The WSL title race appears to be a genuine four-way fight this season after a huge weekend at the top of the table.
It still feels relatively early in the season but this was a weekend that had a seismic impact, including a clash between two of the main protagonists at the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea may have ended it at the summit but games in-hand for rivals mean it is still neck-and-neck.
Alessia Russo was the hero as Manchester United secured a memorable win over Arsenal on their first visit to the Emirates, turning a 2-1 defeat into a 3-2 victory in the final minutes. The England forward headed home a 90th-minute winner, deciding a see-saw contest that showed the domestic game at its most dramatic.
Although Marc Skinner was keen to play it down as another three points, there is no doubt it was a statement of intent that underlines United’s title credentials. It was their second win since promotion in 2019 in the WSL against the traditional big three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, giving Marc Skinner’s team a huge psychological boost.
But more pressingly it drew the Red Devils level on points with the previously unbeaten Gunners.
Defending champions Chelsea, also on 18 points before kick-off, then took centre stage on Sunday in front of 38,350 at Stamford Bridge. With Emma Hayes returning in the dugout, a classy, composed finish from Sam Kerr gave the Blues an early lead, after Tottenham had looked lively in the opening minutes.
Erin Cuthbert then celebrated her new contract extension with a spectacular effort that flew past Tinja-Riikka Korpela in the Spurs goal. A further strike from the penalty spot courtesy of Guro Reiten sealed the win before the break.
That sends the Blues three points clear of Arsenal and United at the top of the WSL on 21, although they have played a game extra. Chelsea still have to play Leicester and Reading before the Christmas break, but will be desperate to remain top of the table when the league halts.
This is because when they return the Blues face one of their toughest blocks of the season. First is a trip to Arsenal, then a rematch with a Liverpool team who beat them on the opening day, before another away London derby this time at Tottenham.
And Manchester City had already ensured there is a fourth team still very much in the title picture with a 2-1 win at Everton in the weekend’s opening game. The prolific Khadija Shaw got the winner, with Julie Blakstad also on the scoresheet after Shaw unselfishly squared the ball to her.
It means after a tricky start that saw them pointless after their opening two games, City are back in the hunt at the top of the table. They sit just three points behind Arsenal and their neighbours United in the table and with Brighton at home next up Gareth Taylor’s team will be looking to keep pace with their rivals in the run-up to Christmas.
City face United in the first Manchester derby of the season on December 11 at the Etihad Stadium, a game that could show who is best placed to make a sustained challenge. But as United showed this weekend, they are now more than capable of upsetting the WSL elite.
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