Wasteful Arsenal undone by clinical Spurs
Arsenal paid the price for inefficiency against a resilient Tottenham as Jonas Eidevall’s side were dominant in almost every attacking statistic. With 31 shots, Arsenal had an xG of 2.5 but were all too often restricted by poor decision-making (they only registered eight attempts on target) or denied by the brilliance of a defence who put everything on the line to keep the ball out. It was perhaps telling that the Spurs goalkeeper, Barbora Votikova, was awarded the Player of the Match award on her WSL debut. Tottenham created just five opportunities throughout the game, scoring one of their three shots on target, as they continue to develop under the guidance of Robert Vilahamn. Martha Thomas’s goal was a quintessential team effort, a flowing move involving six passes from back to front that delighted her manager. “Dear ChatGPT, show me how Tottenham Hotspur want to score goals!!” he tweeted on Sunday. SD
Hinds banishes United ghosts of the past
Cue a jolly Christmas break for Liverpool as they made history by finally beating (and scoring against) Manchester United in the WSL. United took the lead through Ella Toone inside five minutes but after an own goal by Millie Turner the redemption arc was fulfilled by the Liverpool captain, Taylor Hinds. She was in the right place at the right time, in a box full of red home shirts, to turn in the ball at close range. “Normally, I’m on the edge of the box, but I had a feeling I would score today,” she said after the game. As Liverpool continue to transform and develop under Matt Beard, they end the year level on points with United and only four behind the Champions League places. RO
Chelsea shine with goal of the month contenders
After their frustrating midweek draw against Häcken in the Champions League, Emma Hayes had rued her side’s lack of technical execution when faced with a low defensive block. The quality of Chelsea’s finishing returned at Ashton Gate on Sunday, however, as Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert both put themselves in the running for Goal of the Month. The former needed little invitation to shoot, producing one of her trademark efforts that somehow generates unstoppable pace with very little back-lift. Cuthbert’s was just as sweetly struck, the Scotland international connecting perfectly with a volley in mid-flight to double the score. It was a professional performance from Chelsea who go into the winter break top of the league. The Blues controlled proceedings despite facing a gutsy Bristol City who were never going to roll over. The hosts had their moments, namely when Ffion Morgan forced Hannah Hampton into a superb save, but the difference in experience between the two sides was evident. SD
Shaw hat-trick sends Golden Boot statement
Khadija Shaw has seemingly used the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot last season to fuel a relentless goalscoring drive in this campaign. In the final game of a goal-packed 2023 the Jamaica international secured her second hat-trick of the season in Manchester City’s commanding 4-1 victory over Everton. She is quietly asserting her influence on City’s title pursuit and her quest for the Golden Boot. Despite having her eighth-minute penalty saved by Courtney Brosnan, the 26-year-old swiftly bounced back, executing a precise finish from the edge of the box just 55 seconds later. Shaw doubled City’s lead by slotting a low shot past Brosnan midway through the first half before converting Alex Greenwood’s free-kick in the 65th minute. With nine goals in as many games, Shaw heads into the winter break as the leading WSL goalscorer having helped City into second place based on goal difference. EK
Ward right to trust in Leon
Adriana Leon is proving to be an important player in Carla Ward’s side after signing from Manchester United in the summer. The Canada international was one of three team changes made against Brighton, picked in place of Simone Magill – which paid off. After having an effort ruled out for offside in the first half, Leon scored a brilliant solo goal that proved the eventual winner. She was in sync with Rachel Daly throughout on the right wing and would often drift in to a more central position in counterattack situations. Ward has made 21 changes to her starting 11 this season and Leon showcased a strong case for being a firm regular in 2024. With a squad full of attacking potential it’s a good problem to have. RO
Poor finishing costs West Ham critical points
West Ham had ample opportunities to secure a crucial statement victory against Leicester at the King Power Stadium but in the end emerged with a draw – and only just. Honoka Hayashi’s goal, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, made it 1-1, salvaging a vital point and lifting them from the bottom of the table on goal difference and breaking a five-game losing streak. With just eight goals scored in 10 matches, West Ham have the lowest goal tally in the WSL. The Hammers had 13 shots, with seven on target, and will need to work on their finishing in 2024 if they are to stay up. But the manager, Rehanne Skinner, took the positives from the game. “There’s definitely been times where I’ve been stood on the sidelines in games and thought that it doesn’t matter how long we’re playing today that we might not get a goal – but today I didn’t feel like that,” she said. EK
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Women | 10 | 21 | 25 |
| 2 | Man City Women | 10 | 19 | 22 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 10 | 14 | 22 |
| 4 | Man Utd Women | 10 | 14 | 18 |
| 5 | Liverpool FC Women | 10 | 4 | 18 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 10 | -5 | 15 |
| 7 | Everton Women | 10 | -10 | 11 |
| 8 | Leicester Women | 10 | -6 | 10 |
| 9 | Aston Villa Women | 10 | -10 | 9 |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 10 | -12 | 8 |
| 11 | West Ham Women | 10 | -13 | 5 |
| 12 | Bristol City Women | 10 | -16 | 5 |
