Suzanne Wrack's report from Chigwell
Thank you for joining me for the WSL action today. West Ham’s thumping win over Crystal Palace leaves the newly promoted team in last place, Chelsea remain unbeaten with Manchester City hot on their tails. Arsenal and Manchester United leapfrog Brighton and Tottenham secured a crucial win. We will be back next weekend with more WSL matches, have a good week.
Here’s a thought piece on Chelsea’s league dominance:
Stina Blackstenius, who made her 100th appearance, scored for Arsenal in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa at the Emirates. She told the BBC: “I think we got a good start, and it’s a positive environment to be in. From there, we’ve built on that and got good results.”
If Chelsea beat Leicester next weekend they will become the first team to ever win all 10 of their opening WSL matches. The Sonia Bompastor era has taken the Blues to new heights.
Here’s how the WSL table looks after today’s results:
Chelsea – 27
Man City – 22
Arsenal – 18
Man Utd – 18
Brighton – 16
Tottenham – 10
Liverpool – 9
West Ham – 8
Aston Villa – 6
Everton – 6
Leicester – 5
Crystal Palace – 5
A recap of the results today:
Manchester United 4-0 Liverpool
Tottenham 2-1 Everton
Manchester city 4-0 Leicester
Chelsea 4-2 Brighton
Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
West Ham 5-2 Crystal Palace
Full time: West Ham 5-2 Crystal Palace
West Ham move to eighth with this win with Crystal Palace remaining bottom of the table. It was a close first half but West Ham were just dominant in the second half. Palace are only bottom on goal difference and so they remain in a close relegation fight.
A sloppy finish but who cares? Captain Gorry was a guiding light when they went 2-0 down. She really is crucial to this team.
GOAL! West Ham 5-2 Crystal Palace (Gorry, 90 + 2)
Very much deserved goal.
West Ham 4-2 Crystal Palace 90 + 1 min: There will be three minutes added. The player of the match has been awarded to Denton.
West Ham 4-2 Crystal Palace 88 min: Blanchard crosses it across goal but it goes just beyond Pritchard.
West Ham 4-2 Crystal Palace 86 min: Every game in this relegation battle is crucial, particularly when playing the teams who are also fighting for survival. The win for West Ham is vital, it is only their second win of the season and if it does stay this way they will jump to eighth. It shows how close the relegation race is though as they would only be three points outside the spot with this win.
That was such a brilliant individual goal. She made a great run, set herself and slotted it home. Way too much space for her.
GOAL! West Ham 4-2 Crystal Palace (Denton, 83)
That’s the game.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 82 min: Wow, West Ham almost seal this encounter but Palace’s defenders do enough to clear it. That was a heart in your mouth moment.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 80 min: Palace come forward but they are judged offside, it does feel like they are running out of time here with the Hammers with momentum still.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 78 min: West Ham peeled forward with two players on the frontfoot but Veje made a great tracking run and well-timed tackle to prevent a goal. Excellent defensive work.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 77 min: The Hammers comeback in the first half has taken the wind out of Palace’s sails. Their chances have dried up and they need to act soon if they are to take anything away from this match.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 74 min: The last few minutes has all been played in the midfield, possession exchanging hands quite quickly.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 72 min: Palace are on the attack here and they get it into the box but West Ham are impressive defensively. After conceding those two early goals they have been good at the back.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 69 min: And just like that we are down to one game, just under 20 minutes to go and Hammers look as though they will claim all the points.
Full time: Chelsea 4-2 Brighton
Chelsea were really tested by a resolute Brighton team but the Blues continue their flawless start to the season with yet another win. They equal Arsenal for the most consecutive wins at the start of a WSL season with 9.
Full time: Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa
Well that is a very good win for Arsenal who continue their good form. The result compounds Villa’s misery. Two Russo goals and Mead and Blackstenius added goals themselves.
Villa can’t clear the ball and Arsenal win it back with Russo slotting home.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa (Russo, 90 + 4)
What a strike.
Updated
GOAL! Chelsea 4-2 Brighton (Nusken, 90 + 1)
Chelsea won a corner and it was bungled in the box but I think it was Nusken who got her head to it.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 59 min: Palace win a corner and West Ham defend it really well, the conditions look horrible so it isn’t a surprise that the set piece isn’t accurate. Palace then do win another corner but it comes in and goes straight back out.
West Ham 3-2 CrystalPalace 56 min: Siren rifles off an effort but it is marginally over the bar, West Ham only growing into this fixture.
