Chelsea extended their dominant run in the Women’s Super League (WSL) to nine wins from nine games, but their victory against a spirited Brighton side was far from a walk in the park. The match, played at a windy Kingsmeadow, showcased both teams’ attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. While Chelsea ultimately secured a 4-2 win, Brighton pushed the Champions to their limits, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the WSL.
Chelsea’s early dominance was momentarily shattered when Jelena Cankovic’s risky back pass was intercepted, leading to Sjoeke Nusken’s opening goal for Brighton. However, Aggie Beever-Jones quickly doubled Chelsea’s lead, capitalizing on another audacious, albeit risky, play-out-from-the-back attempt by Brighton. Cankovic redeemed herself with a goal against her former club, briefly narrowing the gap. But Johanna Rytting Kaneryd restored Chelsea’s two-goal advantage before halftime.
The second half saw more drama. An uncharacteristic error by Arsenal’s Hannah Hampton gifted Brighton another goal, setting up Kiko Seike for a lifeline. Seike almost leveled the score, but Chelsea held on, ultimately securing the three points with a late corner goal. This win maintains Chelsea’s position at the top of the table with an impressive 27 points, five clear of second place Manchester City and Arsenal.
Elsewhere in the WSL, Arsenal continued their impressive form with a resounding 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, climbing to third in the league standings. Alessia Russo scored a brace, while Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius also found the net. Manchester City also enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win against Leicester, with Bunny Shaw scoring twice and Jess Park and Mary Fowler adding further goals. This victory moved Gareth Taylor’s team to 72 wins in the competition, equaling the record of former City boss Nick Cushing and cementing their second-place position with 22 points.
Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial 2-1 win over Everton thanks to a brace from Beth England, moving them up to sixth place in the league. Despite Sara Holmgaard’s equaliser for Everton, England’s penalty ensured Tottenham’s victory. Meanwhile, West Ham United staged a remarkable comeback against Crystal Palace, turning around a two-goal deficit to win 5-2. Crystal Palace, who took an early lead through goals from Mille Gejl and Indiah-Paige Riley, are now firmly rooted to the bottom of the table.
The weekend’s matches demonstrated the WSL’s exciting and unpredictable nature. The high-scoring games and dramatic comebacks showcase the growing talent and competitive spirit within the league, promising an electrifying season ahead. With Chelsea leading the charge, the battle for the remaining places will be intense and highly competitive.
