Barclays WSL
Manchester City strengthened their grip on the Barclays Women's Super League summit with a commanding
2-0 victory over Everton at the Joie Stadium.
Brazilian forward Kerolin broke the deadlock midway through the first half with a low shot from a tight angle that
took a significant deflection off Everton defender Martina Fernandez, wrong footing goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan. Vivianne Miedema sealed the points shortly after the hour mark with a precise finish inside the box, capitalising on a clever chipped pass from Khadija Shaw.
Everton, who spent much of the match camped in their own half, limited City to 13 shots on target but offered little threat themselves, managing just one effort on goal. The Toffees felt hard done by however when Fernandez' close range strike from a corner was ruled out, with Ruby Mace adjudged to have fouled City keeper Ayaka Yamashita on the line. The win marked City's 11th successive WSL victory, preserving their six-point advantage over Chelsea.
Chelsea sent a strong message in the title race with a ruthless 5-0 beating of West Ham United at Kingsmeadow – new Hammers boss Rita Guarino's first WSL match in charge. The defending champions raced into a four-goal half time lead, starting with an own goal from West Ham's Yu Endo after just 49 seconds – the second fastest in league history – diverting Ellie Carpenter's cross into her own net. Lauren James capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Kinga Szemik for the second, before Alyssa Thompson and Sandy Baltimore added to the tally. Baltimore netted her second from the penalty spot after the break when Viviane Asseyi handled in the area. The result highlighted West Ham's struggles, coming after they parted ways with former manager Rehanne Skinner following a poor start to the campaign.
Arsenal were frustrated in a goalless draw against ten-player Manchester United at Emirates Stadium in front of 37,627, a result that dented both sides' ambitions. United created the game's best early chance when Fridolina Rolfö's header was tipped onto the crossbar by Arsenal keeper Anneke Borbe. Their task grew harder when full back Jayde Riviere received a second yellow card in the 65th minute. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities through Alessia Russo and Kim Little, Arsenal were wasteful. Manager Renee Slegers, fresh from signing a new three-year contract, introduced attacking substitutes but couldn't find a breakthrough.
Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile boosted their Champions League push with a 1-0 win over Leicester City, thanks in part to an own goal from former Spurs defender Ashleigh Neville on her debut for the Foxes. Neville, who left Tottenham for Leicester just days earlier after nearly a decade, was extremely unfortunate when goalkeeper Olivia Clark punched a corner against her head and into the net. Signe Gaupset, the highly-rated 20-year-old Norwegian making her WSL debut after joining from Brann, impressed in midfield, orchestrating attacks and linking well with Olivia Holdt and Bethany England.
Tottenham extended their unbeaten home record this season to seven games and now sit level on points with third placed Arsenal.
Aston Villa staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Villa Park. The Seagulls took a deserved first half lead when Sabrina D'Angelo gifted possession to Fuka Tsunoda, who finished confidently on her first WSL start. Rachel Daly twice went close before the break – hitting the bar with a header and the post with a volley – but equalised after the restart, glancing in Lucia Kendall's free kick at the near post. Just 92 seconds later, top scorer Kirsty Hanson rifled home from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.
Villa held firm to secure their fourth league win of the season, moving two points ahead of Brighton in the table.
Liverpool remain winless at the foot of the table after a largely uneventful 0-0 draw with London City Lionesses in Eder Maestre's first game as Lionesses manager. Neither side registered a shot on target in a low key affair, with Liverpool enjoying better possession in the first half but lacking a cutting edge. Debutant Alice Bergstrom showed promise on the right, while Ceri Holland spurned the game's best chance after the break.
The result means Liverpool are a point behind West Ham in 12th, while the Lionesses are in seventh place.
Leading goalscorers:
12 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);
6 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);
5 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
5 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
5 - Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City);
5 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);
5 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
4 - Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea);
4 - Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Aoba Fujino (Manchester City);
4 - Jess Park (Manchester United);
4 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);
4 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea);
4 - Ornella Vignola (Everton);
(League goals only)
