Women's Super League

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Nikita Parris may have come into this game with a point to prove to her former employers, who she had failed to establish herself as a regular starter with during two years at the club.

Players often do not celebrate scoring against a former club, but there was something cathartic about Parris pumping her fists and roaring in delight after drawing her side level with a poacher’s finish.

Parris hasn’t been included in an England squad since November 2022, but in the build-up to Saturday's match, Parris, who has 71 England caps, said she wants to give Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman a selection "headache" before the European Championship next summer.

With two goals and an assist in the WSL this season and Brighton starting strongly, she might be about to do just that.

Manchester United boss Skinner predicted a close game on the south coast, but he might be disappointed his side didn't capitalise on their early dominance.

That said, United remain unbeaten after four games and could spend the international break top of the table.

Scoring eight goals and going 322 minutes without conceding is impressive, even if they are yet to face any of last season's top-four finishers.

Their first major test of the season will come at home to Arsenal on 3 November, a side out to prove themselves following their stumbling start and resignation of manager Jonas Eidevall.

Full match report here.

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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has compared Elisabeth Terland to 'The Terminator' as she prepares to face former club Brighton on Saturday.

Forward Terland joined United in July and scored her first goals for hew new club on Sunday, netting twice in the 3-0 win over Tottenham.

Skinner likes what he has seen from the Norway international so far and likened her to Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous film character.

"If you look at the way the Terminator would see in the movie, and it is like you're narrowing down the angle - that's how I see Lizzie's brain working because she's so ruthless in those moments," he said.

"It was her attitude when I spoke to her, it was all about she wants to win. She wants to push herself. She's hungry for success. Not only as a person but, obviously, as a team."

Image source, PA Media

Liverpool boss Matt Beard said it was "disappointing" to see Jonas Eidevall resign from Arsenal, but that manager exits are becoming "part and parcel" of the women's game.

Eidevall's resignation was announced on Tuesday following Arsenal's winless run in their opening four Women's Super League games of the 2024-25 season.

"It is always disappointing to see a fellow manager lose their job, even though it was the Jonas’ decision," Beard said.

"I took that decision when I was at West Ham. You feel you've done as much as you can, but he’s going to be a miss.

"He was a character on the touchline, that's for sure. He's a lovely person."

Beard said that the investment that top clubs are making adds to the pressure on managers.

"Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in our country and I think if you look at the money that they've spent and the move to the Emirates, that's going to put pressure on you," he said.

"I think every single football club now with the investment - the owners and the board members are going to be obviously wanting to see results on their investment.

"It's going to end up becoming pretty much like what you see in the men's game."

Liverpool boss Matt Beard has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sophie Roman Haug is unavailable and will undergo a scan on her ankle injury

• Sunday might be "too soon" for Grace Fisk to return, but Ceri Holland is available.

• Beard said Jonas Eidevall will be a "big miss" in the league following his resignation as Arsenal boss.

• He said Liverpool's defensive effort in their 2-1 defeat by Manchester City last week was "outstanding".

• Beard is "not worried" about Liverpool's "indifferent" start to the season.

• He called Marie Hobinger "such a gifted player", adding that she has been a "real creative spark this week".

• The Liverpool boss has been "impressed" with how Crystal Palace have adapted to the WSL this season.

• He said the international break comes at a "good time" for Liverpool and will allow them to get players back fit.

Arsenal interim boss Renee Slegers has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against West Ham (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• There is no update on finding Jonas Eidevall's replacement and Slegers doesn't know if she will still be in interim charge after the international break.

• "I'm interim coach so that is where my focus is now. About the future, I have no idea," she said.

• She added that a applying for the job on a permanent basis is "not on my mind at all".

• On how the players have reacted to Eidevall's departure, she said: "In general big changes always impact people. The big change that happened last week impacted the players. They went into a self-reflection moment and that is what they showed on the pitch on Wednesday."

• Lotte Wubben-Moy trained on Friday and will be assessed before Sunday, otherwise Slegers has the same squad available.

• On Lina Hurtig's return on Wednesday, she said: "You see how much the other players care and how much the staff care. It was very much needed for Lina and for the togetherness of everyone. It was a beautiful moment."

• Sleger praised Caitlin Foord's start to the season and said: "She is one of the players in really good form and scored important goals in important games."

Aston Villa boss Robert de Pauw has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Manchester City (kick-off 12:15 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Adriana Leon is unavailable to face City due to "personal circumstances".

• Midfielder Lucy Staniforth will be out for "three to four weeks" after suffering a knock on her knee in training.

• On Lucy Parker's England call-up, De Pauw described her as "very committed and very focused", adding: "I hope she does well, because she deserves it."

• He said Manchester City are "offensively, maybe the strongest team in the league".

• However, the Villa boss believes his side can take confidence from their pre-season win over City.

• De Pauw said he and his players are getting "impatient" because "we just want it in and I think we deserve more based on the way we play in the last four games".

• "Points wise, we're not where we are where we want to be," he added.

