Women's Super League

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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.

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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

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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."

Crystal Palace boss Laura Kaminski says her side "need to keep our feet on the ground" as they prepare to face struggling Aston Villa on Sunday (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

WSL newcomers Palace have picked up points in three of their seven games this season and are two points above Sunday's opponents.

"We mustn’t get carried away in terms of where we have come from and where we are at," she said.

"We know this is early days for us. If you think about teams that have been in the WSL for several seasons, we have been there for seven games. We need to remember where we are at."

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

• Kaminski "would never calculate points per game" and expect to get a result against teams around them in the table.

• Against Everton she said her side "rode waves and patches of the game" and is grateful for the point, but knows her squad were capable of taking all three.

• On the trends of newly-promoted teams being relegated straight away, she said: "The patterns that apply to other teams don’t apply to us. We will find our own way and identity and find our own journey."

• On Aston Villa, she said: "The table is a bit false for them but there is no better time to play them. They are full of confidence [after their draw with Man Utd] but we know we are also causing teams problems."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport senior journalist

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor says there is "a chance" Lauren Hemp could feature against Chelsea when the Women's Super League's top two sides meet on Saturday (kick-off 17:30 GMT).

Hemp missed Tuesday's Champions League win over Hammarby with a knee issue but Taylor is hopeful she could return this weekend.

"We are positive at the moment," Taylor said. "We will find out more tomorrow [Friday] if Lauren is able to train and participate.

"We will take that decision with the medical staff and Lauren tomorrow."

Hemp has five assists in the WSL this season, more than any other player, and is way out in front in terms of chances created with 26.

"You want to see Hempo in these games," Taylor said. "She is a top player for us and the quality goes without saying."

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

• With other key players missing out in midweek, Taylor praised those who stepped in: "They stood up to the task and everyone is standing up to be counted."

• Taylor said "there is no denying these games [against Chelsea] are really important and added: "we want to stay in contention" for the title".

• With Chelsea still having a game in hand, he said "the league table at the moment looks a little bit lopsided".

• On whether who starts in goal against Chelsea is his number one, Taylor said: "To put a label on who is my number one is a little bit unfair. It's a strong position to be in for us to have two world-class goalkeepers."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport senior journalist

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic said Brighton won't be "doom and gloom" after their 5-0 defeat by Arsenal and is backing his team to bounce back against West Ham on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Albion conceded more goals against the Gunners on Friday than in the rest of their Women's Super League games combined this season, but Vidosic is confident he can get a response from his players.

"It’s a good lesson," he said. "We are still happy, we are still third so we can’t get too down on ourselves.

"We can’t take Friday night and be doom and gloom. There were positives and stuff we can easily fix that we just got a little bit wrong.

"There is always work to be done. It’s never perfect. We always chase perfection but the beauty of that is you will never catch it. We want to improve all the time.

"There are speed bumps. The best teams in the world will have an off day. These things happen in football."

Here are more key lines from his news conference:

• Vidosic said being in the WSL's top three brings "a different pressure" but "that pressure is a privilege".

• He said "experience is the best teacher" and after Friday's defeat "we want a big response and we look forward to the challenge of West Ham".

• On another game at the Amex Stadium, he added: "We want to be on the big stages. We encourage all our fans to come out and support us."

• Maria Thorisdottir will miss out with a calf issue while the club are waiting on scan results from Aisha Masaka.

• Pauline Bremer and Jelena Cankovic are both back in the squad after returning from injury.

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Brighton defender Poppy Pattinson says her side will not dwell on their heavy defeat by Arsenal last week when they face West Ham in the Women's Super League on Saturday (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

The high-flying Seagulls went into the match with the Gunners in fine form with four wins from their opening six league games, but they lost 5-0 with just one shot on target.

"Last week was disappointing and we have worked hard this week to put it right," said the left-back.

"It’s a mental game as well as a physical one. We can’t dwell on the last one too much and we know what we can put right.

"We take the belief from the start of the season into this one [against West Ham]."

Despite last week's loss, Dario Vidosic's side are still third in the table, one point ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United.

"It’s a great feeling to be where we are right now sitting in the position we are," she said.

