Rebecca Knaak’s header | photo taken from @mancitywomen on X
Rebecca Knaak’s Injury time header sealed all three points for the league leaders after a tight game throughout. Heading into the final day, all Manchester City need to do is win against West Ham to win their first league title since 2016.
Manchester City got the 90 minutes underway but Liverpool saw the opening few chances including one from Aurelie Csillag just three minutes in. Her header from close range just fired over the bar but just 16 minutes in, Liverpool had another chance. They continued to pile on the pressure as Jenna Clark was next to have a header with hers also going over the crossbar, after 16 minutes.
League leaders’ Manchester City had their first chance in the 26th minute as Lauren Hemp crossed the ball in from the left hand side, finding Bunny Shaw in the box but the shot went wide. In the 30th minute, there was the exact same movement but this time with Kerstin Casparij on the right side, finding Bunny Shaw in the box – her effort was also fired high.
One more chance came in the final few minutes of the first half as with two minutes to go of normal time, Aurelie Csillag for Liverpool had a strike just inside the box but fired it over the bar, like many others.
Half-time: Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
Manchester City started the second half brightly and how they meant to go on with multiple chances coming from Lauren Hemp in the opening five minutes of the half. Her first effort came in the 48th minute but found the hands of Jennifer Falk in the Liverpool net, with her second effort coming just two minutes later. The second attempt went straight in front of goal, failing to find anyone in the sky blue shirt. After many attempts in the next ten minutes, Kerolin had her own chance but Falk got her hands to it again and tipped it over the bar.
Liverpool had some chances back to back both from Ceri Holland in the 74th and 76th minute, after their first substitution of the game – with both heading over the bar. Just two minutes after the last two, Aoba Fujino for Manchester City had her own chance, but had a similar action to Ceri Holland’s just that few minutes earlier.
Six minutes were added at the end, which proved to be just right for Manchester City as just one minute in, Rebecca Knaak scored another header in the league. The defender’s effort went into the back of the net after a corner from Alex Greenwood found her from close range in the box.
Full time: Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
What’s next for the sides:
Final day looms in the WSL with Manchester City finishing their campaign away against West Ham with Liverpool hosting Arsenal, both on Sunday 16th May. Prior to the WSL finale, both are in with a chance of heading to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Final. Manchester City visit Chelsea on Sunday 10th May with kick-off at 3:30PM BST and Brighton travel to Liverpool for a 12:15PM kick-off on the same day.
Azzi Fudd with the Dallas Wings Jersey | photo taken from @dallaswings on instagram
On Monday (13th April), the WNBA Draft returned for 2026 and was hosted in New York with multiple rookies turning up to be drafted into the WNBA. Projected #1 in the last couple of weeks was changing between Azzi Fudd, Awa Fam Thiam and Olivia Miles across a number of different news outlets.
#1 Dallas Wings – Azzi Fudd / Guard
First pick of the night was UConn’s Azzi Fudd after her impressive collegiate season in the east. Playing as a guard, she spent five years in Connecticut and will now join old-teammate Paige Bueckers in Dallas, giving fans nostalgia. She averaged 14.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 APG and 47.2 FG% across her career so far and looks to improve her statistics in the South.
Over her career, she has won multiple awards including being the NCAA Champion in 2025 alongside being Tournament MOP the same year. Alongside this, she won WBCA Coaches’ All-American (2026), First-team All-American-AP, USBWA (2026), First-team All-Big East (2025, 2026), Big East All-Freshman Team (2022) and McDonald’s All American (2021).
#2 Minnesota Lynx – Olivia Miles / Guard
Second pick of the night went to the Lynx where they picked TCU’s Olivia Miles after her standout career in College. Playing as a guard, she spent her previous four years at Notre Dame before moving to TCU last season averaging 15.6 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. Her other stats include 6.5 assists per game and 47.2 FG%
2026 was a big year for Miles after winning multiple awards across the board including Big 12 Player of the year, WBCA Coaches’ All-American, Second-team All-American AP, Second-team All-American – USBWA and First-team All-Big 12. Over her career, she also received Second-team All-American AP (2023, 2025), Second-team All-American – USBWA (2025), and First-team All-ACC (2022, 2023, 2025).
