WSL talking points: Kang could have a problem and how long can Slegers hang on?

Lionesses may present Uefa with problem

London City Lionesses may have lost 2-1 to champions Manchester City, but their performances and league position have shown their European aspirations are far from unrealistic. Aided by Arsenal’s poor start, London City are third in the WSL table and were frustrated to end the day with a six-point gap to the top two after dominating in Bromley. “It’s doubly frustrating, because I think the result was not the one we deserve,” said their coach, Eder Maestre. “Manchester City are more mature. They are more used to it. When you have this consistency and you are very used to playing these kinds of games, maybe you have more experience.” Maestre’s team have a three-point lead over fourth-placed Tottenham and if they continue their upwards trajectory and qualify for the Champions League, Uefa will be forced to tackle the possible scenario of two Michelle Kang-owned clubs, London City and OL Lyonnes, qualifying sooner than they perhaps anticipated. Suzanne Wrack

Gunners’ groundhog day

It was groundhog day for Arsenal against Aston Villa with the Gunners going a goal down for the fifth time this season. “We just said it feels like we’re playing the same game over and over again,” said the manager, Renée Slegers. “We go one goal down from a break and we don’t start with enough urgency.” The issue for Arsenal is that opposition teams can sense this lack of urgency. Get one chance early on, take it and then capitalise on the fact that Slegers’ side just cannot break down a low block. How Slegers, her staff and the squad arrest this malaise is the big unanswered question. The wins against Tottenham and Benfica felt like the seeds of a turnaround in fortunes, but they papered over cracks that will be exposed again until they make more of their dominance in the final third. SW

James injury ruins Chelsea’s perfect day

There is significant concern over Lauren James’s fitness after she suffered another injury against Charlton. The 25-year-old was forced off the pitch after pulling up off the ball in the 35th minute. “It is difficult to say,” the Chelsea manager, Sonia Bompastor, said. “I can only say it’s her hamstring and we’ll assess her later to have more detailed information.” It is the latest fitness worry for the England international who, after being limited to just 11 and six league starts in the last two campaigns respectively, had started this season in superb form with four goals in the WSL. It was the only blemish on an otherwise enjoyable afternoon for the league leaders who ran out 6-0 winners at the Valley. Defender Nathalie Björn marked her first start after months on the sidelines with the opener. Substitute Aggie Beever-Jones ended her barren spell, scoring her first league goal since September 2025. There was also an emotional moment for the young Italian midfielder Giulia Dragoni who opened her Chelsea account after coming off the bench. Sophie Downey

Spence makes history in Spurs victory

As she led Tottenham out at St Andrew’s, Drew Spence wrote herself into the history books. Her start against Birmingham marked her 217th in the WSL, making her the competition’s new all-time record appearance maker. It is the latest accolade of a decorated career that has seen her win five league titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups. The 34-year-old Jamaica international featured in the inaugural WSL season back in 2011 with Chelsea where she spent 14 years before switching to Spurs in 2022. She was once again at the heart of Martin Ho’s midfield as Tottenham ended their three-game losing streak with a dominant 4-1 win over Birmingham. Spurs were back to their attacking best, registering 11 of their 29 shots on target, recording 61 touches in the opposition box and having four different goalscorers. The victory moves them up to fourth in the table. SD

Asseyi shines in Liverpool thrashing

Viviane Asseyi put on a performance Zinedine Zidane would be proud of as West Ham stormed to a dominant 4-1 victory against Liverpool. The 32-year-old scored twice for the Hammers on Sunday, the second goal a brilliant free-kick from the edge of the box which flew into the top-right corner. Asseyi told the Guardian recently that she grew up wanting to be like the former France international – and that excellent strike was Zidane-esque. Her double in east London took the forward up to five goals for the season, moving her to joint fifth in the Golden Boot race. “She missed a hat-trick unfortunately but I’m very happy,” the West Ham head coach, Rita Guarino, said. “She’s an incredible player. Very happy for her, very happy in the way the team help her to make this kind of performance.” Emillia Hawkins

Everton and Manchester United need flair in window

Is creativity a problem for both of these sides? On Saturday’s evidence, yes. Both sides looked well-drilled from a defensive standpoint but this was about as textbook a 0-0 as you could imagine, with both sides registering an expected goals (xG) of under 0.5 and – according to the WSL’s official website – neither of them having any “big chances” in the game. Everton are now the joint-second lowest goalscorers in the division – only bottom-placed Charlton have scored fewer – and Manchester United are only two goals better off themselves. The leaders Chelsea have netted three times as many league goals as Manchester United’s nine already. Perhaps both of these clubs ought to be targeting inventive players with ingenuity and flair in January, to offer them a bit more unpredictability going forward. Tom Garry

Brighton make it three in a row at home

The Brighton head coach, Arturo Ruiz, praised the team’s togetherness after they came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1. “It’s a team win. All the players deserve today,” he said. “I don’t think that there’s one player that was much better than the others, and that’s the best thing that a team can have.” The victory moves Brighton up to sixth and they now have three straight home wins for the first time since September 2021. “As I always say, we play for the fans, we play for our people, and the three points are for them because they always support us in the best way,” Ruiz added. Palace lost but it would be remiss not to mention Annabel Blanchard’s goal for the visitors, a superbly taken long-range effort in the 34th minute. Marcus Christenson

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