The WSL title race swung wide open this weekend as Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy’s Manchester City defeated the defending champions, Chelsea. While, Arsenal picked up a vital victory in front of a record-breaking WSL crowd of 60,160 people.
Read our full review of the Matildas Abroad action below.
England
A goal to Khadija Shaw meant that Manchester City claimed all three points in a huge 1-0 victory over Chelsea. The win means that City are now equal first on points and goal difference, separated from the defending champions only by goals scored. Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy – both second-half substitutes – will be hoping this result can spur the team on to win their first title since 2016.
In front of a record-breaking crowd of 60,160 at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal pulled off a 3-1 victory over Manchester United that keeps them within a game of the top two. Arsenal were the better side from start to finish and went into the break 3-0 up, and only a late consolation goal to Lucia Garcia prevented the Gunners from a perfect day.
Steph Catley started the game at left-back, with Caitlin Foord replacing the defender late in the game. While Kyra Cooney-Cross came off the bench at the start of the second half, replacing Victoria Pelova in midfield.
Teagan Micah's Liverpool held on for a 1-0 win over Charlie Rule's Brighton & Hove Albion. Micah made her return to the matchday squad after a concussion, appearing on the bench in the victory.
Ceri Holland's goal in the 53rd minute was enough to see the Reds take all three points, with the Seagulls unable to find the equaliser. Rule did not appear in the matchday squad due to injury.
Clare Wheeler's Everton picked up their fourth win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Mackenzie Arnold and Katrina Gorry's West Ham, with all three Aussies playing the full 90 minutes.
Late goals to the Italian duo Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli were enough to seal the victory for the Toffees.
Charli Grant’s Tottenham Hotspur went down 2-1 to Aston Villa. The visitors opened the scoring through Adriana Leon before Spurs' Amy Turner found the equaliser before the break to send the sides into the interval locked at 1-1.
Jordan Nobbs' effort from outside the box was the difference between the two sides as Villa picked up all three points. Grant started the game at right back and was replaced in the 75th minute.
Lastly, Remy Siemsen and Courtney Nevin's Leicester City recorded a dominant 5-2 win over last-placed Bristol City. The Foxes had five different players find the back of the net in the victory, helping Leicester move to 7th on the table. Nevin was an unused substitute in the win.
France
Grace Geyoro scored a brace as PSG defeated Guingamp 5-0 in the Division 1 Féminine on Sunday morning (AEDT). They are now only seven points away from Lyon after fifteen rounds – but it would take some effort to reign in the defending champions, who have not yet lost this season. Clare Hunt was an unused substitute as coach Jocelyn Prêcheur opted for a back three.
Lyon and Paris FC did not play this weekend after their midweek cup ties.
Spain
Hayley Raso's Real Madrid recorded a late 2-1 victory over UD Tenerife. Olga Carmona gave the hosts a 1-0 lead heading into the break after finding the back of the net from the spot. UD Tenerife scored the equaliser after the interval, and as the game looked destined to finish 1-1, Signe Bruun scored a 92nd-minute winner for Madrid. Raso came off the bench in the 87th minute.
Sweden
Amy Sayer and Clare Polkinghorne started as Kristianstads DFF continued their pre-season fixtures against Danish side HB Køge. Køge won the match 2-0. Sayer and Polkinghorne both started the game as the side continued their preparations for their Swedish Women's Cup games at the start of March.