Arsenal’s difficult start to the season shows no sign of easing. Renée Slegers’ side have now won just one of their last six matches in all competitions, and the 4-2 defeat at Etihad Stadium has left them 10 points adrift of Manchester City. Five games into the WSL campaign, the north London club sit 10th with five points.
What the travelling support made of it was notable. Around 2,000 Arsenal fans made the trip to Manchester and showed no animosity towards Slegers, who walked over to applaud them after the final whistle and was applauded back. “I mostly went there to thank them, and connect with them, and show them that I care for them and appreciate them coming to Manchester,” Slegers said. “And also showing to show them that I feel – not sorry for them because I’m, of course, a big part of it and things are within my control – but they’re coming here and they’re not getting the rewards, just like the team. So I just wanted to connect with them instead of walking away and hiding.”
Chelsea’s midfield remains a talking point, and it came to the fore again in a 3-0 win over West Ham. Keira Walsh collected her third straight player of the match award and the 29-year-old is enjoying a more attacking role this season. The introduction of Lexi Potter at half-time allowed Walsh to push forward fruitfully once more. She scored her second WSL goal of 2026-27 – matching the total she managed across the whole of last season – and recorded more shots (five) and more completed dribbles (three) than anyone else on the pitch. “It helps us a lot in terms of creating opportunities,” said her coach, Sonia Bompastor. “We know how good she is when she is at the edge of the box … Right now it’s good to have a player who is confident and brings us the solution to scoring goals.”
London City Lionesses made the biggest statement of the weekend, thrashing Tottenham 6-1 to move above their opponents into third place. Eder Maestre’s side were fluid and clinical against a team many believe will rival them as challengers to the traditional top three, registering 47.6% of their shots on target compared with Tottenham’s 11%. Superstar signings Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scored twice, but the most impressive element was the physicality Maestre’s squad showed. London City looked more robust and hungrier than Tottenham, their physical presence combined with an aggressive press making the home side appear pedestrian and lightweight after an unbeaten start to the season. After so many summer changes it can take time for players to gel, and that physical presence can make a difference when things are not clicking – when they are, it appears anything is possible.
At the other end of the table, Charlton’s problems continued as they conceded five after taking a one-goal lead at Brighton. The manager, Karen Hills, did not mince her words afterwards. “It’s unacceptable if we can’t deal with one v ones,” she said. “The game is about one v one duels, about tackling, doing the basics and doing them really well and unfortunately we didn’t do that today. We found ourselves on the end of the scoreline which isn’t very flattering for us. Individually we need to be more accountable for some individual stuff but at the same time I take full responsibility because that’s my team out there.” The international break comes at a critical moment for the winless side, who are yet to pick up a single point, but even with breathing space to work on their handling of the basics it is hard to see where Charlton’s first point is coming from.
Manchester United’s direct approach caught Liverpool by surprise in a 1-0 defeat at Leigh Sports Village, with Julia Zigiotti Olme scoring the only goal. Possession was split almost evenly, with 51% for Liverpool, and the hosts created more goalmouth opportunities but could not convert them. Gareth Taylor, the Liverpool manager, told the BBC: “We ended up becoming what they are, very direct. Their goalkeeper was literally kicking out of her hands. It’s a very direct way of playing. We fell into that trap ourselves. We have got to be braver – and do what we do.”
Brian Sørensen’s first WSL game as Aston Villa’s interim manager ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, leaving him with plenty to address if he is to turn the temporary role into a permanent one. The Dane took the reins on Tuesday after Natalia Arroyo’s dismissal, with Villa having taken two points from their opening four league matches. Villa took the lead through Noelle Maritz in the 55th minute, but Abbie Larkin’s equaliser 19 minutes later ensured they remain without a league win. Villa were fortunate not to concede again as Palace’s confidence grew and the visitors created several chances late on, yet the draw leaves them sitting 12th with three points from five games. Villa and Sørensen have work to do, whether his appointment remains temporary or becomes permanent.
Everton’s wait for a goal of their own finally ended in a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City, and it was Ruby Mace who delivered it with a double. It was quite a feat for Everton to be in the top five without registering anything other than an own goal before this match, and Mace blew away any cobwebs in front of goal. Her previous WSL goal had come in 2021 while playing for the visitors. The first was a stunning left-footed strike arrowed into the far corner; the second a deflected shot from the edge of the box. “I’m really happy. I have actually [been working on my shooting], putting in the extra work, and luckily today I managed to score,” she said.
Manchester City lead the table on 15 points, ahead of Chelsea on 13 and London City Lionesses on 12. Tottenham sit fourth on 10, with Everton fifth on nine. Liverpool and Manchester United are level on seven points, while Arsenal’s five leave them 10th, above West Ham and Aston Villa on three, Birmingham City on two and bottom club Charlton, still without a point.