Women's Super League

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool can "take lots of confidence" from their narrow defeat by Chelsea in the Women's FA Cup semi-finals as they prepare to meet again on Saturday, says interim manager Amber Whiteley.

It will mark the end of an up-and-down campaign for Liverpool, who sacked manager Matt Beard in February, and it is still unknown whether Whiteley will continue to lead the team beyond Saturday's game (12:30 BST kick-off).

Under Whiteley, Liverpool knocked out Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup before losing 2-1 to Chelsea in the semi-finals.

England forward Aggie Beever-Jones scored a 94th-minute winner in that tie last month.

"We take lots of confidence from that game. It was a really good performance and we had good momentum in the first half," said Whiteley.

"It's an important game for us this weekend in terms of picking up points and trying to improve our league position. There's lots to play for.

"I said the next time we came up against them I wanted to see improvements. I want to see how far we've progressed. We want to make it as difficult as we can.

"It's not been the season we would have wanted but there's still a lot of positives to take from it. The response in the last few months has been brilliant."

Liverpool will be without injured forward Leanne Kiernan and defender Lucy Parry for the trip to Stamford Bridge to face the unbeaten WSL champions.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United "don't fear" Arsenal, says manager Marc Skinner, as they prepare for their final Women's Super League game of the season.

United have already secured Champions League football for next year but Saturday's result against Arsenal (12:30 BST kick-off) will affect what stage of the qualifying rounds they enter and will determine whether they finish second or third in the WSL table.

Arsenal have reached this season's Champions League final but have lost their last two WSL matches, conceding nine goals in the process.

"In the last few games they have probably been a bit distracted by getting into the Champions League final," said Skinner.

"We don't fear Arsenal, we respect them. We want to take on anyone. We really want to enjoy these last two games [including the FA Cup final]."

United captain Maya Le Tissier says finishing above Arsenal in the table is "important" for their mentality but is not concerned about the repercussions on their European qualifying campaign.

"Our team definitely performs better when we are under pressure a little bit. That's where we have fun," she said.

"It's Manchester United v Arsenal at the Emirates so it's a game we're really looking forward to and we want to win.

"As long as we get to the Champions League, that's all that matters. It doesn't really matter where you end up [in qualifying rounds]."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham were "not ready to take the next step" in the Women's Super League this season, according to manager Robert Vilahamn.

After a top-half finish last season, Spurs are currently 10th in the WSL and have failed to win in their last 10 league games.

They visit Everton for the final match of a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, and Vilahamn admits his side were not good enough to build on their sixth place last year.

"When you look into this season, we were perhaps not ready to take the next step as an organisation and as players," he said.

"Losing key players and staff made us lose games. We need to take the next step now, and be sharper in game management. We know what we need to work on."

Vilahamn, however, says there are reasons to be positive as he looks ahead to his third campaign in charge of the north London club.

"If you want highs you have to accept the lows," he said. "The thing is the environment - you can see the players are buying into it, so if you want to take it to the next level you need this.

"I hope this will be a benefit for next season."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Leif Smerud says there is "life after" relegation and his players should not be too downhearted about dropping out of the Women's Super League.

Palace's debut top-flight campaign will end on Saturday away to Manchester City with their relegation already confirmed.

But Smerud says there is still optimism in the camp and that the team is looking forward to a fresh start in the Championship next season.

"The experience of relegation shows there is a life after," he said.

"For teams facing the relegation monster, you think it is really bad. But a new chapter starts, the team has a lot to play for.

"It is not difficult to motivate players, everyone is looking forward to starting a new season."

Smerud replaced Laura Kaminski as Palace manager at the start of March, however the 48-year-old Norwegian has won only one of his seven WSL matches in charge.

He declined to comment on his future at his media conference on Thursday, saying his focus was only on the game against Man City.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester manager Amandine Miquel says this season did not allow her to show her abilities as a manager amid a campaign of "struggle" in the Women's Super League.

Miquel took charge last summer, and has kept them in the WSL albeit while fighting against relegation throughout.

The Foxes are currently one point short of their total from last season with one game to go, at home to West Ham on Saturday.

Asked if this campaign has allowed her to show her best as a manager, Miquel said: "No I don't think it has. I have had all struggles you can have in your life, in one season.

"But people will look at the table, not in context. Just not being relegated is good enough, given everything we had to deal with. Hopefully we have a chance to start fresh next season, as a real first season."

Miquel, who joined Leicester from Reims for her first job outside of her native France, has had to deal with significant injuries and a lack of goal threat which saw the Foxes score just three times in their first 11 league matches.

Asked if this has been her hardest season as a coach, Miquel said: "Definitely. When you have to really struggle hard to get a starting 11 with no offensive players, it makes you think even harder on how to manage in that time. Any hard season is when you learn a lot."

Miquel however also wanted to focus on the positives of this season, including an improved defensive record which has seen Leicester concede 10 fewer league goals than in 2023-24.

But she said there would be plenty of change to come this summer in the transfer window, although she is not yet sure of her budget as she aims to extend Leicester's stay in the WSL.

"It's going to be a long transfer window, we must be calm and take our time to find right fit for positions," she said. "We do not know what squad we will have left, and the budget is not completely decided.

"I will spend my holiday in my office in Leicester to make sure we do not miss out on the right player."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Brian Sorensen says he knows nothing about a rumoured move to Goodison Park for the women's team next season.

The Toffees host Tottenham at Walton Hall Park on Saturday in their final home game of the Women's Super League campaign.

