Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Composite: Alamy, Getty

Bristol City left with a mountain to climb

“Ten cup finals” – that’s how Lauren Smith described her Bristol City team’s run in as they fight for their WSL future. A 2-1 win at home to relegation rivals West Ham proved to be the worst for the Robins as the visitors opened up a three-point cushion over the bottom team. City have shown plenty of character and desire this season but only have one win to their name. Errors and lack of concentration often cost them dearly. On Sunday, this was evident with the visitors’ first goal against the run of play. City dealt with the initial delivery but were slow to respond in the second phase allowing Honoka Hayashi to convert. Although Viviane Asseyi found a way back into the game, Viviane Asseyi was open for the winner in the end. “Ultimately it was a very physical game,” Smith said. “We have been let down a few times before our own goal. We didn’t defend properly and that took us out of the game.” Sophie Downey

Miedema feels like herself again

After 413 days without a goal, Vivianne Miedema, the WSL’s all-time leading goalscorer, found the back of the net again in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Liverpool at Prenton Park. The clinical finisher said she was “scared” to bring it back but feels more like herself again after her superb strike. The Netherlands international darted ahead on the hour mark and blasted a brilliant 20-yard effort into the back of the net via a slight deflection from Liverpool centre-back Gemma Bonner. After suffering an ACL injury in December 2022, the 27-year-old returned in October after an 11-month absence but did not start last weekend either. “Coming back in after the winter, I’ve just been feeling more like myself again,” she said. “I was scared to come back. Some players don’t think too much about it, but I did,” she said. Miedema was one of four Arsenal players to suffer ACL injuries last season but on Saturday she looked like she had never been away. “I don’t think about my knees anymore, which is good,” she joked. Emily Keogh

The story continues

Manchester City power forward despite Roord’s setback

Manchester City suffered a major injury blow when club signing Jill Roord tore her ACL during the Continental Cup derby with Manchester United last week. Roord has been one of the WSL’s standout players this season, so his absence on the pitch was much needed. However, Gareth Taylor’s side rallied to record a 2-0 win over Tottenham, keeping them within striking distance of league leaders Chelsea. The injured midfielder looked on proudly from the Brisbane Road stands as Lauren Hemp held up a shirt emblazoned with Roord’s name after City’s opening goal. Discussing the tribute after the game, Taylor said: “It was very nice. It surprised me. I didn’t know anything about it. It says a lot about Jill that she traveled with us today and wanted to come. It was really nice – and it was really nice for Jill to be there to experience that.” Emilia Hawkins

James unleashes Brighton’s resilience

It’s little surprise that the talk after Chelsea’s 3-0 dismantling of Brighton was focused on Lauren James. It almost feels like the young star is reaching a new level every time she plays. She added two more goals to her WSL record this campaign, taking her total to 12, as she provided the key to unlocking a resilient Brighton. James was recently used as a No.9 by Emma Hayes in her efforts to fill the Sam Kerr-shaped hole in her team but reverted back to her usual No.2 role. 10 Saturday where she thrives. Her first goal was an instinctive, unstoppable left-footed effort that found the top corner, and was beaten point blank as if it was the easiest thing to do. The second saw her press a header from a weak defence, careening the ball past Sophie Baggaley in the Brighton goal. It was James’ 50th senior goal at the age of 22, a frightening statistic for opponents in England and further afield. SD

New signing, new Leicester?

Yuka Momiki has been impressive for the Leicester squad and started on the right during their 1-0 win over Everton. The Japanese forward looked assured every time she got the ball, flashing her opponents and linking up with her teammates with ease. Her ability to keep things in possession is her biggest asset and she has adapted exceptionally well to the Women’s Championship since joining from Swedish side Linköping at the start of the month. Her team-mates also appeared to be rooting for her as Leicester saw the game out after a superb curling effort by Janice Cayman. Despite an open first half in which Everton missed a number of chances, Leicester dominated the second half in a professional display. It’s a vital three points for the Foxes who haven’t won a league game since the reverse fixture. Devil

United get back on track

Manchester United and their manager, Marc Skinner, desperately needed a win, and they probably didn’t want a better opponent than Aston Villa. Before Sunday’s game the two teams met seven times with Villa yet to win and United recording six wins. At home United won all three games with a goal difference of 13-0. In the end United conceded but ran out 2-1 winners after two goals from Nikita Parris, who was brought back into the starting line-up. “The reality is whenever Nikita is not regular it is only because of a tactical situation, he has nothing to do with her,” Skinner told the BBC. “I think she’s in great form. You can talk about running and you can talk about form, but she’s almost anticipating where the ball is going to be.” Marcus Christenson