UWCL & WSL: the weekend’s football results in review
It’s been a busy weekend of football – with Chelsea beating Barcelona in the Champions League and other big matches across the Super League in action – including Arsenal playing in front of more than 42,000 people at the Emirates.
Chelsea do the impossible
Barcelona 0-1 Chelsea – Women’s Champions League first-leg
Emma Hayes’s Champions League journey got off to the best start when they beat Barcelona 1-0 away. It’s the first time in five years since Barcelona have lost a home match. Chelsea will now welcome Barcelona to Stamford Bridge on Saturday – in front of a crowd of more than 25,000.
The Blues did well to frustrate Barcelona, defending well and making each break count. They defended together, they attacked together and they won together. Will they be able to do it again on the 27th? It’s Hayes’ last Champions League with Chelsea, as she’s off to be the head coach of the US women’s team at the end of the WSL season. The Champions League is the only silverware missing from her cabinet.
City back at the top of the table
Manchester City 5-0 West Ham
Manchester City beat West Ham 5-0 at the Joie Stadium, returning them to the top spot. City were on point throughout the match – fluid, ruthless and rampant. Top goalscorer Bunny Shaw made history during the match – she is now the WSL’s only player to have a goal contribution in 10 consecutive matches. The win means City have a three-point gap between them and second-place Chelsea – but the Blues do have a game in hand.
If you need a sign that the WSL is getting more competitive each season, the fact the title-race is going to the wire is the clearest indicator of the ever-growing competitiveness of the top flight.
United and Spurs give us FA Cup final glimpse
Man Utd 2-2 Tottenham
Maya le Tissier scrambled in a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Tottenham their first-ever win over Manchester United in an enthralling dress rehearsal for next month’s FA Cup final. Le Tissier’s goal was the sixth United have scored after the 90-minute mark this season, something Spurs should be wary of ahead of the sides meeting in next month’s FA Cup final.
Arsenal get UWCL spot
Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
Arsenal have secured the third and final Champions League spot – with three games in hand. Their 3-0 victory over Leicester ensured they will at least equal last year’s Women’s Super League campaign. The Gunners put on a dominant performance in front of more than 42,000 fans at the Emirates. Frida Maanum made a welcome return to the field after collapsing during last month’s Continental Cup final, while Vivianne Miedema came on as a second-half substitute having overcome a setback in her recovery from serious injury. Laura Wienroither also made a brief appearance in the game, marking her first return since her ACL injury.
Liverpool win leaving Bristol close to the drop
Bristol 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool beat Bristol 1-0 in front of more than 4,000 fans at Ashton Gate thanks to summer signing Marie Höbinger’s single goal. Bristol are now on the cusp of relegation from the WSL and look set to be returning to the Women’s Championship. The 22-year-old struck in the 13th minute and nearly doubled her tally after a long-range strike forced a save from Shae Yanez. Höbinger’s goal was her fifth of the WSL campaign, putting her level with Sophie Roman Haug as Liverpool’s top scorer.