Women's Super League

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Everton boss Brian Sorensen says the club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, are considering a number of options for where the women's team will play their home games in the future.

The Toffees have staged the majority of their games at Walton Hall Park since 2020, although the team has played some high-profile matches at Goodison Park.

Asked if a groundshare with the men's side at Everton's new stadium, which is opening next season, is an option, Sorensen told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Yeah I think so, but I don't think [the new owners] have ruled anything out, that's for sure.

"They are very open-minded. It's just what is best for the women's programme?

"Is it building Walton Hall Park out so it looks like Kingsmeadow, is it finding another venue, is it going into the new stadium?

"We have better people than me to make those decisions in terms of what's best for the long-term programme on the women's side, so let's see what they come up with but I just know they are very supportive."

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Sophia Poor has joined London City Lionesses on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old joined Villa in 2023 and has gone on to make two senior appearances, both coming at the end of last season.

Women's Championship club London City Lionesses are pushing for promotion to the top tier.

Villa signed West Ham goalkeeper Katelin Talbert on loan for the rest of the season so Poor leaves in search of regular game time.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Chelsea have shown interest in United States midfielder Sam Coffey before Thursday's transfer window deadline in the Women's Super League.

The 26-year-old defensive midfielder is currently playing for National Women's Soccer League side Portland Thorns, who she joined in 2022.

Sources close to the player and the club claim her party has had informal discussions with Chelsea this month but she is currently training in Arizona, preparing for the 2025 season.

Coffey was part of the USA squad which won gold at last summer's Olympic Games and started in the final against Brazil.

Chelsea have made just one signing so far in January but it was a significant one as they broke the world record transfer fee for a female player to bring in USA defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for £900,000.

Sonia Bompastor's side have been looking at defensive midfielders to recruit since the summer.

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Former Manchester City captain Steph Houghton said Chelsea's signing of Naomi Girma for a women's world record fee is "a lesson for all the other clubs".

The United States defender joined from San Diego Wave this week for about £900,000 and Houghton fears the spending gap between the league's top teams and the rest could make the WSL less competitive.

"I'm undecided," Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club when asked if it is a good signing for the Women's Super League.

"It is massive for women's football, especially in England and this league. It is a big statement for Chelsea.

"My worry is that it is going to be two or three teams that are buying the best players, so what happens to the rest of the league? This is a lesson for all the other clubs that they need to start investing, they need to put their money to make this as competitive as possible.

"We want to make the WSL the best and the only way you can do that is by having games every week that are competitive and not so predictable. We want owners and footballers to go 'we're going to take this seriously. This is not about putting in as little as possible'.

"You have to go and invest in players and the professionalism of the game and the standard and the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal have done that for a long time. It is now about other clubs really biting the bullet and saying 'this is where we want to be and this is what we need to do for the game in general'."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Sophia Poor is set to join London City Lionesses on loan until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old graduated from Leicester City's academy and joined Villa in 2023, making two senior appearances at the end of last season.

It is believed that current London City Lionesses goalkeeper Grace Moloney could depart the club this month, making room in the squad for Poor.

Women's Championship club London City Lionesses are pushing for promotion to the top tier and have until Thursday, 30 January to recruit new signings.

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West Ham full-back Ines Belloumou has returned from her loan spell at Lazio and joined Malmo on loan for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign.

The France Under-21 international joined the Hammers in the summer and made nine appearances during her Serie A spell.

The France U23 international joined the Hammers in the summer and spent the first half of the season at the Italian club, making nine appearances in Serie A.

A statement from the Hammers said: "Everyone at West Ham United wishes Ines all the best during her time at Malmo."

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Tottenham have signed Sweden defender Josefine Rybrink on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old joins as a free agent having recently made over 100 appearances for Swedish side BK Hacken, including 14 games in the Women's Champions League.

The centre-back will wear the number 12 shirt and becomes manager Robert Vilahamn's third signing of the January transfer window.

Josefine made her international debut in February 2021 and has earned seven caps for Sweden.

Tom Gayle
BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentator at Villa Park

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You would struggle to find a more versatile player in the Women's Super League than Rachel Daly.

Who else can say they have won the Golden Boot ahead of Bunny Shaw, Sam Kerr and Vivianne Miedema, but also started both the European and World Cup final's as a full-back.