Chelsea 3-2 Brighton 85 min: Hampton with a superb save as Seike runs clear of the Blues defence, she does concede a corner though. The delivery is good but it is eventually hooked clear.
Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa 85 min: Arsenal come forward again and they have patient build-up but then they give it away and the chance is gone.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 52 min: Palace do so well to play out of the back after wrestling possession back from the Hammers. The visitors need to swing momentum in their favour, if they aren’t the next to score the points may be out of the question.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 49 min: The Hammers win a free kick in a great position, if they score here it would be a huge blow to Palace. Asseyi takes the set piece but it’s over the bar.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal palace 48 min: A scrappy opening to this second half with some errors from both sides, West Ham won’t mind it at all.
Back underway! West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace
Who can claim the valuable points? All to come.
Chelsea 3-2 Brighton 77 min: Chelsea have a free kick in a good position, Macario and Reiten is over it and it’s the Norway international who takes it. It’s not perfect but they do win a corner. Reiten stands over the set piece and the delivery is good and a resulting header hits the woodwork. Brighton then clear.
Chelsea 3-2 Brighton 74 min: The Blues are really weathering a storm, literally and figuratively. It’s chucking it down at Kingsmeadow and Brighton have all the momentum right now.
Brighton completely carved Chelsea open and Siker had so much time to set herself to score.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Brighton (Seike, 71)
A cracking score.
Updated
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa (Blackstenius, 70)
A well deserved third.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa 69 min: A great ball from Russo finds Foord, she is well marshalled in the box and it pings around but eventually it comes to Van Domselaar.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa 66 min: Arsenal’s interim boss is yet to lose since taking charge following Jonas Eidevall’s departure, a really impressive time for the manager. Back to match action Martiz has a shot at the Arsenal goal but it goes over the bar.
Chelsea 3-1 Brighton 63 min: The scoreline makes it look worse for Brighton, who have been playing really well in the match. Nikita Parris has been a bright spark particularly.
Half-time: West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace
What a half of football. Palace raced to a 2-0 lead but West Ham have fought back, cracking match.
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace 45 + 2 min: Ueki almost scores again, wow. Palace need to remain calm.
Asseyi has been phenomenal for the Hammers, she does all the build-up and she passes to Pavi who slots home. Fantastic.
GOAL! West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace (Pavi, 45)
What a fight back from the hosts.
Updated
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa 56 min: Foord does really well to weave into the box but her pass only reaches Van Domselaar.
Lucy Bronze had a shot from a Catrina Macario cross, the keeper blocked but the ball came to Kaneryd who hits home.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Brighton (Kaneryd, 51)
Kaneryd is in fine form.
West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace 40 min: Palace have a free kick in a good position but it is not worked well with the delivery coming straight to the Hammers to clear.
Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa 51 min: Villa’s defence at the moment are operating a high press and it’s stopping Arsenal’s attack with the smothering defence – they should have displayed more of that in the first half.
Piubel makes an electric run and she went by herself with a powerful strike. A huge goal, Hammers needed that.
GOAL! West Ham 2-2 Crystal Palace (Piubel, 36)
Wow, one of the goals of the afternoon.
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace 36 min: What a goal that would have been if Gejl scored. She took a long range affort and it is just over the bar.
Back underway! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
Emirates Stadium has action back underway.
Back underway! Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
So can Brighton fight back? Or will Chelsea close it out? All to come.
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace 32 min: A bit of a lull in this one after the craziness of the early action but Palace still look the brighter.
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace 30 min: Palace are creating chance after chance but they just need to find the final touch. They just have so much space, Hammers defence needs to tighten up.
Full time: Tottenham 2-1 Everton
At half-time Everton were very much in the game but a second half Beth England penalty means Spurs claim all three points.
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace 27 min: Riley comes to the edge of the box and crosses in but it’s dealt with for now.
Full time: Man City 4-0 Leicester
A really impressive and clinical Man City performance sees them win all three points and a clean sheet.
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace 25 min: How, how, how have Palace not scored there? The keeper lost control of the ball and Blanchard pounces but it’s over the bar.
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace 23 min: A really good battle happening across the pitch here, Palace look brighter but when the Hammers get chances they have been dangerous.
Half-time: Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa
Alessia Russo and Beth Mead have scored to put the Gunners ahead after 45 minutes.
An absolutely beautiful cross from Patten and Asseyi taps it home. She picks up the ball and runs back into action, Hammers want another.
