Women's Super League

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After 308 days out of action with a career-threatening injury, Arsenal midfielder Victoria Pelova got a standing ovation from more than 35,000 fans at Emirates Stadium as she made her long-awaited return.

The 25-year-old came on in the 74th minute, replacing goalscorer Mariona Caldentey, for her first appearance since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury while on international duty for the Netherlands in June 2024.

"It is great to be back," said Pelova, whose family were among the crowd during Arsenal's 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool, a result that kept the Gunners' hopes of winning the Women's Super League alive.

"I'm happy my family is here and they could see me back. When you are back on the bench that is the hardest mentally. Every game you want to come on. You are back in the team but you are not back. That was the hardest part."

Gunners boss Renee Slegers was delighted her player's injury nightmare was over and said: "You saw her last season how good she is. She has worked so hard coming back. It's lonely sometimes not being out with the team on the grass.

"She has had great support. I'm so happy for her that she is back now. She loves football. You saw she is so comfortable on the ball and I am so happy she is back for us."

Arsenal closed the gap to Women's Super League leaders Chelsea to five points with a dominant 4-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday evening. Here's what both managers had to say post match:

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers: "We always want to be at the highest level, we always want to be dominating and playing the way we did. I'm happy with a lot of things we did today and it sets us up well for [Champions League] on Wednesday."

On playing with high intensity from the start: "We always want to come out with intensity and start games well. We definitely did that today. If you prepare yourself really well you can come out from the first minute and dominate."

On the title race: "We need to push. We can do whatever we can do. If their [Chelsea's] position slips, we want to be ready, we want to be there."

Liverpool interim boss Amber Whiteley: "I don't think we managed distances well enough first half. Second half we were a bit deeper. Arsenal were brilliant first half and put us under a lot of pressure. Second half we were more difficult to break down.

On what went wrong for her side: "We need to be braver with the ball. It wasn't like us tonight. We didn't look like we had the same belief going forward. We need to be better with the ball and look after it a lot better."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The games are running out for Crystal Palace as they look to avoid an instant return to the Championship.

Palace, managed by Leif Smerud, gained a vital 3-1 win over Aston Villa to boost their hopes of staying in the Women's Super League last week, but could not build on that as they fell to a disappointing 3-0 loss to Everton on Saturday.

The Eagles had chances to take the lead and could not take them, before they conceded two headed goals, one from Justine vanhaevermaet and one from Sara Holmgaard, either side of the half-time break.

Kelly Gogo added a third in injury time to give the scoreline a flattering feel, but this was a good chance to pick up some much-needed points for Palace that was not taken.

Meanwhile for Everton, this was a big step towards safety after they had been in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle.

Palace's relegation rivals, Villa and Leicester, are at home on Sunday, against Manchester United and Brighton respectively and will now have a chance to pull clear of Smerud's side.

The Eagles have matches against the current top two sides next. They entertain second-placed Arsenal on 30 March before a trip to unbeaten leaders Chelsea on Sunday, 20 April.

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Everton forward Rikke Madsen spoke to the BBC after her special comeback after giving birth to her daughter was capped off with a proposal from her boyfriend Martin: "I've been waiting for this moment for so long now. Ever since becoming pregnant I've been aiming to get back as quick as possible. I am very impatient. I have been so motivated to come back and play with this team, for this club.

"Today my little baby is turning five months so it is so nice to be back. Ending off with my boyfriend asking him to marry him, that was a little twist. I did not expect that.

"I had no idea I was going to come on and I had especially no idea he was going to propose to me. The first thing I said to the other girls was that I hate surprises, but this one was alright."

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Manchester City interim boss Nick Cushing said his side are preparing to face a "better version" of Chelsea in the Women's Super League on Sunday.

After losing the League Cup final to the Blues on Saturday, City ended Chelsea's 31-game unbeaten run with a 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

They meet again at Etihad Stadium this weekend with Sonia Bompastor's side eight points clear at the top of the WSL, and fourth-placed City needing victory to maintain their top-three challenge.

"We saw that on Wednesday night that the most difficult part of the game is to be consistent against a top team," said Cushing. "That's why the best are the best.

"We're in fourth because our league form hasn't been consistent enough."

Cushing, who took interim charge last week, added: "For me, if you don't believe in that performance then you're never going to believe.

"Chelsea are a top team and they played really well but I expect Chelsea to come hugely motivated.

"I saw their manager and Lucy's [Bronze] press conference that they didn't believe the performance was at their level so we have to prepare to play a better version of Chelsea."

Here are the key lines from Cushing's news conference:

• Khadija Shaw, Aoba Fujino and Rebecca Knaak remain out alongside long-term absentees Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp.

