Women's Super League

The relegation battle is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested the Women's Super League has seen, with just two points separating the bottom half of the table.

Newcomers Crystal Palace currently prop up the table on five points, but they are only below West Ham and Leicester on goal difference.

Aston Villa and Everton both claimed their first wins of the season at the weekend to move on to six points, while Tottenham are just one point better off in seventh place.

Former England midfielder Fara Williams told the Women’s Football Show: "Villa definitely shouldn’t be there [near the bottom] given their squad.

"They have a squad which is certainly capable of competing higher up. Now they’ve got their first win under their belts I’m sure they will start to pick up more points.

"When you look at the teams in the bottom, they will be looking at it as being a win away from jumping five spaces in the league. That gives the teams down there confidence."

Crystal Palace started the campaign as one of the favourites to go down but former England midfielder Anita Asante says they have "shown they have enough in their performances to rise in the table".

For more analysis watch the Women’s Football Show, where you can catch all the highlights from the weekend’s six matches.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

There is no sugar-coating how difficult Everton's season has been, so their first victory of the campaign against local rivals Liverpool carries greater significance.

To do it in their final Women's Super League game at Goodison Park to move off the bottom of the table just capped it off.

Brian Sorensen has had to deal with an injury crisis and financial limitations in the transfer window but criticism was growing as Everton's winless run continued.

They have had their share of bad luck so it felt like a matter of time before their fortunes would overturn and they were forunate to have been awarded a controversial penalty.

But as Sorensen said afterwards: "We'll take it".

This was a game that needed a result, not a performance, and Everton got what they came for.

With just four points separating Liverpool in sixth and Crystal Palace in 12th, suddenly Everton's position does not look quite as precarious.

Manchester United got back to winning ways after three consecutive draws with a 2-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium. Here is what both managers said after the game.

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel: "I think there were good moments, not enough but a bit more than the last game. Offensively we had created a few chances. We were a bit higher on the pitch which is good. Defensively we are still strong but it was a mistake and maybe a lack of focus. The same thing happened to us against West Ham. We need to be much more precise in everything we do. The energy and the intentions were there.

On losing concentration: "We need to continue working in training and recreate those moments when you are a bit tired. We need to make sure we keep on pushing together and stay positive. When results aren't going your way, you tend to look for excuses. Everyone has to do their best individually first and it will make the group a bit better."

Man Utd boss Marc Skinner: "I'm really pleased. I thought against Brighton, we were the better team. We should have had a penalty. When it came to the other two games, we didn't attack enough. Our touches in the box were too passive. We looked at it this week and decided to be more aggressive. Today we were way more aggressive. We were higher up the field and won our duels more.

On facing Leicester at a good time: "I wouldn't disrespect the opponent. It's good for us to get against our shape. the reality is we would have tried to attack more today anyway. I'm really happy with that performance. It's another clean sheet."

Everton got their first Women's Super League win of the season by beating rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park. Here is what both managers told Sky Sports after the game:

Everton boss Brian Sorensen: "It was magic. So proud of the girls, they really deserve it. We have been a bit unfortunate at times this season and today it was a bit on our side but we gave everything we had on the pitch. And there were some crazy minutes at the end."

On the penalty: "I haven't seen it back so I don't know but it is given and we took the chance. Still we created some opportunities on the transitions which was more of the plan today."

Liverpool boss Matt Beard: "What can I say? It's not a penalty. I get more and more frustrated. There are moments where the officials have let my players down today. It is not a penalty for them, it is outside the box.

"Ultimately the referee's decision has cost us potentially three points today. I said before the game Everton are a tough side when they get in front they are hard to break down. So for them to be gifted an opportunity like that, the referee has a great view, the lineswoman has a great view, no obstructions, and between them they come up with that decision."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at King Power Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Before this game, defender Maya Le Tissier said there was "a lot more" Manchester United can improve on despite an unbeaten start to the campaign.

Three successive draws led to boos and calls for manager Marc Skinner to go after the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last Sunday.

