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15.12.2024

Chelsea and City both drop points at top of Barclays Women’s Super League

The Barclays Women’s Super League title race took another twist as Chelsea and Manchester City both dropped points in the final round of matches before Christmas.

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by a resilient Leicester City side on Saturday before Manchester City missed their chance to close the gap on the leaders, going down 2-1 to Everton.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Manchester United took full advantage of their rivals’ slip-ups, grinding out narrow wins to narrow the distance between themselves and the top two.

Elsewhere, Brighton & Hove Albion rescued a dramatic late draw against Tottenham Hotspur courtesy of Marisa Olislagers’ stunning volley, and Aston Villa secured a crucial win over West Ham, lifting them further away from the bottom of the table.

Leicester end Chelsea’s perfect start

Wieke Kaptein’s late equaliser salvaged a point for Chelsea as Leicester City produced a spirited display to draw 1-1 at the King Power Stadium.

Missy Goodwin gave Leicester a shock lead in the first half, rounding off a well worked team goal after coming on as an early substitute to cause Chelsea to trail for the first time this season.

The Blues struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with Guro Reiten’s long-range strike against the crossbar their best chance before the break.

Leicester, meanwhile, impressed defensively and looked dangerous on the counter, led by the lively Hannah Cain.

The defending champions piled on the pressure in the second half, but Leicester’s Sophie Howard delivered a standout performance at the heart of the defence.

Chance after chance went begging for Chelsea until Kaptein broke the hosts’ resistance with a clinical strike from distance in the 77th minute.

Chelsea pushed for a winner deep into stoppage time, with Sjoeke Nusken blazing over the bar from close range in the final moments.

But it was honours even at full time with Leicester earning a crucial point in their battle at the bottom of the table, ending Sonia Bompastor’s perfect start to life in English football.

Everton stun Manchester City with first Super League win over the visitors

Everton secured their first-ever Barclays Women’s Super League victory over Manchester City with a 2-1 triumph at Walton Hall Park, delivering a big blow to City’s title ambitions.

Lucy Hope opened the scoring for the hosts in the 23rd minute, capitalising on City’s failure to reset after a cleared set-piece before nodding home Sara Holmgaard’s cross.

Just eight minutes later, Honoka Hayashi doubled Everton’s advantage, firing a deflected effort past Khiara Keating after a fast-paced counterattack broke past City’s high defensive line.

City dominated possession, boasting 79% of the ball in the first half, but Brian Sorensen’s side looked dangerous on the break and could have added a third before half-time, with Katja Snoeijs and Toni Payne both going close.

The visitors upped the tempo after the break, bringing on Lily Taylor to add attacking firepower and the 18-year-old delivered a lively cameo, creating chances for Jill Roord and Mary Fowler, but Everton’s back line held firm.

Fowler eventually pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 88th minute after Karoline Olesen fouled Yui Hasegawa, but the Toffees survived a late onslaught to secure a famous victory.

Defeat means City missed the chance to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea to within three points, instead leaving them six points adrift. Everton meanwhile climb to ninth with their second win of the season.

United edge past Palace to keep pressure on top three

Manchester United secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, with Grace Clinton’s first-half stoppage-time goal proving decisive.

United dominated the opening exchanges, repeatedly threatening down the right flank through Geyse and Jayde Riviere.

Despite controlling possession, United’s early pressure went unrewarded, with chances for Elisabeth Terland and Dominique Janssen failing to find the target.

Palace showed flashes of life late in the first half, as Katie Stengel’s side-netted effort offered a glimpse of attacking intent.

But just before the break, a defensive lapse proved costly. Under pressure, Palace keeper Shae Yanez attempted a risky pass to Aimee Everett, only for Geyse to intercept and set up Clinton for a simple finish into the empty net.

United came out strongly after the interval, continuing to pin Palace in their own half. Geyse nearly doubled the lead with a back-post volley, and substitute Celin Bizet almost punished another Palace mistake, but her effort flew wide.

Palace grew into the contest late on with the lively Ashleigh Weerden threatening on the break, but they failed to convert their late pressure into an equaliser.

The win keeps United fourth, level on points with Arsenal but behind on goal difference. Palace, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Russo strike ensures Gunners keep pace

Alessia Russo’s first half strike was enough to secure Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Prenton Park, keeping the Gunners within touching distance of the summit.

The breakthrough came after Katie McCabe’s low corner caused chaos in the Liverpool box, with Gemma Bonner’s attempted clearance falling kindly for Russo, who made no mistake from close range to put Arsenal ahead.

Russo continued to torment Liverpool’s defence and won a penalty later in the half after being brought down by Bonner, but Mariona Caldentey was unable to convert, striking the post with her spot-kick despite sending goalkeeper Teagan Micah the wrong way.

Liverpool’s best chance came just before the break when McCabe almost turned Ceri Holland’s cross into her own net, her header rattling the post.

Arsenal, meanwhile, hit the woodwork twice in the second half – first through a deflected Beth Mead effort and then Frida Maanum’s missed follow-up.

The Gunners remain third in the table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool sit eighth after their fourth straight league defeat.

Villa secure crucial win under interim boss Goater

Adriana Leon inspired Aston Villa to a 3-1 victory over West Ham at Villa Park, ending their recent struggles and marking a triumphant start for interim manager Shaun Goater.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges, with Leon’s pressing and creativity causing constant problems for West Ham’s defence and the Swiss forward took just four minutes to strike with a low effort into the far corner.

But despite the pressure, the visitors levelled in the 21st minute when Viviane Asseyi headed home Katrina Gorry’s cross after being left unmarked at the back post.

The hosts regained the lead just before half-time though, when Kenza Dali teed up Rachel Daly, who flicked the ball into Leon’s path for a composed finish, and her second of the match.

West Ham came out stronger in the second half, threatening through Seraina Piubel and Katrina Gorry, but Sabrina D’Angelo made crucial saves to deny West Ham’s attempts to equalise.

Villa sealed the win in the 83rd minute. Dali was given time and space to drive into the box before smashing a thunderous strike into the top corner, capping a brilliant individual display.

Brighton rescue a point against Spurs with Olislagers stunner

Marisa Olislagers’ stunning volley salvaged a 1-1 draw for Brighton against Tottenham.

After a cagey first hour, the game sprung to life when Bethany England opened the scoring for Spurs in the 75th minute, coolly converting Martha Thomas’ precise cut-back.

But Brighton hit back just seven minutes later, a cleared cross fell perfectly for Olislagers, and the Dutch defender unleashed a sensational first-time strike that rifled into the top corner, her first goal for the club coming in unforgettable fashion.

The result sees Brighton remain fifth, six points clear of Tottenham, and unbeaten at home this season. Spurs, meanwhile, missed the chance to close the gap on their hosts despite a hard fought away performance.

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