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CHELSEA VICTORIOUS IN LONDON DERBY: SPURS CONCEDE 6 ATSTAMFORD BRIDGE

Image via @chelseafcw on Instagram, words by Sophie Hodson

Martin Ho’s side travelled south to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in anticipated London Derby. Tottenham Hotspur remain incapable of beating the Blues, extending their run of head-to-head losses to 19 games.


The game kicked off looking considerably open with exciting duels unfolding between players and both teams hungry to score. This arguably stood Spurs best chance at making history and ending their painful record, having started the season positively.


Chelsea soon shut down their hopes when Lauren James produced a piece of individual brilliance to break the deadlock, turning Toko Koga and placing the ball into the back of the net with composure.


Spurs responded convincingly to the goal deficit, enduring a spell of pressure on Chelsea who had seemed to switch off after taking the lead. Matilda Vinberg was the product of the Lilywhites hard work, scoring a header at the back post to beat Hannah Hampton and level the score before the break.

Chelsea took the upper hand for most of the first 45 but Spurs kept pushing and looked solid towards the halftime whistle.


The second half was an entirely different tale. Not long in, the Blues scored 3 goals in quick succession within just 9 minutes. The powerhouses of Alyssa Thompson and Ellie Carpenter collectively created Chelsea’s second goal with an impressive run and cross from Thompson which was pounced on and struck by Carpenter.


Shortly after, James bagged her brace, driving down the centre of the field and striking with ease past Lize Kop. Substitute Sjoeke Nüsken was next to add to the tally, unmarked in the box, she took a touch and smashed the ball into the goal, igniting the home crowd.


The Japan international, Maika Hamano, later scored a phenomenal finish from range into the top corner and was embraced by her teammates while Spurs heads dropped around her. The Tottenham players surely seeing flashbacks of their last WSL outing against London City Lionesses, in which they lost 6-1.

The travelling side got a late one back from Signe Gaupset who caught Keira Walsh out and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Carpenter sealed the deal for Chelsea in extra time, scoring her second of the afternoon, this time beating Kop at the near
post.

An emphatic 6 goal performance from the Blues but a sucker punch result for Martin Ho and his players who have now conceded 12 goals across two consecutive games.

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WSL

West Ham hope for improved season with nine new additions

Image via @westhamwomen on Instagram

As the transfer window draws to a close, it’s no secret that West Ham have had one of the busiest summers in England with nine signings and ten outgoings to date. Within this, they’ve secured the signatures of a strong mix of experience and youth, adding to the already stacked squad.

In January, the club saw five new additions  as well as a manger to their squad and it has since become clear that Rita Guarino joined the side with a mission: to win.

Their first purchase of the summer came in the form of Katie Zelem from London City Lionesses. She spent the second half of the 25/26 season on loan to the club and is a proven leader, having captained Manchester United for five years. With the recent departure of Katrina Gorry, there’s a high likelihood that she will pick up this role once more whilst Claret & Blue.

Next came Constance Picaud, a France international goal keeper with experience in both the Champions league and on the international stage. The keeper amassed 8 clean sheets in 22 games last season and with the recent departure of Kinga Szemik, it seems like a move well fitted for the 28 year old.

A seemingly surprising announcement was revealed next with Laia Codina switching North London for East. The defender won the world cup with Spain in 2023 and has three champions league titles to her name – two with Barcelona and one with Arsenal. With a lack of playing time last season, Codina will be looking to become a regular starter for the Hammers side.

Nadine Riesen quickly became the club’s fourth summer signing, joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany. The Swiss international joins after three years in Germany, even playing in the Champions League during her tenure and is likely to be first choice at right back after the recent injury to Tuva Hansen.

The Hammers next couple of signings looked slightly different in Sienna Wareing and niamh Peacock. The duo joined from Manchester United and Arsenal’s academies, and despite not having huge amounts of senior footballing experience, they have a good understanding of the English playing style so their moves are likely to be seamless, both proving as good additions to the West Ham squad.

Ebony Salmon switched one type of Claret and Blue for another this summer, making the move from Aston Villa to West ham earlier this year. The forward struggled to find her form last season, often featuring for the Villains from the bench so will be hoping for more regular game time in order to improve her performances in the season ahead.

Estelle Cascarino was thought to be leaving West Ham after the conclusion of her loan this summer, however she recently signed a three year deal with the Hammers, keeping her at the club until 2029. The 29 year old plays primarily as a centre back and has prior league experience at Manchester United in 2023. Her time at Juventus didn’t quite go to plan with a lack of opportunities over the past couple of years and she joins former teammate, Lia Walti in returning to the WSL this summer.

The club’s most recent signing saw Kelly Gago join the club from Everton after just 18 months in the North West. The striker scored a total of ten goals in her time at the club, but after missing several matches last season, the striker will be looking to improve her tally this year.