Seattle Storm – #3 Awa Fam Thiam / Center and #14 Taina Mair / Guard
Seattle was next to pick with them selecting Spanish Center Awa Fam Thiam. Born in 2006, she is only 19 years old, coming straight from Valencia Basket being a one to watch outside collegiate basketball. Their other pick was Taina Mair (#14 pick) who played as a guard for Duke averaging 9.8 PPG and 4.4 RPG.
Awa Fam Thiam’s statistics are also impressive at such a young age, with 2024 being a big year for the Spanish international. In 2025, She was the Runner-up for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket, FIBA U19 Women’s EuroBasket All-Star Second Team (2023) and FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship All-Star (2022). In 2024, She was in the U18 Women’s EuroBasket All-Star, FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket MVP and All-Star for the same group.
Washington Mystics – #4 Lauren Betts / Center, #9 Angela Dugalić / Forward and #11 Cotie McMahon / Forward
Mystics had three picks in the top 15 with the first being Lauren Betts from UCLA. The Center is coming off the back of a NCAA Championship win with the Bruins and previously was with Stanford in her first year of college. Her statistics across her career were also impressive but the win helped her cross the line to secure her place in Washington averaging 14.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 APG and 61.9 FG%.
Her best highlights were across the last two years mainly including NCAA Tournament MOP (2026), 2x Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2x First-team All-Big Ten, 2x Big Ten All-Defensive Team, Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2025), Big Ten Player of the Year (2026) and Big Ten tournament MOP (2025).
The next pick was Angela Dugalić from UCLA, so the pair will have a familiar face together in their rookie season. The forward was originally at Oregon between 2020-2021 and across her career she won two awards in 2026 which was the NCAA Championship and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year. She averaged 7.3PPG, 5.4RPG, 1.8APG and 43 FG% across her time so far and hopes to improve during her time with the Washington Mystics.
Finally, their 11th pick was Cotie McMahon from Ole Miss who plays as a Forward. She was with Ohio State University until her senior year (2022-25) before moving to Ole Miss and received three honours in 2026 including SEC Newcomer of the Year, All-SEC First Team and SEC Championship All-Tournament Team. Across her career, she averaged 16.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.4 APG and 46.5 RG% and looks to remain consistent in her time at Washington.
#5 Chicago Stars – Gabriela Jaquez / Guard
Gabriela Jaquez was 5th pick in the draft and was highly rated after her performance in the NCAA Championship game vs South Carolina. The guard’s stats through her career averaged as 9.9PPG, 5.0 RPG and 1.6APG. 2026 was a big year for the California native winning the Championship, being in the NCAA All-Tournament and Second-team All-Big Ten.
UCLA contingence (L-R) – Angela Dugalić, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez| photo taken from @wnba on X
#6 Toronto Tempo – Kiki Rice / Guard
UCLA’s Kiki Rice was next, making it three picks in a row for the Bruins as she joined the inaugural side, Toronto Tempo. The guard averaged 13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 4.2 APG with 2026 also being a big year for her highlights. Alongside being a NCAA Champion, in 2026 she was part of the First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Defense, All-Big Ten Tournament, Big Ten Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament.
#7 Portland Fire – Iyana Martín Carrión / Guard
Iyana Martín Carrión was the next pick with the guard originating from Spain and joining from Club Baloncesto Avenida. The 20-year old has career highlights including FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Runner-up (2025), EuroLeague Young Player of the Year (2025) and FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP (2023) proving her one to watch this season for the new side.
#8 Golden State Valkyries – Flau’jae Johnson / Guard (later traded to Seattle Storm)
Being drafted for Valkyries, and then immediately traded to Seattle Storm, Flau’jae Johnson joins from LSU with her averaging 14.6PPG, 5.3RPG and 2.3APG. The guard won the NCAA Championship in 2023 with the highlights for her including 2x First-team All SEC (2025/26), Second-team All-SEC (2024), SEC Freshman of the Year (2023), SEC All-Freshman Team (2023) and McDonald’s All-American (2022).
#10 Indiana Fever – Raven Johnson / Guard
The guard from South Carolina joins Indiana Fever averaging 6.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG. Her highlights throughout her college career were impressive too after being two-time NCAA Champion (2022, 2024), 2x SEC All-Defensive Team (2025/26), SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2026), Second-team All-SEC (2026), SEC All-Freshman Team (2023).
