Women's Super League

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Fran Kirby made her much-awaited return from injury but could not stop Brighton from falling to a 3-1 defeat at West Ham in the Women's Super League on Sunday.

It was the England international's first appearance for the club since scoring a late winner to down the same opposition at the Amex Stadium back in November.

Brighton sit third in the table after that win but three months on, Dario Vidosic's side find themselves without a win in six league outings and occupy fifth place in the WSL table - 12 points behind Arsenal, who are currently third.

Former Chelsea attacking midfielder Kirby, who picked up the calf injury while on international duty in December, was brought on in the 73rd minute to replace Jelena Cankovic.

Vidosic will hope the 31-year-old, who scored three goals and created two assists this season, will help the Seagulls return to the right track with a trip against Kirby's former side Chelsea coming up after the international break.

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Things seem to be clicking into place for Amandine Miquel.

At the start of the campaign her Leicester side were having major problems in front of goal - netting just three goals in their first 10 matches.

But recently, the Foxes have found their goalscoring boots and for the first time this season they have scored in three successive games.

What will please Miquel even more will be the nature of the three goals against Aston Villa.

The opener and Julie Thibaud's goal were well worked team goals, while Janice Cayman's second - a stunning volley from the edge of the box - is sure to challenge for goal of the season.

They could have had more, too, with new signing Hlin Eiriksdottir coming close twice, while Shana Chossenotte also proved a threat.

While the Foxes pull themselves away from trouble, Villa face a big challenge ahead with games against bottom-placed Crystal Palace and Everton, in ninth, crucial to their fight for WSL survival.

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Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says her side "missed some freshness" due to their recent run of fixtures, making it difficult as they required a stoppage-time winner to come from behind and beat Everton on Sunday.

Bompastor added that she thought the result showed how her players "really believe anything is possible for us."

Lauren James came to the rescue for the Blues as she netted a 93rd-minute winner. Mayra Ramirez had earlier scored to cancel out Kelly Gago's opener.

"It was a tough performance today. I was expecting that because when you play the same team one week after, it's always more difficult - especially for the team with dominance.

"Maybe today was a little bit more difficult because we missed some freshness in the legs. Probably it was more difficult. If you reflect on all of this block, we've played eight games in six weeks so that's really tough.

"I'm pleased with the result. That's also normal - sometimes the players are just tired and that's difficult."

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For Manchester United, only wins will do if they are to keep the pressure on and avoid Chelsea pulling even further ahead at the top of the table.

And as the game at Leigh Sports Village passed the hour mark, even a single point wasn't a guarantee against bottom-placed Crystal Palace.

The visitors had threatened before the break after Mille Gejl's leveller, while they defended resolutely in the early stages of the second half.

Allyson Swaby's goalline clearance had stopped Ella Toone from netting her fifth league goal of the season in the 56th minute.

But eventually the pressure told and Swaby couldn't repeat her heroics when Elisabeth Terland cleverly placed her shot just behind the retreating defender.

Her second of the afternoon and seventh league goal of the season showed the exact composure that Marc Skinner would have wanted when the club signed a new centre-forward - Brighton's top scorer last season - in the summer.

For Palace, they will be disappointed that they found themselves trailing early on after another costly error from goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari.

As games continue to slip by and the threat of relegation looms, Laura Kaminski's side will need to pick themselves up again during the international break before their next WSL meeting with Liverpool.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Emirates Stadium

Image source, Reuters

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn understands there are risks when you play out from the back against top opposition.

He has suffered in his persistence that Tottenham will play "brave" football in possession and admitted this weekend it might make him look "stupid" when they lose 5-0.

That scoreline against any opponent is a tough one to take but it was even worse to suffer it against north London rivals Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

While Vilahamn's desire for attacking football is admirable, it is little consolation on days like this when Tottenham's defence is so easily torn apart.

Arsenal striker Alessia Russo made light work of defender Clare Hunt and the Gunners could easily have been 4-0 up by half-time had goalkeeper Lize Kop not produced several saves.

In the end, it was the perfect afternoon for Arsenal and Tottenham barely laid a glove.

Vilahamn admitted he was a "little bit worried" at the ease in which Arsenal carved them apart but it is not the first time it's happened this season - so should he be more concerned?

