It is four weeks in to the Barclay’s Women’s Super League (WSL) and what a season it’s been so far. A slightly later start for the WSL this year due to the Women’s World Cup taking place in the Summer, but the 23/24 season is yet to disappoint. Well, that depends on who you support I suppose. There’s been ups and downs, surprising results, transfer standouts, players returning from injury, and so much more. But before we head into week five, here’s a round up of how the teams have got on so far this season.
Arsenal
Finishing 3rd last season, Arsenal are determined to better their position, hoping to reclaim the league title. 2022/23 was a difficult time for the Gunners, one which both fans and the players would describe as a rollercoaster ride. Losing 4 players to an ACL injury as well as several other players being injured throughout the season, it was incredible to see how the team pulled together to win the Conti cup and reach the semi-final of the UWCL. Many players were coming up to the end of their contracts this summer, but the togetherness of the team was too strong to break. Captain Kim Little, Lia Walti, Frida Maanum, Steph Catley, and Caitlin Foord all put pen to paper committing their future to Arsenal.
Squad depth is crucial for teams to be successful, and Arsenal didn’t hesitate to add more talent to their team. The new signings have fitted in well and are showing their qualities. Russo already has 3 goals for the team.
An early departure from the Champions League meant the focus turned to the league, FA Cup, and defending the Conti Cup. The Gunners haven’t had the best start to the season with only 7 points on the board. A disappointing loss to Liverpool at the Emirates on the opening day of the season was a big shock. Since then, the team has faced Manchester United where they came back to draw 2-2 after a stunning strike from Lacasse.
Facing Aston Villa at the Emirates was a special day for everyone at Arsenal. Not only did they come from behind to claim all 3 points, but Beth Mead also returned to the pitch after spending 330 days on the sidelines with an ACL injury. The reception from the fans showed how happy they were for her and her importance to the team. Her presence on the pitch made a positive impact almost immediately and she even managed to assist Russo for the winning goal. In her words it was “not an easy journey at all but well worth it!”.
Bristol were Arsenal’s next opponents and despite them being bottom of the table, they were ready to compete. Setting up with a back-five, they made it difficult for the Gunners to break them down. Two stunning strikes from Katie McCabe meant Arsenal won 2-1. Another special day for the team saw Vivienne Miedema make her return to the pitch following a long spell out also with an ACL injury. Viv has been an instrumental part of the team since signing back in 2017 and her talent showed against Bristol when she almost assisted Mead with her first touch of the ball.
The return of both Mead and Miedema means Arsenal are almost back to their strongest team. Leah Williamson and Laura Wienroiter are still recovering from the devastating injury but should be fit to make their comebacks after Christmas.
Arsenal’s next game is against Manchester City on 5th November at Meadow Park. A win will be crucial if they still want to compete for the league title.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa got their highest finish in the WSL last season coming 5th. This gave them confidence going into 2023/24 with goals of breaking into the top 4. It’s clear to see that Villa aren’t without top-quality players and their performances last season showed that. Securing permanent deals for Lucy Parker, Anna Patten, and Kirsty Hanson was a crucial part of Carla Ward’s plan. New signings Daphne Van Domselaar, Adriana Leon, and Ebony Salmon added more depth to the squad. With many of Villa’s players playing for their international teams, it would be expected for them to compete with top teams in the WSL.
The opening day of the season saw them face Manchester United and all the action happened in the last 15 minutes of the game. Rachel Daly got her first goal of the season but after a red card was awarded to Kirsty Hanson, United found the net twice claiming the 3 points. Villa’s losing streak continued when they fell short to Liverpool (2-0), and Arsenal (2-1). Although their performances haven’t been terrible, results are so important in this league and 3 losses in a season that only has 22 games could be costly.
With no points on the board and Carla Ward’s position as manager hanging in the balance, Villa were desperate to get their first win. Back on home turf in front of a lively crowd, Villa welcomed Tottenham to the Bescot Stadium. An early goal from Rachel Daly gave Villa the lead, but captain Corsie’s mistake allowed Tottenham back into the game. Trailing 2-1 at halftime meant Aston Villa were still in with a chance, however despite making changes, it was Tottenham who claimed the 3 points, winning 4-2.