Next season the men's side will leave Goodison Park for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, and there has been speculation that the women's team will permanently move into Goodison having played there occasionally previously.

But asked by BBC Sport whether the Spurs match will be their final game at Walton Hall, Sorensen said: "I know as much as you know. We will see what will happen."

Everton could finish as high as sixth in the WSL if they beat Spurs and other results go their way.

However they will face the London side without midfielders Hayley Ladd and Mel Lawley, who Sorensen said have come down with illness this week.

But a top-half finish would represent a strong season for Everton, who beat local rivals Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.

"We'll try to end as good as we can, there is a good vibe after beating Liverpool again," Sorensen said.

"It has been a long and tiring season, the longest I have had, so I am looking forward to a break.

"But we want to end on a high. We could end up in sixth, which no one would have thought 10 games ago."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says she is already thinking about what "adjustments" she needs to make to ensure her side can challenge for the Champions League next season.

Her side suffered a 8-2 thrashing to Barcelona over the two-legged semi-final last month, meaning a long-awaited European trophy eluded them for another season.

However, they followed that defeat by winning their sixth successive Women's Super League title and they will lift the trophy in their final league match on Saturday against Liverpool, before facing Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final the following weekend.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly Podcast about her future plans, Bompastor said: "The short term is about getting a good result on Saturday but also winning another trophy. We need to make sure we stay focused on these goals.

"In the medium term I'm already thinking about next season and what adjustments do we need to make in terms of the squad and staff.

"But also I'm thinking about how we can make those adjustments just to make sure we compete in Europe in the Champions League."

The Frenchwoman said she was "really proud" of what all her players had achieved in her first year in charge but she singled out a few players, starting with defenders Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright.

"Their experience, their leadership in this team is great and they really had an impact on the team performance.

"When we talk about having a successful season we can talk about Hannah Hampton, who had a great season. I think she has been part of this success.

"I'm also thinking about Sandy Baltimore who just came and joined the club from France and she had a great season too."

Brighton claimed a maiden Women's Super League win over Arsenal at the 14th attempt on Monday evening, running out 4-2 winners over the Champions League finalists in their final home game of the season.

Here's what both managers said after the game:

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic: "We had to be brave, we had to be tough, we had to be resilient together today to have a chance. We were fantastic. The effort was rewarded.

"Sometimes you have to look away from the table and focus on the process. We want to work hard, be tough to play against and today we found our moments. We made it difficult for a world class team."

On goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley's performance: "We know the quality she has. We are fortunate to have quality goalkeepers. That was Baggas' chance. She has been staying ready. To be called in less than 10 minutes before kick-off, she was phenomenal."

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers: "We conceded nine goals in the last two WSL games and we just said as a team we don't think it's acceptable. We don't want this to happen. There are different reasons. The Villa game was a different game. We need to learn two very tough lessons coming off a big success. We have to learn. We have to find solutions and move forward."

On if the Champions League final is a distraction: "It's intense for the players with where we came from and what's ahead of us. We have to be in the moment. I will be working until late tonight and tomorrow we want to try and get the details right and put our finger on what it is and how we want to move forward."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have confirmed five players will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season.

Poppy Pattinson, Maria Thorisdottir, Guro Bergsvand, Dejana Stefanovic and Pauline Bremer are the players in question.

Thorisdottir and Bergsvand start in Monday's final home game of the season against Arsenal, Stefanovic is on the bench, while Pattinson and Bremer are not in the squad.

Boss Dario Vidosic knew the players were departing, but said he didn't know the news would be announced by the players on social media before kick-off in the final home game of the season.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I didn't know about it [that they'd announced their departures publicly] until a minute ago when you guys told me.

"It can be a positive - all the girls in the squad have been terrific, so it's an opportunity to be together with our fans."

Image source, Getty Images

London City Lionesses owner Michelle Kang speaking to the BBC after her side's promotion to the Women's Super League: "It's so exciting for our players, for our coaching staff but also for our fans. This is a great day. This is more than I ever imagined and I'm so grateful.

"This is incredible for me and for women's football in England. When I first came here a lot of people were concerned for me. How can an independent women's team survive if you don't have the male team that can provide the brand and resources? Here we are. We made it. It just tells you that with proper investment and focus and resources anything is possible."

On why she chose to invest in London City: "Because it was the independent team. I wanted to make sure that it really doesn't matter if you have a men's team or not. I'm not saying only independent teams can do it, they are both models, but as an independent team with proper investment and focus, we can do this. We are the proof."

Manchester United came from 2-0 down to get the point they needed to secure a top-three Women's Super League finish - a result which means Manchester City miss out on Champions League qualification. Here is what both bosses said after the game:

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner: "It's going to take a little bit of sinking in. We have had a fantastic season so far. To show the grit to come back from 2-0 down, to go down to 10 players and take a result just shows the character.

"Not a lot of pundits had us finishing in the top three. I don't think there was one. It just shows the growth of this team and also how far we have to travel. We have two big games left but to get it done today means the world. I might even have a beer tonight."

Manchester City interim boss Nick Cushing: "It's painful. I said to the group that this falls below the standards of what we set at the start of the season and what we expect, but it's football and it's been a challenging moment for us. I'm proud of the players' character today to push until the end. Just unfortunate not to get the three points."

On the character shown: "It's the only thing we've got, it's the only thing we've had. We have players coming back but we are still missing key players. We knew today we would have to have character to be in this game and we showed a lot of it. We know this is about a reaction, it's about a reaction for our fans going into the Crystal Palace game and it's about a reaction to make sure we are challenging for trophies and Champions League places."