WSL talking points: heat cranks up on Arsenal but Putellas and Diani shine

Fans stay connected to Slegers Travelling Arsenal fans showed no animosity towards the head coach, Renée Slegers, despite their side’s run of one win in six games in all competitions and slipping 10 points behind Manchester City. Slegers walked over to applaud the 2,000 away fans after the 4-2 defeat at Etihad Stadium, on Sunday and they applauded her back. Slegers said: “I mostly went there to thank them, connect with them and show them I care for them and appreciate them coming to Manchester. And also to show them that I feel – not sorry for them because I’m a big part of it and things are within my control – but they’re coming here and they’re not getting the rewards, just like the team. I wanted to connect with them instead of walking away and hiding.” Tom Garry

Match report: Manchester City 4-2 Arsenal

Forward-thinking Walsh lifts Chelsea Chelsea’s midfield came to the fore again in their 3-0 win over West Ham. Keira Walsh was the heartbeat of the team, collecting her third straight player of the match award with the 29-year-old enjoying a more attacking role this season. With the introduction of Lexi Potter at half-time, Walsh was able to push forward fruitfully again. She scored her second WSL goal of 2026-27 – the same as she managed last season – and took more shots (five) and completed more dribbles (three) than anyone else. “It helps us a lot in terms of creating opportunities,” said her coach, Sonia Bompastor. “We know how good she is at the edge of the box … It’s good to have a player who is confident and brings us the solution to scoring goals.” Sophie Downey

Lionesses flex their muscles London City showed their Champions League qualification credentials with a 6-1 rout of Tottenham to move above them into third. They were at their fluid and clinical best against a team many believe will rival them as challengers to the traditional top three, with 47.6% of shots on target compared with Tottenham’s 11%. Superstar signings Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scored twice, but most impressive was the muscle the squad showed. They looked more robust and hungrier than Tottenham, their physical presence combined with an aggressive press making the home team look pedestrian and lightweight despite an unbeaten start to the season. With lots of summer changes it can take time for players to gel and that physical presence can make a difference when things aren’t clicking. When things are clicking, though, it appears anything is possible. Suzanne Wrack

Pointless Charlton neglect basics The Charlton manager, Karen Hills, did not mince her words after her side conceded five despite taking the lead at Brighton. “It’s unacceptable if we can’t deal with one v ones,” she said. “The game is about one v one duels, about tackling, doing the basics and doing them really well. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that today. We found ourselves on the end of the scoreline which isn’t very flattering for us. We need to be more accountable for some individual stuff, but at the same time I take full responsibility because that’s my team out there.” The international break comes at a critical time for the team, who are yet to pick up a point. Even with some time to work on their unacceptable handling of the basics, it is hard to where Charlton’s first point is coming from. SW

Liverpool unsuccessfully copy United Gareth Taylor admitted surprise at Manchester United’s directness after his Liverpool team succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Leigh Sports Village. Possession was split almost evenly, with 51% for Liverpool, and the hosts created more goalmouth opportunities, but could not convert them. Taylor told the BBC: “We ended up becoming what they are, very direct. We have got to be braver – and do what we do.” TG

Match report: Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool

Familiar problems for Sørensen at Villa Brian Sørensen’s first WSL game as Aston Villa’s interim manager ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. The Dane took over on Tuesday after Natalia Arroyo’s dismissal, with Villa having won two points from their opening four league matches. Villa took the lead through Noelle Maritz in the 55th minute, but Abbie Larkin’s equaliser 19 minutes later ensured Villa remain without a league win. Villa were fortunate not to concede again as Palace’s confidence grew and created several chances late on, and the draw leaves them 12th. Villa and Sørensen have work to do, whether his appointment remains temporary or becomes permanent. Réshma Rao

Mace ends Everton’s goal wait It was quite a feat for Everton to be in the top five without registering anything other than an own goal and their luck continues. They finally scored goals of their own in a 2-1 victory against Birmingham. It was all thanks to Ruby Mace, who scored them both. Her most recent WSL goal came playing for the visitors in 2021. The first was a stunning left-foot strike into the far corner; the second a deflected shot from the edge of the area. “I’m really happy. I have [been working on my shooting], putting in the extra work, and luckily today I managed to score,” she said. Renuka Odedra

Pos Team P GD Pts 1 Man City Women 5 10 15 2 Chelsea Women 5 11 13 3 London City Lionesses 5 10 12 4 Tottenham Hotspur Women 5 8 10 5 Everton Women 5 0 9 6 Liverpool FC Women 5 3 7 7 Man Utd Women 5 -4 7 8 Crystal Palace Women 5 -6 6 9 Brighton & Hove Albion Women 5 1 5 10 Arsenal Women 5 -2 5 11 West Ham Women 5 -6 3 12 Aston Villa Women 5 -7 3 13 Birmingham City Women 5 -5 2 14 Charlton Women 5 -13 0