The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Brighton stun Arsenal in FA Cup as WSL 2 title race heats up – Women’s Football Weekly podcast

Episode Date: April 7, 2026

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Tom Garry and Anne-Marie Batson to review the FA Cup quarter-finals and assess a dramatic run-in at both ends of the WSL 2 table

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faker others and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Well, the FA Cup didn't disappoint with four semi-finalists now set. It was an upset at Meadow Park as Brighton knocked out Arsenal. Chelsea's title defence is intact despite a resilient Tottenham. The double's still on for Manchester City, who narrowly beat Birmingham, and Liverpool came out on top against Charlton. We'll review all the games, focus on the WSL2, preview the Lioness's World Cup qualifiers,

Plus we'll take your questions, and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. What a panel we have today. Bless you, Susie Wack. Literally just throwing to you as you sneeze into the microphone. How are you? Appropriate after this holy of weekends. Did you do an Easter egg hunt? Of course, yeah.

Like, we just, when I was a kid, like, our parents would just hide the eggs and we would find them. Michael's family, for some reason, did clues. So like Michael stayed up late, and he does this every year, like very elaborate clues for James to Easter eggs. And because we were playing last year it was incredible. There was even some in like other languages. But this year because we had been playing Who Am I in the car on our long drive on Saturday. He did it as a version of Who Am I with various like musicians that we had CDs of or like, you know, kind of various various. posters or figurines or whatever around the room as like who am I type clue to find the eggs.

It was very elaborate. I love that. That is my kind of Easter egg hunt, I have to say. Tom Gary, lovely to see you. I need to inform you that my marriage is intact after IKEA furniture making. So we're not going to fall out as friends on the recommendation that it's all fine. We survived it. How are you?

I'm very pleased to hear that. well here. No more IKEA furniture, but I do have a scoreline for you, which is Guardian Football Weekly 1. West Coast Mainland Engineering Works nil because I defied the closure of Houston stations trains over Easter to make it to a match at the weekend. So success there. Anne-Marie Batson, tell me your win from the weekend. It was Operation House this weekend. I was determined to sort out several things in the house. So I cleaned the oven, the washing machine got a clean. I mowed the front lawn, the back lawn as well, and also Vacation. the house. So that was Operation House this weekend and sat on the sofa and ate loads of

mini eggs as my reward. I'm very proud of you too and also very jealous because that sounds way more productive than my weekend for sure. I've also had an epic fail as both mother and auntie as I thought that I could, having worked all weekend, I thought I would take my nephew and my son on an Easter egg hunt to our local park only to find out that the last day was yesterday. So today's not happening. Epic fail. Need to find something else to do. Anyway, we really should talk football, shouldn't we? That's what we're here for.

Let's talk about... No, we're all right. We're okay. We don't need to. Let's do a whole pod on domestic matters and Easter eggs. That would be much more fun. The final four of the Adobe Women's FA Cup is set. The quarterfinals took place around the weekend. We've got one cup set, one extra time and a fairy tale return. All part of the drama witnessed over the last few days.

Manchester City, Chelsea, Brighton and Liverpool all advanced. We'll start a Meadow Park. I was there on Sunday. Headline of the weekend as well. Brighton knocked out Arsenal from the competition. Madison Haley with a stunner of a goal and Caitlin Hayes both set up by Frank Kirby, scored in a 2-0 victory for Brighton. It was a deserve win.

Dario Vittesich understandably pleased with his team as well. We're delighted with the result, he said. We would have loved to play a little bit more football, but we heard about the condition of the pitch. morning and when we arrived we adapted accordingly. He mentioned that a couple of times to me actually in pre-match and post-match about the pitch but it didn't seem to bother them too much. Susie, massive moment in their season. How did they do it? It was a hugely impressive performance. They really wanted it and I think that was the key. They took advantage of the fact that

Arsenal had heavy legs from the Champions League exploits, the North London Derby and really went after the game and didn't allow Arsenal to settle into it at all. and I think that was key. Obviously, Renee Sleggers rotated a bit. I think there were six changes from the Chelsea side, but still a team that should be winning a match. I had like flashbacks for Brighton's second goal to the disallowed goal against Chelsea in the first leg

where basically Lear Cadina just doesn't jump. Obviously, like incorrectly given us a foul in the Chelsea game and shouldn't have been ruled out. And basically she, you know, does the say, she just, she runs out to meet the ball, but doesn't try and kind of get to it, doesn't try and jump for it, doesn't try and compete for it at all. And Hayes can just head it into the net. And I think that complacency at the back really cost them. There was hesitancy to clear the lines.

