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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Women's Football talking points as Man City down Chelsea while Man Utd and Arsenal impress

Women's Football Weekend did not disappoint.

Liverpool and Everton played out a thrilling Merseyside derby on Friday night, before Arsenal and Manchester United laid down title race markers on Saturday. And arguably the best came on Sunday when Man City beat Chelsea in the league for the first time under Gareth Taylor after a 2-0 win at Academy Stadium.

The top four sides in the table are now only separated by three points. Man Utd and Man City are first and second, but, remarkably, Chelsea and Arsenal are the ones with the title in their own hands - with a game extra to play.

Here's what we learned from a mammoth weekend of WSL action.

Taylor knows there's a long way to go - but make no mistake Man City are title contenders

For the second time this season Man City bounced back from a cup upset, with a stirring WSL display. Last month Arsenal were blown over at the Academy Stadium and this time Chelsea were caught cold by City's flying first half.

Filippa Angeldahl, who along with Yui Hasegawa ran the engine room, struck a stunning opener after 20 minutes to ignite the contest. After that Chelsea looked shell shocked and Lauren Hemp stuck a second not long after, with a technically superb volley.

Lauren Hemp celebrates after her superb goal helps Man City beat Chelsea 2-0 (Getty Images)

Chelsea improved after half-time but failed to mount a comeback. When the full-time whistle sounded the title race was officially 'on'.

Not that City boss Gareth Taylor will be getting carried away. "It is still Chelsea’s title to lose," he said after the win. “This team still needs a lot of work at how we compete with the best in the league.

"It is a big step, particularly where we are in the season, six games left, how tight it is at the top. It brings real confidence."

United not going away as run-in looms

Man Utd's title challenge looked to have suffered a potentially fatal blow when they were below-par in a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea two weeks ago. But the Blues defeat today, coupled with United's 4-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday night has kept them well and truly in the hunt.

Not many would have backed Marc Skinner's side to win a trophy at the start of the season, yet as things stand they could still win the double. They got back to winning ways, but only after a really difficult first half.

West Ham, like so many sides, have really brought a different dynamic to the WSL this season and frustrated the hosts in front of an expectant crowd. But once Captain Katie Zelem put United ahead with a penalty after a poor challenge by Hawa Cissoko on Alessia Russo, the game turned. Lucia Garcia scored twice and Hayley Ladd also got on the scoresheet.

If they can win at least five of their remaining six games, they might just sneak a historic championship.

Merseyside derby kicks-off weekend in fine style

Perhaps the best spectacle of women's football weekend came on the Friday night. A fanatical crowd saw an enthralling clash at Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby, as Liverpool travelled to Everton.

It was particularly fitting to see Goodison host a big WSL clash before the bulldozers move in next year - a stadium with so much past history when it comes to the women's game. The home of Everton hosted the famous 1920 Boxing Day game between St Helens and Dick Kerr Ladies in front of 53,000 fans.

A slightly more modest, but still impressive crowd of 22,161 saw a 1-1 draw. Gabby George gave Everton the lead with what seemed to be a cross, but Liverpool earned a point when Katie Stengel scored an excellent equaliser. Both sides are having good campaigns and will look to kick-on before the end of the season.

Relegation-threatened Tottenham need reset after Arsenal thrashing

Spurs have gone backwards in the last year and nothing showed that more than a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal. In a game they nearly won last season, they were wretched and well beaten by a flying Gunners side.

First-half goals from Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord set the tone, with the amount of Arsenal fans celebrating making the half empty Brisbane Road feel more like a neutral venue than the home of Spurs. Beth England showed her class to convert a penalty and reduce the deficit.

Kim Little celebrates with teammates after scoring Arsenal's third goal in the north London derby win. (Photo by Henry Browne - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

But in reality this one was never in doubt. Arsenal scored three more in the second half, with the in-form Foord getting her second - as Arsenal moved to within two points of the table toppers.

Whether Tottenham survive this season or not - their women's team needs a huge overall in the summer. A club prepared to break the bank for a player like England now need to give her a proper platform to perform.

Relegation battle still wide open

In the third game at Premier League stadia of the weekend, fifth-placed Aston Villa thrashed Leicester 5-0 at Villa Park, with Rachel Daly scoring twice. But Leicester's season won't be defined by such a difficult game.

They are still only two points behind Brighton in 11th, who raced into a two-goal lead at Reading but could only manage a 2-2 draw. Leicester host the Royals themselves next weekend in what could be a huge chance to start their final push for survival.

Reading are still right in the mix themselves, only two points better off than Brighton but having played two games more. And Tottenham probably still need at least another draw to be sure of their WSL survival, which on current form they may struggle to get.

Whilst many eyes will be pointed towards the top four between now and May, the relegation plot will be equally compelling.

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