WSL talking points: pressure mounts on Slegers as Hemp closes on record

Arsenal earn no respite from troubles There would have been hope that the international break could offer the Arsenal players and staff a reset but the same problems reared their head at the Emirates on Sunday in a 1-1 draw with Birmingham. As they have done so often this season, the Gunners dominated most attacking and possession-based metrics – they registered 76% possession, a 2.73 xG and 43 touches in the opposition box – but their profligacy in front of goal and lack of urgency in their play once again came to the fore. Of their 27 chances, they managed just four on target as they toiled against a resilient opposition who understood the playbook. Birmingham set up in a strong defensive structure, protecting their box admirably with numbers to frustrate Renée Slegers’s side, who famously struggle to break down low blocks. In contrast, Birmingham scored with their one shot on target as Océane Hurtré took her impressive tally to six in six. Sophie Downey

Match report: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham

Related: Sarina Wiegman signs contract extension to stay as England women head coach until 2029

London City extend winning run London City’s impressive start to the season continued as they extended their winning run to four games with a 2-1 victory against Everton. If the match against Tottenham before the break had been an illustration of their attacking power, this was a much grittier performance. The Toffees, who have the joint second-meanest defence in the league (shared with Eder Maestre’s team), proved tough to break down with London City managing just five shots on target despite creating 16 opportunities. Their two first-half goals, however, once again came on transition and were a sign of the deep quality they possess. Plenty has been made of London City’s attack this season but it was their out-of-possession work that shone through. They have now faced the fewest shots on target in the division (12) and the way they handled the slight change of momentum in the second half when Everton switched things up and gained belief was an indication of their growing defensive mettle. SD

Silver linings in latest Charlton loss Charlton may still be pointless six games in, but their second-half performance against Manchester United impressed their manager, Karen Hills. After a rough first half an hour, in which the final score of 3-1 to United was established, the home team held firm. “When we talk about bravery, I thought we took the second half to Manchester United,” said Hills. “If we can do that against a very, very top team like United, then I’m hoping that we can continue on that run. I think you saw that in the first half as well, when we actually got the ball we played some really nice football. It’s a team that’s very aggressive and on the front foot. It was just the moments when we didn’t have the ball that probably cost us today.” Given Charlton only had 23.8% possession in the match, those moments without the ball were many, but finding silver linings when you’re down is important. Suzanne Wrack

Growing pains for Spurs The 6-2 scoreline looked an unlikely one when Tottenham went into their dressing room at Stamford Bridge at half-time with the score level at 1-1. It had been an assertive first half from the visiting team against an increasingly impressive Chelsea. The Blues did put their foot on the gas in the second half but the Tottenham head coach, Martin Ho, said his team had to do better to not collapse after conceding. “We conceded three goals in nine minutes and then two in six. We can’t completely collapse in those moments. That’s individual responsibility and accountability to defend,” he said. Tottenham have not won in 20 games against top-four opponents. “You can see that, as a young team, we lack a little bit of maturity in these big games. That will come with time.” SW

Match report: Chelsea 6-2 Tottenham

Hemp edges closer to assist record Lauren Hemp closed in on the WSL all-time assist record after setting up two goals in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Brighton. The 26-year-old recorded numbers 50 and 51 within the opening 16 minutes of the game by setting up Khadija Shaw twice. She now sits just three assists behind record holder and teammate Beth Mead, who has 54 in total. Hemp, who has eight goal contributions for the season, said: “I want to keep improving and I want my whole performance across the game to be good and I thought I lost the ball too many times today. So I want to keep pushing for more, keep striving and I still think my best is yet to come. But I’m happy with the contributions I’ve done in games recently.” Emillia Hawkins

Villa finally off the mark Aston Villa finally got their first win of the season after a second-half comeback for a 2-1 victory against Liverpool. Villa had managed just three draws from their opening five games before the international break, but doubled their points tally thanks to a second-half strike from Chasity Grant and an own goal from the Reds defender Grace Fisk. It was a positive result for Brian Sørensen, who took over from Natalia Arroyo last month and was this week confirmed as the interim head coach until the end of the season. Sørensen said: “Incredible. Also the manner that we did it in, we were really struggling in that first half and Liverpool were so good, but we made changes tactically but also personnel at half-time and that flipped the game around. Credit to the girls … best day ever!” EH

Gago gives West Ham first away win Kelly Gago’s second league goal of the season secured West Ham a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace and their first away win of the campaign. The French international’s goal came from an assist from Oona Siren who capitalised on a defensive error, and Gago fired home a left-footed finish, proving the difference in the contest. Gago joined the Hammers from Everton at the start of the season and is beginning to make her mark in east London. Her contribution offers a boost for a West Ham side looking to build momentum and move away from the bottom end of the table following three consecutive losses prior to the international break. Réshma Rao

Pos Team P GD Pts 1 Man City Women 6 11 18 2 Chelsea Women 6 15 16 3 London City Lionesses 6 11 15 4 Tottenham Hotspur Women 6 4 10 5 Man Utd Women 6 -2 10 6 Everton Women 6 -1 9 7 Liverpool FC Women 6 2 7 8 Arsenal Women 6 -2 6 9 West Ham Women 6 -5 6 10 Aston Villa Women 6 -6 6 11 Crystal Palace Women 6 -7 6 12 Brighton & Hove Albion Women 6 0 5 13 Birmingham City Women 6 -5 3 14 Charlton Women 6 -15 0