England international Chloe Kelly came off the bench to make her debut in a second spell at Arsenal as they thrashed north London rivals Tottenham. Here is what the managers said after the game:

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers speaking to BBC Sport: "The way we dominated today and nullified their threat, I'm very pleased with that and a clean sheet again.

"I think the unpredictability that we appear with now - it's hard to defend [against] us because we find different ways to do it and different ways to create chances. The clean sheet is important for us, we have different goal scorers which is part of our versatility at the moment.

"In the second-half we were a bit sloppy on the ball sometimes, yes it was 5-0 and a clean sheet, very happy with that, but we want to bring the game to the next level and I think there's a next level for us still."

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn speaking to BBC Sport: "Overall, Arsenal were extremely good and better than us. The first 10-15 minutes were the best we had in the game and then they pushed us down and scored that goal. Then they are dictating the game.

"When we did the substitutions in the second half, we got back in the game a little bit. But then they were clinical when they got the chances as well. Fair play to them, they were really good."

"The concern is how we can makes sure we are better in and out of possession and compete better. We are right now having problems competing with top three teams.

"Then if you look at the goals we conceded, we need to fix how we defend our box better. We are working on it and making sure we need to get better on that."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It was uncomfortable, but Chelsea's dominant WSL record over Everton continues thanks to this late victory.

The Blues are now unbeaten in 16 against the Toffees, winning 15. Everton have now lost their last eight league matches at Chelsea, a run stretching back to 2013.

For a while, it seemed that run was ending. Kelly Gago, with four goals in as many matches since joining Everton from Sampdoria, looks a real find.

Gago and Toni Payne are already building a very fruitful understanding in attack for Brian Sorensen's side, Everton fans should be excited to see that develop.

But in defence, having worked so hard, they ultimately dropped too deep and allowed Lauren James the freedom of Kingston to turn and find a winner.

So the Chelsea title train chugs on, as the sweeping wins from the first half of the season turn into hard-fought, snatched victories. The points reward remains the same.

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Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor says captain Alex Greenwood and winger Lauren Hemp are pushing to return sooner than expected as they recover from knee injuries.

Greenwood suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in City's Champions League win over St Polten in December, while Hemp has also been sidelined since late 2024 with a knee problem.

Asked when the duo are likely to return Taylor said: "Hopefully when the next window comes [after the international break] they can start to see those players coming back. They are on the grass at the moment, not training with the team, more in isolation."

He added: "Lauren is probably a little bit further ahead than Alex. She was back on pitch last week, Alex had her first on-pitch session today in isolation away from the team. Hopefully when they return to us we're still in a good place in all competitions.

"They're so determined to be there for the team and pushing the medical department massively on what the expectations are and the data that's been set.

"I've heard they're [Lauren and Alex] talking it up a bit about making it sooner, which we'd love because it tells us they really care and want to be there for the team."

In further positive news Taylor confirmed that the squad is "moving in the right direction" with improvements to the fitness of forward Vivianne Miedema and a possible start for striker Khadija Shaw after she made a goalscoring return to action in the FA Cup last weekend.

Here are more key lines from Taylor's news conference before Manchester City host Liverpool on Sunday (18:45 GMT kick-off):

• Kerstin Casparij will be missing at the weekend due to concussion protocol after coming off in the FA Cup win against Leicester City.

• On Bunny Shaw: "You never want anyone to go through what she has been through. Our job was to help and support her as much as we possibly could, the team, the staff and the club. Hopefully she feels like she is back in a really good place." He added that Shaw is "potentially" ready to start this weekend.

• Taylor says he was "pleased with the response" from side and how they put together performances after Manchester United and Arsenal defeats.

• "Focus has always been there" in terms of fighting for the Champions League places and he wants to "finish strong" before the international break.

• Liverpool are a team "moulded in [Matt] Beard's way of coaching - effective, honest and full of quality" and you "can't rest on your laurels" against them.

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Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn says Bethany England is "knocking on the door" of being called up to the Lionesses squad.

England was not selected by Sarina Wiegman for the Women's Nations League matches later this month despite being the joint-second top scorer in the Women's Super League this season with seven goals.

