Summary

  • Katie McCabe double gives Arsenal first away win of season

  • Result: Everton 0-5 Man Utd - Nikita Parris & Rachel Williams score two apiece after Melvine Malard opener

  • Result: Chelsea 4-2 Brighton - Sjoeke Nusken scores twice for Blues

  • Result: West Ham 1-1 Liverpool - Riko Ueki equalises for hosts in 95th minute

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Goodbye!published at 21:31 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    That's all from us.

    There'll be no WSL action for a couple of weeks as we head into the international break.

    The WSL will return on 4 November but before then, we'll be back when England take on Belgium on Friday 27 October then again on Tuesday 31 October in the Women's Nations League.

    See you then!

  2. What has happened today?published at 21:30 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    So, a busy day in the WSL. Let's remind ourselves what has happened:

  3. 'There's lots to take into the next games'published at 21:29 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Bristol City manager Lauren Smith speaking to Sky Sports: “We’ve said about wanting to be more than a one half team, we’ve done that.

    “Unfortunately it has come down to two second phases of corners that’s the bit that’s hard to take.

    “I’m really pleased with how they’ve defended, the character we’ve shown so there’s loads to take into the next games.”

    On Rachel Furness: “She’s excellent, excellent in the air. She’s had a great game across all of it today making blocks at one end and putting that in at the other.

    “Excellent from her, we know she’s excellent with her head and she showed that today and I’m sure there will be more from her."

    On Olivia Clark’s debut: “I thought she was brilliant she’s really commanded the area, slowed the game down when it needed to be and picked out moments and got us out of our own box quite a few times so I’m really happy with her performance today. She’s given me something to think about.”

    On their record attendance: “I hope it means they come back because that crowd is unbelievable. When we score those goals and make those huge blocks at the end to hear the roar.

    "They can see what we are about and we need them every day.

    “Unfortunately we’ve got the international break because I think off the back of that we'd be raring to go and play our next fixture.”

  4. 'A much improved performance from heavy City defeat'published at 21:27 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Izzy Christiansen
    Former Everton and England midfielder on Sky Sports

    Bristol City showed real maturity this evening against Arsenal, given the result at Man City last week, they improved so much and clearly learned so much in the week since that heavy defeat .

    They did really well to manage the game tonight and were close to getting a result.

    The next step is to find ways of breaking out from that low block and attacking the other way, if they find that teams will ease off them, and they will have a chance at getting results.

  5. 'Execution of chances has to click, we created plenty'published at 21:22 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Arsenal

    Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall speaking to Sky Sports: "I think the way that we played offensively, a very varied approach was very good. We had many options throughout the pitch to attack them.

    "Execution on the goalscoring opportunities is not yet clicking. We had enough chances to score more goals today and did not take them. We have to improve on this.

    On issues playing against a low block defence: "That is three teams in a row that we have faced now with the 5-4-1 formation. First Liverpool, then Aston Villa, and today against Bristol City. At least is a lot of repetition for us, a lot of practice against this style and this defensive block.

    "It has been an issue for us this season, we have developed ways to work against it. If we get our execution better then it will be easier. Today we created enough but did not convert enough of the chances.

    "We are finding ways to beat it and create chances, forming those relationships that we need to have to work together to get better at solving it. We now need to keep working on taking the chances when we get them.

    On the performance of matchwinner Katie McCabe: "It was a good performance from her but also from the team as a whole. She is a great set piece taker but also is dangerous picking up the second balls that drop down from deliveries into the box. She is a good long shot taker, but particularly good at making chances and scoring from those second phases in the box."

    On return of Vivianne Miedema from her ACL injury: "Of course I am very happy for players that have been out for so long, working so hard and have gotten back on the pitch. When we can combine that with winning games, we are even happier."

  6. 'Arsenal still struggling against deep defences'published at 21:12 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Izzy Christiansen
    Former Everton and England midfielder on Sky Sports

    The top teams in this league need to expect that opponents will want to drop off and be defensively solid.

    Arsenal haven't yet found a way to break through those deep-lying defences. They need to be looking in training, who has those relationships? Who is in tune with one another's movement?

    That has been one thing they have really struggled against so far this season.

    Players of Arsenal form a huddleImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'Luckily for us the goals came in the end'published at 21:08 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Arsenal

    Arsenal's Kate McCabe speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a really special moment for Viv, she's worked so hard over the last few months. Herself and Beth [Mead] to have them both back within a week of each other is so special for the team.

