Caldentey’s brace helps Slegers to first win as permanent Arsenal boss

Mariona Caldentey’s brace saw Arsenal race to 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in their first match under the permanent charge of Renee Slegers.

Leaders Chelsea followed suit and scored five without reply against West Ham, maintaining their advantage at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Ella Toone’s hat-trick gave all the bragging rights to Manchester United as they inflicted a 4-2 defeat on local rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday evening.

There were narrow wins for Spurs and Liverpool, while Everton and Aston Villa played out a 1-1 draw in the only game played on Saturday.

Gunners find their range

After an impressive stint as interim head coach, Slegers was handed the role on a permanent basis on Friday and Leah Williamson got her reign off to a flying start, heading home from a corner on six minutes.

Palace restricted the Gunners for the rest of the first half but two goals inside five minutes after the break opened the floodgates.

Alessia Russo and Beth Mead put the game beyond the visitors, as Caldentey bagged a fourth from the spot before adding her second in stoppage time.

Derby day delight for United

Manchester United took advantage of a trip to injury-stricken Manchester City to come away with a 4-2 victory in the Manchester derby.

United found themselves 3-0 up inside 40 minutes after seizing on City’s defensive errors, with Toone scoring twice and Leah Galton also finding the net.

The local girl makes Manchester Derby history ✨@ManUtdWomen #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/tyBMQsiQbJ

— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) January 19, 2025

Yet the hosts would fight back as Vivianne Miedema and WSL debutant Rebecca Knaak providing an eight-minute double salvo to put City back in reach before half-time.

It was Toone, however, who would complete her hat-trick and seal the three points for United in the second half, lifting the Red Devils into the Champions League spots at the expense of their rivals.

Champions hit their straps

It was another five-star victory for league leaders Chelsea as they defeated West Ham United 5-0 on the road to move seven points clear at the top.

Catarina Macario got the visitors off the mark with a sublime volley before Erin Cuthbert and Aggie Beever-Jones added two more before the break.

There was further joy in the second half as Sandy Baltimore added a fourth and an own goal from Amber Tysiak completed the rout.

Reds return to form

Liverpool secured a late winner to grab a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion under the Friday night lights.

Nikita Parris had brought the visitors level following Olivia Smith’s wonderful individual effort in the first half.

Jocelyn Carabali’s own goal in the 82nd minute gave the hosts all three points as the Reds arrested a run of four straight league defeats.

Sarri on the spot

Everton also left it late to take a point from their clash with Aston Villa.

Rachel Daly guided home a header in the first half to edge the visitors in front and Everton relied on the excellent goalkeeping of Courtney Brosnan to stay in the game.

Villa were punished for passing up a series of chances when Everton substitute Veatriki Sarri fired home an equaliser in the 89th minute.

Spurs on the charge

Tottenham Hotspur picked up where they left off before the WSL break to claim a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City.

Visiting goalkeeper Janina Leitzig turned home an own goal from Amanda Nilden’s cross on four minutes to give Spurs the perfect start.

Janice Cayman missed a golden chance to equalise midway through the first half but that was as close as City came to a leveller.