Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.6 2020-21

Manchester Utd are continuing to set the pace in the Barclays FA WSL and still
head the table by a single point after the weekend, following their 2-0 victory
away to Aston Villa on Saturday. United actually went four points clear on the
day, taking the lead midway through the first half when Leah Galton confidently
finished off a slick passing move. Both sides hit the woodwork during the second
half before United made the game safe two minutes from time, Ella Toone picking
up a clearance from advancing Villa goalkeeper Lisa Weiss and lobbing back into
the empty net from 30 yards.
The gap was reduced back to one point on Sunday as second placed
Arsenal defeated Birmingham City 3-0. The first half was goalless but most
notable for Blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saving a penalty from Kim Little,
but the deadlock was broken just before the hour when Caitlin Foord headed in a cross at the far post.
Five minutes later, Jill Roord chipped in the second from the edge of the area and Little was able to
make amends late on as she slotted home from a second penalty, awarded for handball.
Chelsea kept themselves firmly in touch as they beat a spirited West Ham Utd side 3-2. The
Champions took the lead after fifteen minutes when Sam Kerr finished off a good move for the only goal
of the first half. Three minutes after the break, the Hammers were back on level terms, Rachel Daly
scoring from close range after being set up by Adriana Leon. Kerr followed up to score her second after
Pernille Harder's initial shot had been saved by Mackenzie Arnold and the Australian striker completed
her hat-trick from Fran Kirby's pass. A late own goal by Magdalena Eriksson gave West Ham late hope
but Chelsea were able to secure the result they needed to keep themselves three points off the pace, with
a game in hand.
Manchester City are starting to pick up momentum and have replaced Everton in fourth
place after winning their meeting 3-0. Ellen White headed City in front from a Caroline Weir cross and
barely a minute later, a Weir corner was met at the far post by Gemma Bonner who headed in the
second. City made it three on the stroke of half time and Weir was the provider once again, this time her
centre was nodded home by Janine Beckie.
Reading FC Women were held to a 1-1 draw by Bristol City, who doubled their points tally
for the season with the result. Reading pressed hard for the opening goal but City were dangerous on
the break, Charlie Wellings hitting the post before a swift counter attack just before half ended with
Emma Bissell giving them the lead. Fara Williams levelled the scores five minutes into the second half
but Reading could not add to this with City goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley in outstanding form, pulling off
a string of saves to earn her side a valuable point.
It was a good first match in charge for new Tottenham Hotspur manager Rehanne Skinner
as they recorded their first league win of the season, 3-1
against Brighton & Hove Albion. Spurs took the lead Aston Villa 0
in the tenth minute when Kerys Harrop scored from a Manchester Utd 2 (Galton 25, Toone 89)
free kick but Brighton dragged themselves back into the -
game and brought the scores level going into the break, Arsenal 3 (Foord 57, Roord 62, Little pen 87)
Inessa Kaagman scoring from the penalty spot. Angela Birmingham City 0
Addison put Tottenham back in front with a fine solo - Chelsea 3 (Kerr 15,55,68)
goal and although Kaagman almost equalised again for West Ham Utd 2 (Daly 47, Eriksson og 88)
the Seagulls when she hit the bar from long range, Alex -
Morgan sealed the points with seven minutes remaining Everton 0
by scoring her first goal for the club from the penalty Manchester City 3 (White 25, Bonner 26, Beckie 47)
spot. -
BARCLAYS FA WSL P W D L F A Pts Reading FC Women 1 (Williams 50)
MANCHESTER UTD 8 6 2 0 19 7 20 Bristol City 1 (Bissell 43)
ARSENAL 8 6 1 1 33 6 19 - Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Harrop 11, Addison 63, Morgan pen 84)
CHELSEA 7 5 2 0 22 5 17
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Kaagman pen 33)
MANCHESTER CITY 8 4 3 1 21 8 15
EVERTON 8 4 2 2 17 11 14
READING FC WOMEN 8 2 4 2 9 12 10 LEADING SCORERS
BIRMINGHAM CITY 8 3 0 5 9 13 9 Vivianne MIEDEMA Arsenal 10
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 8 2 2 4 6 15 8 Jill ROORD Arsenal 7
ASTON VILLA 7 2 0 5 7 14 6 Sam KERR Chelsea 6
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 8 1 3 4 9 17 6 Caitlin FOORD Arsenal 5
WEST HAM UTD 8 1 1 6 8 23 4 Claudia WALKER Birmingham City 5
BRISTOL CITY 8 0 2 6 5 35 2 Lucy GRAHAM Everton 4
Issue no. 6 - 10 December 2020 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk