26.01.2025

Blues extend lead at summit of Barclays Women’s Super League

Chelsea

Chelsea stretched their lead on top of the Barclays WSL to nine points thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Arsenal.

Manchester City climbed above the Gunners to second after Vivianne Miedema’s double helped them beat Aston Villa while, at the other end, Leicester claimed a vital victory over Liverpool.

Reiten strikes late as Blues stretch lead

Guro Reitin’s late penalty maintained Chelsea’s unbeaten league record as they defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Substitute Reiten made no mistake from the penalty spot after England international Lauren James was brought down in the box by Arsenal captain Kim Little.

The Gunners were reduced to 10 players in the aftermath as Katie McCabe was sent off following a second bookable offence.

Catarina Macario earlier twice came close twice for the hosts while visiting substitute Frida Maanum almost gave her side the league when her effort whistled over the bar.

But in the end it would be Chelsea would take home the spoils, with Reiten’s penalty keeping Sonia Bompastor’s side in pole position to win a sixth successive title.

Viv vanquishes Villans

A Vivianne Miedema double helped Manchester City to an enthralling 4-2 win at Aston Villa.

The Villans looked set to condemn City to a third successive WSL defeat after Chasity Grant’s early opener but Miedema equalised just before the half-hour mark.

The Dutchwoman added a second minutes later with a superb finish, her curled strike proving too much for Villa shot-stopper Sabrina D’Angelo as Gareth Taylor’s side entered the break with a 2-1 advantage.

Villa pulled level not long after the restart through Laia Aleixandri’s own goal but strikes from Mary Fowler and Jess Park secured a return to winning ways for City.

Foxes come from behind to beat Reds

Leicester City claimed their second league win of the season to move four points clear of danger as they fought back to beat Liverpool 2-1.

The visitors were in front inside three minutes as Olivia Smith charged down goalkeeper Janina Leitzig’s clearance and saw the ball loop into the net.

Janice Cayman levelled matters on 17 minutes, volleying home Sophie Howard’s cushioned header, and Missy Goodwin’s strike five minutes before the break turned out to be the winner.

Julia Bartel made her Liverpool debut off the bench in the second half while Sophie Roman Haug also returned to the fold but they were unable to inspire a change in fortunes as the Reds stay seventh.

Holdt makes dream start

Olivia Holdt marked her Tottenham debut with an injury-time winner as her new side overcame Crystal Palace 3-2.

The visitors looked to be in control in Sutton when Beth England struck twice inside the space of nine first-half minutes with a pair of well-taken headers.

But in the driving wind and rain, Palace fought back after the break as Katie Stengel halved the deficit before setting up Ashleigh Weerden to equalise.

England missed a glorious chance to seal her hat-trick when she missed the target from close range but Spurs still emerged victorious as Holdt struck home a fine free-kick in the fifth minute of time added on.

Hammers back on track

First-half goals from Shekeira Martinez and Viviane Asseyi helped West Ham halt a two-game losing run as they overcame Everton 2-0.

Martinez headed home her first BWSL goal after just six minutes from Asseyi’s corner, the Hammers responding well after Everton had started brightly and forced chances for Kelly Gago and Katja Snoeijs.

Asseyi doubled the lead from the spot after Seraina Piubel was felled by Sara Holmgaard on the stroke of half time.

The Hammers have climbed above their visitors into eighth, six points clear of bottom side Crystal Palace.

Red Devils down Seagulls

Manchester United are now Chelsea’s closest challengers after they overcame Brighton & Hove Albion 3-0.

Ella Toone put the Red Devils out in front after just two minutes, combining with Elisabeth Terland before curling her finish beyond the reach of Seagulls shot-stopper Sophie Baggaley.

Hinata Miyazawa added a second with a strike from the edge of the box before Celine Bizet completed the scoring with a powerful effort into the roof of the net.

United now sit in second, seven points behind league-leaders Chelsea.

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