Week 8 of the WSL, is the week where Chelsea really took hold of the title race in the Women’s Super League, and where Arsenal painted London red once again, whereas Everton painted Liverpool blue.
What were the results of this weekend?
- Brighton & Hove Albion vs. West Ham United (3 – 2)
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal (0 – 3)
- Chelsea vs Manchester City (2 – 0)
- Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace (3 – 2)
- Leicester City vs. Manchester United (0 – 2)
- Everton vs. Liverpool (1 – 0)
The big derby games
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal kicked off a thrilling derby weekend with a high-stakes clash. After Arsenal’s loss to Spurs last season and a challenging start to the current campaign for both sides, this match was pivotal. The Gunners couldn’t have asked for a better start—within just two minutes, Alessia Russo fired them into the lead. A deflected pass from Mariona Caldentey, intended for Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum, fell perfectly into Russo’s path. The striker seized the opportunity, unleashing a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
In the 22nd minute, Leah Williamson’s incisive pass through the lines found Leonhardsen-Maanum, who executed a sharp one-two with Kim Little before driving the ball into the bottom corner, doubling Arsenal’s advantage. Spurs had their first real chance to respond just before halftime when Beth England’s powerful strike tested Daphne van Domselaar. The Arsenal goalkeeper rose to the occasion with a phenomenal save, reaffirming her status as one of the WSL’s brightest talents.
The second half saw Spurs push forward in search of a lifeline, but Arsenal’s defense stood firm. In the 66th minute, Stina Blackstenius put the game to bed with a clinical finish, securing a commanding 3-0 victory for the Gunners—a strong statement from Renee Sleger’s side. Arsenal’s defensive stability was on full display throughout the game—a quality Tim Stillman recently explored in-depth on his blog.
The weekend’s second major derby between Everton and Liverpool turned out to be a chaotic encounter. Liverpool dominated possession and pressed relentlessly, but their final ball and finishing lacked precision throughout.
Controversy struck just before halftime when referee Byrne awarded Everton a penalty for a foul by Fuka Nagano on her Japanese compatriot Honoka Hayashi just outside the box. Despite protests, the decision stood, and Katja Snoeijs stepped up to calmly convert from the spot. Everton’s resolute defense held firm for the remainder of the match, securing a vital and hard-fought victory over their Merseyside rivals.
The game of the weekend
The Women’s Football Blog’s Game of the Weekend was undoubtedly Chelsea vs. Manchester City. Unfortunately for City, their preparations took a major hit as star player Lauren Hemp was ruled out—a blow compounded by the later revelation that she had undergone successful knee surgery. Without their talismanic winger, City struggled to match the depth and quality of Chelsea’s squad.
City had their chances, especially in the first half, but they couldn’t capitalize. Khadija Shaw came close on two occasions—dragging one shot just wide and over-hitting a crucial pass that could have set up Jill Roord. These missed opportunities proved costly in a game defined by fine margins and individual brilliance.
The match seemed destined for a goalless draw until two moments of magic turned the tide in Chelsea’s favor. First, Ramirez broke the deadlock with a stunning solo effort, and then Guro Reiten sealed the win with her trademark composure, making it 2-0 to the Blues.
With a game in hand, Chelsea now sit atop the table and look poised for another strong campaign. Their perfect start to the season will be put to the test in their final fixture before the international break—a tantalizing clash against Manchester United. Can they extend their flawless run?