    “I said to her at the end I thought it was going to be a trademark Viv special because she slotted Beth in and I thought Beth was going to finish it off and it was going to be written in the stars. I’m sure we'll see that combination coming up in the next few weeks.”

    On tactics heading into the game: “It’s a real credit to Bristol, the defensive discipline they showed tonight was really frustrating at times for us, they were really compact and defended the box really well.

    “For us going into those games it’s all about positioning and being composed on the ball.

    “We know we're a good footballing team but we need to be in the right positions to show that and I think we looked good at times. I think the second half was much more positive from that point of view. Luckily for us obviously the goals came in the end."

  8. 'McCabe always steps up for Arsenal'published at 21:04 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Stephen Warnock
    Former England and Liverpool defender on Sky Sports

    When you are on a pitch and know you have special talents in and around you, those players that can step up and produce when you need them to.

    Katie McCabe always seems to do that for Arsenal, the one who steps up and says 'I'll do it no problem'.

    She's done it again today and added another Player of the Match award to her cabinet.

  9. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:58 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Everything good for Arsenal coming through Katie McCabe.. not sure where they would be without her!

    Hutch

  10. Postpublished at 20:56 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Goal scorer Katie McCabe has just told Sky Sports she's very excited to have Vivianne Miedema back in the squad and hopes to see more of that wonderful Beth Mead/Miedema partnership in the coming weeks.

    Full quotes to come.

  11. Postpublished at 20:53 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    That marks the last match of the weekend and the last before the international break.

    The WSL will return on Saturday 4 November and Arsenal have moved up to seventh with a second consecutive win.

    Still not where the Gunners might have expected to be at this point in the campaign.

    Bristol City remain without a win at the bottom of the league, along with Aston Villa.

  12. 'Not as ruthless as we expect them to be'published at 20:49 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Izzy Christiansen
    Former Everton and England midfielder on Sky Sports

    Still not quite as ruthless as we expect this Arsenal team to be, but a win is a win. That is the most important thing.

    Vivianne Miedema's return to the fold will be a big, big plus for them. I'm sure that will help them start to re-find those relationships on the pitch that look to be lacking a little at the minute.

    A lot to ponder for Jonas Eidevall going into this international break. But a lot of positives to build on when they come back.

  13. 'Arsenal got the job done'published at 20:46 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Arsenal had so much possession I think they'd have wanted to score more. They created a lot, they had a lot of set pieces but at the end of the day they got the job done, and we've seen Vivienne Miedema back on the pitch and that's a massive bonus for them.

  14. Postpublished at 20:45 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    FT: Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Hugs all round for Vivianne Miedema. Great to have her back.

    It does certainly give Jonas Eidevall plenty to ponder, though. His squad is absolutely ridiculous and littered with international players.

    They are still without Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Lina Hurtig.

    How will he manage the squad going forward with so much quality throughout and players expecting game time?

    Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema celebrateImage source, Reuters
  15. FULL-TIMEpublished at 20:42 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Katie McCabe takes it to the corner and that is that.

    She has been the difference maker in the end with the two goals to win Arsenal the match.

    A decent showing from Bristol City but the Gunners got the job done.

  16. 'Miedema getting applause she deserves'published at 20:41 British Summer Time 22 October 2023

    Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Jenna Schillaci
    Former Spurs captain on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    A massive player to come back and again getting the applause she deserves. Last week Beth Mead back, this week Vivianne Miedema, really positive and exciting in terms of attacking threats that Arsenal have, they just keep dripping back into the team.

    Vivianne Miedema of Arsenal enters the pitch as a substitute to replace Alessia RussoImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 90+8 mins

    Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Superb defending!

    Arsenal think they've put the cherry on the cake after some really good work but Caitlin Foord's shot is well blocked by Jamie-Lee Napier.

  18. Postpublished at 90+7 mins

    Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Not long left for Bristol City to get something from this.

    We're into the 97th minute.

  19. Postpublished at 90+6 mins

    Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Vivianne Miedema was warming up for ages on the touchline. And she is finally going to make her appearance.

    Her first since December last year. The return of the WSL's top goalscorer. A great moment for her.

    Alessia Russo makes way for the Dutch striker.

    Vivianne Miedema comes on for Alessia RussoImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 90+4 mins

    Bristol City 1-2 Arsenal

    Teasing ball into the box from Katie McCabe. Olivia Clark manages to punch away and eventually the danger is cleared.