Having made the decision to retire from international football in April 2024 due to being repeatedly played out of position, I can't have been the only person watching on during Manchester City's 4-2 victory at Villa Park, wondering why Aston Villa's biggest goal threat was playing so deep.

Daly is not the first, and won't be the last player who puts the needs of the team ahead of their own.

There was no sign of frustration at being asked to be a box-to-box midfielder. The work rate was relentless, whether it be making defensive headers, intercepting the ball, supporting attacks or her tireless pressing.

It was a game which typified her importance to the collective, but for me the overwhelming evidence of playing Daly as a forward came in the 94th minute.

Her only chance of the game was tucked away emphatically, only to see the goal controversially ruled out for offside despite the ball coming off a Manchester City player prior to Daly's strike.

After turning 33 last month it's fair to suggest Daly might not have too many more years of elite level football left in her legs.

Yet she is a player who is out of contract this summer, and with the exceptions of Chelsea and Manchester City, I can't see another WSL team who wouldn't benefit from her attacking prowess, and I'm sure she'll have admirers from abroad too.

New head coach Natalia Arroyo will be looking to establish Aston Villa as a team who can consistently challenge for a top-five placing in the league. For me, playing Daly as an out-and-out striker seems an obvious place to start.

Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema is "getting back to the player that we know", according to former England midfielder Fara Williams.

The all-time Women's Super League top scorer has scored four goals in three games in all competitions since returning from a three-month absence because of a knee injury.

On Saturday the Netherlands international scored twice to help her side beat Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park, include a stunning second goal which saw her curl an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

"She is a player that I've admired over the years," said Williams on the BBC's Women's Football Show.

"We've seen her do it season after season. The way she opened up and bends it into the top corner [for the second goal] - an unbelievable finish."

Saturday's victory saw City bounce back from their 4-2 derby defeat by Manchester United but they now face top-four rivals Arsenal twice in the space of four days – at home in the league on Sunday, followed by a trip to north London for a League Cup semi-final midweek.

"The Arsenal games are going to be a good measure to see where they're at," former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said on the same programme.

"I think the fact Bunny [Shaw] is coming back is going to be huge for them. With the likes of her, Vivianne Miedema, Jill Roord, Jess Park chipping in with a goal as well, even though defensively they have not been as good this year as they have in years gone by, the fact is the goal threat is going to be there."

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

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Man United climbed up to second in the WSL table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Brighton at Leigh Sports Village. Here is what the managers had to say on Sky Sports after the game.

Man United's Marc Skinner: "It's nice when it happens - we got exactly what we wanted. I wanted us to be more ruthless in the first half and there should have been a few more goals, but I'm really happy with the collective performance.

"Ella Toone is scoring goals and smiling. We spoke about that love for the game and that's good for Ella, good for United, and good for England.

"We want to see a smile and she's enjoying football. You can see by the way she's playing with freedom. She'll have her up days and her down days, and we'll be there for her."

Brighton's Dario Vidosic: "The first 20 minutes, we made it difficult for ourselves and gifted them two goals. We had a really good chance at the start of the second half, where Nikita [Parris] goes over the bar from two metres out, but they were levels above us tonight.

"We should do better with all three goals and that's something that's been a theme for us this week: shooting ourselves in the foot. We were disorganised without the ball and a little bit off in all areas. When we were good, we were competitive, but when you're off, you get punished.

"It's a tough week, with three tough opponents, but we've got to keep going. With a bit of consistency, some players returning, and some training sessions, we'll find our rhythm and get back to the old Brighton."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at Leigh Sports Village

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Ultimately this was very straightforward for United, both through their attacking abilities and Brighton's lack thereof.

This is the first time Brighton have failed to have a shot on target in the WSL since facing Tottenham in February 2022.

They are badly missing the injured Fran Kirby up front as they gave United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce precious little to do all evening.

For United, this was a smooth performance built on the solid midfield of Dominique Janssen and player of the match Hinata Miyazawa.

They pulled the strings deep, while Ella Toone roved with confidence in attacking midfield as she looks refreshed following a spell out with injury.

It means United can keep trying to chase Chelsea at the top of the WSL - or, more likely, maintain their place in the Champions League qualification spots.

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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It's safe to say the 2024-25 Women's Super League campaign has been a frustrating one for Leicester City as they find themselves in the middle of a relegation scrap.

