What happened this weekend.
- What colour is North London
- Merseyside faced Manchester.
- Are Aston Villa coming back to their ways from last season?
- Chelsea are back to their winning ways.
- Leicester and West Ham split the points.
What colour is North London
The north London derby kicked off the weekend’s action. A crowd of over 19000 saw it at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The sides faced each other in the Continental Cup tie 3 days prior.
Despite the midweek loss, Villahamn’s Spurs earned their first-ever win against the Gunners, as Arsenal struggled to replicate how they defeated Chelsea last weekend.
After a goalless first half, an assisting shot from Bizet to Thomas in the 58th minute granted Spurs the win.
When Merseyside go against Manchester …
In a battle of the Reds, who wins when Manchester United faces Liverpool?
Liverpool secured a 2-1 win against Manchester United at the Leigh Sports Village.
Last January, when these sides last competed United left with a momentous 6-0 win.
Liverpool left with all three points but their 32-year-old defender left with more. Following a clash of heads, Gemma Bonner was forced off the pitch with an injury. She received stitches to the deep cut to her lip.
United scored very early on. Toone took advantage of a rebounded shot that Liverpool couldn’t shoo away fast enough.
Koivisto made an equalising shot on goal. Sadly, it touched United’s Turner before slotting in.
Captain Taylor Hinds scored in the 68th minute, granting Liverpool the win.
When Merseyside go against Manchester …
in a battle of the Blues, who wins when Everton faces Manchester City?
In the case of Manchester City against Everton, City travelled to Walton Hall Park intending to come away with a win.
Bunny Shaw put 3 behind Brosnan despite missing a penalty in the 8th minute.
By half-time Bunny had scored twice, and summer signing Jill Roord had put another in.
Everton’s Galli got one in, but Everton could not come back from the hit they had taken.
A dominant Manchester City now sit pretty in second place tied with Arsenal on points before they take on Liverpool on matchday 11.
Meanwhile, Everton is in 7th place before the break. They take on 3rd-placed Arsenal when the league resumes.
Chelsea is back to their winning ways.
(Chelsea vs Bristol City)
Emma Hayes’s line-up allowed for summer signing Hannah Hampton to make her debut. But she wasn’t the only new face to grace the pitch. Maika Hamano came on as a substitute, replacing James in the 74th minute.
In typical Chelsea fashion, fans were treated to goals from James, Cuthbert and Kerr.
Bristol made attempts. Unfortunately, they struggled to convert these chances. This lack of clinical finishing ability cost them and dropped them down to 12th place.
When talking about Chelsea, we can’t avoid discussing the Chelsea and Cards situation. Whilst facing Bristol City, Niamh Charles picked up a red card. Whilst facing Arsenal, Lauren James was lucky to come away with a yellow card.
In these consecutive matches, these two young Chelsea players aren’t representing Chelsea’s values. This leaves us wondering if this is going to be a problem for Chelsea going forward. Is the Chelsea glory era wearing off?
The case of split points
(Leicester City vs West Ham)
West Ham have only won once this season. This only begs the question: is Rehanne Skinner’s job as manager in the WSL on the line again?
Leicester began the season on a high but has since slowed having only won 2 so far into the season.
Leicester were very dominant. The players’ efforts did not go unnoticed. Eventually, in the 65th minute, it paid off when Petermann made the breakthrough that put the home side ahead.
A win looked apparent for Leicester until Hayashi shot an equaliser in extra time.
West Ham were lucky to pick up a draw. However, vice-captain Cissoko, who received a red card in the 95th minute, will not be available for their next game.
Are Aston Villa making a return?
(Aston Villa vs Brighton and Hove Albion)
It is no doubt Aston Villa started this campaign badly. Despite finishing in 5th spot last year, recent form from Carla Ward’s side hasn’t been as great. But they have begun to secure wins.
With players back from injury and potential transfers, could we see Aston Villa creep back into the top?
This comes to mind after Villa went against the team one place above them.
Adrianna Leon‘s solo goal assisted by Patten in the 63rd minute, granted them the narrow win.
Like some other matches this weekend, Maz Pacheco picked up 2 yellows and was sent off in the 89th minute.
Now the seagulls dip into 10th place, having only secured 2 wins in 10 matches.
So what does the WSL table look like now?
Chelsea have finished 2023 at the top of the table after only one loss in these first ten games.
At the other end of the table, Bristol City are in the relegation spot. They have only won one match so far in their first season back in the WSL.
Next year’s fixtures will be more competitive as three sets of two teams are tied on points and the gap between the sides is quite little.
What matches are up next in the WSL?
On Saturday the 20th of January the WSL will resume.
2 games will be played on Saturday and the remaining 4 will be played on Sunday.
Arsenal vs Everton is on at 2 pm and it will be played at Meadow Park.
West Ham vs Tottenham Hotspur will kick off at 3 pm at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
The action on Sunday will start with Brighton and Hove Albion vs Bristol City which kicks off at 12 pm at the Broadfield stadium.
The action continues as Chelsea plays Manchester United at 12:30 in Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City vs Liverpool kicks off at 1 pm at the Joie stadium.
Matchday 11 will come to an end at the King Power Stadium for Leicester City vs Aston Villa at 3 pm.
Maariyah and Football 