LONDON — Arsenal's long unbeaten run in the Women's Super League ended with defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while Liverpool beat Everton 2-0 at Anfield and Tottenham powered to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa to headline the weekend's talking points across the WSL.
Arsenal have scored only twice in four games, with one of those goals coming in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester United, and now sit seven points adrift of leaders Manchester City after seeing an unbeaten league run stretching back to Oct. 12 last year ended by Chelsea. Head coach Renee Slegers said she wanted to "take the pressure off" her players, adding: "I believe in these players. The goals will come and the points will come as well," and "We have to earn the right again to talk about this [the title race] because we've lost too many points." Arsenal face a trip to City on Oct. 4 in a week that already feels defining.
At Leigh Sports Village, Andrea Medina delivered what commentator Gary Taphouse called "a virtuoso display" for Manchester United and was named Player of the Match. The former Spain U23 international created the most chances (4), had the most touches in the opposition box (11), hit the crossbar and scored United's crucial second goal. Sky Sports' Laura Hunter had highlighted Medina as a potential trump card before kick-off, and as Eva Olid's side look to build after starting with two defeats and a draw, Medina looks central to any momentum.
Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton ended a difficult stretch at Anfield, where the Reds had lost eight of their last nine outings, including five against the Toffees. Beata Olsson's early opener settled nerves before Cornelia Kapocs added the second to secure all three points and move Liverpool ahead of Everton. The result provides a lift before a trip to Birmingham in the Women's League Cup and an away clash with Manchester United.
Tottenham's 4-0 win against Aston Villa left Spurs as the league's top scorers with 15 goals in four games and just two conceded, two points off Manchester City at the top. Their credentials will be tested by London City Lionesses, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next three WSL fixtures. Birmingham, back in the top flight for the first time in four years, remain winless in four but showed promise in a 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace, leading twice and creating 19 shots with a late stoppage-time chance for Chancelle Effa Effa to win it, though a goalkeeper howler and a slip cost Amy Merrick's side two goals after allowing 17 shots. The weekend followed Thompson's 1-0 winner for Chelsea over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge that left Arsenal chasing the early pace.