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04.05.2025

Manchester United seal European qualification with draw at Old Trafford

Melvine Malard

Manchester United sealed European qualification with a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

There was also derby drama on Merseyside, as Everton continued their impressive record at Anfield with a 2-0 win over Liverpool.

Aston Villa continued their impressive recent form with a 3-2 win against West Ham United, while Chelsea stayed unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Crystal Palace and Leicester City swapped stoppage time strikes to draw 2-2, while Arsenal fell to a first-ever league defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

United secure Champions League qualification

Manchester United secured Champions League qualification after a dramatic draw 2-2 with Manchester City.

United came from 2-0 to earn a draw at Old Trafford, which was enough to ensure third place ahead of their city rivals.

A quickfire double looked to put City in control at the break, as defenders Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak scored within four minutes of each other for the visitors.

United hit back before half time through a Grace Clinton header, before Melvine Malard equalised with just over 20 minutes to play.

Aoife Mannion was sent off for United a minute later for a second yellow card, but United were able to hold on to the point they needed.

Toffees derby dominance

Everton earned their second away win of the season with a 2-0 victory over rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

An early goal from Katja Snoeijs in the sixth minute opened the scoring, as the Dutch striker scored for the second time in as many matches against the Reds.

Liverpool bounced back to pressurise their rivals with captain Taylor Hinds just shy of equalising as her shot hit the crossbar.

This continued into the second half as Toffees goalie Courtney Brosnan felt the heat but demonstrated some expert saves.

Everton then doubled their lead through Karen Holmgaard with 20 minutes remaining before twin sister Sara was sent off for a second yellow card.

Despite the player advantage, Liverpool were unable to net the ball and Everton held out to secure the win.

Čanković double sends Seagulls soaring

Arsenal missed out on their chance to secure a second-placed finish before the final day as they lost 4-2 to Brighton & Hove Albion on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Seagulls put on a display for the home crowd as Fran Kirby opened the scoring with a brilliant curling finish into the top corner after 16 minutes.

Caitlin Foord put the visitors back in the game on 29 minutes, but Brighton responded with another stunner from Jelena Čanković, whose stinging volley put Brighton back ahead before the break.

After half time, the Gunners appeared to fall apart. Čanković bagged her second, lobbing Manuela Zinsberger after Brighton had won possession high up the pitch, before Kiko Seike added a fourth.

The Japanese international benefitted from Arsenal’s laxity at the back to break free and fire past Zinsberger one-on-one and Mariona Caldentey’s curling stoppage-time strike provided scant consolation for the travelling fans.

It leaves Arsenal to face Manchester United in a straight shootout for second place on the final day, while Brighton are in prime position to claim a hotly-contested fifth-place finish.

Palace and Leicester leave it late

Crystal Palace and Leicester City shared the spoils after two late goals sealed a 2-2 draw.

Palace started strong with multiple attempts that tested Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig. However, it was the Foxes’ Hannah Cain who opened the scoring in added time of the first half.

After coming out refocussed for the second half, the Eagles’ efforts were finally rewarded in the 67th minute when Annabel Blanchard scored a penalty after Josie Green was fouled in the box.

Shannon O’Brien then put Leicester back in front in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time to seemingly seal all three points for the Foxes, only for Abbie Larkin to equalise four minutes later to earn a point for Palace.

Title winners remain unbeaten

Barclays Women’s Super League champions Chelsea continued their unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win away at Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs seemed the more fluid team throughout the first half, testing Chelsea goalie Hannah Hampton early on which subsequently led to a counterattack with a shot to test the opposite goalkeeper Lize Kop.

Chelsea then made the breakthrough from the penalty spot, with Catarina Macario converting after she was fouled by Ashleigh Neville.

The second-half saw close chances for both teams with a free kick from Spurs midfielder Eveliina Summanen fired from outside the box shaving the left post and a long-range shot from Chelsea forward Maika Hamano saved by Kop.

Kop later demonstrated an impressive double save to deny a straight strike from Ashley Lawrence and the follow up by Sjoeke Nusken at the right post.

Villa continue strong form

Aston Villa continued their recent uptick in form with a 3-2 win away at West Ham United.

The sides traded four goals in the first half before Chasity Grant scored her third goal in a week after the break to seal all three points for Villa.

Villa’s Ebony Salmon opened the scoring just five minutes in but West Ham responded with a header from Shekiera Martinez and a chip over Villa goalie Sabrina D’Angleo by Rieko Ueki in the 34th minute to take the lead.

Rachel Daly equalised before the half was up, capitalising on a careless pass from the Katrina Gorry.

After a thrilling first half, Grant took the lead for Villa not long after the break and West Ham were unable to comeback for a draw in their last home game of the season.

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