A worrying start for Villa raises concerns and their future in the WSL could be doubtful if they don’t find a quick solution. Another international break means that Ward’s side will return to the WSL when they face last season’s league champions Chelsea at home on 4th November. This won’t be an easy game for Villa, but it is one that they can’t afford to lose.
Brighton
Brighton ended last season in a relegation battle which they managed to survive. Finishing 11th on just 16 points and only 4 wins, it was a season filled with both highs and lows. An impressive run in the FA Cup saw them miss out on the final losing 3-2 to Manchester United. Following a devastating 8-0 loss to Tottenham manager Hope Powell stepped down quite early in the season, leaving the team with an uncertain future in the WSL.
Melissa Philips joined the seagulls in the Spring with big plans to bring a fresh outlook and positive impact to the team. Her summer was far from quiet as she set out to add more talent to the squad. With key players Dan Carter, Lydia Williams, and Victoria Williams departing, it was important for Brighton to find new players. 11 signings were made ahead of the 2023/24 season with some exciting names. Sophie Baggaley (Man U), Maria Thorisdottir (Man U), and Wolfsburg star Pauline Bremer are just a few to mention.
The seagulls kicked off their season with an impressive 2-1 win over mid-table team Everton. Two early goals from Elisabeth Terland were enough to secure the 3 points. A positive start to the season gave the team confidence however they were unable to beat West Ham in their next game.
Their first game in the Conti Cup saw them face Birmingham and the result was one to be proud of. Three goals from 3 different goal-scorers showed that the team can create and take their chances.
Turning their focus back to the league, Tottenham was their next challenge. Despite taking an early lead, Spurs put out an impressive performance and came back to win.
Up next was Chelsea, Brighton’s toughest opponent so far this season. Knowing that Chelsea were going to be a tough team to beat, the seagulls had to be prepared. Pauline Bremer found the net first after 10 minutes, but it was clear that Chelsea hadn’t got going until they equalised just before half-time. The second half was all for the home side and the goals kept coming. A hattrick for Nüsken and a first goal for Aggie Beever-Jones was enough to give Chelsea the win. Terland managed to claw one back for Brighton in the 90th minute but it wasn’t enough.
With 1 just one league win so far, Brighton needs to up their performance if they want to achieve their target of finishing in the top 6. After the international break, they will face Manchester United, another tough fixture.
Bristol City
Currently sitting bottom of the table, newly promoted Bristol have had a tough start on their return to the WSL. They topped the Barclays Women’s Championship finishing just 1 point above Birmingham. Their performances in the Championship were impressive but with the standards even higher in the WSL, the Robins needed to recruit well in the summer.
Manager Lauren Smith set out to find players with previous WSL experience to help her current players adapt and fit into the new league. With several players departing including Amy Palmer, Lia Cataldo, and Jamie-Lee Napier it was important to add more depth to the already talented squad.
Despite losing some key players, the additions only strengthened the team. Arsenals Kaylan Marckese signed on loan. Youngster Carrie Jones and Megan Connoly who has been named this season’s captain also put pen to paper. Rachell Furness extended her contract since joining in January which was a huge bonus for the team.
As the Foxes were only promoted to the WSL the previous season, Bristol’s opening game against them was set to be a competitive one. The Robins scored the first goal from Carrie Jones, but Leicester equalised just before the half-time break. They then went on to score a further 3 goals which secured them the win. Despite a late penalty scored by Bristol’s Amalie Thestrup the score ended 4-2 against the Robins.
Tottenham were Bristol’s next opponent, and they didn’t make it easy. Scoring 3 goals in the first half, Spurs did enough to claim all 3 points. The Conti Cup was next and although they faced Southampton who were also pushing for promotion to the WSL, the Robins lost 4-3 on penalties.