GOAL! West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace (Asseyi, 17)
A well worked goal.
Half-time: Chelsea 2-1 Brighton
It’s been a lively half with Sjoeke Nusken and Aggie Beever-Jones scoring for the defending champions but Jelena Cankovic’s goal has Brighton right back in this.
I am typing so fast to try and bring you everything as it happens, apologies if I miss anything or if there is a delay to an update!
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Brighton (Cankovic, 43)
Cankovic scores against her former team.
Updated
West Ham 0-2 Crystal Palace 14 min: The hammers almost get one of their own with Asseyi takes a good shot but Yanez saves.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Brighton (Beever-Jones, 40)
Chelsea double their lead.
That was one of the easiest goals I have ever seen. Maybe the keeper’s view was blocked? Riley looked surprised that it went in. Palace in control.
GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Crystal Palace (Riley, 11)
Riley seems to roll it in, keeper should have done better.
Intricate football from Arsenal sees Mead with some space in the area and she taps home.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa (Mead, 38)
It’s the England international on the end of it.
Updated
West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace 9 min: The Hammers have responded really well to conceding, they are on the frontfoot a lot more ad Ueki has had a few chances but she hasn’t quite converted yet.
Well I am slightly confused as Chelsea’s social media credits Wieke Kaptein but officially Sjoeke Nusken has been credited. I will keep an eye on if that changes.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Brighton (Nusken, 35)
Nusken puts the Blues ahead.
The goal came after a corner didn’t go to plan, they kept the attack going and Gejl slices home. A perfect start.
GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Crystal Palace (Gejl, 5)
Exactly what Palace needed.
West Ham v Crystal Palace 3 min: Some attention on this contentious game, the bottom of the table is so close and points are so valuable for both of these teams. In my opinion Palace have had better performances this season so I think they could have the slight edge today.
Man City 4-0 Leicester 71 min: As things stand, City have cut their table point deficit to three points behind Chelsea. The Blues are still 0-0 against Brighton and so this dominant display for City will have a cherry on top for them if Chelsea drop points.
Kick-off! West Ham 0-0 Crystal Palace
The final kick-off of the day has got underway. a huge fixture in terms of the relegation battle.
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton 25 min: The Blues are coming closer to scoring, Kaneryd the latest to have a chance to go wide. Captain Bright has also had a few headers miss target.
Man City 4-0 Leicester 65 min: I don’t think I have seen Leicester string more than three passes together without City getting involved, the Sky Blues are utterly dominant in this game. Since the other goals in the other games City have had three more chances at goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton 21 min: There were calls from Chelsea fans for a penalty after Beever-Jones was fouled in the box but nothing was given. Watching the replay it seemed like a contentious one.
Cooney-Cross crossed (excuse the pun) into the box and Russo has a bullet header to break the deadlock.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa (Russo, 17)
It’s raining goals in the league.
Updated
The ball was bouncing in the box and Mary Fowler watched it all the way and struck a one-touch finish. Beautiful football.
GOAL! Man City 4-0 Leicester (Fowler, 58)
What a beautiful strike.
Man City 3-0 Leicester 56 min: City come forward again now with some slick forward passing and hasegawa takes a punt. It takes a wild deflection but it was almost in, City have a corner. The delivery was short and it takes a while to get into the area and then it’s cleared. A wasted opportunity there.
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton 12 min: Chelsea are stubborn with their play from the back and it almost catches them out as a loose ball sees Brighton pounce, a good Hampton save keeps them at bay for now.
Man City 3-0 Leicester 52 min: Leicester have struggled to put their print on the game at all so far, that is mainly down to the skills from the hosts. They know they have the keep getting maximum points to remain in touching distance of Chelsea.
It was an interconnected play and Jess Park picked it up on the edge of the box and slotted home.
GOAL! Man City 3-0 Leicester (Park, 49)
That was a lovely well worked goal.
PENALTY! Tottenham 2-1 Everton (England, 48)
Martha Thomas is taken down in the box and Beth England slots it.
Back underway! Tottenham 1-1 Everton
Everton are searching for their second win of the season, while Spurs look to slightly revive their campaign.
Back underway! Man City 2-0 Leicester
Will Man City close this out? Or can Leicester comeback? All to come.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa 3 min: It is good that the WSL stream games so fans can watch but the quality of this stream is poor. Really grainy and the colour grade is distorted. A slightly painful watch for the eyes.
