Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester are still unbeaten after the third round of fixtures - while Arsenal finally got their season back on track after two goals in injury time against Aston Villa
Megan Finnigan scored the winner as Everton won at Anfield for a third time
Liverpool’s winning start to the WSL season was ended after they were stunned by Everton at Anfield in the Merseyside Derby.
Blues captain Megan Finnigan stunned the home crowd with a first half header, which eventually proved enough to give Brian Sorensen’s team a well-earned first three points of the season. Everton’s surprise win means the final 100 percent winning record in the league was ended as Liverpool drop to fifth.
Elsewhere, Arsenal are finally up and running after a dramatic late fightback earned a stunning 2-1 win over Aston Villa, in a game that saw Beth Mead return from her ACL injury. At Leigh Sports Village, Man Utd were held at home after Leicester earned a 1-1 draw, Maya Le Tissier ensuring the Red Devils remain unbeaten. Leicester are also yet to lose and sit second in the early season league table.
Elsewhere, Spurs fought back to beat Brighton and holders Chelsea maintained their unbeaten start against West Ham. Here are the big talking points from the WSL this weekend.
1. Everton show metal to repeat history at Anfield
Twelve months ago Everton went to Liverpool, with the Reds riding high after a shock opening day victory, and pulled off an upset. So when Matt Beard’s team won at Arsenal two weeks ago he was wary of not getting carried away.
Sunday night’s Merseyside Derby showed exactly why he was cautious. Everton, without a point after their first two games, once again turned up and spoiled the party on Liverpool’s big night at Anfield.
Last season they did so with a stunning 3-0 win built on the flair of Jess Park. This time it was more about a spirited defensive performance, while carrying a real threat on the counter attack.
Everton celebrate after their derby day win
The Toffees even took charge for a period after captain Megan Finnigan headed in a first half opener and would have won by a greater margin had Toni Duggan or Katja Snoeijs converted late chances. Liverpool have now lost all three Anfield matches against their neighbours and have won only once in the last seven all-Merseyside clashes.
2. Mead and Russo could turn Arsenal’s season
England duo Beth Mead and Alessia Russo showed they could be Arsenal’s route back to the top of the WSL, during a dramatic Gunners win over Aston Villa. The pair combined for the first time since helping England win the Euros last year, when Mead came off the bench to set-up Russo’s 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa.
Up until Mead’s triumphant return to action it looked as if it would be another frustrating game for Arsenal at the Emirates, after losing at the same venue on the opening day against Liverpool. Instead they produced a dramatic fightback to send the Emirates delirious and leave Aston Villa distraught.
Maz Pacheco’s header had looked to give Carla Ward’s team a win, but Villa were unable to survive 12 minutes of injury time. Ward took issue with the additional period after the game, “Somebody tell me where that (12 minutes) came from,” she stated in her post-match press conference.
Arsenal celebrate after Russo’s late winner
“It’s not just today. There were a few stoppages today, but 12 minutes is ludicrous. Sadly that is the way the game is going.”
3. Chelsea maintain sensational home run
The WSL holders maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win over West Ham. The bright spark at Kingsmeadow was Sam Kerr’s first goal of the season.
After an injury-hit World Cup and start to the new domestic season Kerr announced her return to the starting lineup in style, arriving unmarked at the back post to power home a header. From that point on Emma Hayes’ side were always in control, although West Ham provided spirited opposition.
Rehanne Skinner looks to have got them well organised and they were still in the game until the dying minutes. A smart finish from Erin Cuthbert ended the contest, giving Chelsea a remarkable 17th straight home win in the league. If they maintain that run they’ll be hard to stop this season.
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4. Man Utd look to PSG after Leicester surprise
After two high-profile draws against Arsenal in the league and PSG in Europe, United were looking for a nice quiet home victory against Leicester at Leigh Sports Village. Instead the Foxes showed they won’t be pushovers this season, earning a point after a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Willie Kirk’s side took the lead when poor United defending allowed Aileen Whelan to fire past Mary Earps. Maya Le Tissier got United level from a wonderful Kit Zelem corner, but Leicester continued to be difficult to put away, with Janina Leitzig putting in another excellent display in goal.
United will now have to turn their attentions to a crucial Champions League second leg qualifier in Paris on Wednesday. A win to take them into the group stage would be a major achievement for a club on the up, but it would also mean they will have to deal with the prospect of juggling European and domestic football for the next seven months.
Maya Le Tissier earned Man Utd a point
5. Bristol’s tough start continues as Man City run riot
Newly promoted Bristol City are now the only team without a point in the WSL after three games. The Vixens have had a tough start to life back in the top flight, the latest defeat a 5-0 thrashing at Man City.
A trip to a side expected to challenge for the WSL title won’t define their season but Lauren Smith’s team will be desperate to gain a point soon and get the first target done and dusted. Here they were no match for Gareth Taylor’s team, who hit all five goals in the first half.
Bunny Shaw, second in the Golden Boot race last season, was back among the goals, scoring twice. Summer signing Jill Roord also bagged a brace making it three goals since her arrival. The win sends Man City top of the table, while Bristol are bottom and next face Arsenal in their final chance to score a point before the first international break.
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