Arsenal should enhance set-piece defending
For the second recreation in a row Arsenal made a hash of defending a nook and it price them a purpose and, in flip, useful factors within the title race. This time, Kerstin Casparij was the beneficiary as she bundled in Manchester Metropolis's second purpose of their 3-2 win. Nobody within the Arsenal defence appeared in a position to take command of the field and several other gamers missed possibilities to clear. It was an identical story seven days earlier when Aston Villa struck late from a set-piece to equalise on the Emirates after the ball bounced within the penalty space. It's certainly an issue Renée Slegers and her workers should deal with if they're going to reverse their latest pattern of outcomes and keep away from falling out of title rivalry. Tom Garry
Spurs take a stand on racism
Tottenham gamers determined to not take the knee earlier than their 1-0 win towards Brighton and as an alternative stood as much as racism in their very own manner. In a pre-match assertion, captain Bethany England mentioned Spurs wouldn't kneel as a result of “it now not feels significant” within the wake of racist abuse obtained by Jessica Naz on social media. Head coach Martin Ho wore a T-shirt studying “Spurs towards racism” all through the sport whereas Naz let her capability do the speaking with a player-of-the-match efficiency. “We're nonetheless seeing prejudice and racism, and there may be a lot extra that everybody ought to be doing,” England mentioned within the pre-match assertion. “This isn't a tick field – that is individuals's lives, individuals's emotions. It wants to vary.” Emillia Hawkins
Hammers' blunt assault proving expensive
If a diving Viviane Asseyi of West Ham may have linked with a header in a different way, it will have been a very totally different recreation. Two minutes later Aston Villa scored the opener and 7 minutes later they'd a second. These are the nice margins that determine video games. “Sure,” mentioned the West Ham supervisor, Rehanne Skinner, when requested in regards to the missed possibilities. “There was additionally a scramble within the field the place we in all probability may have taken a shot right away however we as an alternative tried to discover a cross or a contact. It's these little sharpness bits that I feel we could also be a bit tentative with and that we need to attempt to repair.” That is West Ham's situation in the intervening time, they don't seem to be taking part in significantly badly, bar a 15-minute collapse towards Chelsea, however they aren't testing goalkeepers typically sufficient. A hesitancy has set in that contrasts sharply with the efficiency they confirmed in the direction of the top of final season. Discovering that leading edge to shift these margins of their favour and rebuilding confidence within the closing third is a should if they're to show round their season. Suzanne Wrack
How good may Sandberg turn out to be?
If there was a most-improved WSL participant award this season it will certainly go to the Manchester United left-back Anna Sandberg. Even with out her terrific purpose towards Chelsea – her first for her membership since a 2024 switch from Häcken – she was essential to United's robust efficiency towards the champions and her type has been constantly good . Unable to interrupt into the staff final season, she has now made the left-back place her personal. The supervisor Marc Skinner mentioned on Friday he believes she will turn out to be top-of-the-line full-backs on the earth. Solely 22, such a prediction appears sensible. The Swede has nice acceleration, stamina and athleticism however equally she has an correct left foot and appears simply as succesful going ahead as she does in defence. TG
Liverpool's assault should enhance
Liverpool had been denied their first level of the season by a questionable late penalty. Replays confirmed it was maybe Nikita Parris who fouled goalkeeper Rafaela Borggräfe somewhat than the opposite manner spherical. The referee Emily Heaslip, nonetheless, pointed to the spot and Elena Linari hammered within the penalty. It marked one more tough afternoon for Gareth Taylor's facet. The Reds have scored only one league purpose this marketing campaign and their inventive struggles continued as they registered only one shot heading in the right direction and two touches within the opposition field. For London Metropolis's Jocelyn Prêcheur, nonetheless, it was an indication that his facet are on track. He could have felt that they need to have put the sport to mattress sooner than the 89th minute, however the improved cohesion of the league newcomers has been clear. Sophie Downey
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Can Mouchon's purpose reignite her Foxes profession?
Leicester Metropolis and Everton not often generate a goal-fest – in reality this fixture averages fewer objectives per recreation (0.75) than every other in WSL historical past. This wasn't a lot totally different – a 1-1 draw between two evenly matched sides missing dynamism within the closing third. Brian Sørensen switched to a again three to supply extra safety and permit wing-backs Katie Robinson and Hikaru Kitagawa freedom to interrupt up the pitch. His facet had been sloppy in possession, nonetheless, towards a resilient Leicester who're a stable defensive unit. The sport's memorable second fell to the hosts' Noémie Mouchon. The late equaliser was her first purpose since coming back from an ACL harm sustained a 12 months in the past and she or he cancelled out Ornella Vignola's openerwithin a minute of coming off the bench. Her pleasure was palpable as she wheeled away in celebration: the spark she wanted, maybe, to reignite her Foxes profession. SD