Connecticut Sun – #12 Nell Angloma / Forward and #15 Gianna Kneepkens / Guard
Connecticut Sun had two picks including Nell Angloma which was first out of the two and 12th overall. The French forward arrives in Connecticut from Basket Lattes Montpellier Association with the 19 year old’s best year in 2025, averaging 11.4PPG, 4.9RPG and 1.9APG in her career. Some of her career highlights include, FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup All-Star Second Team (2025), FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket MVP (2024), FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket All-Star (2024), FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket Champion (2024), FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Runner-up (2023), FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship (2022).
Their second pick was Gianna Kneepkens from UCLA who was last in the first round of picks. The guard was at Utah from 2022-2025 before transferring for her final year and averaged 14.8PPG, 4.4RPG and 2.4APG during her career so far, looking to improve her skills throughout her rookie season. Some of her highlights include Second-team All-Big Ten (2026), First-team All-Big 12 (2025) and 2x All-Pac-12 Team (2022/23).
#13 Atlanta Dream – Madina Okot / Center
Madina Okot from South Carolina joins the Dream with the Center averaging across her career 12.1PPG, 10.1RPG and 0.9APG. She was at Mississippi State in 2025 before transferring to South Carolina and was on the All-SEC Second Team across both years.
(L-R) Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, Flau’jae Johnson, Raven Johnson and Azzi Fudd | photo taken from @wnba on X
UCLA team celebrating | photo taken from @uclawbb on instagram
On Sunday (5th April), UCLA Bruins won their first NCAA National Championship in Women’s Basketball after they won 51-79 against #1 Seed South Carolina Gamecocks. The number one seed had an impressive season themselves but how was the title won for the LA University?
Throughout the game. UCLA dominated, winning three out of the four quarters (only losing the last one by one point) but managed to secure a dominant lead in prior quarters. UCLA competed in the Big Ten Conference securing number one seed coming into March Madness with their opponents playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and becoming number one seed themselves. The 28 point difference from the win was the largest margin of victory against a number one seed, with the other highest being from UConn against lower-seeded sides.
15,856 fans were in attendance in Phoenix, Arizona as they saw eight seniors starting across both teams (which was the tied most in Championship game history) including five from UCLA. Coming into the game, UCLA had four of their seniors in the projected top 15 for the WNBA draft happening next week, with Lauren Betts projected to be in the top five after the win (Others include, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jacquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker).
A lucky charm for the seniors was that Cabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and Charlisse Leger-Walker all danced alongside their cheerleading squad prior to March Madness. They continued this tradition through the month all the way until the final and what did they do to celebrate after the win? Yes, that’s right. Do the same dance sequence that they have done throughout the last couple of games.
Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez were standout players for UCLA throughout their college career, having both stuck with the Bruins through their four years. Both players won 121 and 123 times respectively with Kiki Rice having the first three on the night. The Guard playing under #1 is only ranked behind Lauren Betts for the team’s scoring leaders this basketball season with an average of 15.1 points per game. She has a communications major with a 3.85 GPA, and was ultimately awarded the NCAA Elite 90 trophy in 2025 which is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the finals site of each of the NCAA’s 90 championships.
Ahead of the National Championship, Gabriela Jaquez got an average of 13.3 points per game but smashed it during the night with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. The programme showed her report during the game, saying that she wanted to get a scholarship and head to UCLA as a long and short term goal. Her long term goals as a basketball player was to play in college and as a person was to go to UCLA, of which she did both.
Lauren Betts Celebrating | photo taken from @laurenmariebetts on instagram
Standout Player at UCLA – Lauren Betts:
Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament went to Lauren Betts of UCLA, scoring the first point of the game and was in the 2026 First Team AP All American. In the first quarter, the Center went off court after only six minutes due to discomfort in her throat – later saying it was due to the heat in Phoenix. She later came back on in the second quarter but this was not the only distraction for the UCLA player. With just 2:37 on the clock in the second quarter, she later changed her shirt due to blood, moving from the iconic 51 to 26 but with under 30 seconds to go in the same quarter, she went back to the number she called home.
Betts spent one season at Stanford University before moving to LA and stated that teammate Kiki Rice was the reason she moved to the coast (with the pair now being top 2 rated recruits from the College). Betts was the first player to receive both Defensive Player and Player of the Season in Big 10 history this season. Her UCLA Program records were also outstanding throughout her three seasons with the Bruins, prior to the match up. 62% FG, 233 Blocks and 268 Career points across her time in the NCAA Tournament helped the side win their first Championship title under NCAA Conditions.
