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Arsenal
The North London Derby at Brisbane Road had tension, grit and late pressure despite ending goalless. Arsenal dominated possession and spent long spells camped in Spurs' half, but Lize Kop's assured goalkeeping and Tottenham's disciplined defending duo of Tõko Koga and Clare Hunt kept the Gunners at bay. Spurs offered little going forward , yet their organisation frustrated the visitors throughout. Arsenal pushed hard late on, but Tottenham held firm to claim a stubborn, hard-earned point in a highly contested derby.
What does this mean for the WSL table?
Manchester City head into the break at the top of the table: one win ahead of title holders, Chelsea. However, it is still wide open who will place in the top three this season, qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League playoffs.
Beyond the usual top four: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, it could be possible that either newcomers, London City Lionesses, or highly ambitious, Tottenham Hotspur could push into this prime position.
At the other end of the table, it remains unclear which club will have to face a Barclays WSL 2 team to retain their spot in the fast-evolving competition. Although Liverpool and West Ham look the most vulnerable, Everton and Leicester City on sit a few points above these two under-performing clubs.