"I’m not someone that just settles. We want to keep getting better. We started the season very well, we set high expectations for ourselves."

This weekend's match is being played at the club's main ground, the Amex Stadium, and Pattinson says the team "love" playing there.

"It’s a great stadium and hopefully we can get a win there for our fans," she added.

"A game is a game, atmosphere can be brought anywhere, but these are the games we want to play in. We just want to put on a show."

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport senior journalist

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Everton boss Brian Sorensen says his side want to win against neighbours Liverpool "so badly" when the teams meet at Goodison Park in the Women's Super League on Sunday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

The Toffees are preparing to play there for the final time and Sorenson says "everyone wants to play at this iconic stadium and in a derby".

"When I started looking at English football as a young kid you always heard how tough it was to go and play at Goodison Park. It’s legendary," he added.

Everton are yet to win at the famous stadium and are still searching for their first victory of the season.

"We want to win this so badly. It’s a derby but we also want to get the first win of the season. We are hoping to get that success and kickstart the season."

Here are more key lines from his news conference:

• Conceding inside 30 seconds against Crystal Palace was "not fun", but Sorensen praised the "great character" from his side to fight back.

• After Honoka Hayashi scored Everton's first goal by one of their own players, he said: "The amount of grass she is covering in the pitch is unreal. She is such a composed player. We are trying to get her into more of these opportunities."

• He added: "She is such a lovely player to work with, so humble, always has a smile on her face and is never in a bad mood. She is a fantastic person but an even better football player."

• On Liverpool, he said: "We are not far from each other on Sunday when it really matters out there, but they probably have a bit more depth. We have to be very solid for 90 minutes".

• Lucy Hope is "dealing with another problem" after she missed out through injury last week, but Sorensen is hopeful she could be available.

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Steph Houghton has returned to Manchester City, taking up off-field roles as club ambassador and a project officer.

Former City captain Houghton retired at the end of last season after 10 years with the club.

She makes history as the first female to become an official representative of the club and joins the likes of Mike Summerbee, Joleon Lescott and Shaun Wright-Phillips in the role.

As club ambassador, Houghton will represent the club at matches and events around the world.

In her role as project officer, the club say Houghton will "liaise and gain valuable experience with various footballing departments at the City Football Academy".

"Everybody knows how much this club means to me," Houghton said. "I'm really excited to be in and around everyone again.

"When you retire you miss that environment and being part of a team. If I wasn't here and part of the club still that would be a massive miss for me."

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Crystal Palace defender Lily Woodham says there is "still a buzz" about the newly-promoted Women's Super League side, who she believes are more than capable of staying in the top flight.

Wales international Woodham joined Palace on loan from Seattle Reign until the end of January.

The Eagles, who became a WSL club for the first time this season, have taken five points from their first seven games, leaving them 10th in the table.

"For every team that comes up it's about staying in the league and I think Palace are so capable of doing that," Woodham told BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly podcast.

"There's a great staff group and some incredible players so I think it'll be fine and everyone’s still excited, it’s still a buzz."

Woodham said there is a "special group" at the club, but she is particularly enjoying playing under boss Laura Kaminski.

"She's such a character, she's so funny," she said.

"She is so kind but when you need to be told, she's ready to be able to give you that advice and information as are all the coaches so it's a real special group being here."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

West Ham manager Rehanne Skinner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Women's Super League game against Brighton (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• On-loan Brighton defender Li Mengwen is ineligible to face her parent club this weekend so will not be in West Ham's squad.

• Victory over Leicester on Sunday has "elevated everybody" says Skinner, who was "really pleased" with their in-possession work.

• She adds: "It’s competitive [in the squad]. It makes people work really hard and we can push our levels. That showed with the confidence on the ball we had."

• Skinner says the "aim" is to use that win as a catalyst to move up the table and it can "give us a boost".

• She adds: "We want to try to get on a bit of a roll and keep that momentum going."

• Brighton did "a great job with their recruitment" this summer, says Skinner, who thinks the new signings have settled in quickly for their opponents.

• "They are moving the ball really well and creating problems for people. I think the game will be difficult but that’s not new to us," Skinner adds.