Returning to the league, Bristol had to make the long trip up to Manchester City. This was Bristol’s toughest game so far this season and the score line showed why City is a top-four team. From the start, City were ruthless, and the goals kept on coming. Bristol tried to compete, but they just didn’t have to quality that could match the Manchester City team.
Bristol were eager to perform against Arsenal in front of a record crowd. The newly promoted side went into this game with a point to prove following a brutal 5-0 defeat against Manchester City. Arsenal took an early lead; however, it wasn’t long before Rachell Furness equalised with a bullet header. The result ended 2-1 for the Gunners but this gave Bristol confidence that they can compete with the big teams in the WSL. Their low block defence made it hard for Arsenal and it was two wonder strikes that lost them the game. They will face West Ham after the international break.
Chelsea
League champions for the 4th consecutive season (6 in total), Chelsea are setting the bar high for the other teams in the WSL. Winning the FA Cup against Manchester United and reaching the semi-final of the UWCL are just a few of their achievements from last season. Manager Emma Hayes has created a special group at Chelsea which is proving to be a consistently difficult team to beat.
At the end of the 2022/23 season, The Blues said goodbye to two players who were incremental to Chelsea’s success over the years. Captain Magdalena Eriksson and midfielder Pernille Harder both brought so much talent to the squad but decided to leave for Bayern Munich. The center-back was solid in defence, making it difficult for teams to break down, whilst Harder created and scored goals at the other end of the pitch. Their departure has meant that other players have had to step up to fill the huge gap they have left.
Securing Champions League football for another year, the Blues faced Roma where they came out as 3-2 winners. Coming so close last year but getting knocked out in the semis to Barcelona who went on to win, Chelsea are aiming for silverware. They would be the second English team to ever win the UWCL, the first being Arsenal.
Chelsea kicked off their 2023/24 season at Stamford Bridge against rivals Tottenham. New signing Mia Fishel opened her scoring account with an assist from Niamh Charles. Charles has grown as a player over the last season and her hard work has paid off. Her confidence both on and off the ball as well as her ability to play well in several positions has been a joy to watch. She also assisted Lauren James in the second goal against Spurs which was enough to secure the win.
The trip to Manchester City was an eventful one for sure. The result ended in a 1-1 draw but that wasn’t the main talk point of the match. For Chelsea, it was a game that they should have won considering City went down to 9 players.
Returning to Kingsmeadow, the Blues were eager to perform for their fans. They dominated the game and defeated West Ham 2-0. Sam Kerr returned to the starting 11 and her presence on the pitch made a positive impact. Assisted by Niamh Charles, Kerr put Chelsea in front and the game was put to bed in the 90th minute when Erin Cuthbert found the back of the net. They continued this winning streak when they faced Brighton. The seagulls started strong and went 1-0 up after 10 minutes. Chelsea knew they had work to do and they managed to put 4 past the Brighton keeper, ending the game at 4-2.
A successful start to the season means expectations have been set and their standards can’t drop. Their next fixture is against Aston Villa who will come out eager to claim their first 3 points of the season.
Everton
Finishing in 6th place last season, Everton have always been a mid-table team but are pushing to break into the top 5. Over the years, the WSL has become a very competitive league whereby the top 4 teams have been difficult to disrupt. Club legend Izzy Cristiensen announced her retirement at the end of last season. Her presence on the pitch will definitely be missed but her achievements will always be remembered by everyone at the club. Gabby George also signed for league rivals Manchester United in the summer but has recently tore her ACL. Another big loss meant manager Brian Sørensen had work to do to find new players that could bring even more talent to their squad.
7 players were brought in ahead of the new season. Everton struggled to score goals last season so adding to the attacking line was crucial. Italian player Martina Piemonte was one of the biggest signings for the Toffees. Previously at AC Milan, she brings heaps of talent and has an eye for goal. Emily Ramsey and Karoline Olesen are just 2 others who committed for the season ahead. A mix of youth and experience will hopefully prove to be effective this season.
