Tag: Women’s Super League

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WSL

Sixth Sense for Manchester City against bottom of the league, Leicester City 

Screenshot

photo taken from @mancitywomen on instagram

Goals from Khadija Shaw, Yui Hasegawa, Aoba Fujino, Kerolin and a Vivianne Miedema double secured all three points. After 14 league wins (including this one), it puts them 11 points clear of rivals, Manchester United with six league games remaining. 

Manchester City started positively out of the blocks with multiple chances from Bunny Shaw being saved from Leicester City Goalkeeper Olivia Clark. Chances continued to come until the first goal 22 minutes in, with efforts from Lauren Hemp, Sam Coffey, Bunny Shaw, Kerstin Casparij and Vivianne Miedema all finding wide of the goal. 

22 minutes in, a diving header from Bunny Shaw caused the start of a goal-scoring rampage from the hosts, after the cross from Lauren Hemp on the left side found Bunny in the box and breezed it past Clark in net. 

After chances from Kerolin and Alex Greenwood in the blue of Manchester City, Vivianne Miedema found the two goal cushion six minutes after the first goal. Just outside the 18 yard box, she cut it across, and fired it into the bottom left side of the net. 

Although it was predominantly Manchester City, the visitors did have a couple of chances from Alisha Lehmann but Ayaka Yamashita did well to keep them out of it. Chances continued to come for Bunny Shaw after her and Lauren Hemp were comfortable with the ball but nothing came from then until another Vivianne Miedema goal 36 minutes in. 

She saw the cross from Lauren Hemp on the left side with her head finding the ball, and firing it past Clark in the Leicester net. Just two minutes later, Yui Hasegawa made it 4-0 after a cross from Kerolin on the right side found Hasegawa in the box and her first time attempt looped over Olivia Clark. 

Half-time: Manchester City 4-0 Leicester City 

Right off the blocks in the second half saw a fifth for Manchester City just three minutes after the restart from Kerolin. Her first-time effort from outside the box found the top left corner after the initial shot from Vivianne Miedema was blocked. 

Chances for the home side kept coming in following the first goal of the half with Aoba Fujino rounding off the scoring in the 66th minute. After pressure on Leicester, the effort went past the keeper and slotted into the back of the net and just minutes later, even had another shot on target. 

Both Home and Away sides saw chances in the final 20 minutes including Leicester looking to reduce the demolition with chances from Noemie Mouchon, hitting the top netting twice. They ultimately saw their 10th loss of the season, with Manchester calling home a fortress after scoring 22 and conceding two in the last five games.  

Full-time: Manchester City 6-0 Leicester 

What’s next for the sides: 

City remain at home as they welcome WSL2 side Sheffield United in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup, on 22nd February. For Leicester, they now have a full month off with their next game being away from home against Liverpool on 15th March in the league. 

How the teams looked: 

Manchester City: Yamashita, Rose, Greenwood © (Ouahabi 58’), Shaw, Miedema (Clinton 58’), Hemp, Kerolin (Fujino 58’), Coffey (Blindkilde Brown 77’), Casparij (Beney 77’), Hasegawa, Knaak. 

Unused Substitutes: Keating, Coombs, Lohmann, Prior. 

Goals: Shaw (22’), Miedema (28’, 36’), Hasegawa (38’), Kerolin (48’), Fujino (66’).  

Leicester City: Clark, Kees (Ale 69’), Van Egmond, Mouchon, Lehmann (Williams 59’), Thibaud, Mayling, McLoughlin, O’Brien (Payne 59’), Neville ©, Swaby.

Substitutes: Keane, Goodwin, Cain, Ayane, Walne. 

Yellow Cards: Neville (62’) 

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WSL

Back in the Groove: Walsh and Thompson Secure Vital Derby Win

Setting up for a grey London Derby in N17. Tottenham Hotspur are currently having a record-breaking season, but they face off against the reigning champions of England. Will Chelsea get back on track in a disappointing couple of games, or will Spurs push ahead in their efforts to climb the table? 