West Ham had an influx of player departures this summer, including captain and vice-captain duo, Katrina Gorry and Shelina Zadorsky. With Gorry taking time out of football and Zadorsky moving back to her home country, Canada to play, the club will be looking to newer  arrivals to fill their shoes this season, a massive jump from seasons prior.

Other departures saw striker, Shakiera Martinez join Tottenham Hotspur, Vereana Hanshaw and Camila Saez move to clubs overseas and both Jessie Stapleton and Jess Ziu both join Leicester City. Emily Taylor Brown also moved to AFC Wimbledon and Soraya Walsh joined Aberdeen in the SWPL.

West Ham’s transfer window has been a huge jump from previous seasons, and whilst there is lots of change within the squad, they got their business done early, putting themselves in the best possible position for the season ahead. Newcomers have had a full season to gel with the team and transfers saw all the replacements needed, so it’ll be interesting to see how the club shape up in the upcoming season.

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WSL

WHATS HAPPENING IN THE TRANSFER WINDOW FOR BRIGHTON?

Image via Paul Hazelwood (Brighton FC)

By Sophie Hodson

The Seagulls have quietly been going along with their business and have made
some exciting signings so far this summer. Of course, with new singings comes
outgoings too and the Seagulls have had to say goodbye to some fan favourites.

OUTGOINGS:
Sophie Baggaley, Libby Bance and Rosa Kafaji have all departed the club upon the
ending of their contracts.


Baggaley joined the club in 2023 and has played a crucial role between the posts for the past 3 years. At the end of the 2023/24 season, she was even voted players’
player by her teammates. The keeper has now officially signed with Birmingham City who were recently promoted to the WSL. Following seven years at the Albion, Bance has made a permanent move to Leicester City. The 23-year-old midfielder has 44 appearances for Brighton but spent her most recent years on loan.

Rosa Kafaji has 24 appearances for the Seagulls with two goals to her name. However, with her loan spell ending this summer, she returned to her parent club Arsenal and has since permanently signed with London City Lionesses.


Another player that has left the club is the Dutch midfielder, Nadine Noordam. After
some memorable moments with Brighton, including scoring the winning goal to send her side to their first FA Cup Final in history, Noordam has transferred back to Ajax.


Rachel McLauchlan also departs the club, making a move to Newcastle United. The
midfielder was with the Albion for 3 years.

NEW SIGNINGS:
So far this summer, the Albion have made 7 signings who will hopefully help the
team reach new heights next season.


A major transfer is the move of Gabby George from Manchester United. The 29-
year-old has been a consistent performing defender for the Red Devils since joining
in 2023 and was a part of the squad which won the FA Cup in 2024. Dario Vidošić
believes that George is the perfect addition for them: “We have big ambitions for the season ahead and adding a player of Gabby’s calibre and character is a massive
step forward for us”.

In addition, the club have also brought in Lia Walti from Juventus for an undisclosed
fee. The Swiss international is most well known for her time at Arsenal, the club whom she won the Champions League with in 2025. This is an exciting transfer for the Albion who will rely on her experience and midfield presence on the field.
In other positions, Brighton have singed Eleanor Heeps from Tottenham Hotspur.
The 22-year-old has further experience with loan spells at Blackburn Rovers,
Coventry United and Sheffield United.


Emily Murphy is another addition to the club, who signed from Newcastle United and also represents the Republic of Ireland at senior level.


Brighton have also signed Sophie Peskett, who leaves Ipswich Town after seven
years. Additionally, they have signed Emilie Joramo on a free transfer from
Hammarby, a Norwegian midfielder. Polish forward, Nadia Krezyman also joins the
club with an incredible record of appearances, goals and assists to her name from
her previous side, Dijon.

Categories
WSL

Arsenal Women look to the future after Seven Signing Summer

By Millie Poultney

Image via @Alessia on Instagram

Following on from their Champions League victory two seasons ago and the Gunners lifting the  Champions Cup earlier this year, Arsenal Women’s trophy cabinet remained mostly sparse for  the 2025/2026 season. They started the summer transfer window with the clear intention to  build on their previous successes and strengthen an already high achieving team. While the  squad has added quality in several areas with key, high profile signings, it is clear that the  departure of the likes of Katie McCabe and Beth Mead will reshape the overall performance and  drive of the squad. With the 25/26 team placing second overall for the domestic league and  qualifying for the Champions league semi final: the key question in everyone’s minds is can the  new signings help to redress the gaps that these departures leave, so that the Gunners can  touch Silverware this season.  

