Women's Super League

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Brian Sorensen believes his side have plenty of room to improve after a positive start to the year.

The Toffees went into the winter break with only two wins from their opening 10 Women's Super League fixtures, but since the turn of the year have taken seven points from a possible 15.

Now 10 points clear of the relegation zone and with January reinforcements bedding in nicely, Sorensen feels the potential of his team is the best it's been since he joined the club in 2022.

"Our performances since Christmas, when we brought players in to give us a competitive squad, have been good. I'm looking forwards and up [the table]," Sorensen said before Friday's match against Arsenal.

"We have very good players in now and depth in our squad, which you need to have to be able to compete in this league. I would have loved to have had this squad available from round one because maybe the picture would be a bit different.

"With the new players, better players, we can be much more dynamic which we really want to be.

"We can always be better. Against the top teams we need to control the game in larger periods so that it's not always just controlling when you're defending, because it takes a toll on you, so try to be a bit better on the ball. But I'm happy with the progress, where we are going."

Here are the other key lines from Sorensen before Friday's game against Arsenal (kick-off 19:00 GMT):

• Clare Wheeler is available after the midfielder returned from a leg injury to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Celtic earlier this week.

• January loan signing Louna Ribadeira is ruled out with a cyst on her foot.

• Sorensen says Arsenal have "one of, if not the, best squads in the league".

• On January signing Kelly Gago, who has scored three goals in five WSL games: "She's been great, she's a handful, still learning a lot and the language, but she's working extremely hard. We're pleased to have her, she can score goals which is the main thing."

• On taking inspiration from Liverpool's defeat of Arsenal last weekend: "We've seen a couple of things we can hurt them on. It's going to be extremely tough for us, it's probably the worst time to play them as they will want to bounce back."

• On Everton's chances: "We have a belief when we go in [to games against top four opponents] that we can do something."

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Marc Skinner wants to remain Manchester United manager, though a decision is yet to be made on his future.

United have until the end of March to trigger a one-year extension in Skinner's contract, which expires at the end of the season.

The club would still be able to negotiate a new deal with the 41-year-old after the deadline.

Skinner, whose side won the Women's FA Cup last season and currently sit second in the WSL table, says conversations regarding his future are ongoing.

"I'd love to stay. I feel there is unfinished business," Skinner said before United's WSL meeting with Liverpool on Friday.

"We've designed and built this young team and I feel like it has the imprint, the DNA, of a really famous United team in the making.

"I want to see that through and make sure everyone knows that I have that complete energy.

"From last year my energy has changed in a completely positive direction. It's all about driving this club forwards.

"I want to stay and make sure we reach the successes I think this club can do. I love being at this club and I think it's a magnificent club, the best in the world."

Here are the other key lines from Skinner before Friday's game against Liverpool (kick-off 19:15 GMT).

• Jayde Riviere, Elisabeth Terland and Lisa Naalsund are all in contention to feature after recovering from injury, but Simi Awujo remains out with an ankle issue.

• Geyse remains unavailable as United and NWSL side Gotham FC continue to negotiate a potential loan move.

• On the game being played at Anfield: "It's going to be difficult, it's something we've got to battle with. We've got to battle the spirit of the game. We've got to be on top form. It's a great challenge for us."

• On dealing with 'noise' surrounding the club: "It can be tough sometimes to show the qualities we want to show when the noise is so big. But as a human you want to be challenged. It's something we just have to overcome and our players are doing an excellent job at that. I didn't come to Man United to not accept the biggest of challenges."

• Skinner feels his side are showing the same spirit they did when challenging for the WSL title two years ago. "It feels like we're in that space again."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Manchester City players Ellen White and Jen Beattie, who both played under Gareth Taylor, have questioned the timing of his sacking as head coach on Monday.

City are fourth in the Women's Super League, 12 points adrift of defending champions Chelsea, but are still competing in three cup competitions.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast, White said: "Very odd timing I would say - it's super strange.

"I feel a bit sorry for him because [he had] a lot of injuries. But you've got to throw it back to the club at the same time to be like - are you invested into this team, where do you want this team to go?

"He could have gone months ago, last year potentially. I don't think they're in that bad a position at the moment. It's just the weirdest timing ever."

Beattie said it was the players she felt for most and the impact it has on their cup final preparation.

"It's the timing for me, absolutely wild, five days before a cup final.

"I understand the decision making, but I do think the timing was really, really unfair on the players."

Nick Cushing, who left the club in May 2020, has returned as interim boss until the end of the season.

Both White and Beattie worked under Cushing in his previous spell at City and believe he is the right choice to take the club forward.

"He understands what Man City is about, he understands the club, the expectations and he is a figure that a lot of people will know," said White.

"I think he's got some great ideas. He's very diligent, he's very tactical, he's good at communication and he loves being on the grass. He's a very, very good coach."

Beattie played under Cushing for four seasons at City and was part of the WSL-winning side in 2016 and won two FA Cups and two League Cups under him.

"In my experience under Nick, Nick had this unbelievable ability to make you focus on the task in hand and to be able to shut out the noise," she said.

"He will be able to take this chaotic time for the team, simplify it, and allow them to focus on the games."

The latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly is now available on BBC Sounds.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines discuss the sacking of Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor days before the League Cup final against Chelsea.

White and Beattie share their insight on interim boss Nick Cushing, who they have both played under, and why he is the right fit. City's Vivianne Miedema also talks about the departure of Taylor heading into a crucial run of fixtures.

Plus hear from Lucy Bronze as she prepares for her first final with Chelsea as Sonia Bompastor's side go for the quadruple.

Listen here

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Sonia Bompastor is hopeful that injured Chelsea duo Naomi Girma and Keira Walsh will be available for the League Cup final against Manchester City on 15 March.

Speaking before the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace, the Blues manager, however, confirmed that Sunday's cup tie at Kingsmeadow comes too early for Girma and Walsh.

"Naomi and Keira won't be available for the game on Sunday, but we have a chance to have them next Saturday for the cup final," said Bompastor.

World record signing Girma made her Chelsea debut at Brighton earlier this month but the United States defender was forced off on the hour mark because of an injury.

Walsh, who joined from Barcelona in January, also has not featured since the Women's Super League leaders' 2-2 draw against Brighton.

Bompastor also provided an update on striker Sam Kerr, who has been sidelined since sustaining an anterior crucial ligament injury in January 2024.

"Sam is still working hard to come back," the Chelsea boss said.

"She was again with us in training sessions this week, still being protected. We don't have a timeframe for her to come back in the squad."