# Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Chloe Kelly stars for Arsenal in West Ham thriller while Liverpool’s Amber Whiteley wins battle of the new bosses

Bompastor bemoans Chelsea’s ‘intentions’
----------------------------------------

Chelsea dropped points for only the second time this season in Sunday’s toe-to-toe battle with Brighton at Broadfield Stadium. The league leaders and reigning champions trailed 2-1 at half-time against opponents who played with flair and skill. But Mayra Ramírez came to the rescue when her shot on goal was deflected to Lauren James, who slotted in a 61st-minute equaliser, earning a 2-2 draw. “It’s frustrating in terms of the result,” said the Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor. “I said to my players that they needed to start the game with the same intention that we showed in the second half. I think we had some troubles in the first half because our intentions were not good enough.” **RO**

## Kelly’s belief helps Gunners to thrilling win

Chloe Kelly inspired Arsenal’s dramatic comeback in a seven-goal thriller against West Ham on Sunday. The winger, on loan from , scored with a thumping volley late in the first half to claw back a goal for the hosts, who trailed 2-0 after Amber Tysiak’s early double. She then assisted Leah Williamson’s second-half equaliser before leaving the pitch to rapturous applause and an affectionate, if explicit, new chant. “I had full belief,” Kelly said after Renée Slegers’ team earned a 4-3 victory. “I know the talent we have in this group and know that we can always score goals. The belief was always there. It was unbelievable to get a goal back here. This club is amazing and I am grateful for the opportunity. Hopefully I can repay it now.” **EH**

## Tenth shutout for miserly Manchester United

Manchester United recorded their 10th clean sheet of the season in their 15th match, against Leicester on Sunday, improving the best defensive record in the division while moving within five points of leaders Chelsea. United also extended their best start to a calendar year in the WSL with their fifth league win out of five in 2025 and their seventh consecutive league win for the season. The Norway striker Elisabeth Terland had scored three goals in the past two league games, so there was concern she would be missed with a wrist injury on Sunday, but the France international Melvine Malard provided more than adequate cover, scoring the opening goal and setting up the second for Leah Galton in a controlled 2-0 win. **TG**

## Arroyo makes unwanted history at Villa

Things went from bad to worse for Aston Villa against Everton on Sunday as they suffered a fourth consecutive defeat. Villa wasted several scoring opportunities and they now sit just four points above Crystal Palace in last place. The new manager Natalie Arroyo has made it into the history books for unfortunate reasons; she’s only the second manager to lose her first three WSL games without scoring after Brighton’s Hope Powell in 2018-19. There was hope that a new head coach could shake things up at Villa, but their recent uninspired displays mean no team has won fewer points in the league in 2025. With a crucial game against Palace next week, Villa desperately need to turn things around. **RO**



**Lauren James scores, but Chelsea were frustrated at Brighton.**

Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images/Reuters

## Whiteley kicks off Liverpool reign with a win

South London was the setting for the aftermath of last week’s manager merry-go-round. Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool and Crystal Palace parted ways with  and  respectively in the space of 24 hours. The Norwegian Leif Smerud was swiftly installed as the new manager of a struggling Eagles team languishing at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Amber Whiteley, assistant under Beard, took the reins at Liverpool and the value of that continuity was apparent in her side’s 1-0 win. The visitors dominated the ball, took an early lead and could have been further ahead at the break. Palace, in contrast, took a while to find their feet after a disruptive few days but could have salvaged a point late on. A crucial encounter with 11th-placed Aston Villa looms in a fortnight’s time with Smerud knowing only victory will do if his side are to survive. **SD**

## Summanen boosts Spurs despite defeat

It has been a difficult season for Tottenham but at Brisbane Road on Sunday they may have found a performance, if not a result, to spark themselves into life. The return of Eveliina Summanen from injury illustrated how essential she is to the way Robert Vilahamn wants his side to play, pressing Manchester City with intensity and not letting them settle for a moment. After Bethany England had levelled the score at 1-1, following Vivianne Miedema’s opener for the visitors, Spurs had opportunities to go ahead. Ultimately City found a way, as they so often do, with their quality off the bench helping to swing momentum. Aoba Fujino’s winner combined with her assist for Miedema’s opener marked another fine afternoon for the Japan international. **SD**
```