WSL Highlights: Man City Dominates West Ham; Arsenal Held by Everton Stalemate

Manchester City Tops WSL with Solid Win Over West Ham

In an impressive performance, Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory over West Ham, taking them to the top of the Women's Super League (WSL). This win, achieved just before their Champions League match against Barcelona, marked City’s second win of the season. Notably, Chelsea's match against Manchester United was postponed, allowing City to surge ahead in the standings.

Match Highlights

City's Lauren Hemp opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a brilliant display of skill, managing to evade two defenders before slotting the ball past West Ham’s goalkeeper, Kinga Szemik. Despite several missed opportunities, the arrival of Bunny Shaw in the 69th minute spurred the team to secure their second goal. Shaw’s delivery allowed Mary Fowler to rise above the defenders and seal the game with a header.

Looking Ahead

Manchester City will face more challenging tests in the upcoming fixtures, but Gareth Taylor can take pride in a well-executed game plan and the inclusion of Jill Roord in the starting XI for the first time since January.

Arsenal Held to Draw by Everton

In a surprising turn of events, Arsenal struggled to break down a resilient Everton side, ending in a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. With over 25,000 fans in attendance, this was Everton's first point against Arsenal since 2009.

Match Performance

Frida Maanum led the charge for the Gunners, recording an impressive seven shots, yet Everton's defence stood firm. Arsenal’s 21 shots led to a meager expected goals value of just 0.74, highlighting their struggles in front of goal. Caitlin Foord almost clinched the win for Arsenal but hit the crossbar in the dying minutes of the match.

Thrilling Encounter as Liverpool Edge Past Tottenham

Liverpool celebrated a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham, with Marie Hobinger being the standout performer for the Reds.

Decisive Moments

• Cornelia Kapocs opened the scoring with a deft finish that left the goalkeeper stranded.
• Liverpool conceded their first own goal, thanks to Taylor Hinds, giving Spurs a lifeline.
• Hobinger scored with a stunning free-kick before the match seesawed with another own goal by Liverpool's Gemma Bonner.
• In stoppage time, Hobinger converted a penalty, sealing a dramatic comeback win for Liverpool.

Crystal Palace Earns First WSL Victory

After a rocky start to their WSL campaign, Crystal Palace finally secured their first win, defeating Leicester 2-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Match Overview

Annabel Blanchard shined with a brace, scoring her first-ever top-flight goal after a clever one-two with Katie Stengel. The initial half lacked shots on target, but the second half came alive as Palace capitalized, providing hope after tough defeats earlier in the season.

Conclusion

This weekend marked a pivotal moment in the WSL, with Manchester City climbing to the top of the table. As teams grapple with their early-season challenges, fans can anticipate exciting matchups ahead, as Arsenal seeks to improve, Liverpool rides the momentum of their thrilling win, and Crystal Palace celebrates their first triumph in the top-flight league.