And Brighton really, really capitalised out on that and really kind of kept the pressure on throughout. and yeah, costly to sort of not get into the game quicker and, you know, kind of control, play early on, understandable given the fixture pile up. But when you're a team of Arsenal's quality and of, you know, the ambition and the squad that's been built to be able to compete in full competitions, you can't be throwing away results like this and games like this as like, oh, we were tired or whatever it may be. Same could be said for the men's. So, you know, great weekend for me.

well yeah no I didn't want to bring that up it's out of another cop competition and then the women go out of another cup competition but Renee Slegger's did bring on an entire new front line in the second half and it still didn't make any difference but I have to give a big shout out to Chiamaca and Dozy who was fantastic in goal against

a couple of really crucial saves early on that could have got Arsenal back into the game she was brilliant as was Fran Kirby Tom she was at the heart of it the engine room as we know she came brought all that kind of big game experience with her, got two assists. She's just crucial for them, isn't she? Yeah, Kirby and Hayes combining to knock out Arsenal in the cup.

Are there any Chelsea fans listening? No, on a serious note, Kirby co-played very, very well. She also played exceptionally well in their way win at Leicester, which I was lucky to see the previous weekend. She's in good form. It's the movement and the kind of vision in that fairly free role she's got kind of in front of Sakey, But not just that. I think she's got the experience. She's got the leadership now that maybe she didn't have when she was maybe 10 years younger. She's bringing that to the dressing room.

But just generally they all play. You mentioned a dozy who I thought was superb again and is having a really good season. But they were good at set pieces. They were good without the ball. And now they're trying to win their first major trophy in the women's game and good luck to them because they really deserve this victory. I do have a slight bones pick though. I did hear a really. rival audio service described this win as an example of the magic of the cup. I'm not having that. Sixth beats third in the top flight is not the magic of the cup. If that's the best shot we can offer, then we're clutching at straws. The magic of the cup would be like Liverpool feds going to knock out Markskin as Manchester United. I'm not having sixth versus third. I've still never seen an upset. Eleven seasons covering the competition fate. I've never seen

a double-souled side, lose to anyone from a lower division at a game that I've been at. And yeah, I'm not having this. I'm not, we cannot put this up as an example of magic of the cup. Did you inwardly cringe then when I said an upset in my introduction? Very happy with the word upset. It was an upset. Okay. But it's not a magic, it's not Macclesfield knocking out Crystal Palace.

I agree with you 100%. There's no magic wand there, without a doubt. There's no fairy dust. Upset is totally endorsed. It was a surprise, I think, which is perhaps not fair on Brighton, actually, but because they've been inconsistent this season, but as of Arsenal, to be fair, I think most people expected it to be an easy Arsenal win. And actually, Amory, it was the second year in a row that Arsenal have gone out of the quarterfinal stage.

I don't think they've won the FA Cup for over 10 years. I think it's been 10 years since they won this competition. And as Susie mentioned, you know, we know that they were fatigued with all the USA. the other exploits that they're up to, but they've got very good squad depth. But maybe it's not as good as we think it is. What do you think? It's a great point. I mean, when I was watching the game amongst doing other things yesterday,

I was kind of looking at going, when I saw the line up, I thought, great. The changes, great. The subs bench are thinking, wow, someone who could come on, get that winner, etc., etc., etc. The first few minutes, I'm watching it and I'm thinking, Arsenal are in trouble here because Brighton were just smothering them. Then Arsol started to get control and I thought, right, this is where they're going to kick on now. This is where they're going to push on. You saw a couple of times, you know, Mariona Caldente having an opportunity

Steena, Blackstanias also having an opportunity as well. And you mentioned the Brighton goalkeeper being absolutely tremendous within that game. The first goal goes in from Brighton, from Manzan, Hayer thought, okay, it's fine. Absolutely fine. They'll make changes, etc., etc. And then the trio comes on. I thought there's no change. There's nothing changing. They looked panicked, they looked rush, et cetera, et cetera. And I just thought this isn't going to happen. And the second goal went in. And Susie made their point, they looked flustered, the arms were going up in the air.

