Leicester City lost crucial ground in the Barclays Women’s Super League after a mammoth defeat to Chelsea and wins for their relegation rivals.
The Foxes were promoted to the top flight for the first time in 2021 but are without a win in eight games after an 8-0 defeat to leaders Chelsea. Reading and Liverpool picked up key points against higher-ranked opponents to inch them closer to safety while Manchester United and Arsenal both won to keep the title race alive.
Leicester could not deal with Guro Reiten as she put on a masterclass at the King Power Stadium scoring one and assisting four. The Norwegian international opened the scoring after just four minutes before setting up Jessie Fleming, Fran Kirby, Niamh Charles, and Sam Kerr, the former two going on to notch braces.
Bethany England added even more shine to Chelsea’s victory with the away side’s eighth goal in the 75th minute. Winless Leicester remained positive, regularly forcing goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger into saves in the second half but could not find a consolation.
Reading defended stoically for 78 minutes to protect their narrow 1-0 lead and claim three huge points against Tottenham. Amy Turner headed the ball into her own net to give Reading the lead on 12 minutes, with the Royals frequently testing Becky Spencer in Spurs' goal.
Attack turned to defence in the second half as Tottenham searched for an equaliser, but Kelly Chambers’ side hung on for their second win of the season to move seven points clear of Leicester. Elsewhere, Liverpool stayed a point ahead of Reading after defeating West Ham United 2-0 as manager Matt Beard and Gilly Flaherty faced their old club for the first time this season.
Ceri Holland opened the scoring for the home side with a close-range finish inside three minutes before Katie Stengel got her sixth and Liverpool’s 11th of the campaign later in the first half. The visitors could not find a way back into the game in the second half as they suffered their fifth defeat of the season, while Liverpool secured a first clean sheet on their return to the BWSL.
Manchester United went big in front of a record home crowd, winning 5-0 against Aston Villa to move second in the BWSL table. Ona Batlle scored the pick of the goals rifling home from a narrow angle for United’s fourth in the 76th minute after Alessia Russo and Ella Toone had continued their fruitful partnership to kill off any hopes of a comeback.
Rachel Williams’ injury-time goal ensured Manchester United moved above Arsenal on goal difference much to the delight of the 30,196 fans at Old Trafford. The Gunners were kept to just a 1-0 win by a plucky Everton side, Vivianne Miedema’s 24th-minute effort securing all three points for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
Of perhaps greater importance was the return of England captain Leah Williamson and fellow central defender Rafaelle Souza in the second half after both had spent two months out with injury. Manchester City were at their clinical best in a 3-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, as Chloe Kelly opened the scoring directly from a corner in the 11th minute before Julie Blakstad got her third goal in three games.
The Seagulls were 3-0 down inside 26 minutes when Lauren Coombs fired home from the edge of the box with Lee Geum-min's injury-time goal proving only a late consolation. That result combined with Reading's win means that Brighton, still looking for a permanent manager, are just one place clear of the relegation spot in 11th.
One more full round of WSL fixtures remain before Christmas, with all 12 clubs in action next weekend including the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium between City and United.
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship coverage visit https://faplayer.thefa.com/home/all
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