GW6 (And The UWCL Is Back): What You Need To Know

It's not just the WSL that is finally back up and running, so too is the UWCL. Following Arsenal's thrilling victory over Barcelona in Lisbon back in May, nights under the lights are back as teams across Europe battle it out for the illustrious title. With an English team having won it last season, much focus will be placed on Chelsea and Manchester United – the two other English sides participating in the league phase.

ARSENAL V OL LYONNES (1–2)

There was always going to be intense pressure placed on Arsenal for their first game in the 25/26 season of this tournament. Sure, they won the title earlier this year, but it was a long, arduous campaign in order to do so. Coming head to head with OL Lyonnes to kick off this new UWCL season was a case of being thrown back in the deep end. After a valiant game at home at Meadow Park, Arsenal were defeated 1–2.

CHELSEA V TWENTE (1–1)

Chelsea remain undefeated in the WSL and, for now, can say the same for the UWCL after drawing against Twente. Having secured the domestic treble in the 24/25 WSL season, it's fair to say the only thing missing from Chelsea's cabinet trophy is the UWCL. And, in their current form, they could stand a chance at success.

MAN UNITED V VÅLERENGA

With all due respect to Manchester United, if you had to guess which English side had a victory in the UWCL this week, you probably wouldn't have placed any bets on the Red Devils. And yet, they took down their Norwegian competitors one goal to none – making them simultaneously more successful than the UWCL reigning champions, as well as the reigning dominant force in their domestic league.

CHELSEA V TOTTENHAM (1–0)

There’s nothing quite like a London derby on a crisp autumn Sunday to put a pep in your step, regardless of who you may be rooting for. And today’s showcase between Chelsea and Tottenham at a very sunny Kingsmeadow was no different.

Coming into, and also out of, this game, Chelsea remain undefeated in the WSL. Although, following a recent draw against Manchester United in the WSL, and FC Twente in the UWCL, their overall on pitch performance has lacked their signature class. On the flip side, Spurs are having a season to be proud of under the stewardship of Martin Ho – his first season as head coach of the club. Slowly creeping up the league table, and with a win against Brighton under their belt from gameweek 5, Spurs are now a genuine threat.

Unsurprisingly, this game saw Chelsea control the majority of possession. The Blues also took an impressive 16 corner set pieces, however none were converted, perhaps showing a small flaw in their current set up? After pressing, and pressing, and pressing, on the Spurs back line eventually a goal came Chelsea’s way in the 61st minute by way of midfielder Keira Walsh, assisted by Ellie Carpenter – it’s the former Barcelona player’s first goal in blue.

Speaking of the Spurs defence, they continued to show a strength that has followed them throughout this 2025/26 season. Praise must be given to goalkeeper Lize Kop who, while she did not keep a clean sheet, fought off shot after shot. Speaking to us post match, Ho applauded Kop’s performance, “she commanded the box really well, and she managed the game really well in terms of when to play and when not to play.”

It should be mentioned that Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze made her return to the pitch following her fractured tibia, albeit only for a handful of minutes. Niamh Charles too marked her return from injury. Meanwhile, captain Millie Bright celebrated her 300th appearance for her club.

The WSL will now take a brief pause to make way for an international break, however, club football still continues into the coming week as Chelsea take on Paris FC in the UWCL at Stamford Bridge, and Spurs face Birmingham City in the Subway League Cup.

OTHER GAMES ACROSS THE WEEKEND

Aston Villa V Leicester
0-0

London City V West Ham
1-0

Arsenal V Brighton
1–0

Everton V Man United

1–4

Liverpool V Man City

1–2