But Sunday's win - only their second of the campaign - against Liverpool could prove to be a turning point in the Foxes' season.

They had to do it the hard way after going behind inside three minutes to an Olivia Smith goal before captain Janice Cayman and Missy Goodwin struck later in the first half to secure the comeback victory.

The result not only moved them four points clear of bottom side Crystal Palace, who lost 3-2 to Tottenham earlier in the day, but also gives them some much-needed momentum heading into an important set of fixtures.

Up next for Amandine Miquel's side in the WSL are games against Everton and Aston Villa - two sides who sit only one point above them.

A first start of the season for forward Shannon O'Brien following her knee surgery is also a welcome sign for Leicester, who had only scored three goals in the league before Sunday.

With an uptick in form and key players returning from injury, Miquel's side will now hope to make up places in the table in what could be a crucial juncture of their 2024-25 season.

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Liverpool boss Matt Beard blamed his players for the way in which they "lost control" in their 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.

The Reds had taken an early lead through Olivia Smith, but goals from Sam Tierney and Missy Goodwin sealed Leicester's second league win of the season.

Beard's side have now lost five of their past six WSL matches and sit in seventh place in the table.

"Obviously a good start [to the match] but then I thought we lost control of the game after that, which is frustrating," Beard told Liverpoolfc.com, external

"It's tough when you're playing teams, like Leicester, that are fighting for their lives.

"I said before the game to the players, they are fighting for everything, so we've got to make sure we outfight them and outwork them – and I don't think we did that in the first half.

"I thought we controlled the second half completely. We just needed a little bit more composure in certain moments at certain times."

One bright spot for Beard was the performance of midfielder Julia Bartel, who made her debut as a second-half substitute having joined Liverpool on loan from Chelsea earlier this month.

"Julia is a fantastic player, she's so comfortable on the ball [and] she's a little bit feisty as well, which we like," Beard added.

"She would have come on last week [against Brighton] but unfortunately Hannah Silcock hurt her knee.

"We've had to patiently build her up because she's not played many minutes for Chelsea – it's only really been [with] the Spanish youth national team. She's going to be a good addition for us."

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Amandine Miquel says the return of forward Shannon O'Brien in Leicester's 2-1 win over Liverpool was a "big boost" for the remainder of the campaign.

O'Brien made her first start of the WSL season against the Reds having initially been eased back to into action with appearances from the bench following knee surgery last year.

"We are getting players back. Shannon couldn't start the last time and now she can," said Foxes boss Miquel

"It's not a secret that the more options we have the better it is to rotate because at some point when you only have 15 players available you get tired.

"It's a big boost the fact that Shannon played a few more minutes today. Hopefully now we are going to have a few more options if we don't get any more injuries."

Miquel was pleased Leicester had something to show for their endeavour against Liverpool after being on the wrong end of a narrow defeat to Spurs last time out.

"It was important because we felt like we deserved something from last week's performance," added the 40-year-old Frenchwoman.

"Sometimes you play well and don't get anything. So for us it was important.

"We told each other to play well but also to get something because at the end of the season if we play well and get no points it isn't working.

"We are trying to keep both. Playing well and getting results."

Ciara Fleming
BBC Sport journalist

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Brian Sorensen will have liked plenty of what he saw from his Everton side on Sunday afternoon, but he will have been left with a very familiar feeling of frustration as they fell to yet another avoidable defeat.

The Toffees dominated possession 54.8% to West Ham's 45.2%, registered an expected goals ratio of 2.19 to West Ham's 1.77, and had five more shots at goal than their hosts.

However they failed to beat their opponents in the area that matters most: goals.

As Kelly Gago and Katja Snoejis missed golden chances to open the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour, West Ham striker Shekiera Martinez had one chance and grabbed it.

Then Viviane Asseyi slammed home her penalty to give West Ham a two-goal cushion.

While the visitors remained in the contest, in reality the second goal sealed West Ham's win. Everton have yet to come from behind to win this season.

In fact they have scored more than one goal on just one occasion, their shock 2-1 win over Manchester City before the winter break.

Their only other victory this season was also by a one goal margin, their 1-0 Merseyside derby victory in November.

Everton's four point gap to the relegation spot remained in tact as Crystal Palace also lost on Sunday. However if goals continue to be a problem it may only be a matter of time before the division's newcomers overtake them.