They just didn't know what to do with themselves. And the times the camera went to Renee Seggis and she's sitting in her chair and she's got her hand on her chin. And she's looking at her tablet, etc, etc. I'm thinking, please get out your chair, go to the edge of the pitch, at the corner of your technical box and shout some instructions. Because these look like players who did not know what to do to get out of trouble. And I'm slightly worried about that. For Arsenal, I thought this is a team that can solve puzzles,

and they couldn't solve this particular puzzle. And the fact you mentioned about them, the success is the second successive year going out of this stage. That's not, I'm going to be really blunt, that's not good enough for the level that Arsenal are at right now. The quality that they have, the quality they had on that bench, they should be able to get themselves out of trouble. The fact, this has happened for a second successive year.

I think that question needs to be put to Renee Sliggers. How can you not solve this problem? this roadblock when you come to the quarterfinals of the women's FA Cup and you can't get past it. This is a cup that Arsenal love. It's their Cup. It belongs to them. And for the second sexes of year, they've not been able to solve this problem. And I think that's something that Arsenal need to look at today and going forward.

Yeah, 14-time winners, but not having won it for the last 10 years. To be fair, their attention has gone elsewhere. And if Arsenal end up winning back-to-back Champions League titles, I think the FA Cup will get forgotten about. But, you know, we've still got a little way to go before that. No such drama at Kings Meadow. Chelsea saw off a resilient Tottenham to continue their trophy defence. Villarberman scored a stunning 86-minute winner after Evelyn Sumer had cancelled out Sam Kerr's opener. It felt actually like quite a pivotal moment in Chelsea's season after they were knocked out of Europe midweek. Susie, how do you reflect on that performance? Yeah, they really

needed it. And I think they suffered from kind of all the issues Arsenal had against Brighton in like, you know, kind of fatigue levels and yeah, coming out of a very, very tough block of games, obviously without the success of getting through to the semi-finals of the Champions League

behind them as well, but were far more resilient in dealing with that. And they were paying a really, really good Tottenham side who were aggressive. They play to try and take something from games now. And I think like, you know, when you watch the the back-to-back 5-2 defeats to Man City and Arsenal in their last two league games.

Like one of the things that, you know, I think they could take a lot heart from is a fact that they, when they were behind and the score number's tight, they didn't just kind of play to keep the margin minimal. They played to try and get something from the game. And that cost them because it opened them up and then obviously City and Arsenal really exposed them. But I think there's something really admirable about playing to, try and get something from the game and not being scared, you know, to zero points to zero points, right? So, you know, whether you lose by three goals or you lose by one doesn't matter, but if you've got a chance to go for the point, why not go for it? And I think that was, like,

testament to them in this game. And Chelsea really, really struggled with that big time. And it took the moment of magic from Will Berman to kind of get them the win. And it was a phenomenal goal. It's her first Chelsea goal. She deserves it particularly after. the disallowed one against Arsenal in the first leg, which just shouldn't have been disallowed, what would have been two big goals in really, really big moments for the team for a player who's only 19 and has had an incredible sort of block as well,

which is cool. Yeah, she's so young, Tom, isn't she? But one of the emerging talents of the season, I think it's fair to say. Yeah, definitely. And I think looks like one of the brightest young defenders in the game right now. So it's super. And of course, was played really well

in Europe as well, I think, as well. It was worth pointing out and was very unlucky not to get a goal in the game at the Emirates, of course. But no, listen, I think this was, Chelsea needed this. And it was a big moment for their season, I think, because if they can come away from this campaign with the FA Cup, I think it's still a really good, successful year in a kind of transition period for them as well. So there would always be that lingering disappointment of how far off they've been in a title race and going out, in Europe, but the FA Cup would still represent, you know, given they've also got the League Cup too, of course.

You know, that's still a really good season that a lot of people would be jealous of. So I think this was big for Chelsea. And then I know the draw is difficult for them as well. But they've got a really good chance now of a cup double. So let's see. Martin Ho set up his spur side with a more defensive double pivot, Evelyn Summonin and Drew Spence instead of the more attacking. Olivia Holt and Marie.

