Women's Super League

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Everton (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He praised Geyse after her goal against West Ham and said "it was a matter of time" to see her capabilities.

• He expects "more goals and more assists" to come from Grace Clinton, but said her Old Trafford debut was "very good".

• He added that Clinton has the ability to "change momentum and change tempo" which not many players have.

• Another player that impressed at Old Trafford was Leah Galton, not just with her brilliant goal but also her defending. Skinner said: "She is one of the best one-v-one defenders I have ever seen".

• Anna Sandberg is the only fresh absentee with "slight irritation" but Skinner doesn't expect her to be sidelined for long.

• Skinner expects "a big reaction" from Everton after their opening day 4-0 defeat at Brighton.

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Liverpool (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• West Ham are still without injured winger Kirsty Smith.

• Skinner thought there were "lots of positives to take" despite losing 3-0 to Manchester United in their first game of the season.

• Her side need to ensure they are "more assertive in and around the box" to "be a bit more positive on the front foot".

• It will "take time" for players to integrate with the team and for West Ham's style of play to gel within the side.

• She is "delighted" to be back playing at home and to have the "home mentality and advantage" which is "so important".

• Striker Riko Ueki is a "top player" who they want to "put in positions where she can be the most effective".

• Liverpool are "the most physical team in the league" and that will influence Sunday's match.

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Arsenal (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• There are no new injury or fitness concerns following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool.

• Miquel said there is "no precise" timescale for Lena Petermann's return after she injured her knee in pre-season, but Hannah Cain will be back "probably in the next few games" after an ACL injury.

• She was "quite pleased with the overall performance" against Liverpool.

• On losing Stephen Kirby and Jennifer Foster from her coaching staff, Miquel said there has not been a "big impact" and the club are looking for replacements, but are "not in a rush".

• Asked about Leicester's poor record against Arsenal, she said: "For me, we haven't lost against Arsenal yet, ever. This is the first game and everything can happen."

• "I think it is possible, but it is very hard. If you want to beat that type of team right now with our level it has to be the perfect game," Miquel added on Arsenal.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor has been speaking to the media before Friday's Women's Super League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• Lauren James has trained all week and Bompastor said "you will see tomorrow if she is starting or not".

• Bompastor said it is still early days and players are working on their "chemistry" as a team.

• Reflecting on last week's win over Aston Villa, she said: "It was important to win and get three points. We identified some points we can improve and I hope we are going to see them this week in our performance".

• On her first London derby experience, Bompastor said: "This is something I really like. It brings a special atmosphere and special motivation".

• She said Crystal Palace "will be ready to compete and make the job really hard for us".

• On Friday's Champions League draw, she said: "We are really looking forward to it and seeing who our opponents will be."

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn says he is expecting a "tough" game this weekend against an improved Aston Villa side who he thinks will finish in the top half of the Women's Super League.

Spurs finished in sixth, one place above Villa, in the WSL last year and travel to face them in their second game of the season on Sunday (16:30 BST kick-off).

Villa, who have appointed Robert de Pauw as their new manager for the 2024-25 campaign, narrowly lost 1-0 to Chelsea in their opening match, while Spurs beat promoted club Crystal Palace 4-0.

"I think last season when you looked at the season before, Aston Villa were in fifth place and we one of the teams we thought 'can we beat them' and we did that.

"They have invested a lot and [have a] new coach and everything. I think they had a good performance against Chelsea - even if they lost."

Vilahamn added that they have "some really interesting players and a certain style" which will make it "tricky" at Villa Park.

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Ella Morris is back in the squad, but there is a "question mark" over Luana Buhler, who has a "small issue".

• Beating Crystal Palace 4-0 in their opening WSL game has created a "good environment" with Spurs "really wanting" to win their first game after a "good pre-season".

• He enjoyed winning at home after they did better in their away games last season.

• The Spurs squad are "quite critical" about how they can improve despite winning at the weekend. "We're not just sitting there and laughing all the time, we're trying to make sure we can be even better," said Vilahamn.

• He added that he was "very happy" with the way his side created so many chances against Palace and if they continue to do so they will "score even more goals".

• Playing Aston Villa will be "tough" but Vilahamn said Spurs are a "good team" so it will be an "interesting" match.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Everton boss Brian Sorensen has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Manchester United (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Aurora Galli's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a "big loss" for Everton says Sorensen and the squad are "all gutted for her".

