Women’s Super League: Matchday 8 round-up

Chelsea go top after a historic weekend which saw all teams across the Women’s Super League and Championship play in main stadiums: everything you need to know about the Women’s Super League matchday 8.

“The best job in the world!” [Chelsea 2-0 Man City]

Sonia Bompastor became the first ever manager to win her first seven WSL games in charge, in a huge victory for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Last year’s champions and runners-up went toe-to-toe for much of the match but the strength of the Chelsea attack eventually dismantled City’s defence. Despite City dominating possession, it was the Blues who found the breakthrough which will give them huge confidence in their quest for a sixth consecutive title. Bompastor said: “I told my players before the game – we do the best job in the world. I told them to enjoy playing at Stamford Bridge with 20,000 fans. We played a great team – Man City – both fighting for the top of the table. It’s a fun job, so tonight it was fun to have the fans with us and fun to enjoy at the end!”

A win worth the wait as Everton beat rivals [Everton 1-0 Liverpool]

The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park delivered on drama, in the form of a controversial penalty decision, which resulted in the only goal of the match. Everton went into the match as the only team without a win under their belt, but for the third season in a row, their first win came against their local rivals. Not only was it their first win this season, but their first win at Goodison Park, in their final derby at The Old Lady – although Liverpool were left frustrated after a foul outside the area was given as a penalty. Matt Beard said: “I just feel we’ve been let down by the officials. It wasn’t a penalty. That’s it. You have the referee, the fourth official, the linesman and the assistant referee all with unblocked views. Even I saw the contact was about a yard outside the box.I just give up with it to be honest with you because it happens every week.”

Arsenal all smiles as north London turns red [Tottenham 0-3 Arsenal]

Arsenal’s winning form under Renee Slegers continued with an emphatic win over their local rivals, after Alessia Russo broke the deadlock after just 63 seconds. The stage was set for an epic in north London, but Spurs couldn’t fight back against the Gunners’ dominance. Frida Maanum scored her fourth of the season, before Stina Blackstenius wrapped things up in the 66th minute just seconds after she was subbed on. Arsenal can’t stop scoring, or smiling at the minute. Slegers said: “I’m happy! It means a lot to the players, the club, the staff and the fans. It’s the chicken or the egg question, where the smiles come from. Behaviours are contagious as well, so as soon as someone starts smiling the next one is more likely to smile.”

Stoppage time winner gives Villa a first victory [Aston Villa 3-2 Crystal Palace]

As if Villa hadn’t waited long enough for their first win, they waited until the 94th minute to score a winner. Super-sub Ebony Salmon powered home a winner in the final moments of the match, after it looked as though Annabel Blanchard had salvaged a point for Palace four minutes before the end of normal time, in a five-goal thriller at Villa Park.

Kirby causes chaos [Brighton 3-2 Crystal Palace]

An 82nd minute goal from Fran Kirby gave Brighton a narrow victory over West Ham, as they ended the weekend third in the WSL. West Ham are a side that have struggled at times this season, but two goals in five minutes from Katrina Gorry to make it 2-2 showed the fight in Rehanne Skinner’s side, even if they left the Amex with no points – their 11th loss from their last 15 away games.

United return to winning ways [Leicester 0-2 Man United]

Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet found goal against a Leicester side riddled with errors, extending United’s unbeaten run. United boss Marc Skinner said “We were much more like ourselves today, much more aggressive with and without the ball. We discussed as a collective, we needed to be much more like us. I’m happy with the performance, and another clean sheet, I thought we were excellent.”