- Weekend’s WSL action sees Chelsea, Man City and Brighton continue strong start
- Man U snatch late equaliser, Liverpool win
- West Ham bizarre own goal keeps them at the bottom of the table, Villa also remain winless
City dominate, Chelsea emphatic, wasteful Arsenal and West Ham bizarre own goal. The weekend’s action also saw Nikita Parris shine as Brighton continue winning streak, and Villa and Everton continue winless streak
Chelsea beat Everton to close gap
Everton 0-5 Chelsea
Current title holders Chelsea offered up a ruthless performance against a defensively poor Everton to continue their winning streak to the season. Chelsea are the only team to have won all their opening matches, they sit behind Manchester City having played one game less this season so far. Chelsea have a far superior goal difference having scored 17 goals so far this season, whilst City are in second place on goal difference with just eight. The trashing is no surprise, Chelsea set the tone early by forcing the Everton keeper to make a save just seconds into the start, within 14 minutes they were on the scoresheet and from there the goals just kept coming with five different goal scorers.
A typical dominant, clinical and emphatic performance from the West London club.
There’s a long way to go in the season, but so far Man City and Chelsea have been the standout teams, the teams to beat.
Wasteful Arsenal drop points
Manchester United 1-1 Arsenal
Attendance: 8,348
The Gunners will see Sunday’s match as another exercise in how to drop points. England striker Alessia Russo gave the Gunners the lead in the 63rd minute – against a backdrop of hostility towards the former United player. But her efforts were cancelled out by a goal from United substitute Malard in the 83rd minute, despite Arsenal delivering a much more controlled and dominant performance in the second half.
Parris shines as winning start continues
Brighton 1-0 Leicester City
Attendance: 2,082
Brighton have continued their impressive start to the new season with another win, this time at home to Leicester thanks to striker Nikita Parris. The England striker is no doubt giving Sarina Wiegman a headache as her impressive run of performances put her back into contention for an England call-up. Brighton have been really impressive so far and often relies on Parris and her ability to find space and work her way through a backline. She was able to show off her pace in the second half and the versatility she possesses is a real asset for the Seagulls.
Bizarre goal sees Spurs late win
Tottenham 2-1 West Ham
A late and bizarre own goal from West Ham defender Camila Saez gave Spurs the Sunday London derby win. The Hammers started off well, with a set-piece goal in the first half (a Spurs weakness) but soon into the second half, Beth England found the back of the net. In the 92nd minute, the dreaded own goal occurred meaning West Ham currently sits second from the bottom of the table (only above Everton on goal difference), with just two points from six matches. It’s one heck of a hill to climb for the Hammers who look set on spending the new season in the relegation battle despite a flurry of summer signings.
Villa struggles continue as Liverpool win
Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds scored twice on Sunday to give Liverpool the well-deserved win over Aston Villa. Liverpool took an early lead against a “terrible” first-half performance from Villa and remain winless in the new season. They sit 10th in the table, above West Ham and bottom-of-the-table Everton on goal difference only. All three teams have yet to win a game this season.
Aston Villa manager Rober de Pauw described his team’s first half as “terrible” and suggested his team were “stressed and insecure on the ball.”
City continue dominant start
Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
Attendance: 2,275
Manchester City have extended their lead at the top of the WSL table with a dominant and assured performance over WSL newcomers Crystal Palace. A wonder strike from Jess Park, an alert Jill Roord scooped up a loose ball in the box to double City’s lead before Bunny Shaw headed home a cross from Park to make it 3-0. But Crystal Palace did well defensively in the first half. If they can avoid relegation, the South London team have shown real promise and perhaps a little more time to settle into top-flight football will help them find their feet.