So, what’s next? The WNBA Draft is being held on 13th April and the seniors that have featured across the whole of the NCAA Tournament can have a chance of featuring in the WNBA for the 2026 season and beyond.
It was the quarter final of the FA cup today and Chelsea hosted Tottenham Hotspurs at Kingsmeadow. With a rough past couple of matches for both teams, and Chelsea being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal, all was to play for.
The teams have met twice already this season, with Chelsea winning both matches by both 1-0 and 2-0.
Chelsea took kick off at Kingsmeadow through Lauren James and started off positively on the ball.
The Lillywhites first chance on goal came through Signe Gaupset who broke free of the Chelsea defence quite early on, Niamh Charles however, was able to dispossess the Norwegian international inside the box.
Chelsea’s first big chance came from a cross by Niamh Charles on the left flank which met the boots of Alyssa Thompson, whose shot was eventually saved by Tottenham’s Lize Kop.
Lize Kop was forced into yet another save in the 11th minute when Lauren James took a shot from outside the box, this then led to Chelsea’s second successive corner.
Chelsea earnt a free kick in dangerous territory the fifteenth minute, and with Lauren James standing over the ball, an opening goal was looking promising. The resulting shot however went just wide of goal.
Another corner came in the 19th minute, courtesy of Lauren James, who took it short to Alyssa Thompson , the USA international’s cross however only went as far as Spurs’ first man.
Chelsea’s next chance came from Lauren James once again, who took another shot on goal in the 24th minute, this however was shot well wide of the cross bar.
The blues earnt a free kick inside their own half due to a penalising foul from Amanda Nilden, who earned herself a yellow card as a result.
Sam Kerr found the opener in the 40th minute with a header off the back of Keira Walsh’s cross.
Half time score: Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs took kick off ahead of the second half through Catinka Tandberg and continued to dominate throughout the opening stages in terms of possession for the opening stages.
The Lillywhites came close to their first shortly later after Kadeisha Buchanan stopped her play after thinking a free kick was due after a shirt pull. However, play continued through former Blue, Bethany England, Hannah Hampton however was first to it, denying the Spurs captain from finding the equaliser.
With a foul on Matilda Vinberg, Tottenham Hotspurs earned themselves a free kick in dangerous territory, and with Evelina Summanen stood over the ball, Chelsea were in for a tricky defensive task. Summanen, decided to go direct on goal, skimming the ball past the gloves of Hannah Hampton and equalising for the Lillywhites.
Sam Kerr came close to putting Chelsea ahead once again after Amanda Nilden misplaced a back pass, allowing the Australian to get through on goal, her resulting shot however, was put wide.
In the 57th minute Amanda Nilden came close to doubling the score for Spurs however Hannah Hampton showed her skill once again and punched the ball out for a corner.
Just a couple of minutes later, Niamh Charles made way for Veerle Buurman, the former still having her minutes managed after more than three months of injury.
In the 64th minute, Sjoeke Nusken and Ellie Carpenter linked up for what looked like Chelsea’s second, this however was sent just wide of the post by the Australian international.
Before long, Ella Morris took to the field, replacing Hannahb Wijk in her first game back from her ACL injury. This came with Olivia Holdt also replacing Eveliina Summanen. In terms of Chelsea substitutions, it was here that Sandy Baltimore and Wieke Kaptein replaced Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James.
With both sides looking for the match winner, the following ten minutes were met with end to end action, however neither team were able to find the finishing product.
In the 82nd minute, Wieke Kaptein was able to break through the Tottenham defence and pull off a cross in front of goal, Alyssa Thompson however was unable to meet the ball and produce a finish.
With five minutes on the clock, Veerle Buurman weaved her way through the Spurs defence, taking a left footed shot from the edge of the box and sending the ball to the top right corner, straight past the gloves of Lize Kop.
With three minutes injury time announced and Tottenham looking for their second equaliser, Catinka Tandberg received a promising ball from Olivia Holdt, and struck the ball just wide of the goal, only just missing out on the target.
And with that, the full time whistle was blown, an impressive display from both teams however it was Chelsea who came out victorious, sealing their place in the FA Cup Semi Finals.
