1
Fans stay connected to Slegers amid run
Travelling Arsenal fans showed no animosity towards the head coach, Renée Slegers, despite their side’s run of one win in six games all competitions, and the north Londoners slipping 10 points behind Manchester City. Slegers walked over to applaud the 2,000 away fans after the 4-2 defeat at Etihad Stadium, and they applauded her back. Slegers said: “I mostly went there to thank them, and connect with them, and show them that I care for them and appreciate them coming to Manchester. And also showing to show them that I feel – not sorry for them because I’m, of course, a big part of it and things are within my control – but they’re coming here and they’re not getting the rewards, just like the team. So I just wanted to connect with them instead of walking away and hiding.” Tom Garry
2
Forward-thinking Walsh lifts Chelsea
Chelsea’s midfield has been a talking point and came to the fore in their 3-0 win over West Ham. Keira Walsh was again the heartbeat of the team, collecting her third straight player of the match award, and the 29-year-old is enjoying a more attacking role this season. With the introduction of Lexi Potter at half-time, Walsh was able to push forward fruitfully again. She scored her second WSL goal of 2026-27 – the same as she managed all last season – and took more shots (five) and completed more dribbles (three) than anyone else. “It helps us a lot in terms of creating opportunities,” her coach, Sonia Bompastor, said. “We know how good she is when she is at the edge of the box … Right now it’s good to have a player who is confident and brings us the solution to scoring goals.” Sophie Downey
3
Maestre’s Lionesses flex their muscles
London City showed their Champions League qualification credentials with a 6-1 rout of Tottenham to move above their opponents into third. Eder Maestre’s side were at their fluid and clinical best against a team many believe will rival them as challengers to the traditional top three, with 47.6% of shots on target to Tottenham’s 11%. Superstar signings Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scored twice, but most impressive was the muscle that Maestre’s squad showed. London City players looked more robust and hungrier than Tottenham, their physical presence combined with an aggressive press making the home team look pedestrian and lightweight after an unbeaten start to the season. After lots of summer changes it can take time for players to gel and that physical presence can make a difference when things aren’t clicking. When things are clicking, though, it appears anything is possible. Suzanne Wrack
4
Pointless Charlton neglect the basics
The Charlton manager, Karen Hills, did not mince her words after her side conceded five after taking a one-goal lead at Brighton. “It’s unacceptable if we can’t deal with one v ones,” she said. “The game is about one v one duels, about tackling, doing the basics and doing them really well and unfortunately we didn’t do that today. We found ourselves on the end of the scoreline which isn’t very flattering for us. Individually we need to be more accountable for some individual stuff but at the same time I take full responsibility because that’s my team out there.” The international break comes at a critical time for the winless team, who are yet to pick up a single point, but even with some breathing space to work on their unacceptable handling of the basics, it’s hard to where Charlton’s first point is coming from. SW
5
Liverpool ‘fall into trap’ of direct United
Gareth Taylor admitted surprise at Manchester United’s directness after his Liverpool team succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Leigh Sports Village. Possession was split almost evenly, with 51% for Liverpool, and the hosts created more goalmouth opportunities but could not convert them. Taylor told the BBC: “We ended up becoming what they are, very direct. Their goalkeeper was literally kicking out of her hands. It’s a very direct way of playing. We fell into that trap ourselves. We have got to be braver – and do what we do.” TG
after newsletter promotion
6
Familiar problems for Sørensen at Villa
Brian Sørensen’s first WSL game as Aston Villa’s interim manager ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, leaving him with plenty to address if he is to turn his temporary role into a permanent one. The Dane took the reins on Tuesday after Natalia Arroyo’s dismissal, with Villa having taken two points from their opening four league matches. Villa took the lead through Noelle Maritz in the 55th minute, but Abbie Larkin’s equaliser 19 minutes later ensured Villa remain without a league win. Villa were fortunate not to concede again as Palace’s confidence grew and created several chances late on, yet the draw leaves them sitting in 12th place with three points from five games. Villa and Sørensen have work to do, whether his appointment remains temporary or becomes permanent. Réshma Rao
7
Mace double ends Everton’s goal wait
It was quite a feat for Everton to be in the top five without registering anything other than an own goal, and their luck continues in this spooky season. The Toffees finally scored goals of their own in a 2-1 victory against Birmingham City. It was all thanks to Ruby Mace, who scored twice and blew away any cobwebs in front of goal. Her most recent WSL goal came playing for the visitors in 2021. The first goal was a stunning left-footed strike arrowed into the far corner; the second a deflected shot from the edge of the box. “I’m really happy. I have actually [been working on my shooting], putting in the extra work, and luckily today I managed to score,” she said. Renuka Odedra