A double from Mary Fowler helped extend Manchester City’s lead atop the Women’s Super League while sealing Bristol City’s relegation to the Women’s Championship.
The Robins would have been pleased by their start at Ashton Gate, allowing the table-toppers a lot of the ball but few high-quality chances, with Lauren Hemp squandering City’s best chance of the first half.
Perfectly hit into the top corner from Mary Fowler🎯#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/glfiU6ReQB
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 28, 2024
Hemp again went close from Fowler’s far post cross, heading just the wrong side of the post, but City would coast to three points in the end, with three goals in a devastating 15-minute spell.
The first two came from Fowler, a thunderbolt from range before an equally impressive sliding finish from an inviting Hemp cross.
Fowler buries it home from close range 💪#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/dZWvVok9Xx
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 28, 2024
Amy Rodgers then turned into her own net before Alex Greenwood scored a header at the death for a 4-0 win which sent Bristol City back to the Women’s Championship at the first time of asking. Crystal Palace will take their place for the 2024/25 season following their promotion from the second tier.
City, meanwhile, sit six points clear of Chelsea and will be keeping the fingers crossed for a slip-up from the Blues when they travel to Liverpool on Wednesday.
#BarclaysWC WINNERS 🏆😍#CPFC pic.twitter.com/C18KFBjmT0
— Crystal Palace F.C. Women (@cpfc_w) April 28, 2024
Everton score late to frustrate Arsenal
Teenager Issy Hobson scored at the death to become the youngest scorer in the Women’s Super League history and earn Everton a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Walton Hall Park.
Alessia Russo’s rebound from Beth Mead’s saved shot on 80 minutes appeared to have won the game for the Gunners but 16-year-old Hobson produced a vital late intervention to dent Arsenal’s end of season run-in.
On as a substitute just after the opener, childhood Everton fan Hobson directed a looping header over the outstretched arm of Manuela Zinsberger in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
We’re so proud of you, Issy! 💙#EVEARS pic.twitter.com/dQGpIpY68Y
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) April 28, 2024
There was still time for Russo to come close to a dramatic winner, but her spectacular effort landed on the roof of the Everton net.
Victoria Pelova earlier missed a glorious chance for Arsenal at 0-0 while Caitlin Foord went closest for the Gunners in a cagey first half.
Never give up. ✊ pic.twitter.com/aMJkoC9qPE
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) April 28, 2024
Toone to the rescue for United
Manchester United stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-0 win over Leicester City.
Fourth-placed United threatened throughout but Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig produced numerous saves to deny Geyse, Melvine Malard and Leah Galton.
Leicester’s Yuka Momiki hit the post in the second half and despite only registering one shot on target, there was much for boss Willie Kirk to be pleased by.
But they could not hold out for a share of the points and were undone by Toone, coming off the bench to score a spectacular strike from range in the 83rd minute.
ELLA TOONE WITH THE ROCKET 🚀🚀🚀
An incredible strike from distance! WOW! 😱#BarclaysWSL @ManUtdWomen @ellatoone99 pic.twitter.com/6YmrlKJujM
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 28, 2024
Victory means United move three points clear of Liverpool, their opponents next weekend, while Leicester stay 10th.
England salvages point for Spurs
Bethany England equalised late and then struck the crossbar as Tottenham drew 1-1 at home to Brighton.
It was the Seagulls who struck against the run of play when Elisabeth Terland poked home her 13th goal of the campaign, reacting quickest after her initial header was diverted onto the crossbar.
Ashleigh Neville proved an unlikely gamechanger from the bench, with her cross steered home by England on 81 minutes.
“We managed to find our way into the game, especially after the subs came on and made a massive change.”
🎥 Bethany England’s thoughts on securing a point against Brighton. pic.twitter.com/RATvxVe1eP
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) April 28, 2024
Spurs kept pushing late but debutant Melina Loeck made several stops to deny England and Grace Clinton before the former was kept out one last time when her shot from the edge of the box hit the woodwork in stoppage time.
Hammers snatch point at the death
Shannon Cooke’s injury-time header and first club goal rescued a 1-1 draw for West Ham away to Aston Villa.
The visitors started brightly, with striker Riko Ueki’s header saved by teenage goalkeeper Sophia Poor, who was making her full senior debut.
Those last-minute equaliser feels 🥹@shann_cooke, buzzing with that goal? 👀#BarclaysWSL @westhamwomen pic.twitter.com/KGETvyLPCG
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 28, 2024
Kirsty Hanson picked out Rachel Daly early in the second half but the England forward failed to find the target from close range.
Another ball in from Hanson helped break the deadlock, as Alisha Lehmann diverted the ball beyond Mackenzie Arnold with 71 minutes on the clock.
Super Sub Alisha Lehmann! ⚡️
Off the bench and onto the scoresheet for @AVWFCOfficial‘s no.7! 🔥#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/iOlyQ7R6te
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 28, 2024
But in the 95th minute Cooke glanced Ueki’s cross past Poor to clinch a vital point for Rehanne Skinner’s side at Villa Park.
