Chelsea did their best to block out the growing external noise by beating Liverpool 2-0 thanks to a special performance from Lauren James.
The forward has suffered various injury setbacks this season and is still trying to “rediscover her best form”, as she put it post-match, but delivered a vintage display to set up the first goal and score Chelsea’s second.
Her teasing cross was poked in by Sjoeke Nusken in the first half – another player with a point to prove – while the second was all of James’ own making, drifting inside from wide and evading Fuka Nagano before lashing beyond Jennifer Falk.
The victory does as much for Chelsea’s position in the table as it does to prove that harmony remains in camp after a turbulent period that has seen Paul Green, head of women’s football, suddenly depart the club amid a poor run of results.
While head coach Sonia Bompastor was rewarded with a contract extension, Green has left his role after 13 years, without much of an explanation as to why. The Blues remain well off the pace at the top of the WSL but are in a decent position to finish inside the Champions League places.
They do, however, face stiff competition from Arsenal, who have two games in hand and are only four points adrift in fourth. The Gunners have lost the fewest games of any side all season.
Gaupset at heart of Spurs rout over Villa
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Signe Gaupset is proving herself to be a wonderfully astute signing for Tottenham, at the heart of another victory as Martin Ho’s side produced an astonishing 7-3 win over hapless Aston Villa.
The opener was started and finished by Gaupset, before Kirsty Hanson made it 1-1 shortly after. But Spurs were not in a charitable mood, hitting back through Bethany England and Olivia Holdt to take a 3-1 lead into the break.
Hanson and January recruit Oriane Jean-Francois found the net for Villa during a chaotic second half, but a frantic defensive performance handed all momentum to the visitors.
Cathinka Tandberg added two to her mounting tally for the season off the bench as Maika Hamano and latterly Julie Blakstad, who also created the most chances in the game (6), attached their names to the scoresheet.
Twice Villa got themselves to within a goal of Spurs only to concede again moments later. The 10-goal thriller might have provided plenty of entertainment for those 2,500 fans inside Villa Park but was a horrible indictment of how open Natalia Arroyo’s side are in transition.
Spurs managed 27 efforts on goal, 12 of them on target, and scored seven times from an xG value of just 2.80. Arroyo will be aware of the consequences of a performance such as that – Villa have lost four of five in 2026.
In-form Man Utd comeback beats London City
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Manchester United and London City Lionesses.
Manchester United came from behind to beat London City Lionesses and extending their winning WSL run to four games.
It was the visitors who began better though, and took advantage inside six minutes. Former Man Utd forward Nikita Parris nodded home from Freya Godfrey’s cross as the hosts struggled to contain the pair.
London City had a series of chances to extend their lead in the aftermath too, and will rue their misses.
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Jess Park produces a piece of magic to bring Manchester United level against London City Lionesses.
It took a moment of magic to drag Man Utd level, and it was Park who provided it – as she has done so often this season. She skipped past her defender on the left, driving to the top of the box before unleashing an unstoppable strike.
The second half meandered somewhat, but Man Utd sealed the win late on. Maya Le Tissier swung in a great free kick, with Millie Turner free in the middle to flick her header home.
Marc Skinner’s side maintain their spot in second place, a point ahead of Chelsea and five ahead of Arsenal, who now have two games in hand.
Everton extend winning run with Hammers win
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Everton and West Ham.
Everton extended their winning WSL run to three games as they beat West Ham 1-0 at Goodison Park.
Honoka Hayashi tucked home Hannah Blundell’s cross at the back post inside eight minutes, and West Ham were unable to recover.
Everton move into eighth place on 17 points – level with Brighton – while the Hammers are two points clear of the relegation spot.
