WSL: Man Utd now second, Arsenal & Man City win, Spurs get point at Villa

After Chelsea recorded a 7-0 win over Crystal Palace on Friday night, the remaining ten WSL sides are in action on Sunday.

Here’s what happened.

England finds stoppage-time equaliser for Spurs at Villa Park

Scorers: Summanen (PEN) 23′, England 90+6; Leon 78′, Daly 88′

Rachel Daly’s late goal was surpassed by a stoppage time equaliser from Bethany England as Tottenham drew 2-2 with Aston Villa.

Tottenham were awarded a penalty when Drew Spence was tripped in the box by Paula Tomás, and that spot-kick was duly converted by Eveliina Summanen.

Into the second half and the game had dropped in tempo, but Aston Villa woke Spurs up with 12 minutes of normal time remaining with a fantastic team goal.

The experienced Jordan Nobbs played the ball in right to Rachel Daly, who was able to spot the run of Adriana Leon, picking her out unmarked in the box. Leon then delicately chipped the ball over goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer to put her side on even terms.

Villa had their tails up after the goal, and it felt almost inevitable when Rachel Daly opened her account for the season with a looping header beyond Spencer.

Just as it looked that the home side had the win at Villa Park, Bethany England netted a late equaliser with a header from a Amanda Nildén assist.

Arsenal earn hard-fought away win

Scorers: Maanum 55′

Arsenal put in a lacklustre performance but still managed a 1-0 win over Leicester thanks to a goal from Frida Maanum.

Some top speed from Alessia Russio meant that the Arsenal attacker got to the ball in the box before the onrushing goalkeeper Lize Kop, meaning that a cross to Maanum led to an easy finish for the Norway international.

There was probably some element of fatigue to Arsenal’s performance after their midweek exploits, but Jonas Eidevall will be pleased to have recorded the first WSL win of the season.

Liverpool pegged back for second week in a row

Scorers: Smith 7′; Ueki 85′

Liverpool took just a point away at West Ham after their second 1-1 draw in as many games.

The Reds were ahead early on through some smart pressing high up the pitch and some trickery inside the box from summer signing Olivia Smith allowing her to fire in with a lovely angled finish.

The Reds were ahead for almost 80 minutes, but failed to add to their lead and were then punished by the home side when Japan international Riko Ueki rose highest and headed upwards to put West Ham back level.

That’s the second time in two games that Matt Beard’s side have been unable to close out a 1-0 lead.

Manchester City sneak past Brighton

Scorers: Shaw 45′

Manchester City recorded their first win of the season with a narrow 1-0 win at home to Brighton.

Brighton gave Manchester City a stern test in the first half, but the best chance came for the home side just before half-time when Bunny Shaw’s shot from inside the box was blocked and Jess Park put the follow-up just over the bar.

Just on the stroke of half-time Lauren Hemp played in Kerstin Casparij from the left, who did well to beat her marker in the box and square a cross for Shaw who flicked her foot and put her side ahead.

Into the second half and both sides defended well, cancelling each other out as the score remained at 1-0.

Manchester United up to second with narrow win at Everton

Scorers: Clinton 4′

Manchester United were off to a flying start when Everton were caught in possession playing out from the back. Grace Clinton intercepted the ball, made a run forwards and skilfully side-stepped a defender in the box to fire home from close range.

There was concern for Everton summer signing Inma Gabarro, who was stretchered off in the first half after landing awkwardly from an innocuous looking challenge.

As the match ticked into the final five minutes, Man Utd went close when Hinata Miyazawa had her effort blocked on the line by Justine Vanhaevermaet and Melvine Malard also went close to doubling the score but Courtney Brosnan pulled off an excellent save.

The standout WSL fixture next weekend was going to be Chelsea’s match with Manchester United in the lunchtime kickoff on Sunday, but that has now been called off at the last minute due to scheduling issues with the UWCL.