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

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Chelsea were already strong favourites to retain their WSL title following Manchester City's defeat by rivals Manchester United last weekend but it feels like they have one hand on the trophy now.

A 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was enough to see them pull nine points clear at the top.

It is a gap that is perhaps more damaging for their rivals psychologically, and not just mathematically.

Chelsea have not lost a game in any competition this season so it is unlikely they will slip up now, not with a gap this big and not having wrapped up the last five successive league titles.

Buoyed by the return of Lauren James from injury, and a second successive WSL start for Catarina Macario, Chelsea's depth proved the difference against Arsenal as it so often has.

Substitute Guro Reiten delivered the goods from the penalty spot after the returning James produced a moment of magic, weaving through Arsenal's defence to earn Chelsea a spot kick.

Now Chelsea's ambitions are even bigger - to win a quadruple and go unbeaten throughout the entire season - and so far they have swept aside any competition.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

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There is nothing better in football than a last-minute winner.

One scored by a new signing on debut, in a game that you look to have thrown away, it is that much more special.

Olivia Holdt's 95th-minute free-kick at Crystal Palace is certainly one that Tottenham fans and players alike can savour.

Of course, having been 2-0 up at half-time against the bottom side in Women's Super League, Spurs will know that there really should have been no need for such a dramatic ending.

Manager Robert Vilahamn will no doubt go over the issues that allowed Palace to draw level in the second half with his team in the days to come.

But the moment Holdt's curling strike hit the back of the net, those Spurs frustrations melted to nothingness, replaced by elation at snatching victory at the last.

Spurs have aspirations of closing the gap to the top four in the second half of the campaign and these it is this sort of win that might give them the momentum to do so.

As for Holdt, you only have to look at the Denmark midfielder's record at Rosengard - and Hjorring before that - to see that she has an eye for goal.

But however many she goes on to score for Tottenham, it is going to be hard to top her first. She could not have asked for a more perfect start.

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Stamford Bridge welcomed its biggest crowd for a WSL match as 34,302 saw Chelsea claim a 1-0 win over Arsenal. Here is what the managers of both clubs had to say after the game

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor: "I'm really pleased with the result. As you could see in the game, it was really fine margins. These performances are on the edge. It can go one way or the other way but it went our way which I'm really pleased with.

"If you analyse our performance, it was a tough game. We didn't control everything in the game but were able to score the goal that gave us a great result. We just think we want to take it game by game, making sure we make the right decisions to bring great results. We are far away yet to have won something. We have not won anything yet so need to keep the right mentality.

"It was a perfect afternoon in terms of that announcement [of Naomi Girma signing] and the result. I'm really pleased to have Naomi with us. She is a very talented player. She will bring a lot of quality to the squad, even though it is already very talented. Having Naomi will bring more options for me because I can play a back three or a back four defensive system so I think it's good."

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers: "We played some really good football at times. What was lacking was the goals. We created one or two chances that were good enough chances to score from. You know you won't get much against Chelsea. Next time we need to be more clinical. We knew it would be very tight today with small margins and details that matter.

"We're improving as a team. How we handle different phases of the game, we do that better and better. Psychologically we are in a state where we can stay in the game no matter what happens in the game and I think that is important in top games like this so I'm very happy with that development. We could have been more clinical with the chances. We are disappointed with the loss.

"There is 10 points now between us so it's a much bigger mountain to climb so we are very aware of that. We had our slips at the start of the season and you never know when other teams are going to slip. We will keep on playing our games and winning our games, that is all we can do. You never know what the future holds."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

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Girma's talents are no secret and she is widely regarded as one of the best female footballers.

Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, now the USA manager, said last year Girma was the world's best centre-back and she will no doubt be pleased to see her old club scoop her up.

Having enjoyed a taste of silverware with the USA and San Diego, Girma arrives in England with ambitions to win more trophies, particularly in the Champions League, and is believed to have had discussions with Hayes about what to expect from Chelsea.

Lyon offered higher wages and were prepared to match the transfer fee that Chelsea eventually had accepted by San Diego, but Girma's preference was always to join the Blues.

It is manager Bompastor's most significant signing to date and the club believe Girma will take them one step closer to a first European title.

The long-term deal agreed is also a statement of intent from Chelsea – that they are able to attract the world's best talents and, hopefully, keep them.