In this edition of the Women’s Super League round-up, Brighton beat Manchester United while five other sides recorded victories.
Brighton Beat Manchester United in Women’s Super League Round-Up
Women’s Super League’s Stand-Out Result Sees Brighton Beat Manchester United
Inessa Kaagman’s first-half penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides, in a result that put a heavy dent in United’s Champions League aspirations.
The result sees Casey Stoney’s drop down into fourth on goal difference with 38 points from 19 games having played one more match than Arsenal in third.
Meanwhile, it was a fifth win in their last six games for Hope Powell’s team, who remain sixth with 24 points and have a mid-table finish firmly in their sights.
Chelsea Overcome Birmingham City in the Women’s Super League
Chelsea maintained their relentless pace at the top of the Women’s Super League table with a 6-0 thrashing of Birmingham City at Kingsmeadow.
Sam Kerr’s stunning first-half hat-trick, Fran Kirby’s second-half brace and a goal from Guro Reiten maintained the Blues’ two-point lead at the top of the table.
The Australian has been in scintillating form this campaign and her treble consisted of a close-range strike and two headers to put her joint top of the Women’s Super League top goalscorers’ list alongside Vivianne Miedema with 17.
For Birmingham, the result extended their winless run to ten games and leaves them ninth with 13 points from 18 games – three clear of Aston Villa, having played a game more than their West Midlands rivals.
Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City kept the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League table with a 3-0 win over Tottenham at The Hive.
Becky Spence’s own goal and one each from Janine Beckie and Caroline Weir kept City title’s aspirations alive.
The result means City have secured a 12th consecutive league victory and equalled Arsenal’s all-time record winning streak in the division.
For Spurs, that defeat extends their winless run to eight games and leaves them eighth with 17 points from 19 games – seven clear of Villa at the foot of the table having played two games more.
Bristol City 0-4 Arsenal
Arsenal moved up into third in the Women’s Super League table with a convincing 4-0 victory against Bristol City at Twerton Park.
Vivianne Miedema struck twice to take her tally up to 17 goals for the season, while Danielle van de Donk and Beth Mead also got in on the act to complete a fine day at the office for Joe Montemurro’s side.
The Gunners were boosted further following the news of Manchester United’s surprise 1-0 defeat to Brighton which sees them move up into third place on goal difference with a game in hand over Casey Stoney’s side.
Meanwhile, Bristol City remain firmly in a battle to preserve their Women’s Super League status with 11 points from 19 games, one place and one point above Villa in 11th.
But Matt Beard’s side have played two more games than their survival rivals and face a tough task to ensure they survive another season in the top flight.
Everton 3-1 Aston Villa
Everton followed up on their 5-0 win over Brighton with a 3-1 win over Villa at Walton Hall Park.
Lucy Graham, Izzy Christiansen and Simone Magill all found the target to maintain the Toffees’ stranglehold on fifth place.
Graham headed the Merseysiders in front before being denied another goal from the penalty spot, after seeing her spot-kick saved by Villa keeper Lisa Weiss.
Christiansen scored with a penalty of her own shortly after the hour mark, before Magill showed good tenacity to latch onto Jill Scott’s deflected strike to make the final score 3-0.
Willie Kirk’s side now have 31 points from 19 games, while Villa are still desperately seeking points to move off the bottom of the table with 10 points from 17 matches played.
Reading 0-5 West Ham United
West Ham United eased their relegation fears with an emphatic 5-0 win away at Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Martha Thomas netted a hat-trick in Berkshire, while a goal each from Kenza Dali and Katerina Svitkova secured a superb victory for Ollie Harder’s team.
All five goals were scored in the first half and leaves the Hammers with 12 points from 17 games – enough to propel themselves off the bottom of the table.
They sit tenth with 12 points from 17 games after the conclusion of this weekend’s fixtures.
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