Foxes must keep up hunt for full 90
A 5-2 win made things look comfortable in the end for Chelsea as they extended their unbeaten run in the league. However, Leicester gave the champions plenty to think about. Despite conceding twice in the opening five minutes, the Foxes rallied with a display that exemplified the character and style of play they have been developing since Willie Kirk took charge of the team – aggressive, forward-thinking and strong in one-on-one duels. Leicester’s next step in their development will be keeping up the intensity of their performance for 90 minutes. Chelsea, meanwhile, have Lauren James. The 22-year-old is arguably the most technically gifted footballer in the country, and she put in another display that once again indicated her improving productivity. SD
Match report: Chelsea 5-2 Leicester
Ruthless Shaw takes Spurs apart
It’s Bunny Shaw’s world and we’re all just living in it. No doubt that is how Tottenham’s defence felt as the the Manchester City forward scored a first-half hat-trick against them inside 15 minutes, having also scored three against them in a 3-1 win last season. Sunday’s 7-0 dismantling demonstrated there’s simply no stopping Shaw and City when they’re in the mood to run riot and that’s exactly what they did. With support from the likes of Jill Roord and Lauren Hemp, the Jamaican was in her element. Patient and composed off the ball, ruthless in attack and self-assured in defence – the contest became a footballing masterclass with Shaw the star of the contest. RO
Mead back in the goals
Beth Mead’s return from the anterior cruciate ligament injury that kept her out for 11 months has been well documented. The England winger has delivered good performances as she continued to build minutes despite an inevitable lack of sharpness in front of goal. However, it was always a question of when rather than if she would find the back of the net again and she finally got herself back on the scoresheet with a brace in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over West Ham. Her first, to double Arsenal’s lead in the 18th minute, was a finish of trademark quality as she shifted into space and curled the ball into the top corner with her weaker foot. The celebration was no less special; after being mobbed by her teammates, Mead sent a kiss up to the sky. It was a touching tribute to her mother, June, who died in January, a reminder once again of how difficult this past year has been for her. SD
Beth Mead is back 🤩#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/y6Tx2gsyE5
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 27, 2023
Reds time it right to mark milestones
Liverpool showcased their most resolute display of the season in a confident 4-0 win against Brighton. The joy emanated both on and off the pitch, making for some unforgettable moments for Matt Beard’s side. Gemma Bonner started the match by being awarded a celebratory plaque to mark her all-time appearance record at the club and ended it with her name on the scoresheet. Next it was Shanice van de Sanden’s chance to get in on the feelgood vibe around Prenton Park as she struck from close range, and dedicated her celebration to her newborn daughter. Neither Bonner nor Van de Sanden had scored in over a year – they couldn’t have timed it better to mark their respective milestones. RO
A clinical finish from @ShaniceJanice! 🎯#BarclaysWSL @LiverpoolFCW pic.twitter.com/lCuvFXzhiD
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 27, 2023
Villa’s frailty at the back needs a fix
Aston Villa created chances galore against Everton on Sunday but lacked the cutting edge to punish them and ultimately paid for that with a 2-1 defeat – a sixth league loss of the season. Villa sit two places from the bottom, which must be a shock for all concerned at the club given their hopes of building on last season’s fifth-place finish. Carla Ward’s team haven’t made dominance count enough and perhaps the most startling fact is that they possess the second-worst defensive record in the league having conceded 20 in eight games – only rock-bottom Bristol City have let in more. Teams are capitalising on Villa’s defensive frailty at will and that requires a sharp remedy to stop an even deeper slide away from their ambitions. MO
Robins show resilience in defeat
Bristol City lost again but in their 2-0 defeat by Manchester United the league’s bottom-placed side displayed the type of character that suggests relegation is not a foregone conclusion. For the first 50 minutes Lauren Smith’s side frustrated United with their compact low block and defensive application, with Olivia Clark catching the eye with her heroics in goal. United eventually found a way to break Bristol down when Hinata Miyazawa’s effort got a wicked deflection to wrongfoot the City goalkeeper. Nikita Parris also scored her fourth league goal of the season with another display that indicated she is returning to her best. SD
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Women | 8 | 21 | 22 |
| 2 | Arsenal Women | 8 | 12 | 19 |
| 3 | Man City Women | 8 | 15 | 16 |
| 4 | Man Utd Women | 8 | 11 | 15 |
| 5 | Liverpool FC Women | 8 | 3 | 14 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 8 | -2 | 12 |
| 7 | Leicester Women | 8 | -6 | 8 |
| 8 | Everton Women | 8 | -8 | 8 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 8 | -11 | 7 |
| 10 | Aston Villa Women | 8 | -10 | 6 |
| 11 | West Ham Women | 8 | -12 | 4 |
| 12 | Bristol City Women | 8 | -13 | 4 |
