Women's Super League

We asked whether you thought Nick Cushing would be a good appointment for Arsenal after he emerged as a candidate to replace Jonas Eidevall.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: I believe Renee Slegers is the best choice and she is already bringing the team together well. I feel that a successful woman coach is by far the best choice.

Shokoya: Arsenal need an experienced manager who has won more European trophies and also plays a beautiful style of football. I don't know if Nick fits in terms of that.

Michael: A good coach and not surprised he is a candidate but for my money, I prefer a female coach as they are a rare breed in the WSL and they are very good; Casey Stoney, Laura Harvey or Jane Ludlow.

Chris: My immediate gut reaction was no. Time to back a female coach. Renee Slegers has made a good impression. Seems popular with the players and decisive in making changes as evidenced by the substitutions at the weekend. At least stick with her for the rest of the season.

Esme: I think it’s good he’s got league experience, but it has been a long time since he managed Man City and he is currently managing a men’s team, so it worries me he doesn’t have the right experience. I would also like a boss with experience of European football, but overall unless we can drag someone amazing out of a contract, there isn’t much better.

New York City head coach Nick Cushing is a candidate to become Arsenal Women's new manager after Jonas Eidevall's departure.

The 39-year-old won the Women's Super League title with Manchester City in 2016.

The Gunners are still considering other options, but do you think Cushing would be a good fit for the club?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Manchester United defender Gabby George recently joined BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast to talk about her experiences on and off the pitch.

To celebrate Black History Month, George talks about the power of role models, being one to her younger siblings and little things having a big impact.

Listen to the full interview from 28'20

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

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk international football with Fran Kirby as England prepare for friendlies against Germany and South Africa.

Ben sat down with Fran who spoke about what life has been like since leaving Chelsea and joining Brighton and also chats the Euros next summer in Switzerland.

Ellen and Jen are also joined by former teammate Caroline Weir who has recently returned from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, just in time for crucial Euro qualifiers with Scotland.

Listen on BBC Sounds

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal academy graduate Teyah Goldie is back in the England under-23s squad after a "very hard" recovery from two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

Goldie, 20, is on loan at Women's Championship side London City Lionesses this season as she looks to build game time and consistency.

"It was a very hard and interesting two years. It’s obviously not the situation I thought I would be in," said Goldie.

"In a weird way, the time has flown and I always knew it would be my goal at some point this season to get myself back into the England set-up.

"I’ve been lucky enough to be playing so far this season so it’s been good to find some more consistency again and I’m really happy to be back."

Goldie was not alone in her ACL recovery, with several Arsenal team-mates also suffering from the injury, including England internationals Leah Williamson and Beth Mead.

But Goldie looked to experienced players - club captain Kim Little and former Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs - as inspiration to return.

"Unfortunately there are lots of role models. You don’t want that to be the situation," said Goldie.

"I was obviously surrounded by some pretty impressive people and characters. There’s a lot who have been through it.

"You might not even know they have been through that, particularly Kim because it was a while ago, but then you look at the level she is playing at… her fitness and everything is just incredible.

"They are the people you look up to and think 'if they can do it, there’s no reason I can’t.'"

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa forward Katie Robinson is eyeing a return to England's senior squad and is looking to team-mate Rachel Daly for inspiration to get there.

The 22-year-old was the youngest member of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad who reached the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.

But she struggled for form in her final months at Brighton and fell out of the England squad.

Now, following a summer switch to Villa, Robinson's confidence has returned and she has been selected for England's under-23s squad this month.

"It’s definitely been a journey but these highs and lows are all part of it. Hopefully I can get back in the senior [squad] and I’ll be working hard to try to do that," said Robinson.

"In the summer I really tried to find the right club for me to develop and improve. I’m looking forward to hopefully putting in some good performances.

"I’ve been in this [England under-23s] group a good few years now. It’s exciting some younger ones are coming through and hopefully I can set the standards."

Robinson's team-mate Daly retired from international football in April after winning the Euros with England and picking up 84 caps.

"She’s a great player to be alongside and train with. She works really hard and always does her best for the team," said Robinson.

"I’ve had a few conversations with Rach but it’s definitely something I can look to do more to get that information off her.

"She has had so much experience with England at the highest level so they are the people you want to get that feedback off.

