Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.32 2021-22

The Barclays FA WSL

Chelsea kept themselves in control of the title race by winning 3-1 away to
Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. However, the scoreline did not tell the
whole story as they fell behind early on to a Sophie Ingle own goal and after
a cross-cum-shot by Guro Reiten had brought Chelsea level, they were
reduced to ten players when goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was red carded
for bringing Rachel Williams down when through on goal. Despite this,
Chelsea were able to go back in front through a Sam Kerr header and a
powerful strike from Jessie Fleming sealed the points in injury time.
Arsenal ensured they stayed a point behind in second place, thanks to
a 3-0 victory at Everton. Caitlin Foord opened the scoring for the Gunners
two minutes before half time and after the break, Beth Mead doubled their advantage and Jordan
Nobbs rounded off the scoring with fifteen minutes remaining.
Manchester Utd keep hold of third place but had a frustrating afternoon as they were
held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa. Sian Rogers had a fine game in goal for Villa to help her
side earn a share of the spoils, making saves from Leah Galton and Martha Thomas during the
first half and another good stop to deny Ella Toone after the break.
Manchester City meanwhile stepped up their challenge for a Champions League place by
running out 4-0 winners over Leicester City. Caroline Weir opened the scoring for Gareth
Taylor’s side just after the quarter hour and after Lauren Hemp had doubled their lead, Julie
Blakstad produced a powerful strike for the third on the stroke of half time, her first for the club.
The final goal came shortly after the hour mark, Alex Greenwood slotting home from the penalty
spot after Hemp had been brought down in the area.
West Ham Utd moved back into the top half of the table, thanks to a 2-1 success away to
Reading FC Women. The first half was goalless
but within a minute of the restart, the Hammers Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Olme 84)
were ahead thanks to Emma Snerle’s first goal for Birmingham City 3 (Sarri 9, Louise Quinn 75,88)
the club. Yui Hasegawa produced a fine finish late - Manchester City 4 (Weir 16, Hemp 43, Blakstad 45,
on for the second, before Faye Bryson grabbed an Greenwood pen 63)
injury time consolation for the Royals. Leicester City 0
Birmingham City gave their survival hopes -
a shot in the arm when they won 3-1 at Brighton & Reading FC Women 1 (Bryson 90)
Hove Albion. Veatriki Sarri gave Birmingham a West Ham Utd 2 (Snerle 46, Hasegawa 86)
ninth minute lead which was doubled after the - Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Ingle og 15)
break by Louise Quinn and although Julia Zigiotti Chelsea 3 (Reiten 27, Kerr 71, Fleming 90)
Olme pulled one back for the Seagulls, Quinn -
wrapped up the win for the Blues with her second. Aston Villa 0
* On Thursday evening, Chelsea opened up a lead Manchester Utd 0
of four points when beating Tottenham Hotspur -
2-1. Beth England and Sam Kerr scored their goals, Everton 0
Arsenal 3 (Foord 43, Mead 67, Nobbs 75)
with Kerys Harrop replying.
BARCLAYS FA WSL P W D L F A Pts GD
CHELSEA 20 16 2 2 57 9 50 48
ARSENAL 19 14 4 1 53 10 46 43 LEADING SCORERS
MANCHESTER UTD 20 11 6 3 40 18 39 Samantha KERR Chelsea 18
22
MANCHESTER CITY 19 12 2 5 43 20 38 Vivianne MIEDEMA Arsenal 12
23
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 19 8 4 7 21 18 28 Beth MEAD Arsenal 9
3
WEST HAM UTD 20 7 6 7 23 28 27 Alessia RUSSO Manchester Utd 9
-5
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 20 8 1 11 21 30 25 -9
Beth ENGLAND Chelsea 8
READING FC WOMEN 20 7 3 10 21 36 24 -15
Leah GALTON
ASTON VILLA 20 6 3 11 13 32 21 -19 Manchester Utd 7
EVERTON 20 5 3 12 15 38 18 -23
LEICESTER CITY 20 4 0 16 14 52 12 -38
BIRMINGHAM CITY 19 2 2 15 14 44 8 -30
Issue no. 32 - 28 April 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk