The Women’s Super League is on fire right now and we saw major movement at the top end of the table. Manchester United moved up to second while leaders Arsenal and reigning champions Chelsea dropped points again. We now have a thrilling title race on our hands, with arguably the top five all in contention for top spot. Here’s how a thrilling weekend of action unfolded.
Manchester United leapfrogged Chelsea and moved up to second in the table with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tottenham as well as moving within two points of leaders Arsenal. Marc Skinner’s side have had an impressive rise over recent weeks and it is fair to say that they have established themselves as title contenders, and Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall will be wary of Skinner’s team in the second half of the campaign.
The two sides are set to go head-to-head in two weeks’ time and it is already shaping up to be one of the clashes of the season and for how good Arsenal have been this term, you cannot underestimate United’s impeccable form of late. With eight goals in their last two matches, Skinner’s side are starting to be more ruthless in front of goal and are making themselves heard amongst their rivals.
As for the Gunners, they were held to a 1-1 stalemate with Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City, with Tobin Heath’s equaliser rescuing a vital point at the death. What is slightly concerning for Eidevall’s side is that they are now winless in their last three WSL games and now just six points separate them and City in fifth. To their relief, they still have a game in hand over most of the sides around them and it is looking as though they will need to make it count as their rivals close in.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea were also forced to settle for a point as they drew 0-0 with Brighton & Hove Albion. The Blues totalled 28 shots across the 90 minutes but only five hit the target. The attackers will have to be a lot sharper in the coming weeks if they are to retain their domestic crown, as they currently sit four points behind Arsenal. But they still have two games in hand which should play to their advantage and Hayes will be aware of how crucial those upcoming fixtures will be in deciding the outcome of their season.
After their excellent home victory against Arsenal just two weeks ago, there was a growing feeling that Darren Carter’s Birmingham City would build on from that gargantuan result and gradually climb the table to safety. But that hasn’t been the case. Last week they were comfortably beaten by Manchester United and this week they followed it up with another performance mirroring their early season form. They travelled to in-form Reading and the afternoon started perfectly as the Blues took a two-goal lead. However, it didn’t last as the players’ heads dropped and Reading were able to complete the 3-2 turnaround which keeps the Blues at the foot of the table, two points behind Leicester City.
Elsewhere, Carla Ward’s Aston Villa ended a run of four defeats with a crucial 2-1 victory over strugglers Leicester City and West Ham United recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Everton. We now have some midweek action to look ahead to as Chelsea host West Ham on Wednesday night and Arsenal will look to get back to winning ways on Thursday against Brighton.
