Stoppage-time goals from Katie McCabe and Alessia Russo stunned Aston Villa as Arsenal came from behind to grab a dramatic 2-1 win in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
Maz Pacheco gifted Villa a first-half lead and silenced the Emirates in the 25th minute after Lucy Staniforth found her head from a sumptuous corner kick.
The Gunners hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions in what looked like another frustrating day at the office for Jonas Eidevall
But Arsenal dug deep and equalised through McCabe in the 92nd minute before Russo grabbed the winner, assisted in heroic fashion by a returning Beth Mead.
Mead, back in the squad for the first time in 11 months, gave Arsenal the boost they needed, coming from the bench in the 88th minute to set up her Lionesses teammate.
After 11 long months, Beth Mead is finally back.
We are so incredibly proud of you, @bmeado9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PumHeJehlS
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 15, 2023
Finnigan earns bragging rights for Toffees
In the Merseyside derby, Megan Finnigan’s header denied Liverpool a spot at the top of the WSL as Everton came out 1-0 winners.
Missy Bo Kearns turned in a Marie Höbinger cross in the fourth minute only for the flag to be raised for offside before Ceri Holland struck the crossbar.
The Toffees came back at Liverpool and got their reward in the 32nd minute through Finnigan, in a repeat of last year’s September fixture.
Brian Sorensen’s side fought hard to shut the home side out in the second-half and managed to maintain their Merseyside derby dominance.
MERSEYSIDE IS BLUE!!!!
🔴 0-1 🔵 #LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/kcExv5nUur
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) October 15, 2023
City delight in header-fest win
Manchester City cruised to a 5-0 victory over Bristol City at the Joie Stadium, scoring five first-half headers to remain unbeaten in the Women’s Super League.
Khadija Shaw bagged a first half-brace to open her account in the league for the campaign and summer signing Jill Roord matched her efforts with two more.
Laia Aleixandri added her name to the scoresheet in the 38th minute with another header as Manchester City’s aerial threat was made clear throughout.
Mary Fowler showcased her crossing capabilities, producing two balls to find Roord and Shaw who made no mistake to nod past Kaylan Marckese.
Bristol City held firm in the second half but the damage had already been done, managing just one shot on target over 90 minutes.
Le Tissier rescues point
At Leigh Sports Village, Maya Le Tissier cancelled out Aileen Whelan’s second-half goal as Manchester United shared the spoils with Leicester in a 1-1 draw.
Stepping up 🫡@MayaLeTissier 💫#MUWomen || #WSL pic.twitter.com/DuXPUmDoAm
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) October 15, 2023
The hosts lost summer signing Gabby George to injury in the ninth minute and were unlucky not to go ahead through Hinata Myazawa, who stuck the bar just before half-time.
Leicester kept United at bay before finding an opening through Whelan in the 60th minute.
United, as they have done in every game so far this season, fought back after going behind and Le Tissier levelled the scores seven minutes later.
Chelsea boosted by returners
Sam Kerr scored her first goal of the season as her opener fired Chelsea to a 2-0 win over West Ham United.
Niamh Charles found Chelsea’s talisman unmarked at the back post in the 36th minute as she headed home for her 55th goal in 60 WSL games.
Zecira Musovic tipped Kirsty Smith’s effort over the bar to deny West Ham an equaliser.
And Erin Cuthbert sealed the three points in the 90th minute as Fran Kirby impressed on her return to Emma Hayes’ starting line-up for the first time since February.
Thomas inspires Spurs
Martha Thomas inspired Tottenham to a 3-1 comeback win over Brighton and Hove Albion, who failed to hold on to an early lead at home.
Elisabeth Terland put her side in front with a header from a Maisie Symonds cross following a corner.
On the stroke of half time, Thomas found the back of Nicky Evrard’s net to make it three goals from three WSL games upon her summer transfer from Manchester United.
Loanee Grace Clinton clinched another for Tottenham with a wonder strike to beat Becky Spencer from range as Ria Percival’s goal secured the win in the 94th minute.
OUTRAGEOUS 🤯
Grace Clinton unleashes a wand of a right foot to create a moment of pure magic 🪄#BarclaysWSL @SpursWomen pic.twitter.com/jiknpVCTUD
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 15, 2023