I mean, obviously it didn't fully work because they didn't win the game, but was it the right call, do you think, for this game? Yeah, I think so. And I think the scoreline reflects that, Faye. In the full time, whistle went, and the cameras panning round at the various players and what have you, and it fell onto some of the Tomlin players.

They were literally taking, like, deep gulps of air because it showed how hard they'd worked to try and keep Chelsea at bay. Of course, obviously Chelsea go away with the win, but I was quite impressed with the way that Martin Howard set up Tottenham yesterday. Again, I'm sorry Spurs fans. I thought it was going to be a drubbing because this is Chelsea at the end of the day, you know, in the quality that they've got.

But, you know, Tottenham gave it their rule. They worked incredibly hard. They were incredibly disciplined as well. I thought Simmons Equalise was brilliant, but the quality of Chelsea, it's just there. But I think they worked extremely hard. And I think that was pretty evident at the full time we saw. as I said, you could just see them just to try to take in some air because they'd worked so hard.

And dare I say, the cliche ran themselves into the ground, I would say. And then, you know, the chance is the end. That was a nervy last five minutes, I'd have to say for Chelsea, the way that Tottenham really tried to push for that equaliser, but, you know, the right team won in the end. But Tottenham, I should say, despite the results, should be pretty proud of themselves the way they really showed up for this quarterfinal. An early goal from Bonnie Shaw, saw Manchester City.

through to the semi-finals against WSL two leaders, Birmingham City. It means they keep their hopes of a domestic double alive, Susie. But obviously, how pleased is Amy Merrick going to be at her side's performance despite the defeat? And it's always difficult saying that because it feels really patronising to say, oh, she must be pleased with their performance despite them actually getting knocked out of the cup. But to keep the WSL champions elect limited to just one goal. and Bunny Shaw, who's a goal machine anyway, scoring it. I'm sure actually when she looks back, she'll be quite pleased with that.

Oh, definitely. I mean, like a few teams in the WSL can do that, right? Like limit city to one goal, especially when you can cede so early on to like regain some defensive structure is really great. Thomas brilliant in goal for them as well. Obviously, Shaw hit the bottom of the post too. I think it hit the bar at one point as well. So they were kind of, you know, kind of pushing.

but I thought it was a really resilient performance and a real boost going into the final games of the season in the league for them as well. Hugely impressive to hold that city front line at bay for 84 minutes of the game. I guess you could say city weren't of their clinical best but a team has to have something to say about that for that to happen and yeah, I think they could take a huge amount from that performance.

Charlton took Liverpool to extra time at the Valley on Sunday. Garret Taylor's side eventually came through, thanks to a 115th minute winner from young Zara Shaw. You were at this one, Tom. What did you make of the fight that Charlton put up? And was it just the fact that Liverpool had too much for them in the end? Charlton Faye played very, very well defensively for 115 minutes. Made it very, very difficult for Liverpool to break them down.

They didn't offer loads at the other end. end in fairness, but defensively in terms of the work rate and the fight and the, just the defensive qualities, they looked fairly WSL ready, actually. And I think Karen Hills was rightly proud of the performance and the determination that they showed, nearly taking Liverpool all the way to penalties. The pressure was starting to mount for Liverpool, but it was a scrappy goal. It was one of the ugliest, like proper kind of goal mouth scramble. I sort of loved it in a way. weird way because it was just such a mess. Clark hit the post, then had a header cleared that might have hit an arm, then her next header hit the bar, then it bounced down again, and then

Zara Shaw sort of forces it home. It was like beautifully messy scramble, but Liverpool did find a way to score. But that was, for the previous 15, 20 minutes, it was looking like that was going to be the only kind of way they would find a way through, would sort of by hook or by crook, sort of somehow forcing it over the line. Liverpool were the better team, of course they were, but Charlton deserve a lot of credit for how long they resisted them. And I think if they perform with that level of work rate and determination, you know, I mean, they've got the best defensive record in WSL2.

They've obviously got two games left, two very difficult games. So I've Hampton away and Birmingham at home, then they're not up yet. It's really tight. but if they perflip, fall like that, they got a great chance. And even if they did end up in the playoff, if they defend like that, then they will make it really hard for whoever they're up against there.

