It’s been an action-packed weekend for women’s football across Europe. There was a lot of intrigue, though Women’s Super League The race for the title is heating up.
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Manchester United collapses against Arsenal
Manchester United’s head-to-head record against Arsenal promises a good match at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday – the Red Devils are unbeaten in their past five matches against Arsenal, including a last-gasp 3-2 win in November 2022.
However, after a bright start, the visitors quickly faded away after Jesse scored an own goal in the 10th minute that marked the turning point. Arsenal got into an attacking rhythm, poked holes in United’s resolve, and never looked back as they emerged with a 3-1 win.
The match set a new WSL attendance record and there was a good atmosphere throughout, yet there was a certain consistency and predictability to the way United began to unravel. In fact, the game was a mirror image of their season, and they are now seven points behind third-placed Arsenal and 10 off the top.
said President Mark Skinner Sky Sports After the match: “Maybe that was where we were going into the game. We have to be perfect in big matches, especially in a stadium like this with fans. We weren’t like that in the first half; we were better in the second: there’s a lot to be excited about.” Him at Manchester United. [New minority stakeholder] INEOS coming in will help us, but that’s where we are today. “It hurts, but that’s where we are.”
Keating shines again as Man City show title credentials
Sometimes all you need is a good half. Such was the case for Manchester City on Friday night as they dominated Chelsea before half-time, then looked to maintain their lead and absorb pressure from the home side.
The talk of the match was about the two brilliant strikers in each team: Bunny Shaw and Lauren James. Although Jamaican international Shaw scored the only goal of the game for City, it was a Kia Keating showdown (as has happened several times already this season). As smooth, controlled and fluid as City was in the first half at Kingsmeadow, it was eye-catching saves and accuracy from 19-year-old goalkeeper Keating that secured an important win that left them level on points with the Blues. At the top of the table.
As well as racking up wins this year, City have been almost faultless in defence, and while Alex Greenwood deserves praise for her defensive performance, Keating’s five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions have also played a big part.
Fun Foxes had a big win
With the Premier League’s attention focused on the two top-four games this weekend, Sunday was so much about the rest of the league that it was worth noting: from Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, to Everton’s late brace from the Italian duo. Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli beat West Ham United 2-1, or Aston Villa’s important 2-1 win away to Tottenham Hotspur thanks to a brilliant effort from Jordan Nobbs.
But it was the final game of the weekend, Leicester City beating Bristol City 5-2, when the fun and goals flowed.
It was a game that showed the growth of both teams, although bottom club Bristol collapsed when the hosts got back to their game in the second half after coming from behind. Leicester’s emerging midfield partnership between Yuka Mumiki and Jota Rantala (the strikers had a hand in three of the Foxes’ five goals) is one that could rival any team in the league and they have certainly enjoyed themselves here.
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Lawson reacts to the UWCL knockout draw
Sophie Lawson breaks down the UWCL draw and picks the teams she expects to advance.
Barcelona wins unconvincingly
Barcelona is tired. Between the prolonged Liga F season, the Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and players leaving to travel to international camps, the team is declining and it shows.
After losing their first points of the league season to Levante in midweek, the Catalans returned home on Sunday to face an Atletico Madrid side struggling through a difficult run of matches.
The eventual 2-0 victory came thanks to goals from Salma Baraluelo and Vicky Lopez in both halves, but there was palpable fatigue in the way both teams went about their business. What worries the European champions is that, even with no domestic football this week due to the international break, most of their players will not be rested as they will be asked to play for their countries in matches of various importance.
Paris Saint-Germain wins easily
Having managed to draw 1-1 with leaders Lyon last time out in the league, PSG’s busy week of matches helped iron out any lingering frustrations. An easy 4-0 win over second-tier Le Puy gave them safe passage into the semi-finals of the Coupe de France, before a dominant 5-0 win at home to Guingamp ensured they kept up the pressure to close the gap to seven points. the above.
Neither match was fully concluded until the second half, when PSG were able to showcase their depth of talent against two tired teams, but they were up to par. It’s a chronic complaint in the French league, and one that will take some time to address.
Milan dominates the derby
It’s hard to ignore the Serie A Championship and relegation play-offs at this stage of the season, but Sunday afternoon’s Milan derby was a far cry from the fiery clashes San Siro has seen over the years, barring a very tough challenge. On Christy Grimshaw in the second half.
Sixth-placed Milan, who were eight points behind Inter in Serie A before the match, took an early lead and looked comfortable with a 2-1 win, even when Annamaria Sertorini pulled one back before halftime.
The second half spoke about the difficulties that the two teams have faced so far this season. The players are talented, the ideas are often there, but the football has failed to raise more questions for coaches Davide Curti (who was only promoted to manager in November) and Rita Guarino as they fall far behind leaders Roma.
Eintracht shows weaknesses
RB Leipzig’s 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening told a tale of two contrasting teams. Ninth-placed Leipzig are a young and exciting team, new to the Bundesliga this season, and have shown clear growth since the turn of the year. Then there is Frankfurt, the more established team that has shown flashes of good form but has a habit of falling into predictable patterns and is 10 points behind Bayern Munich.
Leipzig’s Vanessa Vadala once again delighted the hosts with two goals and was the unlikely Golden Boot winner until Wolfsburg thrashed Nürnberg 9-1 the following day and Ewa Bajor jumped them. The Eagles managed to snatch a late goal of honor through Remina Chiba but, not for the first time in Eintracht’s history, the question must be asked why the striker was brought on so late (in the 85th minute).
Showing a brave spirit and a touch of swagger, Leipzig appears on course to comfortably avoid relegation, but the defeat means that Eintracht has opened the door for Hoffenheim to compete for third place and a place in Europe next season.
