Chelsea did their best to block out the growing outside noise and defeated Liverpool 2-0, thanks to a special performance from Lauren James.
The forward has suffered a number of injuries this season and is still trying to “rediscover my best self”, as she said after the match, but produced a vintage performance, setting up the opening goal and setting up Chelsea’s second.
Her defiant cross was pushed in by Shoke Nusken (another player with a point) in the first half, but the second one was all from James himself, drifting in from wide, past Fuka Nagano and past Jennifer Faulk.
The win boosted Chelsea’s place in the table and proved that there is harmony in the camp after a tumultuous period when head of women’s football Paul Green abruptly left the club amid poor results.
Head coach Sonia Bompastre was rewarded with a contract extension, but Green resigned after 13 years with little explanation as to why. The Blues are still well off the pace of the WSL leaders, but are well placed to finish in the Champions League places.
However, they face stiff competition from fourth-placed Arsenal, who are four points behind with two games remaining. The Gunners have lost the fewest games of any team over the season.
Spurs lose to Villa, central Gaupsett
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Sini Gaupsett proved to be an excellent and astute signing at the heart of Tottenham as Martin Ho’s side secured a stunning 7-3 victory over hapless Aston Villa.
The opener started and ended with Gaupsett and shortly afterwards Kirsty Hanson made it 1-1. But Spurs were in no charitable mood, with Bethany England and Olivia Holt fighting back to take a 3-1 lead into half-time.
Hanson and January signing Orianne Jean-François scored Villa’s goals in a chaotic second half, but a frantic defensive performance gave all the momentum to the visiting team.
Katinka Tandberg came off the bench to add two goals to her tally this season, while Maika Hamano and Julie Blakstad, who also created the most chances in the match, also got their names on the scoresheet.
Villa twice came close to finding Spurs’ goal, but conceded again moments later. The 10-goal thriller may have provided plenty of entertainment for the 2,500 fans inside Villa Park, but it was a frightening indictment of just how open and in transition Natalia Arroyo’s side are.
Spurs had 27 successful shots, 12 of which were on target, and scored seven times from an xG value of just 2.80. Arroyo will be aware of the consequences of such a performance – Villa have lost four of their five matches in 2026.
In-form Man United come back to beat London City
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and London City Lionesses.
Manchester United came from behind to defeat London City Lionesses, extending their WSL winning streak to four games.
However, it was the visitors who started the game better and seized the advantage within six minutes. Former Man United forward Nikita Parris nodded home Freya Godfrey’s cross as the hosts struggled to contain the pair.
London City had several chances to extend their lead after that, but they will be disappointed to have failed.
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Jess Park created the magic that took Manchester United to the same level as London City Lionesses.
It took a moment of magic to lift Manchester United to the next level. It was Park who brought it on – as he has done so many times this season. She darted past defenders on the left flank, ran to the top of the box and unleashed an unstoppable strike.
The second half meandered a bit, but Man United clinched the victory late on. Maya Le Tissier took a wonderful free-kick and Millie Turner, free in the middle, headed home.
Mark Skinner’s side remain second in the table, one point behind Chelsea and five points behind Arsenal, who currently have two games in hand.
Everton extend winning streak with victory over Hammers
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Everton and West Ham.
Everton beat West Ham 1-0 at Goodison Park, extending their WSL winning streak to three games.
West Ham were unable to recover after Hannah Blundell’s cross was curled in by Honoka Hayashi at the back post within eight minutes.
Everton move into eighth place with 17 points, level with Brighton, while the Hammers are two points clear of the relegation zone.