• Cushing said he is likely to rotate the squad to "bring in some fresh legs".

• He expects Chelsea to be "far more aggressive, far more intensive".

• Cushing thought defender Gracie Prior was "excellent" on Wednesday.

• On Prior, he added: "To go into a game against a world-class striker and have a high level game is something she should be really proud of".

• His decision to take Lily Murphy off at half-time for matchwinner Vivianne Miedema was a "pre-planned" decision.

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Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor says it is important to "stay with the facts" after Manchester City ended the Blues' 31-game unbeaten run.

City, who lost to Chelsea in Saturday's League Cup final, avenged that defeat with a 2-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

It was Chelsea's first defeat of the season and their first under Bompastor, who succeeded Emma Hayes as manager in May.

However, Bompastor said they needed to look at the positives as they continue their bid for a historic quadruple.

"The facts at the minute, we lost an important game, but we're still alive for the next round," said the former Lyon boss.

"And in this situation, what is really positive? We still have one leg to play. We are not dead in the Champions League.

"When you look at the bigger picture, we are top of the table in the league, we already won one trophy, and we are qualified [for the semi-finals] in the FA Cup. So all these elements bring us some confidence as well."

Here are more key lines from Bompastor's news conference before Chelsea meet City again in the Women's Super League on Sunday (kick-off 14:30 GMT):

• Sam Kerr will not return from injury before the international break.

• There are no new injuries from Wednesday's defeat.

• Bompastor said "it's always difficult to lose games" but they've had "really constructive and positive" reflection after the 2-0 loss.

• Chelsea do not feel "any pressure" going into Sunday's game.

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Chelsea striker Sam Kerr will not return before the international break in April, says Blues manager Sonia Bompastor.

The 31-year-old Australia international has not played for more than a year after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament during training in January 2024.

She returned to individual training in January but Bompastor says Kerr is not yet ready to return to the playing squad.

"We go week by week, and maybe after the international break we'll have a better idea when she will come back with us," she said.

Chelsea have three more matches before the international break - two against Manchester City and one against West Ham.

Last week Kerr was included in Chelsea's 25-player squad for the Champions League knockout stages, but she was not involved as the Blues lost their quarter-final first leg to Manchester City, with the return on Thursday at Stamford Bridge.

Australia interim coach Tom Sermanni had previously said he was hopeful Kerr would be available for his side's two friendlies against South Korea between 4-7 April.

In February, Kerr was found not guilty of causing racially aggravated harassment, after calling a Metropolitan Police officer "stupid and white".

Despite her involvement in the court case, Chelsea have remained behind the forward, who made her senior Australia debut aged just 15.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Arsenal are "definitely aware of the threat" Liverpool can pose them in their Women's Super League meeting on Saturday, says manager Renee Slegers.

Liverpool knocked Arsenal out of the Women's FA Cup quarter-finals a few weeks ago and have won three successive matches under interim manager Amber Whiteley.

Their most recent victory was a 3-1 win at Anfield over Manchester United - the first time Liverpool have won a WSL game at the 61,000-seater stadium.

"I think they have always been a really tough team to get through but you can see there are more players on their team and in general, that are more confident," said Slegers.

"They believe in what they are doing. They have got maximum rewards from the good things they are in doing in their last three games.

"We are definitely aware of where they are at as a team and the threats they can pose us."

Here are more key lines from Slegers' media conference ahead of Saturday's game against Liverpool (17:30 GMT kick-off):

• Lotte Wubben-Moy will miss the game through injury but goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar has recovered from concussion.

• Defender Laia Codina is a question mark as she has not fully recovered from her injury.

• Slegers says her experience as interim manager at Arsenal helps provide "awareness" of what Liverpool's Amber Whiteley is going through.

• She also says the club believe in Rosa Kafaji despite the young Sweden forward struggling for minutes.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn says it is "not total darkness" but it has been a "tough" season for the club due to a lack of consistency.

In Vilahamn's first season, Spurs reached the Women's FA Cup final and finished sixth in the Women's Super League table.

But they have struggled to regain momentum this year, winning just five of their 16 WSL matches and suffering heavy defeats by Manchester City and Arsenal.

"Consistency is what you need to break into the top four. If you always have ups and downs, you will always be in the middle of the table," Vilahamn told BBC Sport.

"I don't like to lose but if I want to win a lot, I have to deal with those bits. When you have these feelings you need to find a way to move forward.

"It's not total darkness, we are still mid-table and what we want to do with Tottenham means there is still a big step to go."

Spurs have been clear about their ambitions to get Champions League football and Vilahamn admits it is an important few months for the club to lay foundations.

