One other weekend of WSL motion is now full and the desk is beginning to take form, with most golf equipment having performed 5 video games.
The primary worldwide break of the 2024/25 marketing campaign has now begun, however Manchester Metropolis prepared the ground at this stage. Gareth Taylor’s facet secured a slender 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday to take care of their one-point benefit over champions Chelsea, who’ve a recreation in hand.
Chelsea and Manchester United are the remaining two groups but to undergo a league defeat, though the latter dropped their first factors of the season in a draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
West Ham are actually backside of the desk on aim distinction following their loss at house to Arsenal. Everton and Villa additionally sit on two factors and are with out a win.
These are one of the best 5 gamers from matchday 5 within the WSL…
Brazil worldwide Gabi Nunes scored her first aim for Villa in her third begin for the membership throughout all competitions. The 27-year-old featured of their League Cup victory over Crystal Palace, in addition to their 0-0 draw in opposition to Leicester Metropolis – however now she is properly and really off the mark.
It was a well-worked aim from Robert de Pauw’s facet as Rachel Daly picked out Kirsty Hanson’s run down the left flank, with the Scot’s cross was met by Nunes within the field. The Villa ahead was in a position to get forward of her marker and ship a primary time end into the far nook.
Though Villa went on to lose the sport after two second half targets from the league leaders, supporters have been provided a glimpse of what to anticipate from Nunes this season. It will little question be the primary of many.
It is truthful to say it has been a tricky begin to the season for Crystal Palace. As a newly promoted facet, they’ve suffered some heavy defeats in current weeks, however they’ve additionally picked up some optimistic outcomes too.
They’re now as much as ninth place, with Sunday’s 1-1 draw in opposition to Liverpool was a powerful end result and even feeling as if they need to have gained the sport ultimately. Katie Stengel scored the aim, but it surely was Annabel Blanchard who stored the assault alive and picked out the American.
Blanchard was one of many driving forces behind Palace’s robust show in St Helens, and the 23-year-old was on the coronary heart of just about each threatening assault for the guests. The one factor that was lacking was a aim.
After a troublesome week for Arsenal that noticed supervisor Jonas Eidevall resign, they secured solely a second WSL win of the season on Sunday as they beat strugglers West Ham 2-0 away from house. But it surely wasn’t a straightforward activity by any means and the sport swung on interim coach Renee Slegers making a quadruple subsitution at 0-0 and with simply over half an hour to play.
Stina Blackstenius was among the many 4 gamers that got here on and made a big impact, immediately pressured Hammers goalkeeper Kinga Szemik right into a save, then successful the breakthrough penalty and establishing the second aim for compatriot and fellow substitute Rosa Kafaji.
At half-time in opposition to Aston Villa, Manchester Metropolis have been a aim down and struggling to create clear reduce possibilities. That modified after the break and was sparked by moments of high quality from Lauren Hemp.
The winger teed up herself to attain the looping volley for the equaliser, and she or he then arrange Jill Roord for the winner. Her tough footwork carved out the chance earlier than she picked out her teammate in area within the field.
Hemp now has two targets and two assists within the WSL this season, however Sunday’s efficiency was one other instance of why she’s lengthy been thought of probably the greatest gamers in England.
No doubt, the standout performer of the weekend. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has had a implausible begin to the season and Sunday in opposition to Tottenham, with Chelsea successful 5-2 ultimately, was no totally different.
Two targets, one among which was a superbly hit first-time volley, and the opposite was a surprise strike from a decent angle. That is not even together with the actual fact she assisted Maika Hamano’s opening aim.
The Sweden worldwide is working at a distinct degree this time period underneath Sonia Bompastor, and she or he has been so efficient in each recreation she has performed. An enormous purpose behind Chelsea’s 100% begin.
