Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.12 2021-22

The Barclays FA WSL

Arsenal’s winning run to start to the season was halted as they drew 1-1
with Tottenham Hotspur, who are continuing to be a tough nut to crack
in the league under Rehanne Skinner. Spurs needed to withstand heavy
pressure at times but defended stubbornly and took their chance when it
came midway through the second half, Rachel Williams scoring from close
range. Spurs held on to their lead until injury time, when Vivianne
Miedema headed in an equaliser to preserve Arsenal’s unbeaten record and
give them a vital point which keeps them on top.
Chelsea narrowed the gap on the Gunners to one point with a 4-0
victory away to Manchester City. Jessie Fleming capitalised on an error to give Chelsea an
early lead and after City had a good spell, which included strong claims for a penalty, Sam Kerr
made it two on the stroke of half time and Chelsea ruthlessly added two more after the break
through Fran Kirby and Magdalena Eriksson to complete a second convincing win at the
Academy Stadium in three weeks.
Brighton & Hove Albion continue to do well and are back up to third after beating
Leicester City 1-0. It was frustration for Leicester though as they were moments away from
picking up their first point, before 18-year-old Maisie Symonds curled in an injury time free kick
to spark off wild celebrations from the Seagulls and give her side a fifth win of the season.
There was also frustration once again for Manchester Utd as they were pegged back
by a late equaliser for the second week running. Ella Toone finished off a fine counter attack to
put United in front after ten minutes but after the break, Everton fought back and Simone
Magill earned them a share of the spoils with the leveller, fourteen minutes from time.
Aston Villa got back to winning ways with a 1-0 success in their local derby with
Birmingham City and they have returned to the
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Williams 65)
top half of the table. Anita Asante headed in the Arsenal 1 (Miedema 90)
only goal in the 25th minute to earn Carla Ward’s -
side their third win of the campaign. Everton 1 (Magill 76)
West Ham Utd had looked to be in the Manchester Utd 1 (Toone 10)
top six before they were foiled by a second half - Birmingham City 0
fightback from Reading FC Women, who are Aston Villa 1 (Asante 25)
now three games unbeaten. Lisa Evans gave the -
Hammers a first half lead, with Grace Fisk heading Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Symonds 90)
Leicester City 0
in a second before the interval. In the second half, -
an own goal by Abbey Leigh Stringer reduced the Manchester City 0
arrears and as the game went into injury time, Chelsea 4 (Fleming 2, Kerr 45, Kirby 52, Eriksson 55)
Reading grabbed a point when Emma Harriers - West Ham Utd 2 (Evans 19, Fisk 35)
bundled home an equaliser to complete the
Reading FC Women 2 (Stringer og 70, Harries 90)
comeback.
BARCLAYS FA WSL P W D L F A Pts GD
ARSENAL 7 6 1 0 24 3 19 21
CHELSEA 7 6 0 1 22 5 18 17 LEADING SCORERS
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 7 5 0 2 12 5 15 Kim LITTLE Arsenal 6
7
4
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 7 4 2 1 9 5 14 Samantha KERR Chelsea 6
MANCHESTER UTD 7 3 3 1 12 11 12 Vivianne MIEDEMA Arsenal 5
1
ASTON VILLA 7 3 1 3 5 10 10 Fran KIRBY Chelsea 4
-5
WEST HAM UTD 7 2 3 2 10 10 9 0
Jessie FLEMING Chelsea 3
READING FC WOMEN 7 2 1 4 8 12 7 -4
Pernille HARDER Chelsea 3
MANCHESTER CITY 7 2 1 4 11 16 7 -5
EVERTON 7 2 1 4 7 14 7 -7
BIRMINGHAM CITY 7 0 1 6 2 16 1 -14
LEICESTER CITY 7 0 0 7 3 18 0 -15
Issue no. 12 - 18 November 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com