Eriksson takes Kingsmeadow bow in style
The Chelsea captain Magdalena Eriksson made sure her last appearance at Kingsmeadow ended in spectacular fashion as she scored the second goal in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Arsenal. The Blues have confirmed the influential defender will be leaving the club this summer, alongside Pernille Harder, after winning 11 trophies since signing six years ago. The victory against the Gunners has kept Eriksson’s 12th trophy across all competitions and fifth WSL title charge with Chelsea on course as they head into the final round two points clear of Manchester United. Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said of her departing captain: “Magda has been so pivotal to our success. For her to get that moment in her final home game, in front of the fans she loves, nothing will mean more to her. Everybody wanted that fairytale for her. She has been our captain and leader. I know the work that has gone on behind the scenes to get the team to where it is.” SR
Magda on her final appearance at Kingsmeadow 🥹
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
Look at that smile on her face!#BarclaysWSL @ChelseaFCW @MagdaEricsson pic.twitter.com/HtSV7jh1EK
Parris gives Wiegman plenty to ponder
Sarina Wiegman has a few issues heading into the World Cup with a number of important and experienced players missing or doubts because of injury. One player who is in form and can be called upon is Nikita Parris, who has fallen out of favour with the national team coach in recent months. With Wiegman in the stands at Leigh on Sunday, she could not help but be impressed by Parris’s performance against Manchester City. She was a constant threat in the final third with her pace and movement, two things that played a part in Ellie Roebuck’s sending off. Considering Wiegman’s absentees, it could be wise to bring an elite player like Parris back into the fold. She has 72 caps to her name and a plethora of tournament experience that could prove invaluable in Australia and New Zealand. WU
WHAT A MOMENT 🤩#BarclaysWSL @ManUtdWomen @LuciaGarcia17 pic.twitter.com/KsnL3lu4kJ
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
Snoeijs scores yet again for Everton
Katja Snoeijs may not have scored the winner against Brighton in Everton’s 2-1 win but she was once again on the scoresheet for the Toffees. She has now netted in four of Everton’s last five league games, totting up five goals in total across the fixtures with two goals in the reverse fixture against Brighton in April. In Sunday’s match the Netherlands international became the first Everton player to score in consecutive home matches since in the 2019-20 season and the first player for the club to score against two opponents home and away since 2014. Snoeijs’s impact on Everton is clear as she is their top WSL scorer this season and the 12th-highest scorer in the top flight. “I was happy to get another goal in,” Snoeijs said. “The support this season has been amazing.” SR
Inspired England justifies price tag at Spurs
Tottenham’s Beth England advanced her World Cup claims by showcasing her goalscoring prowess in the first Women’s Super League-Premier League double header. England’s two goals ensured Spurs will remain in the WSL after they eased to a 4-1 victory over Reading. Her prolific scoring form has justified her British record transfer to Spurs from Chelsea in January and strengthened her cause for an England recall in time for the World Cup. Spurs’ interim head coach, Vicky Jepson, certainly thinks the 28-year-old merits a place in the squad. She said: “I do think she should be going to the World Cup but obviously I’m not going to tell Sarina [Wiegman] how to do her job.” With five goals in her last four matches, England is in peak form and pressing her case for a return to the international fold. She has not played for the national team since scoring twice as a substitute in the rout of Luxembourg last September. SM
Thriller highlights Ward and Beard progress
Carla Ward has made no secret of her desire for Aston Villa to secure a fifth-placed finish this campaign. Her team delivered, showing all of their trademark resilience in an entertaining encounter at Villa Park. A six-goal thriller in front of over 7,500 spectators meant the spoils were shared with Liverpool with both having only league position to contest. A point was enough for the hosts to gain their highest-ever WSL finish. In a topsy-turvy game that saw Villa come from behind twice despite battling squad injury, it was another sign of the eye-catching progress they’ve made over the last 18 months or so. On Liverpool’s part, their success this season has been no less noteworthy. Having returned to the top division last summer, they are now in a strong position to seal seventh which would mark an impressive achievement for Matt Beard’s side. SD
STENG⚽⚽AL!@ksteng12 with the bullet header at the front post! #BarclaysWSL @LiverpoolFCW pic.twitter.com/eXVGY6ROFh
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
Leicester send relegation battle to wire
It was in their hands! All Leicester had to do was beat a struggling West Ham team at home and their WSL status would have been secure. Football, however, rarely follows a script. Leicester succumbed to a 2-1 defeat with a lacklustre performance to take the relegation battle down to the final day. It marked the visitors’ first league win of the calendar year. The loss will have been compounded by the knowledge that their opponents did not actually play well. The Foxes dominated the stats both in terms of possession and chance creation. But on one of the most important days of their season, their clinical edge deserted them. The fact that the two they conceded were an own goal and a penalty sums up an afternoon in which they also lost Ruby Mace to two yellow cards. The integral 19-year-old will be a big miss for the trip down to Brighton. The situation is still in Leicester’s hands but they can ill afford a similar showing next weekend. SD
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Women | 21 | 48 | 55 |
| 2 | Man Utd Women | 21 | 43 | 53 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 21 | 35 | 47 |
| 4 | Man City Women | 21 | 24 | 44 |
| 5 | Aston Villa Women | 21 | 8 | 34 |
| 6 | Everton Women | 21 | -6 | 30 |
| 7 | Liverpool FC Women | 21 | -14 | 23 |
| 8 | West Ham Women | 21 | -21 | 20 |
| 9 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 21 | -16 | 17 |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 21 | -36 | 16 |
| 11 | Leicester Women | 21 | -34 | 13 |
| 12 | Reading Women | 21 | -31 | 11 |