So, yeah, lots of encouragement for Karen Hills' team to take from that display in front of their largest crowd at the Valley for a women's game for more than 20 years. So, yeah, well done to them for that performance. Yeah, we'll talk about how tight the WSL2 is in a minute, but it was a fairy tale return for 18-year-old Academy product, Zara Shaw. She had an ACL injury a year ago, and that was the second of her career, would you believe. This is what she had to say after the game. I don't know what to say, if I'm honest.

This is what she had to say, I don't know. For those that have been close to me over the past few seasons, it's been really, really tough. I've gone through things that I didn't think I'd ever have to go through, not once but twice. Just thank you to all the girls they've put in a shift today. I'm all over the place right now. I couldn't have done it without them. It's all about the team. Let's talk about the draw, shall we?

because that was made on Monday night. Very interesting, because Manchester City will travel to Chelsea. Liverpool will host Brighton. The ties are going to be played on the 9th and 10th of May. But whatever happens, it's going to be a newer face in the final than what we've seen in the last few years,

which excites me personally. The last time Liverpool made an appearance was in 1995. Brighton, though, on the brink of history. They've never gone to Wembley and made a final. What did you make of the draw, Amory? A difficult one to do. call, particularly between, for me, the Chelsea, the Man City one, is the one that I cannot decide which one will, which team will go through to the final. I think Liverpool versus Brighton,

I think Brighton will get the win and I'd be delighted for them to get that opportunity to play in front of their fans at Wembley Stadium. Would it be wrong for me to say that? I'm kind of a little bit disappointed than Chelsea Man City in the semi-final. I look at it and I think, it's going to be, don't get me wrong, it'll be a great semi-final, it will be great. But I look at it, I think that's worthy of a final as well. I've had it before. It's boring. I know, I know, I know. I know. It's just, you know, it's kind of the way that, you know,

Chelsea had been, you know, domestically their season, the way that it's been the twists and turns. Man City had been the dominant team from the WSL. They both, you know, in terms of the League Cup, it's gone Chelsea's way. Could Man City then lift the FAA Cup? You know, there's a few storylines within that. I'm just, you know, I'm just kind of thinking, yeah, it feels a bit too early for Chelsea and Man City to be meeting the same five.

But it is what it is, is the draw. And I accept that. But I can't call it that second one between Chelsea and Man City. I think it could go either way. But for me, Liverpool, Brighton, I'm expecting Brighton to come through that. And there will be the ones that will be playing in front of the fans at Wembley Stadium, I'd say. It's also a throwback. We've had City Chelsea in semi-finals of domestic cups a gazillion times and rarely in a final.

So I'd actually prefer that. I think it's more boring to have this repeated than to have them meet in a final. Oh, no. Well, listen, I understand both sides of the argument. However, I would love to see a Brighton or a Liverpool, which we're going to, at a final. And particularly Brighton with the investment that they make in their women's team, that I think that that would be. Not that I'm choosing, by the way, I'm just saying. Just really nice for Dariavidsich as well, right?

Like after the year he's had to. would be a lovely, lovely story for him to have that moment. Yeah, that's a good show, yeah, yeah. Here, but I was also going to say on similar lines, how emotional it would be for Liverpool, I think, to get to the final this year of all years as well. So both of them have such poignant personal stories over the course of this season at those two clubs.

Well, Man City Liverpool, the Garth Taylor Derby, Wembley could be interesting. Anyway, we will find out at the beginning of May, who's going to Wembley at the end of May. That's it for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. In part two, we'll catch up on the wild ride that is the Barclays WSL2, and we'll look ahead to England's World Cup qualifier against Spain. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly.

So two matches to go, the Barclays WSL2 is hurtling towards a fascinating conclusion at both ends of the table. Just a few weeks ago, Chartland were unbeaten and looked like they were heading for the title with a comfortable points cushion, but they've had three defeats in their last four, and they've watched Birmingham City capitalise and take top spot on goal difference. These two are going to face each other at the valley

on the final day of the season. Obviously, a lot can happen between then and now, but there's been a bit of a shift in momentum, Susie, for both sides. Which one holds the psychological edge? Do you think ahead of the running? Oh, it's huge, isn't it? And, you know, you've got to say that

Birmingham have the psychological edge, right? you've given up. I think most people thought Charton were nailed on for the title and that automatic promote, well, two automatic promotion spots, but the top automatic promotion spot and have that momentum rupture at this stage of the season with two games to play, including the final game of the season being against the team that have been able to capitalise on that is going to be a blow, particularly when you look at their penultimate fixtures, Birmingham and playing Ipswich, Charlton playing Southampton,

you know, Southampton are fifth in the, in the table, 10 points behind the pair of them, but far, far closer than Ipswich, who are second from bottom, level on points with bottom place, Portsmouth, right?