"We have to make the right decisions in the club to make sure we can take those steps next year. That will be the third year with me," he added.

"The first year was really excellent and everything is 'wow', this year is kind of the same in the league so next year we have to take steps forward to close the gap.

"I want to make sure that we are looking the way we want to look when we play football and have the identity we want to have when we play out from the back.

"I'm not saying we will win [our last] six games but I want to make sure everyone speaks about Tottenham and knows the way we want to play."

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Liverpool and Scotland defender Jenna Clark has signed a new contract with the club.

The 23-year-old has made 46 appearances for Liverpool since joining in the summer of 2023 from Glasgow City.

"It feels amazing," she said. "Liverpool to me feels like home, in the club, in the city and I've enjoyed a good year and a half here already. I'm looking forward to the future.

"For us as a team, we just want to finish this season on a high and as strong as we can.

"For me individually, it's just to carry on and try and help the team as much as I can."

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Brighton manager Dario Vidosic says he is paying no attention to the Women's Super League table as the end of the season approaches.

The Seagulls find themselves fifth, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

Asked whether there's a competition between Brighton and Liverpool, who are a point behind in sixth, to finish in that fifth spot, Vidosic said his only focus was on getting a maximum of 18 point from their six remaining games.

"We don't want to just feel that we're in a competition with Liverpool only. That sort of disrespects everything, and there are good teams around us," he said.

"We know we've still got a lot of tough games to go. There's no easy games until the end of the season.

"Doesn't matter what the table says where you are, because anyone can beat anyone on the day if you're not prepared, if you're not ready."

He added: "We're going out there to worry about the performance, worry about how we apply ourselves each day in training and just try to do the right things. When you do that, then you give yourself the best opportunity."

Here are more key lines from his news conference before Sunday's trip to Leicester (kick-off at 15:30 GMT):

• Vicky Losada and Jelena Cankovic are close to making their returns, while Bex Rayner is back in training.

• The trip to Leicester comes too soon for Bruna Vilamala.

• Vidosic said Brighton took a lot of learnings from their League Cup meeting against Leicester, which they won on penalties, earlier in the season.

• He said Leicester "can be very dangerous" and are likely to have more motivation after Crystal Palace's win last weekend.

• Vidosic is "curious" to learn more about the new seven-a-side women's football series that was launched on Thursday, but he has not talked about it with the club.

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Aston Villa manager Natalia Arroyo says her side were "too nervous" in their defeat against relegation rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Villa fell to a 3-1 defeat which left them just a point above bottom-placed Palace with six games remaining this season.

"Probably we were too nervous in that game, too much in a rush, too much wanting to win from the first minute," Arroyo said.

"We were playing the game they were waiting and wanting to play."

Arroyo, who took charge in January, said her side needed to manage their emotions better.

"This wanting, this willing, this going for the win - we need to manage it properly," added Arroyo before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Manchester United (kick-off at 16:30 GMT).

Here are more key lines from her news conference:

• Lucy Staniforth is back in training and will be part of the squad, but Noelle Maritz is suspended.

• Arroyo and her players "absolutely" believe they can turn things around and stay in the WSL.

• She expects a "difficult game" against a "super physical" and "super aggressive" Manchester United.

• Arroyo added: "We need to be focused every time, because they don't give you one second to breathe and we need to be ready for that."

• The Spaniard said she has had to be "patient" as Villa navigate a difficult period, adding: "I need to be flexible. I have my ideas very clear, but sometimes you cannot bring them now."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Everton want to make sure they "don't have to look down" in the table by picking up a victory over bottom club Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Manager Brian Sorensen says that is "really important" to relieve any lingering concerns about relegation in the Women's Super League.

The Toffees currently sit eighth in the table - seven points clear of Palace.

"It is really important, we know that. It is 90 minutes of football and anything can happen," said Sorensen.

"We just need to make sure that we are sharp, ready and at our best. I am very confident that we haven't got our last three points of the season.

"We want to make sure that we don't have to look down, and win that game. Palace have the tools to [stay up] but so do the other teams around them. We will see."

Here are more key lines from Sorensen's media conference ahead of Saturday's match (14:00 GMT):

• Clare Wheeler has recovered from illness, while Melissa Lawley picked up a minor injury in training but both are expected to be available for Everton.

• However, on-loan Chelsea forward Louna Ribadeira is set to miss the rest of the season with a foot injury.

• Sorensen says Everton are preparing for a "tough" game but are "ready" to face Palace.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United defender Millie Turner has signed a new three-year deal with the club.

The 28-year-old, who extends her stay until June 2028, graduated from United's academy and has become a key player for them in the Women's Super League.

