Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action | OneFootball

City’s defensive deficiencies a concern

Manchester City have now conceded three times as many goals as Chelsea and twice as many as Arsenal in the WSL this season after their high-scoring defeat to the Gunners on Sunday. In the absence of the captain, Alex Greenwood, City have conceded 12 in their last four league games, and when asked how his side could improve defensively, the manager, Gareth Taylor, said it was a question that “everyone needs the answer for,” adding: “We are shipping goals at the moment. We can’t deny that Alex [Greenwood] not being there is really difficult. I think Rebecca [Knaak] has done well but it’s a big step up. We’ve not been able to really refresh the backline at all, so those guys are consistently playing. We just need to improve and get better.” TG

• Report: Manchester City 3-4 Arsenal

Kiernan on target again for Liverpool

The Republic of Ireland striker Leanne Kiernan scored her first league goal since May to earn Liverpool victory over West Ham, looking confident in front of goal again as she backed up her strike against the Hammers in the FA Cup on Wednesday. “Once Leanne gets her goal, then she scores goals, it’s as simple as that,” the manager, Matt Beard, said. “She’s enjoying her football again. It was great movement as well, the way she ghosted in.” Kiernan scored five goals in the WSL last season and 13 in Liverpool’s 2021-22 promotion campaign, and will hope she can continue her latest form in front of goal. TG

Eagles flying in right direction

When you are in a dogfight at the bottom, mental strength and resilience are key. They have not always been evident for Crystal Palace this season but there is no doubt they are improving. Their 1-1 draw at Brighton was far from a classic but the Eagles fought back from a terrible error to take a hard-earned point against 10-player opponents. How valuable My Cato’s 88th-minute strike will prove to be will really be known at the end of the season but it has given Laura Kaminski’s side a platform on which to build. There was controversy when Brighton’s Maisie Symonds was shown a straight red early in the second half. It was a decision which Dario Vidosic said he would like “to get an explanation” for, although one might expect that once he has seen the replay, he will accept it was reckless. SD

Familiar tale for Terland against Spurs

During a match that, in general, will not be remembered for its quality, there was one moment of magic that earned Manchester United their fifth league win in a row. Elisabeth Terland’s instinctive volley in the sixth minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the sole highlight of 90 minutes that offered little in terms of creativity. The Norwegian forward has formed a habit of scoring against Spurs in the two-and-a-half years since she arrived in England. Her goal on this occasion took her tally against the club to six in the league, the most she has managed against any opponent. With Spurs continuing to look disjointed, Marc Skinner’s side dominated despite registering only two shots on target. Injuries to Dominique Janssen and Jayde Riviere in the second half will be a worry for United as they continue in their race for a Champions League spot. SD

Gago’s goals keep Everton on positive path

Everton continued with a “new year, new me” attitude by beating Leicester 4-1 at Walton Hall Park. Brian Sørensen’s side are unbeaten in their past four WSL home games and this was the first time this season they have scored more than two goals in a game. Kelly Gago scored twice, taking her tally to three since joining from Nantes in January. “Kelly is in the right places,” Sørensen said. “I spoke to her a lot about making double movements when she gets free in the box. She did that today and it’s really good to see.” The France international was all over the game, her link-up play with Toni Payne paying off in particular. Moving up to eighth and away from the danger zone will make this a particularly sweet win. RO

Stubborn Chelsea find a way to win

Aston Villa would have been hoping to turn a corner under their new manager, Natalia Arroyo, and gave a robust display. However, Chelsea found a way, as formidable teams usually do. Mayra Ramírez’s display as a 66th-minute substitute caused havoc down the right and her cross was diverted by Sarah Mayling into her own net. The hard-fought win extends Chelsea’s unbeaten streak under Sonia Bompastor to 21 games. “When you are not able to perform at 100%, you always have to find a way to win the game,” the coach said. “The best teams have the power to do that.” RO

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