Spurs                                   

Lize Kop (GK), Amanda Nilden, Signe Gaupset, Bethany England (C), Olivia Holdt, Matilda Vinberg, Clare Hunt, Hanna Wijk, Eveliina Summanen, Toko Koga, Julie Blakstad

Chelsea

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Millie Bright (C), Veerle Buurman, Sjoeke Nusken, Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd, Keira Walsh  

Tottenham Hotspur Used Subs

Olga Ahtinen, Lenna Gunning-Williams, Cathinka Tandberg, Matilda Nilden, 

Chelsea Used Subs

Lexi Potter, Sandy Baltimore, Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten, Chloe Sarwie

First 5-minute came with full Chelsea possession in the Spurs half. But both teams soon found a rhythm. With Chelsea maintaining the majority of possession and Spurs allowing this, they found their chances on the counterattack. 

Keira Walsh set up Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in the 13th minute for a close-range effort that was ultimately gathered by Kop, while a dangerous Lauren James cross five minutes later narrowly missed Sjoeke Nüsken.

With penalty box pinball, goalkeeper spills and volley shots, Spurs looked like they were all over chelsea attacking wise in the first half. But all they needed in reward was a goal.

But a Chelsea corner taken by Erin Cuthbert was headed down by Julie Blakstad. It lands in the middle of the box for Keira Walsh to hit on the half volley, sending it past Lize Kop. After 38 minutes, it’s 0-1 to the Blues. 

Erin Cuthbert steals the ball from the Spurs defence, playing it to Johanna Rhytting Kaneryd. She dribbles it further into the box to Alyssa Thompson, who lays it off for Lauren James. She hits it first time, sending it over the crossbar. 

At the end of the first half, while Chelsea beat Tottenham in possession, Spurs dominated with shots testing their goalkeeper and defence. But Chelsea found a way through with a goal from Keira Walsh. With 45 minutes left to play its Tottenham 0-1 Chelsea

Just before the second half, Chelsea made their first substitution with youngster Lexi Potter coming on for Keira Walsh. 

4 Minutes into the half. Sjoeke Nusken finds herself one-on-one with Lize Kop. Takes a shot and is initially blocked by the keeper. Alyssa Thompson is there for the rebound and hits it first time into the top left corner. Straight after the break, it is 0-2 to Chelsea. 

Chelsea made their second substitution of the match with Sandy Baltimore coming on for Lauren James. 

Soon after, Spurs made their first substitutions for the match, seeing Julie Blakstad on for Olga Ahtinen, Matilda Vinberg for Lenna Gunning Williams and Beth England leaving for Cathinka Tandberg. 

Corner headed away by the spurs defence, landing for Sandy Baltimore. She hits it, sending it towards lots of bodies in the box, where it lands for Girma. She shoots, but the ball is caught by Kop. 

Tottenham’s next subs saw Signe Gaupset off for Matilda Nilden. 

Chelsea looks strong in the middle, but Spurs look like they’ve had the wind taken out of them. They’re looking for a goal but are struggling to maintain possession. 

With 20 minutes left to go, both teams are in need of fresh legs. Araya Dennis comes on for Hannah Wijk for Tottenham. While Chelsea brings on Guro Reiten, and Sam Kerr are on for Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken. 

A Tottenham Chance saw a ball from Tandberg in the middle sent out to Olivia Holdt. She found herself one-on-one with Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. She shot straight at the keeper, what could have been gamechanging chance for Spurs keeps the score at 0-2 to the visitors. 

Substitution for Chelsea saw an injured Millie Bright coming off for youngster Chloe Sawie. A change in formation for the blues going for an attacking last 10 minutes. 

Just toward the end of the 5 minutes added time, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd comes charging down the right flank. She tries to go around Kop, but she’s able to reach for the ball, preventing a third goal. 

The stats flipped from the first half to the second with Chelsea claiming even more possession and dominating in shots. While Tottenham looked like they had the wind taken out of them after the second goal early in the second half. Final score in North London is Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Chelsea.

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WSL

Kerolin Nicoli- History Maker

Image Credit: Mancity.com

Kerolin lit up her name in headlights on matchday fourteen of the Barclays Women’s Super League by slotting not one but three goals past reigning champions Chelsea.

However, it wasn’t just this game week that has shown just how good she can be; going quietly under the radar this season, she’s been one of the Citizens’ most influential players.

Her first appearance this season came as a substitute against Brighton and Hove Albion in a 2-0 win, playing twenty-seven minutes. Her next appearance would again come off the bench, this time against Tottenham Hotspur. Replacing an injured Lauren Hemp, she came on with a point to prove; playing just sixty-eight minutes, she managed to register an assist, and in an impressive performance, she collected her first of many player of the match awards.

