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STREAK SMASHED: Thompson Goal Hands Chelsea 1-0 Win Over Arsenal

Photo Credits: Chelseafcw Instagram

Chelsea

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter,  Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Katie McCabe, Weike Kaptein, Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze (C), Kadiesha Buchanan, Lexi Potter 

Chelsea Used Subs

Sjoeke Nusken, Aggie Beever-Jones, Veele Buurman and Sandy Baltimore

Arsenal

Anneke Borbe (GK), Emily Fox, Georgia Stanway, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little (C), Lisa Baum, Ona Batlle, Alessia Russo, Kyra Cooney-Cross

Arsenal Used Subs

Lisa Baum, Mariona Caldentey, Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci

Getting into the match we saw a very end to end game, but with Arzenal holding a lot of the possession. Early on we saw opportunities from Katie McCabe, Lisa Baum, Steph Catley and Melvine Malard. 

But Kim Little fired the first warning shots. Emily Fox was able to slide the ball through to Lisa Baum, taking on Katie McCabe. She drove to the box and passed to Little, who was able to turn and shoot, hitting the woodwork. 

Soon after, we saw Georgia Stanway pass to Lisa Baum; she received but was hit by a late tackle from Katie McCabe, gifting them a free kick.

On the counterattack, Alessia Russo was able to find Lisa Baum, who charged down the right flank. She was able to cross to find Mariona Caldentey unmarked. Taking the shot on the second touch, she hit the post, sending the ball out of play.

Anneke Borbe plays out from the back to Steph Catley, but Ellie Carpenter intercepts the touch. Catley goes for the tackle, but the ball is collected by Malard. She takes it into the box and slips it to Keira Walsh, who is able to get a shot off but is saved by Borbe. The ball lands for Alyssa Thompson, sending it into the top corner. Chelsea are in the lead; it’s 1-0.

Chelsea pressed for a second before the break as Malard’s driving run down the wing ended in a Borbe save and a corner. Standing over the ball in front of the Arsenal end, former Gunners star Katie McCabe made no effort to rush the delivery, calmly taking a yellow card for time-wasting while soaking in the reaction from her old supporters.

Early into the second half, Wieke Kaptein was able to lay the ball off for Ellie Carpenter. Taking it on the first touch, she crossed it to an open Malard in front of goal; she got a foot on it, but it wasn’t enough to end up in the back of the net.

Arsenal made their first substitutions of the match, seeing Chloe Kelly, Cailin Foord and Stina Blackstenius coming on for Lisa Baum, Mariona Caldentey and Georgia Stanway.

Soon after Chelsea made their first substitution, with Lauren James coming off for Sjoeke Nusken.

Steph Catley floated a dangerous ball over the top to find Stina Blackstenius, who managed to get a foot to it and chip it over the bar. Both the forward and keeper couldn’t pull back their momentum, colliding heavily with one another in the process, though Chelsea’s concern was quickly relieved as the flag was raised for offside.

Back-to-back subs come with Aggie Beever-Jones coming on for the Blues and Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci for the Gunners. While Melvine Malard, Kim Little and Ona Batlle leave the pitch.

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball, but found no way through Chelsea’s stubborn low block. The Blues sat back, absorbed the pressure, and comfortably limited Arsenal’s chances.

With not long to go, Chelsea’s big names for the match leave the pitch, with Veele Buurman and Sandy Baltimore coming on for Alyssa Thompson and Katie McCabe.

5 Minutes of additional time were announced, but the game was done. London is blue, with the game finishing Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal.

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Bayern Munich vs Manchester City – UWCL Matchday One preview.

Photo via Mancity.com

Bayern Munich take on Manchester City women in the opening game of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. A true clash of titans awaits between the Frauen Bundesliga champions and the Women’s Super League winners.

The clash takes place at 17:45 (GMT), at the Stadion Am Sportpark in Unterhaching. It marks Bayern’s first matchday there since announcing they had acquired the venue in December 2025, which holds 15,000 spectators.

Bayern reached the semi-finals of the competition in the 2025/26 season, being edged out 5-3 on aggregate by Barcelona. Manchester City, however, did not feature in the competition last season at all; their last appearance came in 24/25, where they reached the quarter-final face.