"I’m really clear on the things I need to improve on. I’m really focused on doing those things so I can progress to the senior squad."

Tottenham's equaliser in the first half against Chelsea ended up not being decisive as the Blues went on to win 5-2 but the controversial goal was still a talking point after the match.

Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was judged to have failed to keep out a mishit pass from Spurs’ Amanda Nilden.

As the ball was sailing high towards the goal, Hampton had to jump to palm the ball down onto the goalline but the assistant referee raised his flag and a goal was awarded - much to the dismay of Hampton, who picked up a yellow card for her protests.

Goalline technology is not available in the WSL - only the Premier League and Championship use goalline technology throughout the season in England.

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor told Sky Sports that she believes referees need more help from technology.

"From where I was watching the game it’s difficult to say if ball was in or out. I just feel like if the technology is in the men’s game why don't we have the same?

"If we want to look professional we just have to have the same thing as the men’s game."

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn told Sky Sports he only wanted more technology if it brought minimal disruption to games.

"VAR, goalline technology - if we can get everything right and don't lose momentum of the game bring it, but make sure we don't disrupt games too much.

"Goalline technology is a good thing, a quick decision so why not."

Former England midfielder Fara William, speaking on the Women's Football Show, said she "would welcome" goalline technology, adding: "For moment's like this it's important we have it."

Image source, Getty Images

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd lit up Chelsea's 5-2 win over Tottenham in the Women's Super League with two stunning goals as her side maintained their perfect start to the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports on whether it was the performance of her career, Kaneryd said: “I feel like I keep on taking steps every day, every game. Yeah I feel like I'm in a good shape right now so maybe it was, who knows.”

On her first goal: “I mean it was all about getting in the box, something I've been working with to get there at the back post. It was about getting their first. To be honest I did my best and tried to place it and I haven't seen it back but it felt good.”

On her performance levels and what she has channelled: “Everything. First of all getting consistent in games, playing a lot and then of course it’s about feeling like I’m in a good physical shape right now and then I can do more of what I’m good at. I feel good and it’s all about confidence and believing in yourself. I’ve been working with my left and I’ve been scoring some goals with it. Yeah I’m happy.”

On Sonia Bompastor: “They have been very clear with me from the beginning that they want me to do one v one to use my speed, do what I’m good at so of course it's always good to have their back so definitely they are a huge part of this.”

On the team performance: “So good. I feel like this game we had really good intensity, how we want to play, this is Chelsea. We let in two goals but overall I think it’s a good performance from us and we’re also taking steps as a team. I’m very happy with that.”

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester manager Amandine Miquel says she felt "stressed until the last second" after watching her Leicester side claim their first win of the season against Everton in the Women's Super League.

Yuka Momiki's superb solo goal inside the opening 10 minutes was enough for Miquel's side to clinch a 1-0 victory - their first win in all competitions since her arrival in the summer.

They came close to adding a second but Hannah Cain was twice denied by goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and they were nearly left ruing those misses late on but Justine Vanhaevermaet failed to find the target.

"Of course it feels good but I think we still have a few things to work on to be a bit more comfortable and not stressed until the last second," said the Frenchwoman.

"We still have work [to do] but we are happy - happy to have that first win.

"Even though it was not a perfect win, we were not there yet, at least it gives us a few points to have more confidence for the next games.”

The Women's Super League now pauses for the international break and the Foxes will travel to Brighton on 3 November when it resumes.

"The break doesn't look too much like a recharge because we have a lot of internationals, sometimes it looks more like a 'decharge'.

"I’m sending a message - don't make the players play too much in the national teams because we need them, we don't have many left!

"Hopefully they don't play too much and most of all, they don't get injured with their national teams."

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool manager Matt Beard has questioned the work-rate of his side after a lacklustre performance in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

Palace took the lead through former Reds striker Katie Stengel but Liverpool drew level soon after thanks to Cornelia Kapocs.

However, despite earning a point, Beard questioned the desire of his players: "We were lucky to get that point, to be honest. I'm disappointed with the whole performance. I think our DNA is work-rate, being aggressive and we were so passive today with and without the ball.

"I thought Palace wanted it more than us, we were pulling out of tackles. From that front, we need to get to the bottom of why that is because it's super frustrating. That's not the marker for this team which has been so good for three years now. We're not losing games, we've lost to Manchester City and everyone has lost to Manchester City.