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Aston Villa (kick-off 12:15 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Vivianne Miedema's fitness, Taylor said: "We don't think it's an issue that's going to keep her out for her too long".

• Taylor said Wednesday's 3-2 win over St Polten in the Women's Champions League showed the "character" of the team.

• He said it's been a "good start" to the season with six straight wins despite thinking that City "couldn't have had much more of a difficult start".

• "The players have fire in their bellies and intensity in their manner," Taylor said when asked if he could see a difference from last season within his team.

• Aston Villa have "quality in the top end of the pitch" and "good options in back line".

• He said Villa forward Rachel Daly is "always really difficult to play against".

• Taylor said there is "never a good time" for international breaks but that he said the removal of the September international window was a "big improvement".

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

West Ham boss Rehanne Skinner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Arsenal (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• There are no fresh injury concerns for West Ham but Kristie Mewis remains absent.

• Skinner says the noise around Arsenal following manager Jonas Eidevall's resignation will not impact West Ham.

• "Players react in different ways when there is change so I don't think it puts us in a better or worse position", she adds.

• Reflecting on last season's victory over Arsenal, Skinner says it was a "historic" moment for the club but they need to "make life tough for them again" this time around.

• Skinner says it is "another opportunity" for West Ham to get points after picking up two draws in their four matches so far this season.

• On Eidevall's departure, Skinner says it was obviously a decision that was "not taken lightly".

• Skinner says West Ham "can't get too caught up" in what has happened at Arsenal.

• She adds: "When we get the pieces of the jigsaw right, we will compete with any team in this league".

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Chelsea (kick-off 18:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amanda Nilden is back in training and is likely to be in contention to face Chelsea following a final assessment on her fitness.

• Hayley Raso is still out this weekend with a minor injury but Ella Morris is expected to return.

• Maite Oroz will be absent for "around six to eight weeks", says Vilahamn, while Shuang Wang and Amy James-Turner are still absent.

• Vilahamn says Sonia Bompastor has "an impressive CV" as manager and has "adapted to the WSL in a very good way".

• He adds: "She knows how to win games because they are not looking brilliant but they are finding ways to win. She is a great coach and they have a great team so it will be tough."

• Following last weekend's 3-0 defeat by Vilahamn, he says "you can feel sorry for yourself and take action" and the players "want to take the fight".

• He says it is a "tough schedule" for Tottenham at the start of the season but a few bad results will not change his assessment on the progress they have made since his arrival last year.

Leicester City boss Amandine Miquel has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Everton (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• She said there were some "bruises" from a physical game against Aston Villa last weekend, but that there are no new injury concerns.

• Miquel does not know how long forward Jutta Rantala will be out for, but "it is looking more like mid-long than short".

• On Leicester’s lack of goals this season, she said: "It’s strange because I felt that in the pre-season, we did have a good offensive connection between our players. So it's just finding that back."

• She hopes Leicester can score their second WSL goal of the season so that her players can "relax and and helps us go forward".

• Having so many players on international duty next week "shows the quality of the of the team and the quality that we bring into this club."

• "They need to stick with me, please don't give up," Miquel said when asked what her message to Leicester fans would be.

• She said it will be a "tight game" against Everton, who are also "having a slow start" to the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool forward Olivia Smith is set to be available for this weekend's Women's Super League game against Crystal Palace despite picking up an injury at Anfield.

Club record signing Smith scored Liverpool's opening goal in their 2-1 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday but was forced off at half-time with a back issue.

However, manager Matt Beard says she trained "partly" on Wednesday and will be in contention for Sunday's clash with Palace.

"Smithy is fine now. She got a whack on the back in the box and then when she got caught after her strike for the goal it just jarred her back again," said Beard.

"She was uncomfortable at a point to run so we needed to see the bigger picture and it was just one of those unfortunate things.

"She trained partly on Wednesday and will be in full training tomorrow [Friday] and is available for Sunday."

Elsewhere, midfielder Ceri Holland and defender Grace Fisk are close to a return and will be assessed.

"Holland will be back training with the group on Friday and Fisky is also back in training, but we will play it by ear with her," added Beard.

Crystal Palace boss Laura Kaminski has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Liverpool (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• There have been "a couple of minor setbacks this week" with injuries and fitness, but the players with long-term injuries are progressing well.

• Kaminski was "really proud" of her team's performance against Brighton, but they were disappointed by the 1-0 defeat.

• She said the club are in a "transition year" and that the jump up to the WSL has been "extremely difficult in terms of a playing sense, but also a training sense".

• She expects a "really tough" game against Liverpool, adding: "We know that they put their bodies on the line, and they're an aggressive side so we're aware of that."

• Kaminski views next week's international break as "an opportunity to reflect" on the season so far.

• She believes Palace are "starting to find our own identity as a team" in the WSL.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) chief executive Nikki Doucet has been speaking at the Leaders Week London.

She shared several updates including ongoing discussions to trial supporters drinking alcohol in the stands at some Women's Championship clubs this season.

"We will see what we learn from that. I think the behaviour of our fan base is different," said Doucet.