Like, there's a big advantage of Birmingham we've got there in the game that takes them into that final game and the momentum of that and, you know, the potential to kind of come through it relatively, kind of unscathed and untired and things is there for them.

So yeah, I think it will definitely be with Birmingham going into that final game of the season. But what a showpiece that game is going to be. I mean, I think that's the most interesting tie of all of the fixtures across the WSL and WSL2 in the next few weeks. Yeah, and we've got a few, to be honest. Crystal Pallis aren't out of the picture. They've had a late-season surge under the guidance of Joe Bres. Potter. They're unbeaten in their last six, look pretty good for that third playoff spot at least. How have they turned their season around, Tom? Because, you know, they were really struggling at the

beginning, but to go straight back up would actually mark quite a big achievement. Yeah, they've had a very good second half of the campaign, haven't they? I think a lot of it is down to the fact that they've got a very experienced squad with a lot of good WSL players. And a lot of players who stayed with them after the relegation, but also players who've come in and added significant experience. People like Haley Ladd, for example, coming into that team. It just had a fantastic impact.

They've got goal scorers. They can start an 11 of what I would call WSL level players. So they've got a really good team. And I think if they had, they'll be kicking themselves that they started so slowly because they're probably the best team in this league now. They've just left it a little bit too late. And I think the scenario now could be against them

because I think I'm right in saying that if Birmingham, Charlton and Crystal Palace all took the same number of points from their next matches in the penultimate round, then they would go into the final weekend of the season where even if Palace win, a Charlton and Birmingham draw would send them both up. And I'm not suggesting for a second that Karen Hills and Amy Merrick's professional people that they are would tell their players to simply pass the ball around and play out a draw because that's obviously not going to happen. certainly for Palace, it's not in their hands. So I think that they'll be kicking themselves

that they didn't stop it earlier. But though they have done very, very well. I saw them win at Birmingham a few weeks ago. They moved the ball really quickly going forward when they countered. They were strong at the back. And I think just some of those, still got players who've scored so many goals

in this division, Blanchard, for example. It's a good team. And if they finish third, I'd be really worried. for the WSEL team that was up against them in a one-off game away from home at Selleherst Park. Yeah, definitely. Equally tight at the bottom.

Hipswich and Portsmouth are tied on 14 points. There's just one goal separating them in terms of goal difference as well. The Tractor girls do have a game in hand, importantly. Portsmouth, though, fighting relegation for the second successive campaign. It's Ipswich's first season in the WSL2. You've actually covered a few of their games, Amory.

What have you made at their season so far and who do you think out of the two looks best place to stay up? Two really good questions. I think for me, for Ipswich, it's been a season of two halves, if you don't mind me. Just bear me for a second. I think pre-David Wright, when Jo Sheen was involved, that first half of the season, Ipswich were just leaking goals and left, right and centre, and the stats completely backed that up.

Towards the end of Joachian's tenure, you could just see little things starting to happen. They were being a bit more tied to defensively. They were moving the ball a lot quicker. Now that David Wright is on board, he has pushed that on for sure. And again, the stats back that up. The problem, though, and the problem has been, the attacking has been inconsistent. Rihanna Dean is their top scorer. She's only on five goals compared to others within WSL2.

I think Lily crossed the weight. She's on eight. That's too big of a gap in terms of the attacking threat that they have. The January signings have made a world of difference for sure. I think Kit Graham coming on board. Lucy Ashworth, Clifford has been amazing in terms of getting two goals out of three appearances that she's made. Princess Adam and Louis, my goodness, she's a bully on the ball, honestly, a proper bully on the ball. The way that she's able to, she tries to drive forward the ball forward.