In terms of previous results, both teams come into the game having been unbeaten in their last five. In their last league fixture, Bayern took on FC Koln in an enthralling game which ended 5-2 to the Bavarians. The Citizens also treated their fans to a thriller, beating Liverpool 4-2 in dramatically late fashion.

With this exciting tie awaiting, it is the first time the two sides have ever met each other. In their last six games, Bayern have scored a sensational 21 goals, whereas Manchester City have scored 11 in their last three games alone, with all leads pointing to a high-scoring game!

INJURY AND SQUADS:

Both sides for this one are contending with high-profile players out injured. For Bayern they’re missing Magdalena Eriksson to a knee injury and Regina van Eijk (an ankle). Cities, on the other hand, are facing several injuries to key players, including Risa Shimizu (Quad), Niamh Charles, Rebecca Knaak (foot), Sydney Lohmann (hip), Vivianne Miedema (knee) and Iman Beney.

HOW TO WATCH?

With the game kicking off at 17:45 (GMT) and 18:45 (CEST), it is being streamed on Disney+ and available to watch.

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Rugby

England Red Roses keep their winning streak alive after a 48-15 result over Australia Wallaroos

Photo taken by Jess Deakin for Constancy Sport (@byjessdeakin on Instagram)

Despite going into the break on a losing score, the world champions came out on top after an eight-try thriller. A first for Red Roses Rugby as they played in Manchester for the first time as over 9,000 fans turned up for the occasion. 

Australia started off sharply with the visitors securing a penalty in the opening three minutes which was scored by Samantha Wood, straight in line with the posts. Australia looked bright on the defence to prevent England with the tries, and many fans were reminded of last year’s World Cup meeting as Australia flew early out of the blocks. 

Both sides had a try disallowed in the opening 30 minutes as shots from Meg Jones and Brittany Merlo were both chalked off. With 13 minutes on the clock, Australian Scrum-half Samantha Wood was off for 10 minutes after a foul on Tatyana Heard. England had good connections throughout but failed to find the ultimate player on the wing to help them through. In the 18th minute, we saw our first try of the game and it’s from Yorkshire-born Red Rose Abi Burton after the play from Holly Aitchison and Sadia Kabeya, moved through the channels. 

With 10 minutes of the half to go, Faliki Pohiva added a try to Australia’s already growing score with Samantha Wood finding the conversion and adding another two. Pohiva breezed past a number of English bodies to reach the try line and Australia were ahead again. Both sides did well to continue to dominate, with both teams struggling to capitalise on loose balls from time to time. 

Coming into the half-time break, Australia have already got more points in this fixture compared to their last three games vs the opponents, England. Their latest fixture was on 6th September last year where England won 47-7. 

Half-time: England 5-10 Australia

Photo taken from Jess Deakin for Constancy Sport (@byjessdeakin on Instagram)

Both teams were bright at the start of the second half with England getting the first points of the half after a try from May Campbell with the resulting conversion also through from Holly Aitchison. After a lot of driving through the Australian team, May Campbell got the final name on the scoresheet with Aitchison getting her first points on her 50th cap. Just a couple minutes after the opener of the half, Meg Jones added her name to the sheet after a vision from Holly Aitchison and her shot was through the defence, finding Jones but Aitchison failed to find the extra points. 

Bryony Field was only on for a couple minutes before getting her first try on her debut as she found movement, powering through the second drive but Aitchison missed the conversion, failing to add extra points. With acres of space just under the posts, Mia Venner adds another try to the scoresheet but under tricky conditions new fly-half Zoe Harrison missed the conversion. Following the England try in the 57th minute, Eva Karpani found herself in the Sin-Bin after being the replacement prop. Just minutes after the one previously,  they found their sixth try as Sadia Kabeya came through at the right time as England were continually attempting to move the ball but Australia were having none of it. 

The Red Roses continued to pile on the pressure to Australia, but Lucy Packer found the loose ball after a high pass on the tryline for Australia, tipping it over the defender and down for the five. Back to back conversions came for Zoe Harrison after missing her first one after coming on. With just 6 minutes left on the clock, Eva Karpani got a try back for the visitors as her drive included her bouncing off three defenders before securing the try for the Wallaroos. 

