United closing the gap on local rivals
Despite failing to take three points from a Manchester derby at the sixth time of asking, Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at City carried with it plenty of positives. “There was a change in this game,” the United manager, Marc Skinner, said. “We’re frustrated with the result but not the performance.” In previous meetings United have struggled but on Sunday they came to the Etihad and, in front of 44,259 people, took the game to City. Skinner said the difference was that his players had “come off not feeling like they’ve had to defend for their lives like they perhaps did sometimes last season”. This was a close-to full strength City side, albeit with five new signings in the starting XI, making United’s performance all the more impressive. SW
That @ellatoone99 and @leah_galton21 link up 🤩#BarclaysWSL @ManUtdWomen pic.twitter.com/1EUhiVC6aZ
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 12, 2022
Arsenal show newfound resilience
The Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevall, praised the composure of his players after they came from behind to secure a 4-1 win at Aston Villa and they appear to have steadied the ship after the recent 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United. That is in stark contrast to last season, where defeat to Chelsea in the delayed 2021 FA Cup final sent his side spiralling, picking up one win from their next six games in all competitions. At Villa Park, Kirsty Hanson’s sixth-minute strike could have panicked the injury-hit Gunners. Instead, a Rachel Corsie own goal and a fourth goal in four games from the WSL record goalscorer, Vivianne Miedema, turned the game around before Katie McCabe and Jordan Nobbs killed off any hopes of a Villa recovery. “It’s about having belief in our gameplan and not changing or letting the emotions take over at that point,” said Eidevall. The true test of their confidence is yet to come though as they play Chelsea, the league leaders, at the Emirates in their first game of 2023. SW
Evans the gamechanger for Hammers
West Ham are generally known for their quick starts, but on Sunday it was their second-half performance that saw them through. They were second-best to Spurs in the first half, saved by a lack of clinical finishing from their opponents. The Hammers’ only clear chance was a penalty Dagny Brynjarsdóttir sent wide. Paul Konchesky showed his attacking intent and the introduction of Lisa Evans at the interval changed the game. The Scotland winger instigated the opener, her run creating the opportunity for Brynjarsdóttir to make amends. As Tottenham desperately tried to level things up, they were caught out as the visitors executed the perfect counterattack. The France centre-back, Hawa Cissoko, sprinted the best part of 60 yards before lifting a shot over Rebecca Spencer to seal the three points. It was a victory that puts the Hammers into fifth place before the winter break. SD
The Iron's captain @dagnybrynjars bags her 5th goal of the season 🤩💥#BarclaysWSL @westhamwomen pic.twitter.com/bKig1u9ma2
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 11, 2022
Cankovic makes big impact for Blues
Jelena Cankovic gave Emma Hayes plenty to think about as she played an integral role in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Reading on Sunday. Her first-half performance will have caught the eye, with two goals emphatically telling her manager she is ready to play. The Serbia international arrived in Cobham in the summer from Rosengård on a three-year deal. This was her first start after three appearances off the bench and her energy in the first half was clear to see. Cankovic’s quick-thinking off a free kick instigated the first goal for Fran Kirby (although it should have been ruled out for offside). The provider then turned scorer, reacting to a rebound before adding another with a powerful header. She faded, as Chelsea did, in the second half as Reading, ever resilient, almost pulled themselves level from three goals down. SD
Fans deserve better than late postponements
It’s the season for goodwill and, clearly, for Women’s Super League postponements. The league has smashed records this season after England’s Euro 2022 win and attendances are up by 200%, but clubs are still at the mercy of the weather. The top flight deserves better, as do the fans. This weekend, Brighton v Everton was the first to fall because a frozen pitch at the Broadfield Stadium, with a rescheduled date to be announced on Saturday. At least supporters were given some warning before they travelleds. The other game to be called off did not give fans the same time with Prenton Park failing a second pitch inspection two hours before Liverpool’s game with Leicester was due to kick off. SR
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Women | 10 | 23 | 27 |
| 2 | Arsenal Women | 9 | 20 | 24 |
| 3 | Man Utd Women | 9 | 18 | 22 |
| 4 | Man City Women | 9 | 11 | 19 |
| 5 | West Ham Women | 10 | -3 | 15 |
| 6 | Aston Villa Women | 9 | -6 | 12 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 8 | -3 | 9 |
| 8 | Everton Women | 8 | -3 | 9 |
| 9 | Liverpool FC Women | 9 | -5 | 8 |
| 10 | Reading Women | 10 | -11 | 7 |
| 11 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 8 | -18 | 7 |
| 12 | Leicester Women | 9 | -23 | 0 |