Chelsea 0-0 Brighton 3 min: Chelsea have an early corner and Cuthbert takes it but the delivery has too much on it and it’s out for a goal kick.
Kick-off! Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
Can Arsenal keep their good run of form going? All to come.
Kick-off! Chelsea 0-0 Brighton
Defending champions are underway.
Full time: Man Utd 4-0 Liverpool
That is one of the most impressive United performances so far this season. It started scrappy but as soon as Elisabeth Terland’s goal went in everything clicked into place for the hosts. They have completely dominated a good Liverpool side. Dominique Janssen was player of the match.
Man Utd 4-0 Liverpool 90 + 4 min: United do not really even need great game management here as Liverpool will not get back into this now but Marc Skinner’s side are closing out the game effectively. This has been a clinical and efficient performance.
Half-time: Man City 2-0 Leicester
Who else but Bunny Shaw? The City star has scored both goals in the game so far.
Man Utd 4-0 Liverpool 90 + 1 min: There will be six minutes added.
Half-time: Tottenham 1-1 Everton
Beth England’s tap home has been cancelled out by Sara Homsgaard rocket strike. All to play for in the second half.
Man Utd 4-0 Liverpool 90 min: The clock is ticking down here and with this result United move to third but Brighton and Arsenal still have to play this afternoon so they will need those results to go their way to remain there.
Man City 2-0 Leicester 45 +1 min: Nevin almost halves Man City’s lead but it rolls wide.
Man Utd 4-0 Liverpool 86 min: United could score again here, they are completely owning this match. Matt Beard has not stood up in the area in this second half. It will be interesting to see what he says post-match.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Everton (S Holmsgaard, 40)
Everton are right back in this!
The camera pans to Matt Beard and he has his head in his hands, United completely dominant this afternoon. A lovely one-touch finish from Malard, a stellar player for the club.
GOAL! Man Utd 4-0 Liverpool (Malard, 82)
That was a lovely dink.
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool 80 min: Liverpool have not had a shot on target in the second half, Matt Beard will be wanting a lot more from his players.
Tottenham 1-0 Everton 35 min: Everton’s Brosnan, who is also having the season of her life, makes a great save from a good attempt by Raso.
Khadija Shaw is having an amazing season isn’t she? She is just following on from her flawless form from the last campaign.
Man City 2-0 Leicester (Shaw, 29)
A little delayed on this update -apologies – but Shaw is in again.
Updated
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool 76 min: It is getting rather tasty at Leigh Sports Village as Bizet was clearly fouled but she was not given a free kick. The supporters making their thoughts on the situation very clear.
West Ham v Crystal Palace team news
The final game of the day at 2.30pm GMT and the team news has been announced.
West Ham: Szemik, Smith, Siren, Tysiak, Ueki, Pavi, Zadorsky, Denton, Asseyi, Gorry, Piubel.
Palace: Yanez, Veje, Cato, Everett, Blanchard, Nolan, Potter, Riley, Gejl, Woodham, Stengel.
72 min: There are boos from the stands as Le Tissier is given a yellow card for a foul, which seems like it was harsh. Liverpool have a free kick as a result but United deal with it well.
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool 70 min: At Leigh Sports Village Liverpool are throwing everything at United but they just can’t find a way through. United playing with them as though they are cat and mouse at the moment. A really good performance from Marc Skinner’s side.
Naz played the ball to England in the box who calmly finishes.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Everton (England, 25)
England taps home for Spurs.
Updated
Man City 1-0 Leicester 24 min: Leicester yet to throw a punch in the match with City dominating the first half following a Bunny Shaw goal.
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool 65 min: United make changes with Galton off for Malard and Geyse off for Bizet.
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool 63 min: Liverpool make a double change with Clark on for Matthews and Kiernan on for Kapocs.
Tottenham 0-0 Everton 21 min: Thomas is doing a lot of good work for Spurs so far but they can’t find the final pass or touch to turn chances into goals at the minute.
Galton lays it off to Janssen who finishes really nicely.
Man Utd 3-0 Liverpool ( Janssen, 60)
United kept coming and they puncture the defence.
Updated
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 59 min: That was very well won by Clinton, what an effort, she lays it off to Galton but Bonner has a goal-saving intervention. Bonner having a very good match.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 57 min: Terland was down for a prolonged time and needed attention after a tackle byt Bonner but she is okay to continue.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 55 min: Smith had a shot blocked and Liverpool continued to pepper the United goal but it is the hosts who come away with it, Geyse finds Terland but her shot gets blocked. A really action packed game.