"Obviously it's Sarina's choice, and she knows what she want to have in her squads," Vilahamn said.

"She didn't pick Bethany, but if she keeps having the performances she has had, of course you're going to knock on the door to try to get back into the squad."

In contrast, Spurs winger Jessica Naz, who has scored only one WSL goal this season, was called up by Wiegman.

"She hasn't been maximum performing in all games but she's getting the trust to get back in the game with the potential and what she brings to the table," Vilahamn added.

"What Jessica Naz is doing is she's on a journey where she becomes a top, top national team player soon.

"I think that she's one of the diamonds in the future for the Lionesses."

Here are more key lines from his news conference before Sunday's north London derby against Arsenal:

• Ella Morris and the Drew Spence are available for selection.

• Eveliina Summanen is back on the grass, but "not in collective training".

• Vilahamn said Renee Slegers has been "impressive" since taking over as Arsenal's head coach.

• He said Tottenham's win over Arsenal last season was "one of the best feelings I've had on a football pitch".

• Vilahamn believes Spurs will close the gap with top teams in the "long term" because of the investment the club is putting into the women's team.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City's quarter-final in the Women's FA Cup against fellow Women's Super League side Aston Villa will be shown live on the BBC.

The match at the Joie Stadium will take place at Sunday, 9 March at 12:30 GMT and will be available to watch on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

City, who last won the FA Cup in 2020, have failed to get past the quarter-finals in the previous two seasons.

Villa will be hoping for a repeat of their last-eight victory in 2023 when Rachel Daly scored an extra-time winner against Man City as they reached the semi-finals.

Women's FA Cup quarter-finals:

All kick-off times are GMT

Saturday, 8 March:

• 17:15 - Manchester United v Sunderland - YouTube and FA Player

Sunday, 9 March:

• 12:30 - Manchester City v Aston Villa - BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC website

• 14:30 - Arsenal v Liverpool - YouTube and FA Player

• 14:30 - Chelsea v Crystal Palace - YouTube and FA Player

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers says she is hopeful her side can make Tottenham feel "very uncomfortable" during Sunday's north London derby.

There have been 55,000 tickets sold for the Women's Super League match at Emirates Stadium (12:30 GMT kick-off).

"It's, of course, the north London derby and is a rivalry, and we will both feel it," Slegers said.

"Hopefully we can make them very uncomfortable at the Emirates.

The former Netherlands midfielder said the fans on Sunday can help give Arsenal "something else".

"We really want to connect with them because they they give us that extra little percentage on the pitch."

Here are more key lines from Slegers' news conference:

• There are no new injuries before Sunday's game, while she is hopeful Chloe Kelly will be available.

• Victoria Pelova has made "really good progress" on her return from an ACL injury, playing in an Under-21s match earlier this week.

• Slegers is "proud to represent Arsenal, who take responsibility for questions in society" after the club joined campaign to help eliminate cervical cancer.

• She is "very happy" with the culture at Arsenal, adding that the players have been "supportive of each other for a long time already".

• Arsenal have to "respect Tottenham's strengths".

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel warned her side that there is "no time for half efforts" as they continue their bid to avoid relegation from the Women's Super League this weekend.

The Foxes sit in 11th place in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

They welcome 10th-placed Aston Villa to the King Power Stadium on Sunday knowing victory would see them leapfrog their opponents and move further clear of danger.

"We need to give the same energy for each game," said Miquel. "Sometimes you have physical limitations due to playing a lot of games, sometimes there are injuries, these things are normal.

"For every game the 11 players that start and the five that come in need to give everything. We don't have time for half efforts."

Here are more key lines from Miquel's news conference before Leicester City host Aston Villa on Sunday (15:00 GMT):

• The Foxes are "being careful" with Shannon O'Brien as she builds back to full fitness, while Saori Takarada is back available and January signing Karla Torres is "looking good" and could feature.

• Miquel praised the young players that came off the bench in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Man City last week and the "energy" they brought.

• On Villa and new boss Natalia Arroyo: "They don't have her style yet but we know it takes time. Things are slowing moving towards what she wants to do."