Unfortunately, after the Spurs game, she suffered an injury that would keep her out until early December. Her long-awaited return was made in the game against Leicester City and she made an instant impact, first assisting Bunny Shaw for the opening goal before getting herself on the scoresheet, grabbing the third goal; this was arguably the turning point in her season. 

She has kicked on massively since then, grabbing an assist against West Ham United in the Subway Women’s League Cup quarter-finals before then going on to score against Everton in a two-nil win at the Joie Stadium before picking up her second player of the match award of the season. 

Against London City, Kerolin slotted the ball home to give City the lead in a tense affair in Bromley, and her impressive performance she earned her a second consecutive player of the match award.

Ultimately it was the top-of-the-table clash that really showed the best side of her, as she became the first ever player to score a hat-trick past the reigning league champions. The first goal came after Hannah Hampton parried a shot right into the path of Nicoli, who struck home into the bottom left corner. 

The second goal was even more impressive; latching onto a long ball and beating Keira Walsh to it, she chipped Hannah Hampton expertly to get her second of the game. Finally, the perfect day and hattrick was rounded off with her third goal, getting onto the end of a cross from Lauren Hemp and slotting it into the back of the net, making history in a perfect individual performance. This incredible individual performance earned her a third consecutive player of the match award, a credit to all the hard work she’s put in over the past season so far.

Categories
WSL

London is Red: Arsenal Reassert Capital Dominance with 2-0 Triumph

Chelsea Starting Lineup

Hannah Hampton (GK), Ellie Carpenter, Millie Bright (C), Erin Cuthbert, Guro Reiten, Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Sandy Baltimore, Weike Kaptein, Sam Kerr, Lucy Bronze                                     

Chelsea Used Subsitutions

Keira Walsh, Lauren James, Aggie Beever Jones, Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd, Sjoeke Nusken

Arsenal Starting Lineup

Anneke Borbe (GK), Emily Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Steph Cately, Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, Kim Little (C), Katie McCabe, Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius

Arsenal Used Subsitutions

Victoria Pelova, Smilla Holmberg, Laia Codina, Taylor Hinds

Arsenal opened the match aggressively, missing a close-range chance in the first minute immediately after Chelsea were ruled offside. The hosts responded in the 7th minute as Millie Bright found Sam Kerr to set up Alyssa Thompson, but the Arsenal recovery defense quickly closed down the shooting angle.

In the 11th minute, Hannah Hampton was forced into a reaction save to prevent a Lucy Bronze own goal following a dangerous Beth Mead cross. Two minutes later, Thompson’s low ball across the box was cleared before Erin Cuthbert could connect, with Katie McCabe intervening to end the Chelsea attack.

Soon in beth mead received a booking after catching the leg of Erin Cutherbert sending her down. 

With Chelsea chances from Sam Kerr and Sandy Baltimore nothing found the back of the net.

Stina Blacksteius sends the ball to Beth Mead, who sends it back towards the Swede. She gets a head on it but hits the post, sending it out for a goal kick. With 4 minutes added time, neither side were able to find a goal in the first half, Chelsea 0-0 Arsenal.  

Back after the break, Beth Mead receives the ball from Stina Blackstenius on the edge of the 10-yard box. Taking a touch, she slots it into the bottom left corner. Just after the break it was 0-1 to the Gunners. 

After the Goal Chelsea look to repsond with subsitutions, seeing Keira Walsh come on for Sam Kerr and Lauren James on for Guro Reitren. Soon After Alyssa Thompson running down the wing and taking a shot on goal, just too far to the right. 

Beth Mead receives the ball and squares it for Mariona Caldentey on the edge of the box. She takes a touch, driving into the box and places it in the bottom right corner before Hannah hampton can react. It’s 0-2 to Arsenal. 

Subsitutions saw Aggie Beever Jones come on for Weike Kaptein and Johanna Rhytting-Kaneryd on for Millie Bright. A change in formation to become more attacking. Soon after, Arsenal made their first substitution of the match seeing Victoria Pelove come on for Beth Mead. 

Shortly thereafter Emily Fox collects the ball drives the ball down the flank, taking a shot just outside the box, which is tipped over the bar by Hannah Hampton. 

Both teams made quick substitutions Erin Cuthbert coming off for Sjoeke Nusken and Smilla Holmberg coming on for Mariona Caldentey.