"I can't put my finger on that performance. It reminded me of the Leicester FA Cup quarter-final a little bit last year. I don't know, we just seemed flat today.

"We need to highlight in the debrief people pulling out of tackles. We need to highlight people not recovering or stretching because it can't happen. We have to make sure the players are aware of what's happened but we've still got plenty to do."

Liverpool, who sit fifth in the WSL, will visit Aston Villa after the international break.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor said Lauren Hemp was a "role model" after she inspired her team's third comeback win in the space of a week.

Hemp scored the equaliser before assisting Jill Roord's winner as City beat Aston Villa 2-1 to move top of the Women's Super League.

“She was everywhere today, she just gives such energy," Taylor told BBC Two.

"When she has that mindset of doing everything with and without the ball, she's such a role model for every player we have and of course the girls managed the game really well."

Hemp was City's lead creative force on a day where they were far from their best, with top scorer Khadija Shaw effectively neutralised by Villa.

Instead it fell to the England international winger, who provided most of the threat for City until she finally lobbed them level on 62 minutes - then laid off for Roord to smash home eight minutes later.

It means City are top of the WSL with 13 points from five games - seven of which have come from games where they trailed.

Villa opened the scoring at Joie Stadium through Gabi Nunes, after City also fell behind at Liverpool last week and against St Polten in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"I’m always about the performance," said Taylor. "I thought we were fantastic in so many ways, even at half-time I said to the girls it was very good - we just did not control one action from Villa who are well coached, well organised, have some good players.

"I think that it was a great fightback in the second half. What I loved about it was the fact we stayed calm.

“Of course we have got to thank Lauren for a brilliant goal and a fantastic assist. That second goal was really special.”

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says her side must improve defensively if they are to retain the Women's Super League title.

The reigning WSL champions will look to maintain their 100% start to the season when Tottenham Hotspur visit Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

However, after conceding in each of their last three games against Twente, Arsenal and Real Madrid, Bompastor has challenged her players to improve at the back.

"It’s a question of confidence and bravery, especially when we have the ball," she said ahead of Sunday's match.

"Against Twente [in the Women's Champions League], we lost the ball too many times in the second half. That was when we gave opportunities to the opposition. We have all the quality to perform better than we performed in the second half against Twente.

"If we are able to keep more of the ball, and control more of the game, we should be fine. I know Tottenham have a lot of quality. We played them in pre-season so we know exactly what to expect from their side, but I also know how we can hurt them."

Victory could see Chelsea spend the international break top of the table, depending on how Manchester City fare against Aston Villa earlier in the day.

Chelsea are currently fourth in the table with nine points, one point behind City having played one game fewer.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic said Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United is an experience his players can learn from going forward: "We started off slowly. That sense of belonging on this stage against a very good opponent and the possibility to go top of the WSL if we want – it’s a good learning curve for us.

"Once we settled down, got into our game and did what we wanted to do we matched them and we created a lot of problems. It was a great game. I had a lot of fun as well.

"We know that there's still lots of improvement in the squad, but we're taking the right steps."

On what he changed at half-time: "We needed something a little bit different, to be more aggressive. We saw that there was space in behind, so we had that threat as well. I thought we were a bit more brave and we played quicker.

"We started to get into the spaces quicker and caused them numerous issues. It's a good one to learn from."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner was disappointed his side conceded their first goal in the Women's Super League but was pleased with the performance overall: "It was a really good game from both teams. We had a couple of big chances which we have to be more ruthless with and then we get a goal. It’s a fantastic goal. Start of the second half we let off the pace a little bit and then we let a goal in which we won’t be happy with. But it happens.

"I thought we were exceptional for most of the game. The second part of the second half we took the game to them again and all of a sudden we could have won the game. To go and want to win the game at the end shows a great mindset. We are in a really good space and long may it continue."

On the penalty shout for the foul on Celin Bizet: "In my opinion it’s an absolute stonewall penalty. It’s a clumsy challenge and she goes over and it’s in the penalty area. Not even a foul is given. You will hopefully get them in games but it is a big moment.

On Maya Le Tissier breaking the record for the youngest player to have started 100 WSL games: "She is brilliant. She has come back to her old stomping ground. She is hugely important to what we do and she is a credit to our captaincy."