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London City Lionesses Showcase Improvement In Loss

If the London City coach required an example of how far the team have advanced in the past few weeks, Saturday's encounter against the champions provided exactly that. The game concluded in a two-goal loss to the champions, but his side impressed at their opponent's ground and raised multiple challenges for the title holders. London City controlled nearly half the ball – possibly more than expected – and registered the equal amount of shots on target (3), with Isobel Goodwin offering a significant danger with her forward runs. “When we compare to earlier in the season when we faced other top-four opposition, it was really good,” the coach said. “What I like is that we start to see a team – this was my biggest challenge. We observed a team that protected and attacked as one. We must continue to develop.”

Liverpool Vow to Persevere

The Reds' manager, the team's boss, delivered a rallying call to his side as the wait for their initial victory continues. After another defeat, on this occasion 2-1 at the expense of Spurs, he stated: “We have to fight our way out. Our focus is clear. We’re working tirelessly to turn this into a better situation but it requires some patience and backing from everyone. Sadly, currently, we’re suffering setbacks, but we are determined to persevere.” On the face of it, it was an balanced match at Brisbane Road – with comparable ball control, chances created and scoring chances – but after taking an early lead, the away side performed lacking intensity as Tottenham mounted a comeback. It was another concerning example of the Reds’ tendency to fade in games, surely the priority for the coach to address if he is to turn their fortunes around.

Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike Plug Michelle Agyemang Void

Brighton proved they can manage without their temporary forward Michelle Agyemang, even after suffering a defeat to Manchester United. Agyemang was declared unavailable for the season recently after sustaining a serious knee injury while representing for England. There was apprehension about how Brighton would cope, but Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike showed they are more than capable of making up the scoring output by finding the net in the narrow loss. “We responded positively to start,” Brighton’s head coach, the boss, remarked. “We got better as the match progressed, we got our pressure better. Increasingly optimistic, once more. We might have added a few additional goals in the later stages. Against a strong defensive unit, to have the chances we managed today was good, but we need to be more clinical.”

Skinner Takes Encouragement After Loss at City

West Ham's coach could take positives from West Ham’s display against the Sky Blues, despite a 1-0 defeat. While her team, bottom on goal difference, have yet to earn a point, they took a positive approach and were not hesitant from taking on City. A inefficiency in front of goal was West Ham’s downfall at the Joie Stadium but it is only a question of time before they achieve a positive result. “It's frustrating we’ve not taken something from the game, and after all the minutes the squad have had over the recent break the mindset and determination from the players [was excellent], and the fortitude as well,” Skinner noted. “We’ve got to turn things around.”

The Toffees Avoid Self-Sabotage with Gago Double

A stoppage-time leveller by Kelly Gago saved the team's blushes as they shared the result in a high-scoring encounter at Aston Villa. The French forward notched the first goal with her maiden strike of the campaign after a strong Everton start. Villa equalised just before half-time. The second half was action-packed, as both teams capitalized of the other’s leaky backline. An unlucky own goal by Ruby Mace swung the pendulum the home side's way, putting them 3-2 up, but the scorer came to the Merseyside club's rescue after Brian Sørenson’s side had missed opportunities on multiple openings. Everton’s streak absent a league victory now extends to half a dozen games.

Partnership's Spark Aids The Gunners Rediscover Spark

The North London side recorded their third straight victory in all competitions as the Swedish striker netted a brace and Alessia Russo contributed one more in a 4-1 thumping of Leicester. It was a second start of the campaign for the attacker, who set up her strike partner to put the Gunners the lead, then, after a the defender inadvertent strike, ended her five-game drought with a double of her personal tally. The team have appeared not quite championship challengers but a first-half rampage by the forward and Blackstenius created chaos and revealed the slick and bold Arsenal that most people anticipate considering the squad's quality. “We had some new partnerships in the lineup in this match as well, so that requires time to gel,” said head coach, the boss, “but in my view it did exceptionally, especially in the first half.”

WSL League Table

Pos	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea Women	7	11	19
2	Man City Women	7	10	18
3	Man Utd Women	7	14	17
4	Tottenham Hotspur Women	7	1	15
5	Arsenal Women	7	10	14
6	London City Lionesses	7	-9	9
7	Brighton & Hove Albion Women	7	0	7
8	Aston Villa Women	6	0	7
9	Everton Women	7	-4	5
10	Leicester Women	7	-8	5
11	Liverpool FC Women	6	-9	0
12	West Ham Women	7	-16	0