GW9: City Extend Title Lead

Derby's are a bit like buses – you wait ages for one, and suddenly loads turn up all at once. Game week eight saw the first bus arrive, now come the rest and in doing so, have rather shaken up the WSL league table!

MANCHESTER CITY V MANCHESTER UNITED (3–0)

In recent times, there has been a tendency to suggest a lack of competition in the WSL – after all, Chelsea have gone unbeaten for 34 games, the longest streak in the league’s history – however, this gameweek has proved this conception entirely wrong. There’s a new leader in town, and Manchester City have managed to extend their lead over Chelsea by bagging three points at home against United.

The Manchester derby, this time hosted by City at the Etihad, is ever going to produce a gritty, determined performance from Manchester’s clubs. Both will always go into this fixture as if everything is on the line, although ultimately it was City who rose victorious, with goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw, and Lauren Hemp – the latter’s first start for City after sustaining an ankle injury in September. It was a finessed performance from Andrée Jeglertz's squad who are clearly thriving under the leadership of the Swede.

United simply couldn’t keep up with City, with their schedule in the UWCL perhaps taking a toll. Marc Skinner’s side defeated Paris Saint Germain earlier in the week at Old Trafford, when Mary Earps came face to face with her former club. United are not used to having to balance UWCL midweek games and the WSL in this way, and they may be facing a baptism of fire – they take on Wolfsburg (A) this Wednesday. It should also be noted that United’s preferred keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has been out with a fractured eye socket, giving Safia Middleton-Patel her first UWCL and WSL starts in a red shirt.

While City can thank their own performance for their number one spot, Chelsea’s draw with Liverpool on the back of a draw with Arsenal last week certainly helps matters. And, with Arsenal and Spurs fighting with little to show for it, the City/Chelsea title race looks as though it will live on.

TOTTENHAM V ARSENAL (0–0)

As head coach Renée Slegers shared with the press after this North London Derby, Arsenal are in “a frustrating period.” Two weekend’s in a row, two derby’s in a row, and two draws in a row is certainly a slew of disappointing results for the UWCL champions.

It’s clear that something is not quite clicking, and the omission of Kim Little, Leah Williamson, and Katie Reid due to injuries is certainly playing a significant role. While Steph Catley has taken up the armband, the Aussie’s command of the squad is not necessarily visible on pitch yet. And while chances are regularly created for the attacking line, sealing the deal is proving a challenge, even with Chloe ‘Clutch’ Kelly being subbed in the 87th minute.

It’s quite a different story though for Martin Ho’s Tottenham, where a draw against Arsenal at home is tantamount to glorious victory. Last week, following a 4–2 defeat to London City Lionesses, Ho told us that Spurs’ defensive side was lacking, particularly 1v1. Whether there has been overnight improvement in the defence, or Arsenal were just struggling, is up for debate. But, one thing’s for certain: this was a good day to be a Lilywhite.

OTHER GAMES ACROSS THE WEEKEND

Aston Villa V London City Lionesses

1–3

Brighton V Leicester

4–1

West Ham V Everton

3–1

Liverpool V Chelsea

1–1