Everton haven’t had the best start to the season losing 3 out of 4 league games and their first game in the Conti Cup. The loses against Brighton and Leicester were hard to take as they are games which Everton were expected to win. Despite dominating possession in most of their games so far, it is clear that the Toffees are struggling to score goals.
The Merseyside derby is always an interesting fixture to watch. Held at Anfield, Liverpool had the crowd behind them. Last season Everton came out on top but the result ended in a draw when the Toffees were at home so everything was to play for. Pressure was on for Liverpool to perform in front of their home fans but it was Everton who came out on top. A goal from Megan Finnigan in the 31st minute was the only goal of the game despite both teams having plenty of shots on goal.
Manchester United was their biggest defeat this season. Again, they had most of the possession but United were full of goals. Parris and Williams both scored two and Malard also got on the score sheet.
Everton will resume their WSL season against Tottenham who are having an impressive start to the season.
Leicester
Leicester have surprised many with their impressive start to the 2023/24 season. Following a relegation battle last year, a change in manager, and new signings, the team looks prepared. The Foxes are sat in 5th place which is an improvement from last season after 4 games. Leicester were one of the teams who were potentially written off before the season even started. The appointment of Willie Kirk following the dismissal of the previous manager Lydia Bedford was a key reason why they are still in the WSL. New goalkeeper Janina Leitzig deserves huge credit for her contribution since coming on loan from Bayern Munich during the second half of last season. Leitzig alongside Courtney Nevin has both signed permanent contracts ahead of 2023/24 which is a huge bonus for Leicester.
12 players departed Leicester at the end of last season which left space for Kirk to sign 7 new players to join his team. With a big change in players, it was key for Leicester to have a good preseason where the team could gel.
The Foxes kicked off their season against Bristol who are hoping to keep their place in the WSL. This was an exciting fixture and one that could have gone either way. Leicester went behind early in the game however their hard work and determination meant they dominated, and the result ended 4-2. Starting the season off with a win gave them a huge confidence boost going into their next match. They defeated Everton 1-0 and went into their first Conti Cup game against Liverpool hoping to secure 3 straight wins. At half-time, they were held at 1-1 against the Reds. A draw wouldn’t have been a bad result for Leicester however on the 50th minute, Hannah Cain put them in front giving them another win. A positive start to the league and cup is a massive step forward for a Leicester team that struggled to get going last season.
Their first big test of the season came against Manchester United who finished 2nd last season. With 6 points already on the board Leicester were having their best start to a season in the WSL. United has a team full of quality players however this didn’t faze the Foxes. Despite United dominating the possession, it was Leicester who scored first but just 7 minutes later, the Red Devils clawed one back resulting in a 1-1 draw.
Manchester City were Leicester’s next opponent, and they didn’t make it easy. After just 10 minutes, Chloe Kelly put City ahead and that was the only goal of the game. Although Leicester couldn’t find an equaliser, their performance showed that they can compete with the top teams.
After the international break, they will travel to Liverpool, an exciting fixture for both sets of fans.
Liverpool
The reds finished last season in 7th place. Since returning to the WSL in 2021, Liverpool have maintained a mid table position. With Matt Beard signing a new contract and targets of breaking into the top 5 being set, the summer was a busy time for everyone involved. 9 players departed at the end of last season so Beard brought in 7 new faces to the squad. Their lack of goals last season and their top goal scorer Katie Stengel also leaving, the Red’s needed more attacking players. Flint, Haug and youngster Enderby put pen to paper hoping to bring a fresh attacking threat.
As well as adding new players to the squad, Liverpool Women also moved into their new training facility at Melwood which is a huge step forward. The team now have their own place where they can access world-class facilities. This will help them to develop and allow the club to provide everything that the players need to be successful.
Their first fixture of the season was against Arsenal at the Emirates in front of a huge crowd of over 40,000 fans. It was an overwhelming experience for the team but one which they thrived. Although they were the underdogs, Liverpool put on an great performance and won the game 1-0. This was a huge confidence boost as it showed that any team is beatable in this league.
