Women's Super League

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 Minutes after scoring her second goal, the Australian midfielder was withdrawn after hurting her shoulder while attempting a sliding tackle on Kiko Seike.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."

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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.

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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."

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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."

Watch The Football News Show

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.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport senior journalist

Boss Matt Beard said his Liverpool players are "raring to go" as they look to beat neighbours Everton in Sunday's final WSL Merseyside derby at Goodison Park (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Liverpool haven't won the derby since 2019 in the league but face an Everton side who are still winless this season.

"The players don’t need any motivation for the game," Beard said. "It’s a derby. It’s going to be a good occasion.

"We’re looking forward to it. We’ve trained well this week. We’ve worked really hard in training, we’re ready and raring to go."

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

• Beard said "form goes out the window" for derbies but added "we just have to make sure we turn up. If we do that we know we have the quality".

• He praised Olivia Smith and said "she is probably going to be one of the best players in the world in the future but she still has plenty to learn and is still finding her feet.

• Fuka Nagano is available for selection. Beard said there is "no timescale" for Lucy Parry's return.

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport journalist

Robert de Pauw says his Aston Villa side need to be more "relentless and clinical" as they seek their first WSL win of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday (14:00 GMT).

Villa have drawn three and lost four of seven league matches so far, including a credible goalless draw against Manchester United last weekend.

"If you look at the the data and the percentages of possession it was in our direction. So that's a good sign," De Pauw said of the United draw, which kept Villa above bottom side Everton on goal difference.

"We are quite good up to the final third of the pitch and the way we build up. The last part is also up to the players.

"The players have to show their quality and creativity, to be more clinical in that part of the game.

"We should be more ruthless and relentless in in defending and clinical and ruthless in scoring. That should be the next step for us."

Here are more key lines de Pauw's news conference:

• He says he is pleased with the side's playing style since he joined and how they build from the back

• Sunday's game is significant because it is against a team around Villa in the table and a first win would give them momentum.

• He says Palace have shown a resilience so far that proves they deserve to be in the WSL and Villa have to take them seriously.

• He says the mental game is very important and wants the players to act as a team and not individuals when dealing with setbacks or disappointments.

• Playing at Villa Park is a "dream" and "inspiring" for the players.

• The team want give the fans something to cheer about because they have been patient with the team so far.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner says they "want to be more attacking" following criticism of performances by fans.

Skinner's side have picked up three successive draws, and while they remain unbeaten this season, they sit seven points off WSL leaders Manchester City.

"We all know at Manchester United we’re judged by results and performances. Fans are entitled to their opinion," he said.

"We’ve agreed as a team that the performances in our last two games probably haven’t been quite where we want them to be.

"Defensively they have, but we want to be more attacking. There is always noise – good, bad and indifferent. We always have to focus on the performance."

Skinner pointed to "new adaptations" in his squad, including several summer signings, but emphasised there were "no excuses" for their recent performances.

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

• He says their attacking stats have dipped but he has been pleased with their defending, which has culminated in five clean sheets this season.

• United's "identity" is to be attacking and aggressive and Skinner says they need to get back to that.

• Picking up a win over Leicester City this weekend is "important" because United want to win every game, says Skinner.

• He says "people want context" so while new players is not an excuse, it is something they have to adapt to.

• "There’s no excuses here. I won’t make them. I’ve never given excuses. I have just given the context and how it works," adds Skinner.

• United's ambitions "never change" despite gap from the WSL leaders, says Skinner.

• They are boosted by the return of Anna Sandberg following her recovery from injury. Lisa Naalsund could miss the next three matches, while Leah Galton is training but a doubt.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor says playing Chelsea is "more than just another game".

The Women's Super League's top two sides are separated by one point heading into Saturday's game, though Chelsea have a game in hand.

"There is no denying these games are really important," Taylor said.

"I wouldn't undermine any other game that we play in the WSL because the margins are so tight as we have seen. For us it’s a good game, I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Taylor is relishing a new battle on the touchline as he comes up against Sonia Bompastor for the first time.

"I have met her on a couple of occasions. I have to say she is impressive," he said.

"She is very engaging, very warm and both of us will be trying not necessarily kicking lumps out of each other on the sideline, but we will be trying our very best to help our teams to be successful on Saturday.

"I’ve been pretty impressed with her. We both understand on Saturday we both have a job to do to help our teams to win."

Leicester boss Amandine Miquel isn't too concerned by her side's lack of goals as they prepare to host Manchester United on Sunday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Leicester have only scored two goals in the Women's Super League this season and face a United side who have the division's best defence, having only conceded twice.

"We are working as hard as we can to improve that stat," Miquel said.

"It’s not ideal. It also reflects on the fact that 90% of our injuries are on offensive players which doesn’t help. We still have some players that are fit and that can attack and we are working on putting them in the best situation to be able to score."

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

• Miquel is "really happy" with Leicester's defensive stats and conceding the fourth-fewest number of goals in the WSL: "It has been going well so we are enforcing what is working well."

• Playing Man Utd on the back of three successive draws could go one of two ways for Leicester: "Either they finally wake up and become really aggressive, or they lack confidence and struggle."

• Miquel wants her players to be braver in their play and said: "Sometimes [they are] a bit too cautious, a bit too disciplined. Not enough taking risks."

• There are no new injury concerns, but Sam Tierney (ankle) and CJ Bott (calf) are doubts.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier says it is her "job to fight for the next generation" of female footballers.

Le Tissier spent Wednesday evening at local school, Buile Hill Academy, with team-mate Hayley Ladd as part of their work with Manchester United's foundation.

They took part in a training session with over 30 school girls, then answered their questions before signing shirts and posing for photos.

"It’s our responsibility to take the game as far as we can. We’re very lucky to be in the position we’re in now," Le Tissier told BBC Sport.

"We can’t forget the work that other players did to fight for our generation. It’s my job now to fight for the next generation.

"I just want [young girls] to see that we have fun and we love what we do. We play football to enjoy the game and to win. We can show them that they can too.

"It doesn’t matter where you’re from. There’s no reason why they can’t follow in our footsteps."

Ladd says the facilities and opportunities available for young girls now is "night and day" from when she first started playing football.

"It’s amazing to see how many girls are involved," added Ladd.

"It’s so important to enjoy the game when you are at school. It really enriches your life. You can see there are careers in sport and women are doing amazing things."