LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE – It’s become a cliché to talk about the possibility of a “top four” in the Women’s Super League when Manchester United face the division’s traditional heavyweights. There seems to have always been an anticipation of the established order being obliterated that hasn’t occurred just yet.
To reach that status they need to become worthy members of the league’s upper echelons and in past seasons they haven’t done that. They have gathered results and occupied a high position in the table but that’s far from being deserving of a position among the real elites. Consistency has been lacking, their performances against other top teams have often left much to be desired and their status was firmly one of being the fourth-best team.
Maybe that’s still the case, but this team feels different due to the way they can go toe-to-toe with the best. A 3-1 defeat to Chelsea put an end to their 100 per cent winning run yet United boss Marc Skinner will be enthused by what his side showed they were capable of.
Where in the past games of this ilk may have been out of reach, now United seem much more like a team who may be able to finally go the distance.
Though nobody, after all, is immune to the ruthlessness of this Chelsea side. When Sam Kerr scored in the second half it was a moment of composure to take advantage of the chances the Blues had been afforded – and it made all the difference.
WSL results
- Reading 0-3 Manchester City
- Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa
- Tottenham vs Everton (postponed due to waterlogged pitch)
- Leicester 0-4 Arsenal
- West Ham 4-5 Brighton
- Man Utd 1-3 Chelsea
Soon after came Chelsea’s second, a remarkable piece of quality from former United forward Lauren James to tuck the ball into the far post with a first-time finish from the edge of the box.
United’s ever-trusty Alessia Russo would pull one back for her side, capitalising on a well-timed ball from Ella Toone to curl past Ann-Katrin Berger, but Erin Cuthbert put the game to bed for the visitors in added time as her effort deflected past the watching Mary Earps.
Neither side was particularly poor in the first half, it was more akin to a slowly-paced game of chess in which each attempted to wear down their opponents little by little. Kerr’s goal after the break changed the game and made it a very different occasion.
The expected fight and energy was finally there and it was Chelsea who came out the better for it after their double in quick succession and Cuthbert’s reply.
Yet while few would doubt that they were deserved victors, there were other conclusions to draw from this match.
United’s second-half goal acted as a moment to revitalise a club record 6,186-strong Leigh Sports Village crowd which had fallen flat.
That showed that they have the ability to cause problems for even the best of the world’s teams and nothing is lost in the race for the top at this stage of the season. This was United’s biggest test of the season both on the pitch and psychologically and their finish to the game will have provided the evidence needed that they can do what they desire.
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By Kat Lucas, i sports journalist
Life after Hope Powell – There was a strangeness about seeing Brighton operate without Hope Powell, the former England boss sacked after five years in the job following the 8-0 defeat to Tottenham. However, Danielle Carter ensured the Seagulls got the new era off to a perfect start with two goals and an assist in their 5-4 thriller against West Ham.
Spurs’ pitch problems – and no point-proving for Neville – Another England squad passes by without Spurs defender Ashleigh Neville. The Everton match would have been a chance for her to show Sarina Wiegman she is worthy of at least a call-up for England’s friendlies, but she was denied that as the game was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. This won’t have been what Spurs envisaged when they moved to Brisbane Road, supposedly a step-up in facilities from Barnet.
Daly makes her case too – Rachel Daly is increasingly looking like an option for England’s attack at the next World Cup, taking her tally for the season to six with a penalty against Liverpool. Only Man City’s Khadija Shaw has scored more this season. The fix is easy for Wiegman, who can use Alex Greenwood in Daly’s spot at left-back.
What to make of Man City? – Despite the scoreline, it is hard not to feel as if Man City are not quite firing. They were helped by unfortunate Reading captain Emma Mukandi, who scored two own goals, but the main positive for City was Lauren Hemp, who caused constant problems.
Statement win for Arsenal Jonas Eidevall won’t have been too concerned by Chelsea’s statement win over Manchester United, as Arsenal delivered a huge win of their own at Leicester to consolidate their place at the top of the league.
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