Women's Super League

Everton got their first Women's Super League win of the season by beating rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park. Here is what both managers told Sky Sports after the game:

Everton boss Brian Sorensen: "It was magic. So proud of the girls, they really deserve it. We have been a bit unfortunate at times this season and today it was a bit on our side but we gave everything we had on the pitch. And there were some crazy minutes at the end."

On the penalty: "I haven't seen it back so I don't know but it is given and we took the chance. Still we created some opportunities on the transitions which was more of the plan today."

Liverpool boss Matt Beard: "What can I say? It's not a penalty. I get more and more frustrated. There are moments where the officials have let my players down today. It is not a penalty for them, it is outside the box.

"Ultimately the referee's decision has cost us potentially three points today. I said before the game Everton are a tough side when they get in front they are hard to break down. So for them to be gifted an opportunity like that, the referee has a great view, the lineswoman has a great view, no obstructions, and between them they come up with that decision."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at King Power Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Before this game, defender Maya Le Tissier said there was "a lot more" Manchester United can improve on despite an unbeaten start to the campaign.

Three successive draws led to boos and calls for manager Marc Skinner to go after the 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last Sunday.

More than the result was the poor showing against Villa, where United had just one shot on target in 103 minutes.

Here, while far from perfect, United did heed Le Tissier's words and showed a lot more. They were more direct going forwards and much more willing to take shots and try something different.

They had a total of 23 shots, six on target - much more like what would be expected from a top three challenger.

Eventually they wore down a disciplined Leicester side, and earned a deserved victory.

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have been one of the surprise packages of the Women's Super League season but for all of the wrong reasons.

Robert de Pauw's side had slipped to the bottom of the league after not picking up a win in their opening seven games this term.

After looking like they were coasting to their first victory, Annabel Blanchard calmly netted an equaliser for Crystal Palace in the 86th minute and the story would have been been completely different for Villa.

Instead, Ebony Salmon came to the rescue as the substitute fired into the top corner with the last kick of the game to send Villa Park wild.

Not only have Villa secured their first win of the season but they have also cemented their first three points at home since December 2023.

De Pauw's side have talent in abundance with Rachel Daly netting her fourth of the season and Gabi Nunes continuing to adapt to life in the WSL.

A trip to Arsenal awaits Villa in their next WSL with winnable games against West Ham and Everton following.

Villa are up to eighth, who knows where they will sit in the table by the time the winter break comes around.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England defender Maya Le Tissier says there is "a lot more" Manchester United can improve on as they prepare to face Leicester City on Sunday.

United sit fifth in the Women's Super League table with three wins and three draws in their opening six matches.

Despite going unbeaten with five clean sheets in all competitions this season, there has been criticism by some supporters for their performances.

"We’ve kept five clean sheets in our seven games, which is quite impressive. Now we need to focus on what we can do with the ball," Le Tissier told BBC Sport.

"From a defender’s point of view, we’re very happy. Every player in the whole team has played their part."

Asked about the season overall, Le Tissier said they were keen to get back to winning ways after three successive draws.

"I think we can do a lot better. We’ve had the results we’ve had and are still unbeaten - but there’s a long way to go," she added.

"There are a lot more things we can improve. We have an exciting squad. We just need to get the ball down, play, enjoy it and pick up some wins."

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."