• Leicester will "play this game like any other game" despite the picture at the bottom of the table and she will only look at the table "after the last game".

• Miquel wants to see the same "defensive resilience and fighting mentality" from her team that saw them claim a point in the reverse fixture at Villa Park.

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Beard says that his Liverpool side doesn't "fear anyone" as they prepare to face Manchester City at Joie Stadium on Sunday evening.

The Reds went toe-to-toe with Gareth Taylor's side at Anfield in October, eventually losing out to a stunning stoppage-time winner from Khadija Shaw.

"We don't fear anyone," said Beard. "We will do as much as we can to get the three points because we want to continue the run we are on.

"We are five points off fifth place. I think that top four have broken away so right now our ambition is getting fifth or sixth spot, but if we go on a run like we did last year then we give ourselves a good chance of doing that."

Here are more key lines from Beard's news conference before Liverpool travel to face Manchester City on Sunday (18:45 GMT):

• No new injuries to report with the squad in the same shape as last week.

• When asked about being without suspended forward Olivia Smith, Beard said that "most" of her cards had come "out of frustration through not being protected".

• He says that hopefully more protection for players is something that referees will look out for going forwards.

• Beard said it may be a "good time to play" Man City with their form being " a bit up and down" in the league, saying it is "surprising" to see them concede so many goals of late.

• He says it would be "foolish" to focus on shutting down one player as City have so much quality.

• "We are starting to see the [Liverpool] team of old," he says, with the likes of Mia Enderby, Marie Hobinger, Leanne Kiernan and Sophie Roman Haug back fit and scoring goals.

Image source, Getty Images

Natalia Arroyo believes her Aston Villa side will "play better" if they are able to move further away from the relegation battle in the Women's Super League.

Villa have had a disappointing first half of the season and find themselves 10th, four points clear of bottom-placed Crystal Palace.

The club travel to Leicester, who are one point behind in 11th, on Sunday (15:00 GMT kick-off) as they look to move up the table.

"It will be very important because you play better when you feel bigger, when you feel that you don't have a problem [in] your head and are always putting yourselves in the worst scenario," new boss Arroyo said.

"We will try to get the three points that we need to be higher in the table and to go far away from the relegation battle."

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

• She '"loved" having three different goalscorers in her first win as Aston Villa boss against Brighton, adding: "I don't want my team to be predictable".

• Arroyo encouraged her team to celebrate the win against Brighton: "We need to celebrate things. It's always better when you when you are smiling, when you are having fun, in your jobs and in your life".

• She said Jordan Nobbs is "one of the most talented players" in the squad.

• Asked if Nobbs wanted to challenge for a place in England's squad, Arroyo said: "It's not something that's up to me to say but she's not worried, she's super focused".

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic says Fran Kirby could make her return to action on Sunday when Brighton travel to face West Ham in the Women's Super League.

The attacking midfielder has not played since picking up a calf injury while on England duty in December.

When asked if the 31-year-old will feature on Sunday, Vidosic said: "We have to have a look. We don't want to just throw her in straight away. We have to be smart.

"She has put everything into her rehab, which shows her professionalism and why she has been at the level she has been at for a very long time."

Kirby last played for the Seagulls in the reverse fixture between the sides back in November, when Brighton emerged 3-2 winners at Amex stadium. The side have not won a WSL game since.

Vidosic added: "She was still displaying those top levels before her injury, she was starting to really to find form. She was a key player for us. She is a good role model for us to have back in the changing room."

Here are more key lines from Vidosic's news conference before Brighton travel to West Ham on Sunday (15:00 GMT):

• Charlie Rule has picked up a knock, while Aisha Masaka and Marit Auee are "not too far away" from a return. Maisie Symonds is suspended.

• On Nikita Parris' recent England call up: "We are all very happy for her. She links play well for us, she has been scoring goals, and she has done all the right things. It is always great to see that getting rewarded."

• Vidosic added that Parris' call up was a reflection of the club environment and how it can "help you get into that national team picture".

• There's been "lot of positive feedback" from academy coaches on his father Rado Vidosic since his appointment as head of women's and girls' coaching at the club. He added it was "good to have his experience and knowledge" in the building.

