🔗 Share this article

London City Lionesses Demonstrate Progress In Loss

If the London City coach required an example of the progress the London City Lionesses have come in recent weeks, Saturday's match against the champions offered just that. It ended in a two-goal loss to the champions, but London City performed admirably at Stamford Bridge and posed multiple challenges for their opponents. The Lionesses commanded 43% of possession – perhaps above expectations – and registered the same number of attempts on goal (three), with Isobel Goodwin offering a particular threat running in behind. “When we compare to earlier in the season when we faced other leading teams, it was very positive,” the coach said. “The encouraging aspect is that we start to see a team – that was the primary objective. We observed a team that defended and pushed forward as one. We still need to develop.”

Liverpool FC ‘Will Keep Fighting’

The Reds' head coach, the team's boss, delivered a rallying call to the squad as the wait for their initial victory continues. After a further loss, this time by a single goal at the expense of Tottenham, he said: “We have to battle through it. Our focus is evident. We’re working so hard to turn this into a improved position but it requires some patience and a bit of support. Sadly, currently, we’re getting knocked, but we will keep fighting.” On the face of it, it was an even encounter at Brisbane Road – with similar possession, expected goals and scoring chances – but after taking an advantage, the away side performed without any real bite as Tottenham executed a recovery. It was a further worrying instance of Liverpool's propensity to fall away in games, certainly the main focus for the coach to fix if he is to turn their fortunes around.

Kirby and Kiko Seike Fill Michelle Agyemang Void

Brighton & Hove Albion proved they can cope without their temporary forward the injured attacker, even after suffering a defeat to Manchester United. The forward was declared unavailable for the season last week after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for England. Existed some concern about how Brighton would cope, but the experienced forward and the Japanese international showed they are fully equipped of making up the goals by scoring in the 3-2 defeat. “We responded positively to start,” the Seagulls' head coach, the boss, said. “The players got better as the match progressed, we got our pressure better. Increasingly optimistic, once more. We could have scored a few additional goals in the second half. Facing a very good defensive team, to create the chances we did today was encouraging, but we need to be much better.”

Rehanne Skinner Finds Positives After Defeat at City

West Ham's coach could take positives from her team's performance against Manchester City, despite a single-goal loss. While the Hammers, bottom on goal differential, have yet to earn a result, they took a positive approach and were not hesitant from taking on City. A lack of ruthlessness proved to be West Ham’s downfall at the City's home ground but it is a matter of time before they achieve a positive result. “We’re disappointed we’ve not taken anything from the game, and considering all the minutes the players have had over the recent break the mindset and determination from the players [was great], and the resilience as well,” Skinner said. “We’ve got to turn things around.”

The Toffees Avoid Costly Mistakes with Kelly Gago Double

A 94th-minute leveller by Kelly Gago rescued Everton’s reputation as they split the points in a high-scoring encounter at Villa Park. The attacker notched the first goal with her maiden strike of the season after a impressive Toffees start. Aston Villa drew level just before half-time. The second half was end-to-end, as each side capitalized of the opponent's porous defence. An unfortunate deflection by Ruby Mace tilted the pendulum the home side's favor, putting them 3-2 up, but Gago came to Everton’s aid after the manager's side had failed to capitalise on multiple openings. The team's streak absent a league victory now stands at six matches.

Partnership's Magic Helps The Gunners Rediscover Spark

The North London side recorded their third consecutive win in every tournament as the Swedish striker netted a brace and Alessia Russo contributed one more in a comprehensive win of Leicester. It was a second start of the season for the attacker, who set up her strike partner to put the Gunners ahead, then, following a the defender inadvertent strike, ended her five-game drought with a double of her own. Arsenal have looked far from title contenders but a first-half rampage by the forward and her teammate created chaos and unleashed the fluent and audacious style that most people anticipate given the team’s calibre. “There were fresh combinations on the pitch in this match as well, so that requires time to gel,” said head coach, Renée Slegers, “but in my view it performed exceptionally, particularly in the first half.”

WSL League Table

Pos	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea Women	7	11	19
2	Man City Women	7	10	18
3	Man Utd Women	7	14	17
4	Tottenham Hotspur Women	7	1	15
5	Arsenal Women	7	10	14
6	London City Lionesses	7	-9	9
7	Brighton & Hove Albion Women	7	0	7
8	Aston Villa Women	6	0	7
9	Everton Women	7	-4	5
10	Leicester Women	7	-8	5
11	Liverpool FC Women	6	-9	0
12	West Ham Women	7	-16	0