Ruthless Chelsea have title in their sights
Ruthless is a word that has been bandied around many a time to describe this Chelsea side. Their first-half display against Everton encapsulated why. Five shots on target, five goals scored were the stats at the break as the Blues eventually cruised to a 7-0 victory. Emma Hayes’s options in attack are enviable. Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr got one apiece, a partnership up front that has defined their season. When Kerr was forced off early, on came Pernille Harder to score with her first touch. The Denmark captain has been missing for much of this campaign with a long-term hamstring issue but announced her return in style with a double and a player-of-the-match performance. Goals from midfield – Sophie Ingle, Jessie Fleming and later Erin Cuthbert – completed the scoring. Chelsea are up to second, Manchester United and that top spot firmly in their sights. It is getting harder to see how anyone will prevent them from lifting their fourth successive WSL title. SD
City slip and must now adjust their sights
Should Manchester United win the title, perhaps a token of appreciation can be sent to Merseyside. Perhaps something royal-themed. In September’s opening weekend (delayed by Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral), Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1. And on Coronation weekend, almost bookending the season, Manchester City were beaten by the same scoreline at Prenton Park. The latter result was desperately damaging to City, leaving them to scrabble for a Champions League qualification place rather than dream of the title. “We created some things but probably not as much as we’d have liked,” said the City manager, Gareth Taylor. “They battled and defended really well.” After a Manchester derby on 21 May, United’s final-day visit to Liverpool could be where the title’s destiny is decided. Beating City made it four home wins in their last five WSL matches for Matt Beard’s team, who are becoming a regular fly in the ointment for the top teams. JB
Reading reach last-chance saloon in survival battle
In the past, whenever Reading have found themselves in a spot of bother, they have found a way out. Consistent underdogs, Kelly Chambers’ teams are renowned for their tenacity, resilience and never-say-die attitude. But in their performance against Aston Villa on Sunday, it looked as if the Royals had finally run out of steam – perhaps just one fight too many for the WSL’s comeback queens. They limped through the 5-0 home drubbing, literally and figuratively. The image of at least three of their outfield players practically held together by tape epitomised their predicament. In a season short on luck or momentum and beset by injuries, the manner of this defeat will have stung. The relegation battle is not over but anything other than a win against Tottenham in a fortnight’s time will likely see them drop out of top-flight football for the first time since 2016. With the wider problems surrounding the club well documented, it is hard to know what the future will hold if they don’t stay up. SD
Phillips spark turns things around at Brighton
Brighton secured three crucial points in a 1-0 win against West Ham to ease their relegation fears. Kayleigh Green scored her first WSL goal of the season, after the Hammers’ sloppy passing at the back gifted Brighton possession. Melissa Phillips, who took charge at the start of April, has helped Brighton build a five-point cushion from the bottom club, Reading. The American has made a swift impact and the numbers speak for themselves. Brighton have won seven points from four games under Phillips and earned their first clean sheet of the season against West Ham. RO
Eidevall’s Maanum masterstroke earns crucial win
A clever tactical change by Jonas Eidevall tipped all three points Arsenal’s way against Leicester as Frida Maanum, who started in midfield, was moved up to the No 10 position. Before the change it was hard to see how Arsenal could find a goal against resilient opponents. Janina Leitzig, who was formidable again in Leicester’s goal, would only be beaten by something special and that is what Maanum offered when she curled a shot from just outside the box into the top corner. The switch in position gave Maanum the freedom of movement and space – and she commanded the latter with skill and grace. Maanum’s versatility has been a gift considering Arsenal’s injury crisis up front, with Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema out long-term. RO
Struggling Spurs need a change of plan
Tottenham are in a relegation battle despite the quality in their squad. They lost 3-0 at Manchester United but could quite easily have scored at least three goals, despite being dominated for 90 minutes. Beth England, Celin Bizet and Mana Iwabuchi failed to convert great chances, but where Tottenham’s big problems lay were at the back. Their defenders repeatedly made errors and needlessly put pressure on themselves. Such anxiety could explain the mistakes that resulted in the third goal, by Nikita Parris. The main issue came when Spurs attempted to pass out from the back, repeatedly losing possession. If they are to stay up, Tottenham may need to be more pragmatic because they are struggling to carry out the current plan. Being more direct could also help England and the other forwards get more of the ball in areas that can make the difference when they face Reading in two weeks. WU
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man Utd Women | 20 | 42 | 50 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 18 | 36 | 46 |
| 3 | Man City Women | 20 | 25 | 44 |
| 4 | Arsenal Women | 18 | 30 | 41 |
| 5 | Aston Villa Women | 20 | 8 | 33 |
| 6 | Everton Women | 19 | -4 | 27 |
| 7 | Liverpool FC Women | 20 | -14 | 22 |
| 8 | West Ham Women | 19 | -18 | 17 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 19 | -31 | 16 |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 20 | -19 | 14 |
| 11 | Leicester Women | 19 | -27 | 13 |
| 12 | Reading Women | 20 | -28 | 11 |