• On Galli: "Of course she is super devastated and down. She feels herself that she could have avoided it but there is no research on how to avoid that. It is the way it is. She has been in the building the last couple of days but Yaya is always super positive and happy. Her family is coming up for 10 days so she is in good hands."

• Melissa Lawley has fractured her elbow and will be out for up to three weeks, while Karen Holmgaard and Emily Ramsey continue rehabilitation.

• Sorensen says facing Man Utd is a "tough ask" but Everton need to make sure they carry out their gameplan to 100%.

• The Everton boss says they looked into injury prevention this summer but 70% of the issues were influenced by international football.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City have confirmed the departure of assistant manager Jennifer Foster.

Foster arrived at the club in August 2023 and took interim charge of the first team from March last season.

She won her first game in charge and helped the Foxes reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in the club's history.

That was her only victory in charge, and of the nine games in total, Leicester drew two and lost six.

A statement from Leicester said: "She leaves Belvoir Drive with the thanks and appreciation of everyone at LCFC Women for her contribution to the team’s development."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City defender Laia Aleixandri was the subject of speculation in the transfer window this summer, with Barcelona reportedly showing heavy interest.

Aleixandri has just one year remaining on her contract, but the Spain international says she is "happy" at the club and not distracted by speculation.

"This is one of the things that is coming to you when you know you are doing good things with the team and personally," said Aleixandri.

"I’m looking forward to the season here. I’m happy here. I know I’m ending my contract at the end of the season but right now I’m focused on giving my best to this club and this team. It’s the most important thing right now."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Crystal Palace manager Laura Kaminski has been speaking to the media before Friday's Women's Super League game against Chelsea (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• New signings still need time to adapt but they will be looking to "up some" minutes on Friday.

• Kaminski says Selhurst Park "feels like our home" and they are excited to welcome a big crowd and experience an evening kick-off.

• Palace hope to produce a performance "the club can be proud of" and must "focus on themselves" as well as Chelsea's obvious threats.

• Kaminski says the players "want to showcase ourselves against one of the best teams in the world".

• Despite Sunday's 4-0 defeat by Tottenham, Kaminski said she was "proud" of elements of their performance in their opening WSL game

• The players are "busy adjusting" to the emotions of a defeat having not lost a game in six months: "Sometimes in the league below you can get away with small things. Now when we make mistakes, the opposition will punish us."

The Women‘s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) have also confirmed that on-loan Chelsea defender Brooke Aspin, who was sent off in the defeat by Tottenham, will serve her suspension on Friday despite being ineligible to face her parent club anyway.

The latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast is out now.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines dissect the opening weekend of the Women’s Super League.

Plus hear from Brighton manager Dario Vidosic after an impressive 4-0 win against Everton.

Vidosic gives an insight into the clubs new signings, his vision for the squad and his relationship with Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.

Listen on BBC Sounds

Kelly Somers presents highlights and analysis from the weekend's six Women's Super League fixtures.

If you missed the Women's Football Show, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Image source, Getty Images

Former England and Manchester City goalkeeper Karen Bardsley has been giving her reaction on BBC Radio 5 Live to her former club's 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

"It was really open. From a neutral’s perspective it was really exciting, lots of goals, end-to-end stuff, some controversy as well – so it had everything.

"Arsenal were outstanding in that first half, they really overran Man City, particularly in midfield.

"They made it difficult for Yui Hasegawa to get on the ball. But City found their way back into it towards the end of the first half. It was really fun to watch."

On Manchester City's new signing Vivianne Miedema, who scored against her former club: "It was a lovely display of skill. She has been a fantastic acquisition for Man City, who are lucky to have her.

"She is a class act. She was a stalwart for Arsenal, and hopefully she will be for Man City as well. She brings another level of creativity, but also class and dignity - on and off the pitch."

On what she expects from the league this year: "I hope this season is going to be really competitive. We’ve seen some results from around the league which have been interesting.

"I certainly hope that the league itself is growing in its competitiveness. It’s attracting all sorts of international talent as well, so the quality is just going to go up and up."

Brighton's Kiko Seike made history on Saturday by becoming the first player to score a hat-trick on their Women's Super League debut.

Dario Vidosic's side had a flying start to the new campaign, beating Everton 4-0 in their season opener.

Here are Seike's goals in all their glory.