Women's Super League

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."

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Renee Slegers continued to press her claims for the permanent Arsenal manager's job after a 3-0 win over Tottenham, but the Gunners were helped by some more slack defending from the hosts.

Slegers' side have won five out of six matches since the former Netherlands midfielder took interim charge last month, including a fine 4-0 win over Juventus in the Women's Champions League in midweek.

But in truth they rarely had to get out of second gear at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, being afforded far too much space by a struggling Spurs side who have now conceded a league-high 21 goals in eight WSL matches this season.

The stats make for dire reading:

• Robert Vilahamn's side side have lost five of their last six WSL games, conceding at least three goals in each.

• They have conceded 10 first-half goals in their eight WSL games this season, more than any other side.

• They have failed to score a first-half goal in five of those eight games.

• No side has conceded more goals in their opening 15 minutes than Tottenham's five.

Vilahamn admits there are higher expectations this season after finishing sixth and reaching the FA Cup final last campaign, but thinks the team may need to "take a step back to take two steps forward".

They certainly look to have taken a step back, but the Swede will hope upcoming games against fellow strugglers Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Everton will allow them to move in the other direction.

Arsenal eased past north London rivals Tottenham to extend their unbeaten run since Jonas Eidevall's departure. Here's what both managers told BBC Sport after the game:

Arsenal interim boss Renee Slegers: ""n both boxes we started really well and made decisive actions."

On her unbeaten start as interim boss: "It's the players. We are stepping up as a staff as well. We try to facilitate, but the effort and work they put in is on them. I want to give credit to the players again."

On if she can enjoy wins like today: "Towards the end I had a look at the away section. Fantastic. That was a moment of mindfulness and taking it all in."

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn: "It is not fun to lose. Today in front of the fans we wanted to play for them and to win for them. Today we made them disappointed so it is hard to be anything but disappointed."

On poor defensive record: "We had a game plan today to try and have a different shape but it did not work. We had some tough games in a row and we have lost confidence. It destroyed a bit of the self confidence how we handled things."

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham were looking down and out after going two goals behind against Brighton.

Then Hammers captain Katrina Gorry came to the fore with two goals in five minutes to give Rehanne Skinner's side hope of a WSL point.

Two strikes from long-range, Gorry's first goals for the club, turned the match completely and Brighton looked set to be frustrated after dominating for long periods.

However, an injury to Gorry proved critical. Minutes after scoring her second goal, the Australian midfielder was withdrawn after hurting her shoulder while attempting a sliding tackle on Kiko Seike.

Fran Kirby struck late to seal the win for Brighton, but it might have been a different story if Gorry had remained on the pitch.

Gorry was also influential in West Ham's first WSL win of the season last week and it will be hoped that her injury is not as bad as it looked initially.

The big question regarding team news before Chelsea's match against Manchester City is whether or not Lauren Hemp will be available for the visitors.

Hemp missed City's midweek Champions League win over Hammarby and was still a doubt when Gareth Taylor spoke to the media on Thursday.

"Lauren Hemp is the supplier," Anita Asante told the Football News Show.

"She’s the one who is creating opportunities, the assists into Bunny Shaw. A lot of their creativity comes though her dribbling ability, the ability to commit defenders and go one v one and make things happen on an individual level because of her quality.

"As opposition payers, she has that intimidation factor. So she would be a massive miss if she’s unavailable."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker will be out of action for a "short period of time" after coming off during last weekend’s draw at Manchester United.

Parker left the field after 68 minutes in discomfort and it has been confirmed that she suffered an ankle injury.

A club statement said: "Having seen a specialist in the last couple of days it has been determined that, while not a serious injury, Parker will be out of action for a few weeks and will be reassessed in due course."

Villa are 11th in the Women's Super League and winless after seven matches.

Image source, Getty Images

Alex Scott sat down with Leah Williamson to preview the north London derby. You can watch the full interview on Saturday's BBC One coverage.

Here are some of the topics she covered:

On Arsenal's start to the season: "It did not start how we wanted to. We have ambitions to go out and win every game that we play because that is the team that we are. Sometimes the performances were maybe better than the result and that is hard as well when you feel you are fighting against that."

On the criticism Jonas Eidevall got and his exit: "It’s difficult. We are all human beings and those fans don’t know the person that he is. He was understanding of the situation that we have a job to do. It’s sad when you see someone getting attacked and you know that they are a great person. But we know how it goes and it has been the same in the men’s game for so many years."

On Renee Slegers: "Renee knows us all. She has connected with everyone individually. We got into a bit of a rut with low confidence and she has just stripped it back and wants the best out of every player. It’s working. She is another Dutch manager, she is very direct and says it as it is. Ultimately we go out every week to be better than the week before. We are doing great and everything looks rosy at the minute. We have had great results and we are working really hard."

On Saturday being her 150th WSL appearance: "I did not know that. It’s nice. Milestones are coming around fast. I feel I have worked very hard for every single one of them. To top it off playing against Spurs, it is my favourite fixture. My dad is Spurs, my mum is Arsenal. I know as a fan and as a player there is so much to play for. They are fiercely loyal to their club and so are we. It’s a beautiful thing."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie believes the Gunners will have "fire in their belly" before of Saturday's North London derby.