"It is about giving our fans choices, while maintaining safety and being responsible."

Doucet discussed the need to make women's football "cool" and expanding the fanbase with the support of the Premier League and English Football League.

"When I look at what the NBA (National Basketball Association) is doing and the respect they are showing to the WNBA - that's very authentic," she added.

"They know they are great basketball players and I'd like to see more of that [towards the WSL]. These are elite athletes who are very inspiring."

Doucet also confirmed the WPLL are "undergoing a workship" on homegrown player rules which is "under review at the moment".

On homegrown talent having opportunities in the WSL, she added: "Women’s football has a smaller talent pool globally and it is crucial we have investment to give access to girls to play football. It is something we are looking at and it is being worked on."

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Women's Super League game against Manchester United (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jelena Cankovic is expected to be out for "a couple of weeks" with a hamstring injury.

• On playing at the Amex and the chance to go top of the WSL: "I'm excited. I've been to watch a couple of the men's games and get the atmosphere. Now we have an opportunity and we are hopeful it will be a really good experience. If we win we will go top which is another carrot that is hanging for us."

• On how he would assess Brighton's start to the season, Vidosic said: "We have done really well in a short space of time. There has been a lot of positives but also things to improve on which takes time".

• On Elisabeth Terland's return and facing Brighton's defenders, he said: "They will be very ready for her. She is a very good goalscorer that we have to be well aware of".

• Vidosic "can't wait" to for "another great challenge" in Manchester United and seeing a game between "two teams that want to try and score goals and attack".

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Brian Sorensen said Everton have to be more clinical in front of goal but is confident his side are moving in the right direction.

Everton are the joint-lowest scorers in the Women's Super League this season having only scored once, level with Sunday's opponents Leicester.

Their one goal came via an own goal from West Ham’s Camila Saez and Everton have failed to score with any of their 37 shots in the WSL this season.

"It’s about believing in what you are doing and trust the process," Sorensen said when asked how he is helping his players improve in front of goal.

"Make sure that every time you step on the training pitch you want to score goals and you build off that confidence. We also need to acknowledge that we play in the strongest league in the world and that makes it harder.

"It’s still about converting the chances that we have to be better. It’s going in the right direction but it’s something we know as a team we have to be better at."

Everton boss Brian Sorensen has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Leicester (kick-off 15:00 BST ).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Karen Holmgaard is working her way back from injury, but there is no other update in terms of team news.

• On Melissa Lawley's debut and her contribution to Everton's first goal of the season, Sorensen said: "We were missing her. It's really good to see her back and she came in with a lot of directness and one of the reasons why we came back into the game [against West Ham]".

• On being unbeaten in their last three in all competitions, he said: "That's where we want to be, defensively strong and creating chances".

• The lack of goals is a concern but Sorensen said "we are on the right path".

• On Issy Hobson, who was called up to England's Under-19s squad this week, he said: "We've been very close to putting her in starting lately. It's just when are the moments because consistency is key for young players."

• He said Leicester are "well organised" and don't give up a lot of space and added "it's going to be a tough game but sometimes I prefer playing the tough teams because it's easier to point out where we can hurt them".

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Women's Super League game against Brighton (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Geyse is hoping to return to the squad but Melvine Malard is set to return after the international break. She is aiming for the Arsenal game on 3 November.

• Anna Sandberg is still five to six weeks away from returning, while Jayde Riviere is a doubt for the Brighton game and is being assessed.

• Skinner says the club were scouting Elisabeth Terland last season at Brighton and her mentality impressed them, as well as her clinical goalscoring.

• He adds: "It was her attitude. When I spoke to her it was about winning, pushing herself and being hungry for success not just for herself but for the team."

• Man Utd will come up against former striker Nikita Parris, who Skinner says will be described as "a legend of the game" in years to come.

• "I’ve nothing but great things to say about Parris and we have a tough job to make sure she doesn’t play her very best on Saturday," adds Skinner.

• Skinner says Brighton will be "confident" after a strong start to the season.

• He adds: "They play a possession-based style of football and obviously have some really experienced players that make them tick. It’s going to be an exciting tie and probably one of the games of the weekend. It’s exciting for Brighton fans seeing what they are going to do."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor said forward Sam Kerr is in a "good place" as she continues her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 31-year-old has not played since sustaining the the injury in January at Chelsea's warm weather training camp in Morocco.

"Sam is doing good," Bompastor said. "Mentally she is in a good place. We can see her every day even if she is not involved in training sessions.

"During the international break we have a meeting to make a plan to see when she will be able start to practice individually with the technical staff which will be a new step for her.

"At the moment she is in a good place and just brings some positive things to the team being around even if she is not training collectively with the team, she just brings so much to the squad."

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

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines react to the resignation of Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall.

Eidevall has been under pressure in recent weeks with Arsenal sixth in the WSL and suffering a heavy 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Jen gives an insight into what Jonas was like as a manager and how he dealt with external pressure. Ellen and Jen answer your questions about who could be taking over as manager.

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