Barclays WSL
Arsenal continued their recent form by ending runaway leaders Manchester City's 13-game winning run in
the league with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.
Olivia Smith struck the only goal in the 17th minute, racing onto Mariona Caldentey's superb through ball, rounding
goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, and slotting into an empty net. The Canadian winger's pace repeatedly troubled City's high line, while Alessia Russo forced a fine save from Yamashita just before half time. City improved after the break but were frustrated, with Vivianne Miedema's effort ruled out for a foul on Katie McCabe.
The result keeps City's lead at eight points (39 from 15 games), with Arsenal moving onto 29 points from 14 matches – 10 points behind but with a game in hand and firmly in the hunt for a top three finish.
Manchester United closed the gap on City to eight points on Saturday, thanks to a 2-0 win over struggling Leicester City. Julia Zigiotti Olme opened the scoring in the 13th minute when her powerful cross flew past everyone – including intended target Lea Schuller – and into the net. Elisabeth Terland, fresh from the bench, sealed the points in the 88th minute with her fifth goal in as many games against the Foxes, showing excellent footwork before finishing clinically.
Leicester are now on the bottom of the table despite a spirited second-half showing, with substitute Noemie Mouchon lively and Shannon O'Brien unfortunate not to win a penalty.
Chelsea returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to keep their top three ambitions alive. Keira Walsh gave the Blues the lead against the run of play in the first half, before leading scorer Alyssa Thompson doubled the advantage shortly after half time. Spurs – who were just a point behind Chelsea before kick-off – dominated large spells of the first period and hit the bar through Olivia Holdt, but Chelsea's clinical edge proved decisive after recent setbacks.
Everton secured their first league victory under interim head coach Scott Phelan and their second in succession, defeating London City Lionesses 1-0. Inma Gabarro scored the decisive goal on 62 minutes – her first for the Toffees since returning from a January loan recall from Sevilla – by firing into the roof of the net after Nicole Momiki threaded a pass through. The hosts had dominated early on and missed several chances, but Everton capitalised to continue their revival and move five points clear of bottom placed Leicester.
West Ham United produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2, with Viviane Asseyi scoring a 91st minute winner. Trailing 2-0 after goals from Kiko Seike and Manuela Vanegas, the Hammers struck three times in nine second half minutes. Ffion Morgan's wayward cross beat Chiamaka Nnadozie in the 82nd minute, before the Brighton keeper's error allowed Shekiera Martinez to equalise four minutes later. Asseyi then pounced in stoppage time after a goalmouth scramble to give her side a precious victory. The win lifts West Ham to tenth, two points clear of Leicester (who have a game in hand) and one above Liverpool.
Liverpool moved off the foot of the table with a convincing 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. The Reds raced into a two-goal lead inside fifteen minutes through Mia Enderby and Martha Thomas. Miri Taylor pulled one back for Villa before half time, but late goals from captain Grace Fisk, with a volley from a corner, and substitute Aurelie Csillag secured a dominant win. Villa's misery was compounded by goalkeeper Sabrina D'Angelo's early second half injury, with Ellie Roebuck replacing her. Liverpool therefore rise to eleventh, leaving Leicester City at the bottom – albeit with a game in hand.
Leading goalscorers:
14 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);
7 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);
6 - Kerolin (Manchester City);
6 - Shekiera Martinez (West Ham United);
6 - Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City);
6 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);
6 - Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea);
5 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
5 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
5 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);
5 - Jess Park (Manchester United);
5 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
5 - Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United);
4 - Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea);
4 - Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Aoba Fujino (Manchester City);
4 - Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses);
4 - Olivia Holdt (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Olivia Smith (Arsenal);
4 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);
4 - Ornella Vignola (Everton);
(League goals only)