More than the result was the poor showing against Villa, where United had just one shot on target in 103 minutes.

Here, while far from perfect, United did heed Le Tissier's words and showed a lot more. They were more direct going forwards and much more willing to take shots and try something different.

They had a total of 23 shots, six on target - much more like what would be expected from a top three challenger.

Eventually they wore down a disciplined Leicester side, and earned a deserved victory.

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have been one of the surprise packages of the Women's Super League season but for all of the wrong reasons.

Robert de Pauw's side had slipped to the bottom of the league after not picking up a win in their opening seven games this term.

After looking like they were coasting to their first victory, Annabel Blanchard calmly netted an equaliser for Crystal Palace in the 86th minute and the story would have been been completely different for Villa.

Instead, Ebony Salmon came to the rescue as the substitute fired into the top corner with the last kick of the game to send Villa Park wild.

Not only have Villa secured their first win of the season but they have also cemented their first three points at home since December 2023.

De Pauw's side have talent in abundance with Rachel Daly netting her fourth of the season and Gabi Nunes continuing to adapt to life in the WSL.

A trip to Arsenal awaits Villa in their next WSL with winnable games against West Ham and Everton following.

Villa are up to eighth, who knows where they will sit in the table by the time the winter break comes around.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England defender Maya Le Tissier says there is "a lot more" Manchester United can improve on as they prepare to face Leicester City on Sunday.

United sit fifth in the Women's Super League table with three wins and three draws in their opening six matches.

Despite going unbeaten with five clean sheets in all competitions this season, there has been criticism by some supporters for their performances.

"We’ve kept five clean sheets in our seven games, which is quite impressive. Now we need to focus on what we can do with the ball," Le Tissier told BBC Sport.

"From a defender’s point of view, we’re very happy. Every player in the whole team has played their part."

Asked about the season overall, Le Tissier said they were keen to get back to winning ways after three successive draws.

"I think we can do a lot better. We’ve had the results we’ve had and are still unbeaten - but there’s a long way to go," she added.

"There are a lot more things we can improve. We have an exciting squad. We just need to get the ball down, play, enjoy it and pick up some wins."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Getty Images

If this was to be Chelsea's biggest test of the Women's Super League season so far, they passed it with flying colours as their progression under new manager Sonia Bompastor continues.

The Frenchwoman had big boots to fill when she took over from former boss Emma Hayes after she delivered a fifth successive title.

But it has been as good a start as Chelsea could have hoped for and their latest victory over Manchester City will only serve as a reminder to their rivals that they remain the team to beat in England.

With key players missing on both sides, it was a tactical game of chess for the most part until Mayra Ramirez's moment of quality broke the deadlock.

That was when Chelsea's experience shone through and their ruthless ability to make it 2-0 minutes after through Guro Reiten sealed the deal.

It is a major blow to City's title hopes and although there remains a long way to go, Chelsea still have a game in hand and sit two points clear at the top.

Chelsea continued their 100% start under Sonia Bompastor as they ended Manchester City's unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Here is what both managers told Sky Sports after the game.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor: "Two goals against Man City in the second half and a clean sheet, I think that is a great performance and a great result."

On Chelsea's defensive display: "Out of position we did a great game. Man City didn't create a lot of chances. They were in trouble to find a way to play they are used to. Today we controlled them which is hard."

On being the first WSL manager to win first seven games: "Every record has to be broken. Every game is an opportunity for the opposition to break that record. I don't care about myself. The players are doing great, I'm so proud of them."

Man City boss Gareth Taylor: "I thought it was a game of errors from both teams. In the first half they made more errors and we could have capitalised more. In the second half we evened it up. We were in control of the game but towards the 70-minute period it was looking like 0-0.

"It looked like it was heading for a stalement. We needed a bit more creativity in our final action. It was a game full of errors and it's unfortunate we haven't come away with at least a point."

On how big a setback this is: "We've always done really well on the occasions we have lost which is rare. It's a tight challenge. We are coming to a team that has done well over the years. We will bounce back for certain. The league is never won in November."