With two matches postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, there were just four Women’s Super League fixtures this weekend.
Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal
Manchester City manager Nick Cushing secured a well-deserved win for his last game in charge before moving to New York City.
The top of the table clash against Arsenal saw a perfect farewell for Cushing. City cemented a hard-fought 2-1 win thanks to goals from Pauline Bremer and Lauren Hemp.
Arsenal were not without their chances to equalise in the closing moments of the game, but they couldn’t find a second way through City’s defence.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis win puts Man City one point clear ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table. Arsenal drop down to third after losing their last two matches against the top two.
READ MORE: Nick Cushing vanquishes Arsenal in final City game
“There was so much desire to win today from both sides,” said Cushing after the game. “That shows how far the women’s game is coming and we came through with the three points.”
Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro said: “We lost 2-1, that’s all that counts. We had chances but what matters is putting the ball into the back of the net and we didn’t do that enough.”
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Everton
At the People’s Pension Stadium, Brighton and Hove Albion gained all three points against Everton.
Aileen Whelan secured the breakthrough for Brighton in the 38th minute and banked the Seagulls’ first win in three matches.
Brighton dominated the match throughout and despite Everton having chances in the closing moments of the game, they could not find an equaliser.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Toffees will be disappointed not to make they chances count as they look to compete for that fourth spot. They sit level on points with Reading and just one behind Man United.
READ MORE: Kaagman stunner sees Everton into FA Cup fifth round
Brighton’s win sees them pull further away from this season’s relegation scrap. The Seagulls look comfortable in 9th place – with six points separating them from the drop-zone.
Reading 1-1 Manchester United
The points were also split between Reading and Manchester United as the chase for fourth continues.
United went 1-0 up after half an hour, with Lauren James’ strike bundling through the legs of Rachael Laws.
The second half saw Reading awarded a penalty, but Fara Williams’ effort was denied by an excellent save by Mary Earps.
But Williams would not be denied twice from the spot. The England centurion slotted home the equaliser when Reading were awarded a controversial second penalty in the 80th minute.
Katie Zelem was penalised for an apparent handball but fans are in uproar after watching the replay which suggests the referee got the decision wrong.
Chelsea 8-0 West Ham
The fourth of the weekend’s matches was not short of goals as Chelsea found the back of the net eight times against West Ham.
With six different goal scorers it was a full team effort at home for Chelsea. The Blues dominated throughout the game with goals in the opening and closing moments.
It was a special occasion for academy riser Emily Murphy who scored her first ever WSL goal. The 16-year-old netted Chelsea’s final chance of the game to kick off her goal-scoring portfolio.
Embed from Getty ImagesBethany England’s brace sees her close the gap between her and Vivianne Miedema in the Golden Boot tussle. England now has 12 goals to her name, just two behind the leading Dutchwoman.
Emma Hayes’ side have a crucial game in-hand over new leaders Man City. Can they make that pay and take one step closer to this season’s title?
