The latest round of Women’s Super League matches saw some significant developments, with teams battling it out for positioning as the season progresses.
Here are the key talking points from the weekend’s action:
| Talking Point | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1. Palace Show They Have Quality to Fight for Survival | Despite losing 5-2 to West Ham, Crystal Palace proved they have the foundation to compete in the WSL. Sitting at the bottom, they are just five points away from sixth place and only one point behind Leicester, who had a tough season last year. Coach Rehanne Skinner remains confident that Palace can stay up. |
| 2. England Helps Spurs Bounce Back | Bethany England’s brace helped Tottenham secure a vital 2-1 win over Everton. The Spurs captain returned to her traditional role as a centre-forward, leading by example with two goals. Tottenham’s 26 shots showcased a creative resurgence, though Everton’s goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan kept the scoreline closer than expected. |
| 3. Liverpool’s Risky Formation Backfires | Matt Beard’s decision to switch Liverpool to a 4-3-3 formation instead of their usual defensive setup didn’t pay off, as they suffered a 4-0 defeat at Manchester United. Beard admitted that the gamble backfired, especially with injuries decimating his squad. He acknowledged the need to find a better balance between defense and attack. |
| 4. Taylor Praises ‘Complete’ Shaw | Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor hailed Khadija “Bunny” Shaw as a “complete striker” after her two goals secured a 4-0 win over Leicester. Shaw now leads the WSL golden boot race, with a total of 11 goals. Taylor praised Shaw for her all-around contributions, adding that her goals are simply the “cherry on the cake.” |
| 5. Russo Continues Fine Form for Arsenal | Arsenal’s Alessia Russo is in excellent form, scoring two goals in the 4-0 victory over Aston Villa. With four goals in her last four matches, Russo’s resurgence has been crucial for Arsenal, who are now third in the table. Her goals, alongside contributions from Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius, highlight the team’s attacking power under interim manager Renée Slegers. |
| 6. Bompastor Breaks Hayes’ Record at Chelsea | Chelsea’s perfect season continued with a 4-2 win over Brighton, extending their winning streak to 13 matches under new manager Sonia Bompastor. The victory broke the previous club record of 12 consecutive wins set by Emma Hayes during the 2021-22 season. Bompastor praised her team’s energy and focus as they aim to finish the year strong. |
Standings (as of this weekend)
| Position | Team | Points | Goals Scored | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 39 | 42 | 13 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 37 | 35 | 14 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 34 | 31 | 16 |
| 4 | Manchester City | 32 | 28 | 13 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 28 | 27 | 20 |
| 6 | Liverpool | 26 | 18 | 20 |
| 7 | West Ham United | 24 | 22 | 28 |
| 8 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 20 | 18 | 25 |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 16 | 17 | 22 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 8 | 8 | 28 |
| 11 | Crystal Palace | 5 | 9 | 28 |
As the season continues, teams are pushing for better performances, with Palace showing signs of resilience, while, at the same time, the top sides are fighting for supremacy.
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