Key talking points from this weekend’s matches in the Women’s Super League.

Bristol City faces an uphill battle.

Lauren Smith referred to her Bristol City team’s remaining matches as “ten cup finals” in their battle to avoid relegation from the WSL. Their 2-1 loss to fellow relegation strugglers West Ham put them three points behind and highlighted their struggles this season despite their determination and resilience. Costly mistakes and lapses in focus have been a recurring issue for City, as seen in the first goal conceded against West Ham. Although they managed to equalize, they were eventually undone by a counterattack goal from Viviane Asseyi. Smith acknowledged the physicality of the match but also recognized their shortcomings in defense, ultimately leading to their defeat.

• Report of the match between Bristol City and West Ham, ending in a score of 1-2.

Miedema once again feels like her true self.

After not scoring a goal for 413 days, Vivianne Miedema, the top scorer in the WSL, finally scored again in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory against Liverpool at Prenton Park. The skilled finisher admitted feeling nervous about her return but is now back to her usual self after scoring an impressive goal. During the 60th minute, the Dutch international sprinted forward and launched a powerful 20-yard shot into the net with a slight deflection off Liverpool defender Gemma Bonner. Miedema had been out with an ACL injury since December 2022 and made her return in October after 11 months, but only started her first game last weekend. “As the winter approached, I started feeling more confident,” she said. “I was a bit hesitant to come back. Some players don’t overthink it, but I did.” Miedema was one of four Arsenal players who suffered ACL injuries last season, but on Saturday she played like she had never been gone. “I don’t even think about my knees anymore, which is a relief,” she joked. Emily Keogh

Despite the setback of Roord’s injury, Manchester City continues to perform strongly.

Manchester City suffered a major setback when star player Jill Roord tore her ACL during the local derby against Manchester United in the Continental Cup last week. Roord has been a standout performer in the Women’s Super League this season, making her absence on the field deeply felt. However, manager Gareth Taylor’s team rallied and secured a 2-0 victory against Tottenham, keeping them close to the top of the league table. Despite being injured, Roord was able to witness the game from the stands at Brisbane Road, where she was honored with a shirt bearing her name after City’s first goal. Reflecting on the gesture, Taylor expressed his surprise and gratitude, saying “It was a really nice touch and it says a lot about Jill that she wanted to travel with us today. It was great for her to be there and experience that.” Emillia Hawkins

James reveals Brighton’s ability to bounce back.

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Following Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 victory over Brighton, much of the discussion revolved around the standout performance of Lauren James. With each game, it seems the young sensation continues to elevate her game to new heights. In this match, she solidified her position as top scorer in the WSL with two more goals, bringing her total to 12 for the season. Her skill and determination helped break down Brighton’s resilient defense. While she has recently been deployed as a striker, James thrived in her familiar No. 10 role on Saturday. Her first goal was a remarkable display of instinct and precision, effortlessly finding the top corner with her left foot. Her second goal showcased her opportunistic nature, taking advantage of a defensive mistake and smoothly slotting the ball past Brighton’s goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley. At just 22 years old, James has already scored an impressive 50 senior goals, a daunting fact for opponents both in England and abroad.

• Game Summary: Brighton 0-3 Chelsea

Is the signing of a new player bringing change to Leicester?

Yuka Momiki has proven to be a valuable addition to Leicester’s team and performed well on the right side during their 1-0 victory against Everton. The Japanese striker looked confident every time she received the ball, easily maneuvering past opponents and effectively connecting with her teammates. Her ability to play simply while in possession is her greatest strength and she has quickly adapted to the Women’s Super League after joining from Swedish team Linköping earlier this month. It seems her skill is also influencing her teammates, as Leicester was able to maintain their lead after Janice Cayman scored a fantastic curling goal. Although the first half was open and saw Everton miss several opportunities, Leicester dominated the second half with a professional performance. This win is crucial for the Foxes, who hadn’t won a league game since their last match against Everton. Xaymaca Awoyungbo

United gets back on the right path.

Manchester United, led by their manager Marc Skinner, were in dire need of a victory and were fortunate to face Aston Villa as their opponents. Prior to their match on Sunday, the two teams had played each other seven times with Villa unable to secure a win and United emerging victorious in six of those encounters. At their home stadium, United had won all three of their previous games with an impressive goal difference of 13-0. In the end, United did concede a goal but managed to come out on top with a 2-1 win, thanks to two goals from Nikita Parris who was reinstated in the starting lineup. Skinner spoke highly of Parris, stating that her absence from the starting lineup was only due to tactical reasons and not her performance. He praised her current form and ability to anticipate the movement of the ball.

Source: theguardian.com