WSL talking points: Olid must weather United storm, Arsenal wasteful again
Manchester United need to regroup after a heavy home loss to Chelsea while Crystal Palace frustrated the Gunners
Is Olid under pressure?
The frustration among Manchester United fans at full-time was evident at Leigh Sports Village after they had watched their team being thrashed 5-0 by a rampant Chelsea. There are certainly things to be worried about, but perhaps judging United’s new manager, Eva Olid, on the basis of how they performed against Sonia Bompastor’s established side is a little premature. The likelihood of United taking three points was always slim, despite the false hope after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend. Chelsea have not been an easy opponent for the Red Devils, who have lost three WSL games by more than three goals, all against Chelsea. Having had three weeks with her side, Olid had a harsh WSL baptism with losses to London City Lionesses and Chelsea. United face Arsenal next. “These are difficult games to build the confidence in attack, but I’m here to build an identity and I have to be faithful to that,” said the Spaniard. Suzanne Wrack
Arsenal lack finishing touch again
There was a strong sense of deja vu at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal’s annual early season woes continued with goalless draw at home to Crystal Palace. For much of the game, it felt like they were re-winding the tape from seasons gone by, frustrated by resolute defensive visitors and their own lack of clinical finishing. Arsenal dominated every attacking metric – they had 79% possession, created 30 shots (nine on target) and recorded 70 touches in the Eagles’ area. The Gunners hit the woodwork twice, wasted golden opportunities and were denied by a standout performance from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who made eight saves. “Yes, there were good things, but it’s about scoring,” the head coach, Renée Slegers, said. Arsenal’s title tilt last season was ended by six draws and they will have to improve on that if they are to challenge this season. Sophie Downey
West Ham expose London City
After beating Manchester United last time out, London City Lionesses were brought back down to earth by an inspired West Ham to suffer their first defeat of the campaign. West Ham put in a performance that caught the eye for their own qualities as well as highlighting the early frailties of Eder Maestre’s team. If you were to just glance at the stats, you would think the visitors dominated, but it felt anything like that at Dagenham: Rita Guarino, the Hammers manager, set up her team perfectly. The burgeoning midfield relationship between Katie Zelem and Saki Kumagai nullified the threat of Alexia Putellas and Rosa Kafaji, Riko Ueki swept everything up in front of them, while the combined transitional threat of Viviane Asseyi and Kelly Gago had London City’s right side teetering. West Ham’s French duo found their touch in front of goal after precise counterattacking moves to secure a first win of the new season. SD
Flexibility helps Liverpool close the gap
Two games, four points and frustration that it is not all six: Liverpool have come a long way in a year. Last season, it took them until 25 January to earn a win and that win came against their opponents on Sunday, Tottenham, a similarly resurgent side who are possibly a few steps further ahead in their project. It was tactical flexibility that helped Gareth Taylor’s side earn a draw, with Liverpool responding well after Signe Gaupset’s effort took a heavy deflection off Sam Kerr to give Spurs a lead, somewhat against the run of play. The half-time introduction of Aurélie Csillag, who joined in January and grabbed the goal that gave them a point, was key. “They’re not going to give up the spaces easily,” said Taylor. “At times the spaces changed. Aurélie coming on to the pitch is a different type of proposition for back-fours as she’s physically very good.” SW
Champions flex their muscle
The only team with a perfect record after two games, Manchester City, the reigning WSL champions, showed they can be ruthless, with a comprehensive 4-1 defeat of Aston Villa. Yes, City have played a promoted side, Birmingham, and an unconvincing Aston Villa. Yes, we are yet to see how City fare when they add Champions League football into the mix, but the firepower at Andrée Jeglertz’s disposal is enviable. Khadija Shaw has three goals from two games and City had 55 touches in the opposition area to Villa’s 15 and 23 shots to Villa’s five. Chelsea’s profligacy cost them last weekend and Arsenal’s cost them this weekend, but City are scoring for fun. SW
Hills’ regret after red card
The Charlton manager, Karen Hills, said she was disappointed after the second-half red card for Ashleigh Neville against Everton led to a 1-0 defeat. Neville was sent off in the 58th minute for a high boot on Ruby Mace. While Hills suggested there was more hip-to-hip contact than anything else, she did not outright criticise the officials. “I don’t think the referee made the decision, it’s the fourth [official] and I guess they have to work together. Yes, her foot is a little bit high, but disappointed because that changes the game.” Charlton went down to nine players after Hawa Cissoko received two yellow cards in quick succession. Emillia Hawkins
Birmingham’s lack of WSL experience shows
On paper, Birmingham’s 2-2 draw against Brighton is an impressive feat for a promoted side, but the head coach, Amy Merricks, did not look too happy at the final whistle. Her team led the match by two goals with 15 minutes left to play, but Olivia Garcia got one back for Brighton in the 77th minute before Kiko Seike snatched a point with a last-gasp equaliser. The difference in experience between the two sides probably played a part in the later stages, with Birmingham in the WSL for the first time since 2022. “We’ll take a massive lesson today from those dying moments and how we see that out a bit better,” said Merricks. “What we can’t question is this group’s application and intent. They were on the front foot, they were tenacious. We look improved from last week, which, for me, is brilliant. We’re going to go up a notch because I know this team, they won’t settle, they’re very hungry.” EH
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City Women | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| 3 | Liverpool FC Women | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 5 | Arsenal Women | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Crystal Palace Women | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 7 | London City Lionesses | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Everton Women | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | West Ham Women | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 10 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| 11 | Birmingham City Women | 2 | -2 | 1 |
| 12 | Aston Villa Women | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| 13 | Charlton Women | 2 | -5 | 0 |
| 14 | Man Utd Women | 2 | -6 | 0 |