In the last matchweek before a much-needed winter break, the WSL delivered a few festive surprises as Everton claimed a first-ever win over Manchester City the day after struggling Leicester held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw.
With the top two dropping points, both Arsenal and Manchester United used the opportunity to close the gap with 1-0 wins away to Liverpool and Crystal Palace respectively. Elsewhere, Aston Villa hit West Ham for three, and Brighton and Spurs played out a 1-1 draw in Crawley.
In Germany, a routine win away to Turbine Potsdam kept Bayern in the mix heading into the Winterpause, with the Bavarians sandwiched between Frankfurt and Leverkusen on goal difference. The competitiveness at the top end of the Frauen-Bundesliga a far cry from France‘s Première Ligue, although Le Havre’s narrow win over Guingamp has given the relegation race in France a little more bite.
In Spain, it was mixed fortunes for Madrid’s giants, with Real Madrid leaving it late to come away with all three points against Deportivo on the same afternoon that Atletico slipped up to lose 2-1 to Real Betis.
Over in Serie A, after being unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League in the midweek, Roma left it late to come away with a 2-1 win in Napoli after Milan had suffered a 2-0 loss away to Lazio. — Lawson
Everton stun City as title race takes another twist
Few WSL teams have endured a more challenging 2024 than Everton. The club’s financial struggles off the pitch have had a knock-on effect on it, with manager Brian Sorensen forced to rely mainly on free transfers to bolster his squad over the summer.
Injuries have been an enduring problem, typified by a miserable eight-day spell at the start of this season when midfield duo Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro both suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
Still, when faced with a similarly depleted Manchester City team on Sunday afternoon, Everton showed their character, securing a battling 2-1 win over Gareth Taylor’s high-flying side. With no Lauren Hemp or Khadija “Bunny” Shaw up front, and defender Alex Greenwood also sidelined, last season’s runners-up looked a shadow of their best selves on Merseyside and found themselves 2-0 down inside 39 minutes.
Despite having 79% possession, City struggled to break Everton down, with Mary Fowler‘s 89th-minute penalty merely a consolation. It is a huge blow to the Manchester club’s hopes of winning the title this season, particularly considering Chelsea’s draw with Leicester had opened the door for them to close the gap.
But for Everton, it is a hugely significant victory that should help lift morale at Walton Hall Park heading into the new year. — Lindop