Sophie Whitehouse (C) (GK), Charlotte Newsham, Elisha N’Dow, Gracie Pearse, Katie Bradley,
Lucy Fitzgerald, Mia Enderby, Karin Muya, Gloria Siber, Amalie Thestrup, Lucia Lobato, Keira Flannery
Liverpool
Jennifer Falk (GK), Gemma Evans, Denise O’Sullivan, Cornelia Kapocs, Fuka Nagano, Mia Enderby, Lily Woodham, Jenna Clark (C), Kirsty MacLean, Alice Bergstrom, Aurelie Csillag
Used Subs:
Charlton Athletic
Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney, Katie Lockwood, Ellie Mason, Emma Bissell, Gracie Pearse
Liverpool
Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe, Martha Thomas, Risa Shimizu, Zara Shaw
Kick off at The Valley started with Charlton Athletic, trying to keep possession, but it was met with Liverpool’s early pressure.
Soon in, we saw a header from Mia Enderby tipped over the bar by Sophie Whitehouse. Corner for giving a corner to the Reds. This was taken by Lily Woodham, punched away by Whitehouse and collectedby the keeper.
Charlton had a couple of chances from Karin Muya and Amalie Thestrup, but Liverpool kept maintaining possession leaaving the Addicks no time on the ball. While their possession is high theyre not taking many chances.
Liverpool continued to hunt for a breakthrough via the flanks, with Lily Woodham’s dangerous deliveries forcing a strong clearance from Gloria Siber before finding the head of Mia Enderby, who steered her effort just over the bar. Despite Karin Muya providing a spark for Charlton on the right, Liverpool’s pressure remained constant as Alice Bergstrom and Fuka Nagano both saw late crosses and shots sail off-target
With 1 minute of injury time added after the first half, neither side was able to get on the scoresheet.
Soon into the second half, we saw a triple change for both sides, starting with Charlton, seeing Mia Ross, Gillian Kenney and Katie Lockwood coming on for Karin Muya, Amalie Thestrup and Katie Bradley. For Liverpool, seeing Beata Olsson, Alejandra Bernabe and Martha Thomas coming on for Lily Woodham, Aurelie Csillag and Denise O’Sullivan.
Once the new substitutions came on, it was a battle down the side from Mia Enderby and Mia Ross, with Ross getting a booking for a foul on the forward. A free kick is given just outside the box on the right. Taken by Cornelia Kapocs, it was sent to the back post, but couldn’t connect with anyone, seeing it out.
Substitutions for both teams saw Charlotte Newsham leave the pitch and Ellie Mason come on for Charlton. Additionally, Alice Bergstrom comes off for Risa Shimizu for Liverpool.
Mia Enderby, on the right, sends a ball to Martha Thomas whos in the middle of the box. It looks like a shot towards the bottom right corner, but Beata Olsson backheels it, with it ending up in the bottom left. Unfortunately, Olsson was offside, so the goal didn’t stand.
Seems like Charlton can’t get out of their own half. They’re putting all of their bodies behind the ball to defend, so they can’t move up the pitch quickly enough when they get a chance to counterattack.
The physical intensity of the match boiled over when Elisha N’dow and Martha Thomas collided, resulting in a yellow card for the Charlton defender and a brief pause in play as physios were called on to treat her.
Substitutions for Charlton see Keira Flannery coming off for Emma Bissell.
After 7 minutes of scrappy added time, the full-time whistle goes, and it’s 0-0. At the Valley. Into extra time.
After a tough afternoon battling with Mia Enderby, Gracie Pearse leaves the pitch, with Mary McAteer coming on to replace her.
Zara Shaw makes her comeback for the Reds, coming on for Mia Enderby. She’s been out for just under a year after tearing her ACL in April 2025 while on international duty for the England under-19s.
Charlton is given a Goal Kick after a shot from the Reds. Goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse takes her time with this and receives a booking for time-wasting.
Kapocs takes the corner, sending it into the 10-year box. It’s headed away by the Addicks, in again, off the crossbar and brought down. Then shot into the back of the net by Zara Shaw. With 5 minutes to go its Charlton Athletic 0-1 Liverpool.
1 minute of added time is given, but it isn’t enough for the Addicks to turn it around. At the end of Extra Time, it is Charlton Athletic 0 – 1 Liverpool.
The drama on the pitch was matched by the significance of the crowd in the stands. A total of 2,164 fans watched on – the highest attendance for a women’s fixture at The Valley in over 20 years. In a week where the club hoped for a record-breaking turnout, the SE7 faithful delivered, creating an atmosphere that pushed both sides through 120 minutes.
