Arsenal picked up a massive three points against Chelsea on the weekend that had huge ramifications for their bid to qualify for the UWCL next season, and Chelsea’s title race.
Elsewhere, AS Roma kept their massive lead on top of the Serie A Femminile ladder in tact, Lyon advanced to the next stage of the Coupe de France, and Kaitlyn Torpey debuted for Newcastle in the WSL 2.
Read our review of the Matildas Abroad action below.
England
WSL
Brighton & Hove Albion narrowly defeated Everton 1-0. Jelena Cankovic scored the only goal of the game in the first half as the Seagulls jumped to sixth on the table. The result leaves Everton in trouble, only one point above the relegation zone. Charlie Rule started for Brighton while Clare Wheeler started for the Toffees in midfield.
Arsenal defeated Chelsea in the WSL away from home for the first time in eight years as goals from Beth Mead and Mariona Caldentey helped them to a 2-0 victory. The Gunners made good on their early dominance in possession to lift themselves within one point of second-place Chelsea. The result almost puts the title out of reach for the Blues, who are now nine points behind Manchester City. Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley both started for Arsenal, while Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr did the same for Chelsea. Kyra Cooney-Cross remains unavailable for Arsenal’s matchday squad.
Manchester City defeated London City Lionesses 2-1 to capitalise on Chelsea’s defeat. Kerolin and Khadija Shaw were the goal scorers for City as they extended their lead on top of the table. It was a promising performance for the Lionesses, though, who were unlucky not to leave with at least a point. Alanna Kennedy started in defence for London City, while Mary Fowler remains not ready to join City’s matchday squad.
Liverpool won for the first time this WSL season, defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. Two goals in second-half stoppage time consigned Spurs to defeat after a performance well below their best. Clare Hunt played the full match for Tottenham, while Charli Grant remains unavailable with a knee injury.
West Ham defeated Leicester City 2-1 to keep their noses ahead of Liverpool in the relegation fight. Verena Hanshaw and Shekiera Martinez were the goal scorers for the Hammers in the all-important win. Katrina Gorry started for West Ham while Emily van Egmond was a second-half substitute for the Foxes.
WSL2
Newcastle United were defeated 2-1 by Charlton in a blow to their promotion hopes. Charlton scored twice in the first half through Jodie Hutton and Katie Bradley, and that two-goal advantage proved too much for the Magpies to overcome. Kaitlyn Torpey started at right-back for Newcastle on her WSL2 debut before being withdrawn in the second half.
France
Lyon defeated Marseille 5-1 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France. Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored a hat-trick as they eased past their opponents. Teagan Micah was substituted on in the 19th minute after an injury to Christiane Endler.
Germany
The game scheduled between Hayley Raso’s Eintracht Frankfurt and Jamilla Rankin’s TSG Hoffenheim was postponed on the weekend due to adverse weather conditions. It will be played on February 5.
Italy
AS Roma got the job done against Genoa, walking away with a 1-0 win. The winner came late in the first half when Manuela Giugliano found the back of the net. Winonah Heatley started for Roma and helped them to an all-important clean sheet that keeps them seven points clear at the top of the league table.
Napoli were too strong for Sassuolo, defeating them 2-0. The result leaves Sassuolo in ninth, teetering just two points above the relegation zone. Jessika Nash and Jacynta Galabadaarachchi both started for Sassuolo.
Despite taking the lead twice, Como fell 3-2 to Inter Milan. Elisa Polli scored a 94th-minute winner for Inter to help the visitors to a dramatic three points. Alex Chidiac played the full game in midfield for Como.