WSL Roundup of the weekend’s Super League action; Bunny Shaw scores hattrick, wondergoal from Hemp, Mead scores brace
The Women’s Super League (WSL) was back in action this weekend, with big games and plenty of goals. Now heading into the final international break of 2023, the WSL has exposed the big gap between the top four teams are the rest of the league.
The top four – Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United – are the sides that have occupied those spots for the last four seasons. It’s not clear how long it will take for the gap to close but we should get a closer idea next year when a new TV rights deal for the WSL is announced. Following the landmark deal struck by US Women’s Soccer for $240 million to the league over four years, a massive increase from the three-year $4.5m, it’s expected the English deal will be huge.
Here’s a roundup of this week’s Super League action.
Arsenal 3-0 West Ham
Beth Mead scored a brace as Arsenal beat a struggling West Ham at Meadow Park. It didn’t take long for Frida Maanum to put the Gunners ahead – just two minutes in, and Mead got her first goal since returning from injury in the 18th minute before tapping in a goal to make it 3-0 before the break.
Arsenal are second in the WSL, just behind Chelsea – and are putting pressure on the Blues, only three points behind.
Manchester City 7-0 Tottenham
Manchester City’s Sunday game on Sky Sports saw the team thrash Spurs 7-0. Bunny Shaw scored a hat-trick before Laura Coombs came off the bench to net a late double. City started fast as Shaw headed home a 23rd-minute opener before two more well-taken goals in just six minutes ripped Spurs apart – ending their eight-game unbeaten run.
If Spurs were hoping for a comeback, hopes were quickly dashed as the start of the second half when Lauren Hemp scored a blinder of a curling shot. Jill Roord’s header and a late brace from Coombs completed a comprehensive win which sees City sitting pretty in third place ahead of the international break.
Manchester United 2-0 Bristol City
United were denied on several occasions in the first period but goals from Hinata Miyazawa and Nikita in the second half saw United defeat Bristol City – the team currently sat at the bottom of the WSL table and looks to be in a real relegation fight for much of the season.
United were able to put their derby defeat behind them and get back to their winning ways thanks to Japanese international Miyazawa before Parris added a second as United clinched an away win.
Liverpool 4-0 Brighton
Ending their drought, Liverpool picked up their first win in three league matches with a convincing win over Brighton. The Reds went 2-0 up at the break, thanks to Gemma Bonner and Shanice van de Sanden. The second half saw Ceri Holland and Sophie Roman Haug get their names on the scoresheet.
Everton 2-1 Aston Villa
Everton beat Villa to leapfrog them in the table after Nathalie Björn’s penalty gave them a 2-1 win at Villa Park. Everton took the lead with a Anna Patten own goal but they were instantly pegged back when Rachel Daly tapped the ball in from close range. But a penalty awarded after Kirsty Hanson brought Heather Payne down inside the area, saw Björn step up and give Everton their first win in five matches.