And what they've been doing before is usually just sometimes just lobbing it over players heads rather than using the width of the pitch and using the wings. And they've been doing that a lot more under David Wright. That thing, though, Faye, is that game in hand against. Sheffields United, if they lose that, then it's pretty much down to results going the other way for them in terms of other teams. So there's, you know, the belief is so, is really, really there. They really want this badly. And I think it's been a massive reality check for them as well. Have they left it too late?

I don't know. And it's really difficult for me to call to say, I think Ipswich can do it compared to Portsmouth. It's the case of Ken Portsmouth pull off the Great Escape. again, it's been a difficult campaign for them. Whereas with Ipswich, as I said, this has been a massive learning curve. I don't know. That game against Sheffield United, when the teams have met Ipswich and Sheffield United, it's literally been one goal different.

That's it. And the women's, they met in the Wempswich Cup, when they met previously in the reverse feature. So, yeah, it's really, really hard to call. But if Ipsych want to do it, they've got to be more clinical. When they played against Southampton, they had 20 total shots. but still couldn't get that winning goal. So, yeah, they've got to be more clinical on that final third.

Yeah, Ipswich's games. They've got a game in hand against Sheffield United. Then they've got Birmingham and Sunderland. Portsmouth have got Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. We're going to keep our eye over all the action over the next few weeks. But in terms of the overall health of the WSL2, Susie, what have you made of it? Because it feels as if clubs have been making investments.

It's the first year every game's been available to watch as well. what needs to happen next to make sure that this progress continues? It's definitely been exciting to watch right and to follow and interest is definitely increasing in the league. You know, I think it wasn't a terrible idea, which I think quite a few people thought it was, to re-rebrand it as WSL2. I think that was a good move and sort of to align it in alongside the WSL I think was important. Obviously this season, the huge. carrot of free potential promotion places has made a big difference. I am always, as I've said

repeatedly on this podcast and in my writing, being skeptical of private finance investment in women's football and what that means for the long-term health of the game. So I'm not going to be a cheerleader for the money that's gone in at Birmingham City and Newcastle and Bristol. I do think that there are plenty of players and people working at those clubs that really, really deserve financial backing. I would like to see it come more from the teams and, you know, kind of clubs find ways to do it in a more sustainable kind of grassroots way. You know, I like to look back on the birth of football and, you know, the fact that they were born from a lot of working class communities and were ways of serving a benefit in the community. So I'm never ever going to

be a huge fan of that, but I think there is, you know, a lot to be liked about the competitiveness of the league this season, the kind of increased interest that that's driven and things. And Sixth Street reportedly in discussions with Sunderland as well. So there's more investment going into that league, which is particularly interesting at a time where, you know, we have had this season where investment has come in. There's those free promotion spots. That's not their next season to the same extent. You've not got the same carrot, but there is still investment going into the league,

which is interesting that people still have that interest and that's not waning. That said, as I've said repeatedly, I am not a huge, like, advocate of this, this method of investment in football because at some point these kind of organisations are going to want to return on that investment and what's the cost of that. And that worries me for the long-term health of the game. But I also can see, you know, that it has delivered some excitement to this league and grown interest in it quite significantly as well. I agree with everything to you just said. And also think we should point out that when the FA put out their agents fees list, last week, there was an 85% increase in the agent's fees that were spent by WSL2 clubs year on year. And we have not seen an 85% increase in the revenue. So just a word of caution,

I think, on how much is being spent, not specifically on the agents that I'm going out there, but just more broadly on salaries, on transfer fees, on all that stuff around expenditure. 85% is a really big increase in one year. Right. Let's talk about the international business. break, shall we? A massive game on the horizon that we've kind of been teasing since that Nations League draw was first made. England and Spain meeting once again. They can't avoid each other. They're like shadows. It's going to be at Wembley on Tuesday, the 14th of April. It's a massive qualifier for the 2027 World Cup. Very excited about it, Tom.

Obviously, a repeat of last year's Euro's final as well. Will the lionesses be going into it with a bit of a psychological advantage? Oh, will they? I would say, yeah, I suppose they would, actually. But more importantly than that, they just, they go into it, knowing that they can definitely beat Spain if they play really well, which is not something I would have maybe said. After the World Cup final, after the World Cup final,

I sort of thought that there was a bit of a gap, but actually England completely proved me wrong, not only beating them in the last nation's league cycle, but also obviously the brilliant performance in the euro. So they'll take a lot of, yeah, heart from and confidence from how well they've done against them. But let's not forget that Spain is still an extremely, extremely good football team with the best technical players on the planet. So many of whom are in brilliant form right now for club and country.