Finishing off the triumphant win was Claudia Moloney-MacDonald adding herself to the scoresheet. Her effort including her sprinting down the left wing to secure an eighth try and a busy second half for the side that was behind with Zoe Harrison also adding the conversion to her tally chart after coming on. 

Full-time: England 48-15 Australia

What’s next in the WVX Series: Next up, England face Canada at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday 19th September with Australia heading to France at the Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence on the same day. 

Teams: 

England: Carson (1), Campbell (2), Bern (3), Burns (4), Campion (5), Burton (6), Kabeya (7), Feaunati (8), Hunt (9), Aitchison (10), Moloney-MacDonald (11), Heard (12), Jones (13), Venner (14), Kildunne (15). 

Replacements: Field (16), Botterman (17), Muir (18), Talling (19), M.Packer (20), L.Packer (21), Harrison (22), Rowland (23). 

Tries: Burton (18’), Campbell (46’), Jones (50’), Field (54’), Veneer (56’), Kabeya (60’), L Parker (66’), Moloney-MacDonald (77’). 

Conversions: Aitchison (47’), Harrison (61’, 67’, 78’) 

Australia: Hoy (1), Merlo (2), Pchiva (3), Leaney (4), Leonard (5), Tapsell (6), Bone (7), Palu Sekona (8), Wood (9), Ellis (10), Miller (11), Moleka (12), Friedrichs (13), Whitaker (14), Halse (15). 

Replacements: Naden (16), Sikimeti (17), Karpani (18), Bemrose (19), Duck (20), Chancellor (21), Hinds (22), Smith (23). 

Tries: Pohiva (31’), Karpani (73’)

Conversions: Wood (32’)

Penalties: Wood (3’) 

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WSL

Reigning WSL Champions on top vs WSL2 Champions during the opening fixture  

Screenshot

photo taken from @mancitywomen on Instagram

A tough opener for the WSL2 Champions as Reigning Champions, Manchester City won 3-1 against Birmingham City. A double from Khadija Shaw and a Mary Fowler goal helped City win all three points against the newly promoted side with Oceane Hurte getting the goal. 

Birmingham had multiple chances in the opening five minutes as Oceane Hurte opened her WSL account but failed to find the back of the net on both attempts. Just minutes later, Lauren Hemp fired a cross into Bunny Shaw but her header from close range was saved. Triple chance, one after another from the hosts failed to find the back of the net as Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp both had attempts which failed. 

Sophie Baggaley performed spectacularly for the newly promoted side as save after save helped her side in the first half against the Champions. The hosts were testing the side with efforts from Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp and Aoba Fujino but all were saved or blocked. 

It wasn’t all the hosts with the chances. Birmingham City also provided with Oceane Hurte and Lily Crosthwaite both having attempts but most of their first half consisted of blocking the shots. 

Half-time: Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City 

After a frustrating first half, Manchester City opened the scoring in the 49th minute from Australian Forward, Mary Fowler. Her effort from the near side of the goal was fired in from 12 yards out, which marked the club’s 1,000 goal as a professional club. Just 10 minutes later, the home side doubled their lead after a header from Khadija Shaw. She had many attempts from her head in the first half but finally got one in the back of the net after a corner from Kerstin Casparij. 

Both sides continued to have chances throughout including a shot from Lauren Hemp, who was making her 200th appearance, but was comfortably saved by Sophie Baggaley. Just four minutes left of the 90, Khadija Shaw added her second of the day and a second header for the Jamaican International. Beth Mead crossed the ball in from a corner with her effort going into the back net from close range.

On the 90 minute mark, Oceane Hurte scored Birmingham’s only goal of the game as she stole the ball from Jade Rose outside the box with her effort finding the back of the net past Ayaka Yamashita. 

Full-time: Manchester City 3-1 Birmingham City 

What’s next: 

Manchester City next travel to Aston Villa for a 6:30pm kick off on Sunday 13th September, meanwhile Birmingham City host Brighton and Hove Albion on the same day at 2pm. 

Manchester City: 

Starting 11: Yamashita, Rose, Greenwood © (Wamser 74’), Fowler (Mead 61’), Shaw, Hemp, Casparij (Beney 61’), Blindkilde Brown (Coffey 74’), Fujino, Hasegawa, Prior.  

