Women's Super League

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.

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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

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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.

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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".

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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.

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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

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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.

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Arsenal captain Kim Little has extended her contract with the club until June 2026.

The 34-year-old midfielder has made 363 appearances across two spells at Arsenal, scoring 174 goals.

Little, who first joined the Gunners in 2008, has won six league titles, three FA Cups and six League Cups with the club.

"I'm delighted to extend my contract and play another year with Arsenal," said Little.

"It's quite unique to play for a club for the length of time I have, and I don't take that for granted. That time brings many special moments, and I look forward to making a few more of them."

The former Scotland international has played in 11 Women's Super League matches this season with the club sitting third - 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers added: "We're delighted that Kim will continue to lead our team and represent our club. She's a wonderful footballer and captain and has an important part to play in the goals we want to achieve.

"I've learned so much from working with Kim and am looking forward to that continuing as we aim to win trophies together."

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Crystal Palace manager Laura Kaminski says she is "not put off" by Manchester United's momentum before Sunday's Women's Super League meeting (12:00 GMT kick-off).

Palace are bottom of the WSL with just one win from 13 games.

Marc Skinner's Manchester United, meanwhile, sit second and have won their last five league matches.

"They're doing really well with Marc at the helm. They rode a wave in terms of some external noise and have risen to the top over that, and are now showing some great consistency, [have] obviously got a flow," Kaminski said.

However, the Palace boss said her side are "not lacking confidence" and games against opposition like United are the ones where "everyone wants to start".

"Manchester United are a great challenge for us to go and visit, and we're not put off by their momentum," she added.

"If anything, I see that as more petrol because we know that we want to be the ones to try and stop them in their flow."

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

• Aimee Everett will be out for the "foreseeable future" with an ankle injury, while Hayley Nolan has picked up a knock in training.

• It was a "really special moment" to see Elise Hughes return from an ACL injury and Kaminski thinks she will "add a lot of value" to the team.

• The Palace boss said it has been "phenomenal" to see the progress her team has made since their promotion to the WSL.

• "I think the second half of the season will look very different to the first," she added.

• Kaminski believes Palace "can get points out of every single game".

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner says her side are "re-energised" after having a week without any matches.

Skinner's side were absent from last weekend's FA Cup fifth round action after losing to Liverpool in the competition last month.

It means West Ham will have had 11 days to prepare for Sunday's meeting with Brighton in the Women's Super League (15:00 GMT kick-off).

"We had such a heavy game period, the players have given it everything in that time," said Skinner.

"We would have obviously wanted to play in the FA Cup, but ultimately as it was, it's actually come at a time that's helped us to prepare for this week.

"It's given everybody an opportunity to have a few days to re-energise."

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

• There are no new injury concerns and "everybody's in a good position".

• West Ham's 3-2 defeat by Brighton when the teams met in November was "an opportunity missed".

• Skinner also said her team are in a "positive place" but it's "always a tough game" against Brighton.

• "We want to make life as difficult as we possibly can for everyone at home," she added.

• The Hammers boss said she was "delighted" for Dagny Brynjarsdottir getting her first call up to Iceland's national team in almost two years after becoming a mum for the second time.

Image source, Getty Images

Brian Sorensen says his Everton team "need to get everything right" if they are to beat Chelsea in the Women's Super League on Sunday (14:00 GMT kick-off).

The Toffees will be hoping to avoid back-to-back defeats by Chelsea after Sunday's 4-1 loss to Sonia Bompastor's side in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Everton had opened the scoring at Kingsmeadow, but the hosts levelled following a controversial penalty decision as Emma Watson was judged to have fouled Ashley Lawrence.

"It wasn't a penalty. It was clearly outside, like not even close," Sorensen said. "It was just a game that slipped away from us on a unfair decision.

"If they [had not] got that penalty awarded, it will be 1-0 up at half-time and then we can make a plan and we're very good at seeing games out."

Sorensen believes going in front against Chelsea on Sunday is crucial to their hopes of a victory against the WSL leaders.

"You need to be leading against Chelsea going into the last half an hour.

"Otherwise, I won't say it's impossible because nothing is impossible in football - we also saw that last night - but it just takes something extraordinary to get back when they are that good.

"We need to get everything right. We can't make mistakes."

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

• Clare Wheeler will be available after the international break.

• Sorensen is "really pleased" to add Jennifer Foster to his coaching team, adding that the former Leicester interim boss is "very knowledgeable and a good coach that certainly will help us go forward".

• He thinks Chelsea are "probably the best team in Europe".

• Everton will "play some games behind closed doors" during the international break.

• Sorensen has not heard whether the club are planning any last outing for the women's team at Goodison Park.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy says head coach Renee Slegers has changed the mindset of the team since taking charge.

The Dutchwoman, who replaced Jonas Eidevall after he left the Gunners in October, has seen her side lose just twice in 17 games in all competitions.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast, Wubben-Moy said: "That was what was so unique about the transition - there wasn't much to work through, we just shifted. The mentality shifted to accountability, to confidence.

"It's the way we approach games now, we are playing our way."

She says Slegers gave her "shivers" recently with a pre-match team talk ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round match against Championship side Bristol City, describing it as the "best I have ever had from a coach".

Her team-mate Alessia Russo, also speaking on the podcast, agreed, saying: "We walked out [after the team-talk] and said, 'that was sick'.

"It was quite simple, not very long. It was a conversation about what this club means, what we want to do and how we can get there.

"The FA Cup is a trophy we all want to win, so it was simple and effective, and spoke so loudly for the players."

Russo adds that the whole squad "have got on board" with where we want to go this season.

"It's not been massive changes, Renee has worked with us for the whole time I have been here.

"It starts with us players taking accountability, managers take the brunt of it but Renee says she wanted us to take accountability as well and we have done that."