LONDON — Arsenal's Women's Super League title hopes are under early scrutiny after a derby defeat at Stamford Bridge left them seven points behind leaders Manchester City, while Liverpool ended their Anfield hoodoo with a 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton and Tottenham thrashed Aston Villa 4-0 to fuel outside title talk.
Four games in, Arsenal have scored only twice, with one goal coming in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Manchester United. Their unbeaten WSL run dating back to Oct. 12 last year was ended by Chelsea, leaving head coach Renee Slegers to call for perspective. "I believe in these players. The goals will come and the points will come as well," she said. "We have to earn the right again to talk about this [the title race] because we've lost too many points." Slegers said she wanted to "take the pressure off" her players ahead of a crucial trip to Manchester City on Oct. 4. The London derby defeat follows Thompson's strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge earlier in the weekend.
At Leigh Sports Village, Andrea Medina delivered the weekend's standout individual performance for Manchester United. Highlighted pre-match by Sky Sports' Laura Hunter as a potential trump card, the former Spain U23 international created the most chances (4), registered the most touches in the opposition box (11), hit the crossbar and scored United's crucial second goal. Commentator Gary Taphouse called it "a virtuoso display" on Sky Sports+ as Medina was named Player of the Match. For Eva Olid's side, winless with two defeats and a draw to start the season, Medina could prove the keystone to building momentum.
Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Everton at Anfield provided a decisive response to a difficult home record. The Reds had lost eight of their last nine outings at the stadium, five of them to the Toffees, but Beata Olsson's early opener settled nerves before Cornelia Kapocs added the second to secure all three points and move Liverpool ahead of Everton. Tottenham were equally emphatic, beating Aston Villa 4-0 to take their tally to 15 goals in four games with just two conceded. Spurs sit two points off Manchester City at the top, with a defining October run against London City Lionesses, Chelsea and Arsenal set to test their credentials as outside contenders.
Birmingham City remain without a first WSL win since returning to the top flight after four years, but showed promise in a 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace. Amy Merrick's side led twice and needed a late equaliser to rescue a point, with Chancelle Effa Effa denied a stoppage-time winner among 19 shots for the hosts. Birmingham had more attempts, shots on target and touches in the opposition box than Palace, but allowed 17 shots at the other end as a goalkeeper howler gifted the visitors' opener and a slip led to their third.