Next they hosted Villa for their first home game of the 2023/24 season and what a great day it was for the Reds. Two goals from Höbinger and Flint secured their second win and another 3 points.
League Cup action was their next challenge in which they failed to beat Leicester. The result ended 2-1 to the Foxes. A lot was learnt from this game and the spirit was still there amongst the team. With derby day looming, they couldn’t let a loss get in their heads.
Having never won against Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield, the Reds were hoping to end this streak. The fans turned up in numbers and were ready to cheer them on. This was a big occasion for the Liverpool players and it turned out to be too much on the day. Despite only losing 1-0, the Reds were disappointed and had to regroup. The game against West Ham was quite even and they came out with a 1-1 draw.
It is still early in the season but with only 22 games, it is crucial that Matt Beard and his team return to the league against Leicester ready to perform.
Manchester City
City had a season full of highs and lows. In the end, they finished 4th, missing out on Champions League football on goal difference. After doing most of their recruitment last season, Gareth Taylor had the quietest transfer window in the summer. Jill Roord was the only new signing to join the City squad. Her previous experience of playing in the WSL along with her footballing talent will add a different dynamic to the team.
Khiara Keating has been a huge part of Manchester City’s success so far this season. The 19 year old struggled to get game time last season due to Ellie Roebuck being the first choice keeper. Keating was told the day before the opening game of the season that she was starting and since then, she has kept her place. Her confidence shows and she has proved her worth in the team. Sarina Wiegman has also recognised the young talent, calling her up to the most recent senior England Squad. She is definitely one to watch for the future.
Winning 3 out of their 4 league games so far, City are currently sat top of the WSL table. Their first two games the team lost 3 players to red cards. Leila Ouahabi was sent off in the opening game against West Ham but they still claimed the 3 points. The game against Chelsea was one that sparked up a massive debate on social media. Questionable decisions on time wasting led to the sending off of Alex Greenwood. Lauren Hemp also received a second yellow for a foul meaning City ended the game with 9 players and a 1-1 draw.
A 2-1 win against Everton in the league cup gave them momentum to win their next 2 games. City were on fire when they faced Bristol. They dominated for most of the game and the goals kept on coming. Jill Rood found the net first in the 9th minute, then scoring again just before half-time. Laia Aleixandri and Khadija Shaw also got on the score sheet. It was a great day at the office winning 5-0, their best result in the WSL so far.
City’s last game before the international break resulted in a 1-0 win against Leicester. Although they didn’t score as many goals, the 3 points are most important. Arsenal are their next opponents and this is always an exciting game to watch.
Manchester United
United had a very successful season in the WSL last year. Finishing second and securing Champions League football for the first time was a big achievement for the club. It is easy to forget that Manchester United only formed a women’s team back in 2018. Since then, the club has developed massively and is now seen as a top team in the WSL. Losing out to Chelsea in the FA Cup and the league are the two things they will look to change this season. The Reds had a bumpy transfer window losing 2 huge players who were a crucial part of the squad.
Russo was targeted by Arsenal in the January transfer window but United declined the offer. This resulted in her leaving on a free in the summer to rivals Arsenal. With big boots to fill, Marc Skinner had to search for a new striker. Geyse Da Silva Ferreira signed and has proven to be a great replacement for Russo. Ona Batlle also left on a free to Barcelona which raised concerns for United fans wondering why the club were unable to keep such talented players. Many of the players who left United in the summer expressed their feelings stating that they want to be part of a club that values and respects them as a player and a person.
The Red Devils opened the 2023/24 season with a game against Aston Villa. The last 20 minutes were filled with action. Villa found the net first with a goal from the one and only Rachel Daly. Just 3 minutes later, Lucía García who has been a bright spark for United equalised. Time was running out and it looked like the teams would have to settle for a draw. Super sub Rachel Williams came on to score the winning goal in the 92nd minute. Although the striker doesn’t play many minutes, her impact off the bench has been incredible.