Tottenham 0-0 Everton 10 min: Spurs had a free kick and it came to England, she had a header but it’s wide of the target.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 52 min: Galton finds Terland but she sends it over the bar, Terland has missed two good opportunities this afternoon. Though fans won’t mind too much as she has scored too.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Leicester (Shaw, 2)
The WSL top scorer scores again. Two minutes in and Leicester already have a tricky comeback on their hands.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 49 min: Apologies for delay but the other games needed updating but back with this one now and United have started the second half as they finished the first, strong dominance.
Arsenal v Aston Villa team news
The other 2pm GMT kick-off has revealed its team news.
Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, Caldentey, Mead, McCabe, Maanum, Foord, Russo, Cooney-Cross
Aston Villa: D’Angelo, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Tomas, Staniforth, Nobbs, Grant, Hanson, Salmon, Daly
Back underway! Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool
Can Liverpool claw a win back? All to come.
Chelsea v Brighton team news
Chelsea welcome Brighton to Kingsmeadow today and the team news is up.
Chelsea: Hampton, Bright, Bjorn, Bronze, Cuthbert, Nuken, Reiten, Kaptein, Kaneryd, Beever-Jones
Brighton: Baggaley, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Losada, Bremer, Parris, Cankovic, Seike, Carabali, Olislagers, McLauchlan
Kick-off! Man City 0-0 Leicester
Another one is off.
Kick-off! Tottenham 0-0 Everton
Here we go in London.
There will be a lot of team news, including four more clubs in less than 10 minutes, throughout the day but one of the biggest stories to emerge from the press conferences this week was about Chelsea’s Sam Kerr. Read more here:
Half-time: Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool
The game took a while to come to life but Elisabeth Terland’s strike broke the deadlock and Leah Galton doubled the hosts lead. It is a mountain for Liverpool to climb but it’s not impossible.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 45 + 1 min: There will be three added minutes at Leigh Sports Village.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 45 min: Liverpool have a shot but Tullis-Joyce is wise to it, it’s not a clean save but she mops up the rebound.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 43 min: United win a corner and Le Tissier is over the set piece ball, it’s a good delivery and Geyse gets a shot but it’s not powerful enough to trouble the keeper.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 41 min: Liverpool players can be heard shouting “our ball” as it goes out for a throw in but the referee gives it the other way, frustrations clear from the visitors.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 39 min: Liverpool have not responded well to those two goals, they are yet to throw a punch back in this encounter.
Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool 37 min: Matt Beard looks so angry, he must be so frustrated at how his team capitulated. Turner looks to be winded here but she is okay to continue.
Wow, this game is open. United carve them open and Galton hits a cracking strike to score.
GOAL! Man Utd 2-0 Liverpool (Galton, 34')
What a beauty!
Updated
Geyse’s shot was blocked but it bounces kindly to Terland, her shot hits the post and bounces in.
GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool (Terland, 33')
Tap home.
Updated
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 31 min: Liverpool’s Holland does look okay to continue, a great sign for Liverpool who already have an injury-hit squad.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 30 min: Holland is down massaging her calf here, she does need some attention and so there is a break in play.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 29 min: A great ball finds Geyse but Matthews gets the better of her on this occasion, that is a really interesting battle so far.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 27 min: A ball is chipped forward by Geyse but it has too much on it and it’s out for a goal kick.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 25 min: Some lovely skilful midfield play from Liverpool, slick passing, but they are finding it tricky to break United down at times. Smith has a great run, she is then fouled but a free kick isn’t given – she cannot believe it. As Liverpool reel from that, United counter but Terland fires it over the goal.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 23 min: United seem to be in ascendency but Liverpool look the more deadly so far, a finely balanced game.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 21 min: Wow, best chance so far. Nagano takes a long range strike after winning a great midfield ball but Tullis-Joyce makes a good save.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 20 min: A slight lull in the game at the moment, the commentators using the word “scrappy” a lot which I’d definitely agree with.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 18 min: Geyse, who is having a great game, makes another impressive run to maintain the hosts attacking pressure. It comes to Clinton but her shot takes a slight deflection and Micah collects.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 16 min: Galton does really well to set up a chance, she crosses in but Hinds intercepts. The hosts pick it back up to keep up the pressure but Bonner wrestles the ball away from Galton to clear.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 14 min: Turner concedes a corner and Holland takes it, It’s a good delivery but Le Tissier heads clear, the visitors manage to win it back and win another corner. The delivery was accurate again and Fisk gets a shot but Tullis-Joyce collects.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 12 min: Liverpool create the chances but they seem rushed in the final third, Holland crossed a great ball but if she had waited a second or two longer her teammates would have been more set to receive it. Both sides are looking quite bright so far.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 10 min: On the replay I think it would have been slightly harsh to give a penalty, Hinds made contact with her arm but it wasn’t enough to be a penalty.