• Vidosic says Brighton "haven't been too pleased" with form since return from the winter break but they are "slowly starting to get rhythm back".

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says Phallon Tullis-Joyce is on a trajectory to be "one of the best goalkeepers in the world".

The 28-year-old has replaced Mary Earps, who left for Paris St-Germain in the summer, as the club's new number one.

United have the best defensive record in the Women's Super League this season, having conceded just five goals.

However, Tullis-Joyce has not been called up by United States manager Emma Hayes for the SheBelieves Cup this month, with the former Chelsea boss saying she needed to "improve her decision making under pressure".

"Obviously, I think Phallon is incredible," Skinner said. "Emma's model and the way she wants her team to play can differ from ours.

"I have no doubt, knowing Phallon's character, knowing her ability that she'll be there making Emma make decisions about her, because she's incredible.

"She's only had for us probably, what, 15 odd games this year and a few last year? So I can't wait to see the growth.

"I'm extremely happy with Phallon and I can see nothing but growth, and on her trajectory to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world."

Here are more key lines from Skinner's news conference before United's WSL meeting with Crystal Palace on Sunday (12:00 GMT):

• He was "really pleased" for Mared Griffiths to score two goals on her debut against Wolves in the FA Cup.

• Skinner added that it's "refreshing" to see a player who is "fearless".

• He said Crystal Palace can "give it a good go to stay in the league".

• If Manchester United are to qualify for the Champions League next season, Skinner said the club would need to "add in depth to the team in terms of experience".

• He wants United to be "chasing and putting pressure" on Chelsea should they drop points in the title race.

• Skinner said he has seen a "great togetherness" at the club after having attended Denis Law's funeral and the Munich memorial this month.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal striker, Alessia Russo, says she "loves playing at the Emirates" and is ready to "play for the shirt" in Sunday's North London derby.

Arsenal will host rivals Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium at 12:30 GMT, with over 50,000 tickets already sold.

The Gunners have won 15 of the previous 19 meetings between the sides.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast, Russo said "[The Emirates] does feel like home.

"I love playing at the Emirates and I love playing at Borehamwood too, they're so different in so many different ways but the feeling is there in both. The Emirates is just incredible, what Arsenal are doing with the Emirates and building that as a home consistently with so many fans is amazing.

"I'm grateful to be a part of it. It's a special place. I think when you sign for Arsenal and you have your first game there you can kind of feel the energy, the fans, the history of Arsenal and yeah it's just special. We love playing there.

Defender Lotte Wubben-Moy says playing at the Emirates is "an inspiration on many levels".

She adds: "I'd like to think it's also inspiring for both the spectators and other clubs that are looking towards us and understanding that this is the standard.

"I quite like the idea of - OK you come to visit the Emirates, now you go back to your local communities and visit you local women's team and support it there. That's how I think we're going to be able to level every women's team with that."

Listen to the full episode

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sonia Bompastor says defender Naomi Girma is likely to make her Chelsea debut after February's international break.

Girma became the most expensive signing in women's football history when she joined the Women's Super League champions from San Diego Wave for £900,000 in January.

However, the 24-year-old has yet to make her debut for the Blues because of injury and she has not been called up by United States manager Emma Hayes for the SheBelieves Cup.

Asked when Girma is likely to feature, Bompastor said: "Probably will be back after the international break.

"She's practicing with us this week, she's in a really good place, close to [a] comeback but maybe not this weekend."

Chelsea's face Leicester on 5 March in their first WSL game after the international break.

Here are more key lines from Bompator's news conference before Chelsea host Everton on Sunday (14:00 GMT kick-off):

• The rest of the squad are available, including Lucy Bronze who has missed the last three games because of a calf injury.

• They need to be cautious around Lauren James' return from injury, but it is "nice to see LJ back on the pitch".

• She expects the game against Everton to be "completely different" from their 4-1 FA Cup win over the Toffees on Sunday.

• Bompastor is "really glad" the verdict of Sam Kerr's trial was positive and said their would be no further disciplinary action.

• She could not give a "precise time frame" for Kerr's return.

• Chelsea are "already preparing" for their quadruple-header against Manchester City next month when they meet four times within the space of 12 days.