Bristol City earned their first Barclays Women’s Super League win of the season with an all-action 3-2 triumph over West Ham United.
Both sides fought back from a goal down before Brooke Aspin scored the winner to see City open their account for the campaign.
Arsenal and Liverpool both scored late wins, Chelsea were comfortable victors at Aston Villa while Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, then Brighton and Manchester United, played out dramatic draws.
Bristol City bag first win
The Robins’ day got off to a difficult start when they gave away a penalty for handball on 27 minutes with Viviane Asseyi converting from the spot.
Amalie Thestrup equalised five minutes later as she headed home a fine cross from Rachel Furness before the away side took the lead on 37 minutes.
How are you feeling @bristolcitywfc fans?#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/OoAlNlu75g
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 5, 2023
Ella Powell got her first goal in the BWSL as she rifled home a rebound to put Bristol City ahead only for Riko Ueki to draw the scores level just before half-time as she turned and fired the ball past Kaylan Marckese.
But it was on-loan Aspin who decided the game as West Ham failed to deal with a long-range free-kick.
Aspin rose highest to nod past Mackenzie Arnold and to seal an important win for the Robins on their return to the BWSL.
Arsenal rally to topple City
A late Stina Blackstenius goal saw Arsenal defeat Manchester City 2-1 in an absorbing contest.
Australian pair Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley linked up before the former rifled home on 14 minutes to open the scoring.
What a strike by @stephcatley! 🤩#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/xwB14pBoHq
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 5, 2023
Kim Little missed the chance to double her side’s lead when her penalty was saved by Khiara Keating, who atoned for giving away the spot-kick.
Manchester City dominated for much of the game seeing Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw rattle the woodwork before Shaw squared the ball to Chloe Kelly to rifle home the equaliser.
But City suffered late heartbreak as Keating misjudged her attempt to clear a ball outside of the box and left Blackstenius with an open net for the 87th-minute winner.
United rally twice to deny Brighton
Super sub Rachel Williams rescued Manchester United, who hit back to draw 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion.
In-form striker Elisabeth Terland netted her sixth goal in six games to put Brighton ahead with a composed finish while Sophie Baggaley’s contributions at the other end were just as important to Brighton.
Up against her former club, goalkeeper Baggaley put in a string of saves to deny Manchester United, first tipping a powerful Melvine Mallard shot over the bar before producing a triple save to ensure Brighton led at the break.
Sophie Baggaley that is outstanding! 😱 pic.twitter.com/KhflLdJNtk
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 5, 2023
It took something special from Ella Toone to draw United level with the Lionesses midfielder firing a shot into the top corner on 78 minutes.
Guro Bergsvand looked to be Brighton’s late hero as she headed home from a corner, but Williams tapped in in 98th minute to salvage a point for United.
Chelsea hit six at Villa
Defending champions Chelsea put in a dominant performance to down Aston Villa 6-0 on Saturday and return to the top of the BWSL table.
Captain Millie Bright opened the scoring on 21 minutes with a close-range effort before Fran Kirby doubled Chelsea’s lead five minutes later.
Everyone at @ChelseaFCW loved that one!@frankirby gets a goal 🙌#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/3UweXfWmiS
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 4, 2023
Chelsea pushed on in the second half with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd firing home before Ashley Lawrence scored her first goal for the club.
Goals for Aggie Beever-Jones and Niamh Charles rounded out the comprehensive win before the news of Emma Hayes’ departure at the end of season stole the headlines.
Liverpool leave it late
Liverpool kept up their push for a top-four finish with a late 2-1 win over Leicester City.
Melissa Lawley ended her BWSL goal drought of over four years with a powerful strike three minutes after the restart.
The hard work from @jasminem250 though 💪
Marie Höbinger adding another goal to her tally! 🔥#BarclaysWSL @LiverpoolFCW pic.twitter.com/NMC5z143Em
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 5, 2023
Missy Goodwin levelled proceedings on 57 minutes, finding the top corner from a difficult angle before Jasmine Matthews’ defiant work to keep the ball set up Marie Hobinger for her second goal of the season and the winner in the 84th minute.
Tottenham and Everton share points
Aurora Galli held her nerve to convert a late penalty as Everton drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham went ahead when Grace Clinton rose past Courtney Brosnan to head home a Drew Spence cross.
🫡🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/U6OqpkIWVO
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) November 5, 2023
Brosnan was in the thick of the action throughout the game but Spurs were left to rue their missed chances when Galli lashed home a penalty in the 85th minute after Heather Payne was brought down in the box.