Stina Blackstenius had a chance breaking down the left flank and found herself one-on-one with Hannah Hampton. She shot, but was denied by the keeper. 

The last ten minutes was all chelsea pushing for a goal. With chances from Aggie beever Jones, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert. 

Arsenal made two substitutions to see the match out with Laila Codina coming on for Katie McCabe and Taylor Hinds on for Emily Fox. 

With 5 Minutes of Added time Chelsea pushes to get one back, but the damage has already been done. At the end of the London Derby, it’s 2-0 to Arsenal

Categories
WSL

Blues stun in London Derby as Chelsea beat West Ham 5-0

lexi potter & chloe sarwie via @chelseafcw on instagram
lexi potter & chloe sarwie via @chelseafcw on instagram

Chelsea FC:

Starting XI – Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Bright ©, Buurman, Nusken, Cuthbert, James, Thompson, Girma, Baltimore, Rytting-Kaneryd

Subs- Kaptein (46’), Reiten (61), Kerr (61’), Potter (61’), Sarwie (80’),

West Ham United:

Starting XI- Szemik (GK), Endo, Siren, Belloumou, Ueki, Nystrom, Martinez, Asseyi, Gorry ©, Morgan, Hanshaw

Subs- Csiki (46’), Wandeler (76’), Piubel (83’), Brasero (87’),

Via @chelseafcw on Instagram

Chelsea FC looked to close the gap on Manchester City in the league this weekend in a London derby against West Ham United. The Hammers went into matchday 12 with just five points in the league, claiming one win from 11, whilst Chelsea sat in second place, claiming 24 points from a possible 33.

The Blues kicked off in Kingston with a goal within the first 50 seconds, via an own goal from Endo, the centre back failing to clear Ellie Carpenter’s cross.

The opening stages of the game continued with Chelsea dominant in possession and West Ham failing to make it out of their own half in the first few minutes.

The 11th minute saw the first pause in play, with Rika Ueki receiving treatment for a badly timed tackle by Erin Cuthbert.

Another close call from the Blues saw the Hammer’s defence struggle to clear yet again,

Erin Cuthbert’s corner proved threatening for West Ham.

West Ham’s first real chance on goal came in the 22nd minute however Chelsea proved why they’re the league’s reigning champions, and had no struggle slowing down play.

The 29th minute saw Szemik fail to clear the ball and Lauren James’ antics rebound into the net seeing the Blue’s double their lead.

Just minutes later, Chelsea came close to a third with Johanna Rytting – Kaneryd hitting the cross bar with a shot from range.

In the 41st minute, Ellie Carpenter and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd’s link up found the boots of Alyssa Thompson who brought the blues to three.

The closing stages of the first half saw Sandy Baltimore make it four with a beautiful shot gliding past the hammers keeper and into the back of the net.

West Ham’s first shot of the game came in injury time, with Shakiera Martinez breaking through Chelsea’s defence with 

At half time the score was 4-0 to Chelsea, a dominant display for the blues return home despite their injury woes.

The second half kicked off amid confusion about Estelle Cascarino’s debut with substitutions from both sides including Erin Cuthbert making way for Wieke Kaptein and Katrina Gorry being replaced by Anna Csiki.

A relatively even opening to the second half saw an action packed fifteen minutes with Hannah Hampton being forced into her first real save of the game 

Sam Kerr, Lexi Potter and Guro Reiten were soon replaced by Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken in a bid for Chelsea to score once more.

A controversial handball in the 69th saw Chelsea awarded a penalty in which Sandy Baltimore converted with ease. This meant the blues were 5-0 to the good.

Ten minutes later, goal scorer Sandy Baltimore was replaced by Chloe Sarwie, the 17-year-old making her league debut after making her way through the Chelsea academy.

Before long, West Ham made their third substitution of the game with Viviane Asseyi making way for Seraina Piubel and a final substitution meant Sarah Brasero replaced Rika Ueki.

With four minutes of stoppage time announced, West Ham’s back line proved problemed once again, with Hanshaw’s back pass finding Sam Kerr in worrying territory.

With the full time whistle pending, and Sandy Baltimore’s goal being the only one half, the full time score was 5-0 to Chelsea. The blue’s had certainly proved themselves as a title contender once more whilst Rita Guarino’s English managerial debut proved disappointing to Hammer’s fans.

Image via @chelseafcw on Instagram