Dan has emailed with a pun and said:
Christmas puns?
How about Brighton manager Dario Vidosickofbloodychristmasalready?
Bah-righton and Humbug Albion.
While it’s not jolly, I do quite enjoy these.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 8 min: George takes the free kick, it’s slightly deep but Turner keeps it alive. She puts it back in and George is fouled in the box, the crowd wanted a penalty but nothing is given.
Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool 6 min: Matthews receives a yellow card for a foul on Geyse, who had a fabulous run down the right. A United free kick to come.
Man City v Leicester team news
Here is the other 1pm GMT kick-offs team news.
Man City: Keating, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Fowler, Roord, Ouahabi, Park, Casparij, Fujino, Shaw, Hasegawa
Leicester: Leitzig, Nevin, Bott, Howard, Takarada, Cayman, Goodwin, Cain, Momiki, Mace, Swaby.
Utd 0-0 Liverpool 3 min: Liverpool have looked the more lively so far with Hinds taking a strike but it was over the bar. The Reds have had the upperhand in these duels of late so it will be interesting if they can take point off of United once again.
Spurs v Everton team news
So here is the team news for the 1pm GMT kick-off.
Tottenham see a change at goalkeeper.
Spurs: Heeps, Neville, Hunt, Bartrip, Nilden, Summanen, Spence, Raso, Thomas, Naz, England.
Everton: Brosnan, Hayashi, Wheeler, Vanhaevermaet, Lawley, Hope, Payne, Finnigan, S Holmsgaard, Snoeljs, Olesen.
Kick-off! Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Here we go then.
As well as kick-off coming up in five minutes for United v Liverpool, the team news of four other clubs will be announced. I will bring you those updates as quickly as I can.
I’d love to hear from you. I enjoy a good pun and as we are getting closer to Christmas, I’d love to hear your Christmas puns with player names. It could be Sam Myrrh or Millie merry and Bright, get in touch with yours via email.
Liverpool boss Matt Beard said of today’s game via the club website: “Manchester United have been a bit up and down lately but I do think there has been a lot of unfair criticism on Marc Skinner. As always it’s going to be a tight game but it’s one we are looking forward to, it’s similar to the Everton fixture in the sense it’s a game we always look out for when the fixtures come out.”
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner said of Liverpool: “Liverpool are slightly different than they were last season. They’ve always been good, defensively strong, solid defenders of the box. What they’ve added in is counter-attack speed quality. Watching Olivia Smith and watching Leanne Kiernan work together, they’ve been very good. I expect a tough opponent as it always is with Liverpool, with Matt Beard’s teams always. We have to get to our standards quickly. It’s after an international week so I think both managers get their players for two days.”
The team news is in. Both teams will be wearing black armbands in memory of Kath Phipps, a long time employee of Manchester United.
United won’t have Ella Toone involved in the matchday squad as she is out with injury until the new year.
Man Utd: Tullis-Joyce, George, Le Tissier, Clinton, Galton, Riviere, Janssen, Terland, Miyazawa, Turner, Geyse
Liverpool, meanwhile, have no shock inclusions or exclusions with Taylor Hinds leading the side.
Liverpool: Micah, Fisk, Bonner, Matthews, Hinds, Nagano, Shaw, Holland, Enderby, Smith, Kapocs
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to our Women’s Super League coverage, where today we will be bringing you every goal as it happens across the league.
All six fixtures will be taking place as the top-flight returns from international break. The matches taking place today are:
Man Utd v Liverpool, 12pm (all times GMT)
Tottenham v Everton, 1pm
Man City v Leicester, 1pm
Chelsea v Brighton, 2pm
Arsenal v Aston Villa, 2pm
West Ham v Crystal Palace, 2.30pm
The team news for the first fixture of the day has dropped and so stay tuned for updates before the game chaos begins. It also looks as though all six games will go ahead as planned with no weather disruption yet.