Game night under the lights against Arsenal was intense to watch. Previous results between these teams have been close and this one didn’t differ. United were close to claiming all the point but in 90+3 new recruit Cloe Lacasse struck the ball past Earps bringing the score to 2-2.
Manchester United drew PSG in their first Champions League fixture. The second round consisted of 2 legs with the first being held at Leigh Sports Village. PSG started strong but the Red’s managed to draw the game. The reverse fixture was disappointing from a United perspective. They lost 4-2 on aggregate being eliminated from the Champions League before the group stages began. Getting a feeling of European football was a great experience for the players but it is clear they still have work to do if they want to compete with top teams outside of England.
A draw against Leicester in the league was surprising but their trip to Everton was one to be proud of. United were dominant and came out 5-0 winners. Melvine Malard, Nikita Parris and Rachel Williams were all on the score sheet. The Reds will return to the WSL with a long trip down to Brighton.
Tottenham
Spurs had a disappointing season during 2022/23. They finished 9th place with only 5 wins and 18 points. Rehanne Skinner was sacked following 9 league defeats and was replaced by Robert Vilahamn who had big plans to reignite the spark in his team. January signing Bethany England made a massive impact when she left Chelsea after spending 7 years there. 12 goals in 12 appearances proved to be the main reason why Spurs are still in the WSL.
Unfortunately for the Lilywhites, England suffered an injury which meant she is yet to make an appearance this season. The addition of Martha Thomas has been a huge plus and she has had a positive start so far. Gaining valuable minutes which she missed out on at United, Thomas has scored 7 goals in only 4 games.
Spurs started 2023/24 with a trip to London rivals Chelsea. They suffered a 2-1 defeat but that was the only loss the have had this season. Tottenham went on to beat Bristol 3-1 and their first big result came in the Conti Cup. Reading were on the receiving end of 6-0 thriller from Spurs. They went from a team who lacked passion to a team who were ruthless and had a winning mentality.
Winning became a regular end to their weekend and their game against Brighton was again, an impressive performance. 3 different goal scorers showed the quality that Spurs have this season. They went into the international break with a 4-2 win against Villa. This game was tense but fun for the neutrals. A first hattrick for Thomas and a goal from Ashley Neville was too much for Villa to come back.
Sitting 3rd in the WSL, Spurs will be hoping to continue their winning streak when they host Everton on Sunday.
West Ham
The Hammers had an underwhelming season in the WSL going downhill as the campaign came to an end. They only managed 6 wins which was disappointing for the team. A lack of consistency with their manager has proven to reflect on the teams results over the years. Rehanne Skinner became the first female manager for West Ham ahead of 2023/24 and her aim was to bring the team back together.
Losing Kate Longhurst after spending 5 years at the club was a big shock to many fans. Grace Fisk, Lucy Parker and captain Brynjarsdottir also departed leaving gaps in the back line. This didn’t seem an issue to Skinner as she set out to add more depth to her attacking line. The new players have settled in well but the team hasn’t found momentum yet.
Man City were the Hammers first challenge which they failed to overcome. Despite bringing in players with an eye for goal, West Ham were unable to find the back of the net. Their goal drought didn’t last long as they managed to put 2 past Brighton. Kirsty Smith and new signing Riko Ueki scored the two goals.
The Conti Cup is an opportunity for team to express themselves without the pressure of losing precious league points. West Ham faced Championship side Charlton and despite going behind 1-0 in the first half, they came back to win 2-1. This determination and passion needed to remain as they turned their focus back to the league.
Last seasons league champions were too good for the Hammers. Chelsea were in control of the game and they claimed all three points following goals from Sam Kerr and Erin Cuthbert. West Ham had to regroup and they managed to get a point against a Liverpool side who have had an impressive start to their season. Currently they sit in 8th place and their next fixture is against Bristol, a game they should be winning.
What’s next in the Women’s Super League?
The Women’s Super League returns from international break this weekend (4th November) and it is a weekend you do not want to miss. Check out the fixtures for week five below and tune in to what will be a fun weekend in the Women’s Super League.
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