The club kicked off their summer by signing 27-year-old England midfielder Georgia Stanway,  who came on a free transfer from Bayern Munich. Not only did Stanway see the German side  through to winning all four league titles during her time at the club, she was also a strong,  consistent starting member of the Lionesses squad that won back to back European trophies in  2022 and 2025. Aside from this international experience, Stanway arrives at Arsenal having  competed in the national division and winning the WSL title with the Citizens in 2016.  

The number 4 is not the only midfield addition this summer, with 27-year-old Geraldine Reuteler  signing just a week later on the 8th of July. The Swiss international arrives from Eintracht  Frankfurt, where she demonstrated her versatility across a number of different positions,  operating impressively not only in midfield but also performing strongly up front as well. While  competing within the Bundesliga, it was recorded that Reuteler provided her team with seven  goals and six assists during the 2025/6 season, further demonstrating her capability of creating  opportunities for fellow teammates. Both player arrivals at the club are set to provide Renée  Slegers with dynamic yet versatile options in the midfield as they join Gunners’ veterans  including captain Kim Little.  

Re-introducing herself back into the WSL and hoping to continue her winning streak at  Barcelona, 27-year-old defender Ona Batlle joins the Gunners on a free transfer from the  Spanish side, where she made 114 appearances and scored 14 goals over her three seasons  there. In a recent interview, Renée Slegers labels her as a “full back with strong intent”. Batlle  will be greeted in North London by a familiar face in the form of midfielder Mariona Caldentey,  having played alongside the Spanish forward at Barcelona and internationally. Batlle has the  potential to be extremely helpful when creating chances for Caldentey, as they are well  acquainted with each other’s style of play. 

Arsenal’s recruitment has also not been limited to just strengthening their defence and midfield,  it is clear that the club’s main aim is to increase the capabilities and talent of the team as a  whole, not just for this season, but to lay down the foundations for years of future success.  During this particular transfer window, Arsenal Women have brought in two more significant  additions between the posts: 27-year-old Misa Rodriguez, who arrives with a considerable level  of experience both at club level from Real Madrid, and internationally for Spain, and 18-year-old  Dane Isabella Damm who joins after spending time at Arsenal on trial last season. The contrast  of the two new signings has highlighted the importance Slegers places not just on strengthening  the current squad, but also in building for the future.  

To complete the new signings, the Gunners have also expanded their current line of attack by  introducing 19-year-old young talent Lisa Baum who has joined the club off a free transfer from  the Bundesliga side R.B Leipzig, where she made 26 appearances and scored six goals in her  single season with the club. Her arrival further underlines the Gunners’ willingness to build up  important figures for the club’s future success.  

However, while the new arrivals have strengthened the likelihood of future trophies within this  team, this summer’s window has also seen notable and unexpected transfers including the  departure of left back Katie McCabe in mid-May. After eleven years at the club having made  over 305 appearances, the Irish international leaves behind a gap that includes not only skill  that might not be possible to replicate, but also a lasting legacy. The 30-year-old has joined  Chelsea Women’s Football Club on a three-year contract with an option to add on an additional  season.  

Another significant loss comes in the form of the attacking midfielder Beth Mead. Mead joined  the North London side in the January 2017 window, and since then has established herself as  one of the most reliable attackers in the national league, and during the 2021/22 season had  the most assists in the WSL as well as being the third highest goal scorer in the national  League, winning her The Golden Boot. Mead joins Manchester City on a free transfer from  Arsenal, on a three-year deal with the Citizens. Laia Codina also left for West Ham United and  Victoria Pelova signed with rival North London side Tottenham Hotspur.  

Overall, the transfer window has been a strong one for the Gunners with a new generation of  talent arriving, despite legacy players departing the club. It is now up to Renée Slegers and the  wider Arsenal team to prove that their rebuild can translate into success on the pitch for the next  season and many more to come.  

Categories
Subway Women’s League Cup

Man United head into the semi-finals of the Subway Women’s League Cup after defeating Spurs

Screenshot

By Charlie Burrell

Manchester United 

STARTING XI: Tullis-Joyce (GK), Sandberg, Le Tissier , Blundell, Toone, Park, Terland, Rolfo, Janssen, Zigiotti Olme, Miyazawa


Subs: Malard (58’), Naaslund (62‘), Awujo (91‘), 

Tottenham Hotspur

STARTING XI: Kop (GK), Nilde, England, Holdt, Vinberg, Hunt, Thomas, Spence, Summanen, Neville, Koga

Subs: Gunning-Williams (64‘), Dennis (83‘)

A week on from the WSL clash that saw United make up a 3 goal deficit between the 74th and 94th minutes, each side returned to The Progress and Unity Stadium for a rematch that’ll decide who will progress into the Subway League Cup semi-finals.

