Manchester City’s statement win over champions Chelsea headlined a seismic weekend at both ends of the Barclays WSL table.
Khadija Shaw struck the winning goal on 14 minutes to consign Emma Hayes’ side to 1-0 defeat on Friday night, their first home league loss in 22 games.
The Jamaican striker latched on to Jess Park’s through ball and poked home the eventual winner to take her tally for the season to 14.
Brilliant work from Jess Park that Bunny Shaw finishes off 🙌#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/vDtYnThfbN
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 17, 2024
Chelsea poured forward in search of a late leveller but were met with stern resistance from City’s 19-year-old goalkeeper Khiara Keating, who made a superb double save in injury time.
Gareth Taylor’s team have now won eight games in a row to draw level on points with Chelsea, second only on goal difference, as the title race hots up.
Arsenal are only three points behind after they produced an imposing 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime.
A league record crowd of 60,160 were treated to the Gunners at their best with Geyse’s unfortunate tenth-minute own goal setting the tone.
Arsenal, who were without skipper Leah Williamson due to a hamstring injury, had the result wrapped up before half-time as Cloe Lacasse nodded home from close range and Kim Little converted a penalty, with United only managing a late consolation through Lucia Garcia.
The @ArsenalWFC Skipper @kimlittle1990 scores from the spot! 👊#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/XWOO4Gk5S3
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 17, 2024
At the opposite end of the table, Everton claimed a crucial 2-0 victory over West Ham to distance themselves from the relegation scrap.
The Italian duo of Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli were to the fore as Everton ended a run of four defeats on the spin.
Beautifully headed into the goal by Martina Piemonte 🤩#BarclaysWSL @piemontem18 @EvertonWomen pic.twitter.com/5nc4gaaXEU
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 18, 2024
Piemonte glanced home a Galli free-kick to open the scoring seven minutes from time and Piemento turned provider for Galli to fire home four minutes later.
Second-bottom Brighton suffered a further setback in their fight for survival as they were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool.
A brilliant strike from @Ceriholland_11 👊#BarclaysWSL @LiverpoolFCW pic.twitter.com/aWfWMbb5Cf
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 18, 2024
Liverpool skipper Ceri Holland scored the eventual winner on 53 minutes and was sent off in second-half injury time as the visitors claimed their first league win since December.
The gap between the Seagulls and the bottom of the table remains at five, however, after Bristol City let an early lead slip to lose 5-2 at Leicester City.
Ffion Morgan gave the away side a surprise lead and although Yuka Momiki and Saori Takarada wiped out the advantage, the visitors pulled level at 2-2 through Amalie Thestrup.
What a stunning strike from Jutta Rantala! 🔥#BarclaysWSL @LCFC_Women pic.twitter.com/m9LLQXDgfR
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 18, 2024
It was all Leicester from there on in as Janice Cayman, Jutta Rantala and 16-year-old Denny Draper got on the scoresheet.
Sunday’s other game was graced by a sublime winner by Jordan Nobbs who inspired Aston Villa to a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
An absolute BANGER from @JordanNobbs8 🚀#BarclaysWSL @AVWFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/nKJ4gOwTdN
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 18, 2024
Nobbs lashed home from 20 yards to hand the visitors the spoils after Adriana Leon’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Amy James-Turner.