Last season Arsenal lost 1-0 away to Tottenham - Spurs' first win over their local rivals in the Women's Super League.

Speaking to the Women’s Football Weekly podcast Beattie said: "Getting a 5-0 win against Brighton was huge for Arsenal.

"Confidence was exactly what they needed and the fire in their belly knowing the last time they played at Spurs it didn’t go well. There is no way they are going to let that happen two years running.

"Arsenal have picked up confidence, they have picked up momentum and Spurs are the opposite. They have just come off the back of a really heavy defeat. Will they adapt their play against Arsenal this weekend? I’m not sure.

"It might be a bad time to play them off the back of a heavy defeat, but I can’t see Arsenal dropping points."

Former Arsenal defender Anita Asante says the Gunners have undergone a "transformation" under interim boss Renee Slegers.

Arsenal are now unbeaten in five matches since Slegers took over following Jonas Eidevall's resignation.

"The record speaks for itself so far," Asante told the Football News Show.

"I’m sure there are sceptics out there saying 'don’t get carried away'. But it’s also about the body language form the players, the impetus they are putting on the pitch, the performances and results in terms of the goals they’re scoring – that was a big struggle for them earlier in the season, they weren’t being clinical - already that’s a transformation."

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Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Arsenal interim manager Renee Slegers says the team "are together at the moment" after a run of positive results.

The Gunners remain unbeaten in five matches under Slegers, picking up four wins, including Tuesday's impressive 4-0 victory in Juventus.

"That is what I see when I see the team train and together. They are together at the moment. They are trying to play to their own and their team-mates strengths," she added.

"I’m just very happy with where we are at. We do things really well at the moment so we have to maintain that - but also develop.

"That is what you hear the players say. They still have little details they want to do better. The players show great mindset."

Here are more key lines from her news conference before Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham (kick-off 13:45 GMT)

• The players and staff are "taking ownership of where Arsenal Women wants to go" says Slegers as she insists she is not focused on her individual future.

• However, she admits it is "good for the team" if they appoint a permanent manager and says the club are "working really hard" to sort that.

• Slegers is "really looking forward" to being in charge for the north London derby.

• She says Arsenal have to "be on our toes" against Tottenham, who "might be stronger than the results suggest" so far this season.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Chelsea's clash with Women's Super League title rivals Manchester City is "not decisive", says manager Sonia Bompastor.

City missed out on the title last season by goal difference after former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes led the Blues to a fifth successive league trophy.

Just a point separate the teams so far but City, current leaders, have played a game extra.

"I don’t think this game will be decisive. This league is so competitive and all of the games are really difficult," said Bompastor.

"Of course it will be an important game - but not decisive. We are heading into the game with a lot of confidence, even if Manchester City have a good squad.

"We are also in a good dynamic and we have a lot of quality and talent. We feel ready."

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

• She says it will be a "really fun match" for the fans at Stamford Bridge between two top teams who are in good form.

• "Both teams have a lot of strengths" in attack, says Bompastor, when asked about City duo Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw, who sit top of the individual goalscoring and assists charts.

• Bompastor believes her side are getting "better and better" and are showing more consistency now than they were a month ago.

• Chelsea are "mentally ready" for Manchester City to control possession and Bompastor says they "have a plan".

• "We know exactly how we can cause them some trouble on that part," she adds.

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn says the pressure will all be on Arsenal when the two sides meet in the north London derby on Saturday (13:45 GMT).

The Gunners are unbeaten in five games in all competitions under interim boss Renee Slegers but head to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium seven points behind WSL leaders Manchester City.

Tottenham go into the game seventh after losing four out of their last five games.

"They have had some really good results but if we win tomorrow they have a big, big problem in the league," said Vilahamn.

"I think this is a good opportunity to play against them because and they still have an interim coach and they still are in the phase where they need to chase teams in the table.

"We just have to give everything we can to try to win this game, even if nobody perhaps expect us to. And I think being the underdog can be good for us."

Here are the other key lines from Vilahamn's news conference:

• Vilahamn says last season's win over Arsenal made him realise how big the game is for the fans.

• He knows Slegers well after they studied for their Pro Licence together and believe she is a "top, top quality coach."

• The heavy defeat to Manchester City last week was "mentally a tough game" but Vilahamn still wants his players to be "brave" against Arsenal.

• He says it will be a "brilliant" weekend for women's football with teams playing at big stadiums.

• Tottenham is a young team in the women's game compared to an established side like Arsenal, but Vilahamn believes they can still compete with the Gunners.

• There are bigger expectations after last season but sometimes the club needs to take "one step back to go two steps forward."

The latest episode of The Football News Show is dedicated to a pivotal weekend of Women's Super League action.

Ben Croucher is joined by Jo Currie and Anita Asante to discuss the top-of-the-table clash between Chelsea and Manchester City, plus the north London and Merseyside derbies.

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