She has made 167 appearances - the second-most of any player in the squad - since rejoining the club in 2018 when it launched its professional women's first team.

"She is one of the original [players in the squad] so she has a steep history with Manchester United," said manager Marc Skinner.

"I'm so excited. I've challenged Millie to be better. Her next challenge is to win things with Manchester United and get a place in the England squad consistently.

"We are so grateful that she is a big part of our team. She is in our leadership group so that shows how important she is to us.

"I'm looking forward to that growth. Anyone who resigns, sees the future at Manchester United. All the noise is false. It shows a lot about our environment."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says his side need to take advantage of Aston Villa's "tough" period in the Women's Super League.

Villa currently sit one point above the relegation spot having lost five successive matches in the WSL, including last week's 3-1 defeat by bottom club Crystal Palace.

"With the quality in the squad and the investment they have made, I'm sure they wouldn't want to be where they are in the league," said Skinner.

"Our job is to make them feel that pressure, be us and be aggressive. It has to be our aim. I say that with the utmost respect.

"It has to be the same against every team we play. It doesn't matter if it's against Villa at the bottom or Chelsea at the top. We have got to continue."

Here are more key lines from Skinner's media conference ahead of Sunday's match (16:30 GMT kick-off):

• United defender Gabby George came off with a foot injury in the defeat by Liverpool but will be training fully with the squad on Friday.

• Skinner says the team have six games left in the WSL and the Women's FA Cup semi-final in which to finish the season on a high.

• He does not "fear for Villa" despite their position in the table and believes new manager Natalia Arroyo can get the best out of them going forward.

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Crystal Palace manager Leif Smerud says last week's victory over relegation rivals Aston Villa has brought "a lot of energy" to the team.

The 3-1 win moved bottom club Palace to within a point of Villa with six games remaining of the season.

"It impressed me a lot because high-pressure games like that are not easy," Smerud said.

"This team has had a tough season so far, coming from many bad experiences, especially at the end of games where they have lost some points and victories.

"To manage to ride the storm and perform under those conditions... was very important. Mentally that was a demanding place for a team be.

"Of course it brings a lot of energy, so that's been noticeable during this week. Now, it's about resetting, which we've done, and going again."

Palace travel to Everton on Saturday (14:00 GMT kick-off) for their third game under Smerud, who says he is enjoying the challenge in the WSL.

"The club has been fantastic in bringing me in and integrating me quickly. I felt welcome from day one, and the league is just as competitive as I expected.

"It's a really interesting league with different kinds of games, different teams, different styles. I'm enjoying it, it's really fun, and I look forward to new games and new opportunities."

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Liverpool interim manager Amber Whiteley said she has been open about wanting the permanent position because she believes "that's where my skillset lies".

Whitely has consistently said she wants to be considered for the role after Matt Beard was sacked last month.

She has won all three matches in charge, knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup and defeating Manchester United at Anfield on Friday.

"I've always been quite open about wanting the position because that is a role that I will move into in the future. I think that's where my skillset lies," Whiteley said.

Her side travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the Women's Super League on Saturday (17:30 GMT kick-off).

Whiteley said her attention is in on that game and the recruitment process "has got to be put to one side".

"We will see what happens on that front but the focus remains on Arsenal," she added.

Here are more key lines from Whiteley's news conference:

• Liverpool were "really good" against Manchester United at Anfield, but that game "feels like a lifetime ago".

• Players that missed that game because of illness are back in training.

• The Reds "have got to raise our level" against what Whiteley expects to be an "improved" Arsenal.

• She added: "We're definitely in a good place. Confidence wise we go into this Arsenal game in a good spot".

• Whitely said Olivia Smith is "so talented" and has been "brilliant" both on and off the ball over the past few weeks.

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Leicester manager Amandine Miquel says she has "lost count" of the number of injuries her side have as they head into a crucial point of the season.

Ruby Mace, Lena Petermann and Jutta Rantala are among those currently sidelined for the Foxes, who are just three points above bottom side Crystal Palace.

Speaking at her media conference ahead of their game at home to Brighton on Sunday (15:00 GMT kick-off), Miquel said: "We're at our highest level of injured.

"Some might come back for this game, half of this game, the other games, but we'll see on Sunday."

Leicester's only league wins this season have come at home but Miquel does not think that puts added pressure on her side for this weekend.

"We haven't given up on winning away, it's not forbidden, so we are allowed to win away.

"We know it's a tough league so I haven't felt relaxed at any moment even though there were more points difference [between Leicester and Palace].

"I don't think it's the type of league where you can relax until the last minute of the last game. That's how it should be, that's why we came here."