Ladies’s Tremendous League (WSL) motion returned over the weekend with some massive outcomes at each ends of the desk within the penultimate fixtures earlier than the winter break.
Chelsea are cruising on the high of the standings, 5 factors away from the remainder, whereas the battle for survival on the different ends of the desk intensifies each single week. Manchester United bought again to successful methods, Liverpool are feeling the pinch of accidents, and West Ham United bought important factors.
With that being stated, listed below are 90min’s six key takeaways from WSL gameweek 9…
One other week, one other win for Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea. Sjoeke Nusken scored a brace, whereas Aggie Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd have been additionally among the many objectives within the 4-2 victory at residence to Brighton & Hove Albion.Â
Issues did get slightly bit nervy when the guests pulled it again to 3-2 with 20 minutes left to play, however the fourth Chelsea purpose in stoppage time put the consequence past doubt. They’ve now gained all 9 of their WSL video games this time period, sustaining a 100% begin to the league season.Â
They’re 5 factors clear on the high of the standings and, at this second in time, they appear untouchable. Their ultimate recreation earlier than the winter break will see them journey to face Leicester Metropolis, however one factor is definite: they are going to be high at Christmas.
It was shaping as much as be a dismal afternoon for West Ham at residence to Crystal Palace. With simply over ten minutes gone, they have been two objectives down following strikes from Mille Gejl and Indiah-Paige Riley.
Nevertheless, a outstanding turnaround noticed them go in at half time 3-2 up. Viviane Asseyi halved the deficit earlier than Seraina Piubel put the Hammers again on stage phrases, and Manuela Pavi fired them in entrance on 44 minutes.
Second half objectives from Anouk Denton and Katrina Gorry ensured the victory for Rehanne Skinner’s aspect to take them up into eighth within the WSL standings after beforehand failing to win any of their first seven video games. This victory was equally as outstanding because it was essential given the way in which they began the sport, and West Ham will likely be brimming with confidence forward of this week’s journey to Villa Park.
Chelsea are runaway leaders on the high of the WSL at this stage – though Manchester Metropolis will again themselves to claw their means into competition. However, each Manchester United and Arsenal are actually inside touching distance of second place as effectively.
All three recorded snug 4-0 victories of their respective video games over the weekend, which has solely served to accentuate the race for the highest three and Champions League qualification. Arsenal and United are stage on 18 factors with Metropolis not too far forward on 22.
Regardless of Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, Brighton are additionally clinging to that European dialog as they sit on 16 factors after 9 video games. Whereas retaining the tempo into the latter phases of the marketing campaign is a tall order, it isn’t past the realms of chance that they’ll keep within the combine.
Liverpool might solely title 16 gamers within the matchday squad for the brief journey to face Manchester United, such is the harm disaster that has dominated their season thus far. The Reds cancelled a pre-season recreation towards United as a result of accidents and the state of affairs hasn’t actually improved, with key midfielder Marie Hobinger the newest to fall sufferer throughout the worldwide break.
Lucy Parry, Sophie Roman Haug, Sofie Lundgaard, Racheal Legal guidelines, Hannah Silcock and Gemma Evans have been all additionally lacking on Sunday, dominated out for various lengths of time. It has opened the first-team door for spectacular teenager Zara Shaw, whereas Maddy Duffy made her debut towards United. However it’s comfort given the general impression a scarcity of senior gamers is having on outcomes.
Liverpool beat United residence and away within the WSL final season. However whereas they initially competed effectively on this one, conceding twice in fast succession half and hour in killed them en-route to dropping 4-0.
Tottenham Hotspur leapfrogged Liverpool within the desk with a slender 2-1 triumph at Everton over the weekend. Robert Vilahamn’s aspect initially took the lead courtesy of a Bethany England purpose, however that was rapidly cancelled out by a strike from Toffees midfielder Sara Holmgaard.
Spurs have been awarded a penalty early within the second half and England calmly stepped as much as restore the host’s lead at Brisbane Highway. The Lilywhites have been then in a position to maintain on to their slender benefit to maneuver as much as sixth, some extent away from Liverpool within the standings.
Usually within the WSL, there’s a small variety of groups battling it out on the backside of the desk and there may be normally a agency favorite to go down. This time round, that’s removed from the case.
Leicester and Crystal Palace sit on 5 factors every, Everton and Aston Villa on six, West Ham on eight, Liverpool on 9 and Spurs on 10. Simply 5 factors at present separate twelfth from the highest half.
On present type, any a kind of groups might realistically get relegated this season. It would make for an thrilling, drama-filled finish to the marketing campaign, however extraordinarily worrying for these battling to outlive.