Despite Tottenham’s clinical goal scoring in the WSL matchup, they lost the 3 goal lead against the home side leaving a lot of anticipation for this weekend’s rematch where a draw wouldn’t suffice as each side aim to book a place in the Subway League Cup semi-finals.

Martin Ho made no changes for this repeat fixture against Manchester United but Skinner’s reds having played a mid-week Champion’s League fixtures see Malard to the bench in place of Zigiotti Olme, and Rolfo make a second consecutive start since her key role in United’s comeback a week ago. Blundell was switched out for Gabbie George, covering for Jayde Riviere who was unavailable for the second game in a row after the clash against Tottenham last week left Riviere with a knock. 

Blundell was also presented her England legacy cap by teammate Ella Toone, an acknowledgement of the defender having made 3 appearances for the Lionesses in 2018.

Immediately after kick-off Tottenham showed the same kind of fight as last week, having a couple of free kicks won in the first 5 minutes, and the first shot of the game, albeit an off-target chance missed by England as her header went wide to the left. 

Despite Zigiotti Olme presented with an opportunity to thread a ball centrally for Terland, the Norwegian forward was unable to turn and keep on her feet. 

In the 13th minute Holdt was set up for a clear shot against United keeper Tullis-Joyce who made the necessary save, sending it out for a corner.

Only 3 minutes later in the 16th minute, Drew Spence sent Tottenham ahead with a volley which seemed inevitable after their dominance in attacking in the opening 15 minutes. The chance came after a clearance by Le Tissier who headed the ball directly at Spence, who had plenty of time to let the ball drop and bounce back up for the volley into the top left, unreachable by Tullis-Joyce. 

Having gone behind, United responded with multiple shots of their own, but struggled to put one on target. Toone’s shot from outside the box with her left foot went wide in the 20th.

In the 24th minute, a foul on Zigiotti Olme, led to a booking for Drew Spence and a direct freekick attempt that was curled over the crossbar by Sandberg.

In this time of constant attack from the red side, Kop remained steady and brave in goal, coming out to claim and punch balls sent in from crosses and and corners sent in by United. 

In the last 10 minutes of the first half, Tottenham picked back up on holding possession long enough to make it into United’s defensive half where in the 40th minute, Thomas made a wide shot left of the post, and a corner was blocked by Tullis-Joyce, and cleared by Park. 


The first half ended 1-0 to the visitors, but Manchester United came out seemingly calmer on the ball and Tottenham letting more mistakes creep in for the home side to reset. 

An equaliser was reached by the 51st minute as Neville failed to stop Rolfo’s low pass cut back into the box allowed Park, unmarked, to strike it into the bottom right corner.

Whilst possession continued to be exchanged in the midfield, United remained the more likely side to score a winner after another chance, this time a shot to the bottom left by Janssen, was saved by Kop. 

Just a minute later, Malard replaced Terland in leading the front line, and Toone was taken off for Naaslund in minute 62 after she took herself to the floor for medical attention after an injury off the ball.

Spurs also took out Thomas with Gunnin-Willaims a minute later replacing her on the left wing.

An important save from Kop came in the 69th minute as a Malard set up Rolfo for a shot in the bottom left corner.

After the substitutes from United, Tottenham looked better and started to make their own way forward into United’s defensive half with England forcing a save from Tullis-Joyce but the decision favoured a goal kick for the home side. 

More subs made by the visitors in the 83nd minute brought in Dennis for Holdt, but United picked up steam once again, peppering Tottenham’s defense in an attempt to get a winner over the line.

A winner for Manchester United came in the 86th from Fridolina Rolfo as she made the same run as Park did for her goal, drifting centrally into the box to shoot a low pass from Malard into the top left corner. 

United made a final substitution in the 91st minute, bringing in Awujo as Blundell who has had a good time linking up with Park on the right side despite strong pressure from Tottenham throughout the match. 

Despite a turn in possession and attack favouring Tottenham in search of an equaliser, a 94th minute cross from Hunt from the right went all the left side but no one was there and Summanen almost threaded a pass for Gunning-Williams but was blocked by United’s defense.

A final run from Gunning-Willaims was thwarted by the defensive work of Zigiotti Olme guiding the ball out of play. After 96th without the equaliser needed, Tottenham were knocked out of the competition and allowed Skinner’s red devils to succeed into the semi-finals. 

With yet another important goal and assist, Fridolina Rolfo has proven to be a key player in the squad since her summer signing and Manchester United finish 2025 with a second key win despite performances dipping as the season has gone on.

Despite the lost points last week and the knockout today, Martin Ho has turned Tottenham Hotspurs around from their form last season and is ending 2025 5th in the league and 2 points from a champion’s league spot which North London rivals Arsenal currently hold. 

Manchester United will travel away to face Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Subway Women’s League Cup on January 21st 2026.