No Kerr, no problem? James steps up for Chelsea
Chelsea returned to WSL action with a statement 3-1 win over last season’s title rivals Manchester United. With Sam Kerr out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury some might have expected the Blues to struggle in attack. However, Lauren James stepped up in her absence, scoring a hat-trick against her former side to maintain Chelsea’s three-point lead at the top of the table. The England international was clinical whenever she found the ball in the penalty area, which proved to be the key difference between the two teams. James has 10 goals in 10 league games and if she keeps up this form, Emma Hayes has absolutely nothing to worry about. “Human beings are not simple,” Hayes said after the game. “There are a lot of complexities involved with Lauren, but she is a genius footballer. I am happy for her. She wanted to demonstrate to the home fans that she could step forward, that she can do it as a No 10 and a No 9 in the second half. Her hold up play is unbelievable.” Emillia Hawkins
Match report: Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United
It's been a good day for Chelsea in the WSL 🔵
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 21, 2024
🎩 Three goals for Lauren James
🔝 Three point advantage at the top#BBCFootball #WSL pic.twitter.com/9sfDFxutNh
Shaw carries on where she left off in 2023
The WSL break has clearly not affected Khadija Shaw’s form as she scored her third hat-trick in four league games in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday. A Gemma Bonner own goal and Chloe Kelly’s penalty bookended Shaw’s impressive treble, which meant she equalled Vivianne Miedema’s record of most hat-tricks in a WSL season, the Arsenal forward having scored three in 2018-19. The City manager, Gareth Taylor, spoke highly of Shaw in his post-match interview: “She recognises the chances that she gets in this team, appreciates her teammates and knows if she gets in the right areas she will get good chances.” The goals returned Shaw to the top of the WSL scoring chartson 12 just a few hours after Lauren James had nipped above her. Sarah Rendell
Match report: Manchester City 5-1 Liverpool
Clinton relishing in newfound confidence
Grace Clinton, on loan at Tottenham from Manchester United, is revelling in her newfound self-assurance and bagged two goals and an assist in their dramatic 4-3 victory over West Ham at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Since her arrival in the summer for a season, the 20-year-old has consistently delivered outstanding performances, showcasing significant development under the guidance of Robert Vilahamn, and his trustful approach. “[Tottenham] have given me the confidence and freedom to express myself,” she said. “I’m really enjoying being around the group and just love playing football.” Commending her consistency and skill, Vilahamn expressed his desire to secure the midfielder on a permanent basis, saying: “I would be stupid to not [hold on to her].” Emily Keogh
A ROCKET of a goal from Grace Clinton 🚀
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) January 21, 2024
But Mackenzie Arnold isn't happy 😡 pic.twitter.com/n9eHqdMc0b
Wälti integral as Arsenal keep up chase
Lia Wälti has been the subject of rumours about her future during this transfer window but the Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevall, has been very quick to dismiss them. Her performance against Everton on Saturday was an illustration of exactly why the Swede rates his captain so highly. Her positioning to the left of Victoria Pelova in central midfield is fundamental to Arsenal’s style. In their crucial 2-1 victory, she was one of the top performers defensively while her ability to drift wide to support the attack is key. It was from this area that she produced the assist for Beth Mead’s winner, a delightfully placed crossto the far post that was crying out to be headed home. It was an eye-catching display in what was ultimately a must-win game for Arsenal to keep their title hopes alive. Everton were well-organised and proved tough to break down but this time the Gunners’ dominance on the ball and in attack paid off. Sophie Downey
Match report: Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Clinical Terland gives Brighton breathing room
On a weekend that encapsulated the ability of the WSL’s top strikers – see the Lauren James and Bunny Shaw hat-tricks – Brighton’s Elisabeth Terland continues to place her name firmly in the conversation. Her eighth and ninth goals of the season showed the Norwegian at her clinical best and made her Brighton’s all-time leading goalscorer after just two seasons at the club. Against Bristol City she won the game in dramatic style, a 95th-minute winner that broke the visitors’ hearts and lifted Melissa Phillips’ team out of the relegation battle. The Robins had proved a thorn in Brighton’s side, coming from behind twice to bring themselves within seconds of returning home with a 2-2 draw that would have lifted them off the bottom of the league. But as injury time played out they sat deeper and deeper, inviting pressure, and paid the price. They host second-bottom West Ham next week in a crucial, high-stakes encounter in the battle for WSL survival. Sophie Downey
Leicester made to pay for not taking their chances
Leicester’s performance against Aston Villa was a snapshot of their season so far: full of endeavour and really good spells but without a cutting edge. And so it ended in a 1-0 defeat. In many ways Deanne Rose’s performance summed it all up. The Canada international, brought on at half-time after Villa took the lead through a Rachel Daly volley, was a constant threat on the right wing. She often had the beating of Aston Villa’s defenders, muscling her way into good positions, but lacked an end product. She blasted over from six yards out following Mayumi Pacheco’s slip in the box and squandered her chance at redemption minutes later, when her shot was saved by Daphne van Domselaar. Ava Baker’s follow up was cleared off the line by Sarah Mayling. The Leicester manager, Willie Kirk, rued his side’s wastefulness. “We’ve had more than enough clear cut chances to get something from that game,” he said. The Foxes are without a win in nine matches and will need to start converting chances soon if Kirk is not to go the way of the previous manager, Lydia Bedford, who went on a 16-game winless run before being sacked. Xaymaca Awoyungbo
Match report: Leicester 0-1 Aston Villa
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea Women | 11 | 23 | 28 |
| 2 | Man City Women | 11 | 23 | 25 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 11 | 15 | 25 |
| 4 | Man Utd Women | 11 | 12 | 18 |
| 5 | Liverpool FC Women | 11 | 0 | 18 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 11 | -4 | 18 |
| 7 | Aston Villa Women | 11 | -9 | 12 |
| 8 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 11 | -11 | 11 |
| 9 | Everton Women | 11 | -11 | 11 |
| 10 | Leicester Women | 11 | -7 | 10 |
| 11 | West Ham Women | 11 | -14 | 5 |
| 12 | Bristol City Women | 11 | -17 | 5 |