Unused Substitutes: Cumings, Wienroither, Davies, Davis, Beckinsale

Yellow Cards: Mead (83’) 

Goals: Khadija Shaw (55’, 86’), Mary Fowler (49’) 

Birmingham City: 

Starting 11: Baggaley, Levasseur, Lee Geum-min (Amano 84’), Naalsund (Miyagawa 46’), Leidhammar (Cornet 57’), Crosthwaite, McKenna, Turner ©, Hurte, Sarri (Effa Effa 72’), Herron. 

Unused Substitutes: Thomas, Startup, Harris, Cooke, Holloway. 

Yellow Cards: Effa Effa (90+3’) 

Goals: Oceane Hurte (90’)

Categories
WSL

Arsenal beat Brighton 1-0 on the opening weekend of the WSL

Screenshot

photo taken from @bhafcwomen on X

On Sunday the 6th, Arsenal travelled south to Broadfield Stadium to take on the Seagulls in what was a cagey and frustrating fixture. Brighton pushed for an equaliser but ultimately the Gunners did enough to secure a crucial 3 points.

The game kicked off with high intensity and both sides quickly matched the oppositions energy. The first real chance came early on with a great piece of vision from Chiamaka Nnadozie who spotted Kiko Seike charging forward and released the ball, which opened up a positive spell of play for Brighton.

Shortly after, Arsenal WSL debutant Lisa Baum, received the ball down the left wing and thundered an incredible strike off the crossbar and into the back of the net; 1-0 to the Gunners. This goal advantage ignited the travelling side and their loyal fans, who thrived off this momentum and continued to force pressure up front. 

Brighton soon responded and were awarded a few free kicks from promising positions, however the players struggled to connect with these crosses into the box. Instead, they found most success through Japanese forward, Kiko Seike, who was causing trouble on the wing for Ona Battle in their 1v1 moments.

Equally, Arsenal also had opportunities to add to the scoreboard. Olivia Smith’s swinging corner in the 27th minute was met by Steph Catley who headed the ball into the hands of Nnadowzie. Mariona Caldentey also had a go herself, releasing a long-range shot, again saved by the strong hands of Brighton’s keeper.

The first half drew to a close with some scrappy moments and fouls for both teams. It was interesting to see the battlesforming all over the field, which were starting to shape the game. 

The home side came out the tunnel looking fired up for the second half, creating a set-piece opportunity in the final third early on, looking in much more control all over the field, offering increased crosses in the box and pressing high. 

In the opening 45, although Arsenal wasn’t able to capitalise on their advantage, they looked to have more of a grasp of the game. In comparison, after half-time the Gunners were more vulnerable and unable to hold on to possession. However, on the counter, they looked dangerous at times especially through new signings Lisa Baum and Georgia Stanway- standouts from the match. The Brighton backline, specifically Manuela Vanegas did a great job of keeping the relentless Alessia Russo out of the game as well as their other attacking threats. 

Lacking creativity up front, Renee Slegers substituted onto the field Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord. The duo had their bright moments but similarly couldn’t efficiently break down the Albion’s defence, which summed up Arsenal’s attacking performance of the game. 

In turn, Brighton utilised the valuable playmaker of Fran Kirby who intelligently picked up the ball centrally on several occasions, then drilled the ball out wide to Seike. Much to the frustration of the players and fans, they weren’t able tosignificantly challenge goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez and find the back of the net.

After a break in momentum (due to substitutions and Lia Walti going down with an injury) the game did pick up in the closing moments with both teams pushing at either end, but the scoreline remained 1-0.

 

Brighton: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Manuela Vanegas, Moeka Minami, Maisie Symonds, Madison Haley, Kiko Seike, Lia Walti, Fran Kirby, Caitlin Hayes, Marisa Olislagers, Charlie Rule

Substitutions Used: Emilie Joramo, Olivia Garcia, Emily Murphy, Olaug Tvedten, Sophie Peskett

 

Arsenal: Misa, Emily Fox, Georgia Stanway, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little, Olivia Smith, Lisa Baum, Ona Battle, Alessia Russo

Substitutions Used: Chloe Kelly, Cailtin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, Smilla Holmberg, Frida Maanum

Goal Scorer: Lisa Baum