WSL Weekend Review: Title Race Shifts as Liverpool Finally Triumph
The Women's Super League delivered another dramatic weekend of action, with significant developments at both ends of the table. While Manchester City strengthened their grip on top spot, Liverpool finally ended their long wait for a victory.
Shaw's Late Show Extends City's Lead
Manchester City's march towards the title gained further momentum with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at London City Lionesses. The match was decided in the 86th minute by the league's most prolific striker, Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw. The Jamaican international continues her remarkable scoring form, averaging a goal per game this season and establishing herself as the clear frontrunner for individual end-of-season awards.
Shaw's latest crucial intervention sent City nine points clear at the summit, demonstrating their ability to grind out results even when not at their fluent best. With such a lethal finisher in their ranks, Gareth Taylor's side appear capable of finding a way to win any match, a quality that could prove decisive in the title race.
Arsenal's Chelsea Victory Comes Too Late
Arsenal produced a dominant performance to defeat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, with manager Renée Slegers praising her team's character when "their backs are firmly against the wall." She highlighted their ability to deliver in crucial moments, stating: "When the moment is there for this team, when it really, really, really has to happen, they do it every single time."
However, this impressive victory against a major rival may have arrived too late to revive Arsenal's title challenge. Despite moving within one point of Chelsea, the Gunners remain ten points behind leaders Manchester City, with five damaging draws earlier in the season having practically ruled them out of contention for a trophy they last won seven years ago.
Liverpool's Long-Awaited Breakthrough
At the other end of the table, Liverpool finally secured their first WSL victory of the season at the 13th attempt. A stoppage-time double from Mia Enderby earned a thoroughly deserved 2-1 win against in-form Tottenham, rewarding the Reds' high-intensity approach and keeping them within touching distance of the teams above them.
Manager Gareth Taylor expressed his satisfaction, noting: "It probably looked at some stages like we weren't going to get it... but football does that. It can give you another opportunity. The girls willed the ball into the net today." The result capped weeks of gradually improving performances that suggested this breakthrough was imminent.
Mixed Fortunes in Mid-Table and Relegation Battle
The weekend also saw significant developments elsewhere:
- West Ham United claimed their first league away win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Leicester, thanks to stunning goals from Verena Hanshaw and Shekiera Martinez. Manager Rita Guarino's tactical setup, particularly her use of a 3-4-3 formation, allowed wide players to thrive in counterattack situations.
- Manchester United showed maturity in a must-win encounter against Aston Villa, scoring three goals in eight second-half minutes to turn the game around. Substitute Elisabeth Terland and Hanna Lundkvist, scoring her first goal for the club, secured a result that keeps United in touch with third-place Arsenal.
- Everton's woes at Goodison Park continued with a sixth consecutive home defeat this season, this time against a hard-working Brighton side. The Toffees lacked creativity and a focal point in attack, managing just 41 successful passes in the final third compared to Brighton's 100.
As the WSL season approaches its climax, Manchester City appear increasingly difficult to catch at the top, while the battle for survival promises to remain intensely competitive right until the final matchday.
