Man City take WSL derby spoils; Arsenal, Villa win; draws elsewhere | OneFootball

The FA Women’s Super League marked its return from the international break with a super Sunday to say the least.

Here’s what happened.

Manchester is Blue as City sweep aside United

Scorers: Zelem 22′; Roord 34′, Hemp 35′, Shaw 55′

Manchester City bounced back after two consecutive WSL losses to run out convincing winners against their crosstown rivals.

In front of over 43,000 at Old Trafford – the biggest in women’s Manchester Derby history – the two sides matched the occasion with a brilliant first half.

City started the better and dominated the opening 20 minutes but it was United who found the lead from the penalty spot. Alex Greenwood was judged to have handled from Melvine Malard’s shot and Katie Zelem made no mistake from 12 yards.

It was nearly two shortly after. Geyse beat the offside trap and, after having her first shot blocked, she recollected the ball and finished. However, the ball went beyond the goal line prior and was ruled out.

City responded and got the goal their play deserved. Chloe Kelly glided down the left and picked out Jill Roord with a pinpoint pass. The Dutch midfielder allowed the ball to come across her and knocked it past Mary Earps.

Within a minute, the game had flipped on its head with City taking a 2-1 lead. Bunny Shaw had two opportunities to shoot but then played in Lauren Hemp, who ruthlessly finished.

It was 3-1 shortly into the second half, with United making a mess of playing out from the back, leading to Earps hitting the ball off the knee

City continued to dominate with United struggling to mount any type of fightback such was the level of quality being displayed by the visitors.

Laia Aleixandri was sent off for a second yellow after pulling down Lucía García but City saw out the last 20 minutes with relative comfort.

The Blues move into third ahead of United but are six points off leaders Chelsea after just seven games.

Spurs caught in a Fox hole

Scorers: Cayman 18′; Ildhusøy 58′

Spurs had been in fine form at the start of the season but they were second-best in the opening exchanges at the King Power.

And it was the Foxes who took the lead on 18 minutes as Janice Cayman breezed into the box and finished with aplomb.

After the break the north London side went on the charge and got an equaliser near the hour mark as Celin Ildhusøy fired in a brilliant first time effort.

Tottenham pushed for a winner as the game progressed but Leicester held out for a well-deserved point.

Daly to the rescue

Scorers: Asseyi (PEN) 27′ Evans 80′; Patten 31′, Leon 50′, Daly 90+3′

Rachel Daly scored with the last kick of the game to give Aston Villa a 3-2 win away at West Ham.

This was a battle between two sides with just one win each so far this season and it was very much nip-and-tuck in the first half.

The deadlock was eventually broken on 27 minutes as Viviane Asseyi netted from the penalty spot for the hosts.

But the Hammers lead lasted just four minutes as Anna Patten headed in for her first ever goal in the Super League.

The midlands side completed the turnaround immediately after the break as Adriana Leon netted against her former club.

West Ham weren’t to be outdone though and they pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go as Lisa Evans bagged a smart equaliser.

With almost the last kick of the game however, Lionesses Daly scored to give Villa all three points.

Arsenal gun down the Seagulls

Scorers: Blackstenius 12′, Foord 80′, Maanum 90+3′

Arsenal needed a Caitlin Foord stunner to secure a 2-0 win over Brighton and stay in second place in the Women’s Super League.

With Chelsea winning on Saturday, the Gunners went to the south coast looking to claim three points that would keep them in touch with the west London side.

And they got off to the perfect start as Stina Blackstenius took two bites at the apple but eventually fired into the top corner from inside the area.

It was terrible defending from the Seagulls but the hosts had a better backline a few moments later when they stopped Alessia Russo from doubling the lead.

After the break it was Arsenal who looked most likely to get the next goal but some poor decision-making in the final third kept the scoreline at 1-0.

But with 10 minutes to go, Caitlin Foord picked out the bottom corner with a fine finish.

The victory was secured in stoppage time as Frida Maanum completed a lovely team move to net a third.

Merseyside misery

Scorers: Piemonte 5′, Finnigan 57′; Rodgers 45+1′, Thestrup 82′

A late strike from Amelie Thestrup secured a 2-2 draw for Bristol City at Everton.

It was the Toffees who took the lead inside the opening five minutes as Martina Piemonte fired in from close range for her first ever goal in blue.

Their lead lasted almost the entirety of the first half but Amy Mae Rodgers bagged an equaliser for the Robins in added time.

Into the second half though, and the Merseyside outfit restored their advantage just before the hour mark as Megan Finnigan volleyed home.

But once again Bristol City pushed to find an equaliser and for the second time, they did exactly that.

Thestrup raced in behind the home defence and chipped the ball into the back of the net.

Saturday result

Lauren James further boost her world class reputation with a first ever Women’s Super League hat-trick against Liverpool.