So this is going to be a really difficult game. but I think that England have got a great chance, particularly with the home advantage in this match. And they've done themselves a big favour with the goal difference in the two games in the previous camp. So I don't think Serena of Igman would play for a draw, but a draw is not a bad result for England if they were to draw both matches against Spain.

So they're in a healthy place with a good chance to just try and reproduce that kind of performance at Wembley. I mean, we spoke so much. about the Euros win last summer, to replicate that is going to take all 11 players to be at the top of their game and playing brilliantly. And yeah, hopefully from a spectacle of what the game will look like, hopefully they can do that because if these two teams both deliver, we're in for a real treat with a properly fantastic game at Wembley.

Could be squad depth really important, actually. It could be 16 players that will be important because both sides are carrying a couple of injuries, no Leia Alexandri, no Itana Bon Mati for Spain, England missing Elitun and Agu Biva Jones. Questions still over the fitness of Leah Williamson. How much of an effect is that going to have for both sides, Amory? Huge. And I think this is a, in a way, this is a test for both the managers for head coaches and now having to think about when they haven't got these key players within the squad or in the starting 11,

what is plan B, what's plan C? and I think both the squad announcements reflect that, the fact that, you know, I'm sure you're going to talk about her, the young 17-year-old Erica Parkinson coming in to the team. I think it's great that Lear Williamson is still included in that because she brings in the squad, because she brings that leadership quality. But you've got Noella Toon, you've got Noagie Beaver Jones, who's amazing. And then the same for the Spanish team.

Without Bonn-Massie being there and the question mark over her ankle injury is the head coach there, Bermuda, having to think now, who else technically can step into that space? Or are we having to think tactically in a different way now, the way that we set up, set up? It's great that, you know, Mapi-Leon has been recalled back into the squad. Estade Gonzalez as well is back into the squad. Is this the way that now Spain are thinking going forward?

Now that Bonnati has this injury, they're having to think now, what is the long-term plan for us now that she's not going to be featuring as much or, or if ever in the future. So I think it's quite interesting the way, I think it's quite interesting the choices that Bermudith has made and leaving Jenny Homooso out,

I think is also quite big. But that squad, the Spanish squad for me, is really strong across all the lines, the blend of youth and experience. And dare I say the same for England as well, the blend of youth and experience. But we've had key retirements

from the England camp, haven't we, Millie Bright isn't there anymore. What does that mean? I think, yeah, I'm excited for this. I'm excited to see how both camps are going to set out for this match. Yeah. Where do you think it's going to be won and lost, Susie? These games are always notoriously tight.

The margin's always really, really fine. You know, I've been scrolling through England's fixtures against Spain for decades this morning. And you have to go back to 2017, a Euro-2017 group stage game to find a game with a margin bigger than a goal, a 2-0 win for England in that. Before that, you go back even further to find the next one with a two-gold margin,

back to 2001, a friendly 4-2 win for England in Luton. So you're like really kind of going, scraping the barrel to find these teams separated by more than a goal unless you include the Euro's final in the summer last year, which was obviously finished on penalties with a bigger margin, but the actual result that had to get it to penalties was won all. So, yeah, they're always hugely tight.

I think it's the slimmest of margins. It can always go either way. I always think it's really, really hard to be particularly harsh on either team from these games because of those margins being so slim. England will really benefit from a really kind of flying,

Alessia Russo, I hope, in this game. She's been so formidable in that number 10 role, but then so clinical in the number 9 as well. when she's moved further forward and stuff too. So I'm really interesting to see, you know, obviously she plays in the number nine for England. Serene's made it very very clear that that's where she's used.

And in the kind of shooting form she's in, you really, really think she can make a difference in this game. And I think, you know, it's going to be really interesting to see the influence that tied legs have on the team as well. You know, Sonia Bonpastor made the point after the FA Cup game against Spurs in the press conference that her players are exhausted, that she feels sorry for them, that the national team managers are going to have to really, really kind of be smart in the way that they manage those players.

I think she was kind of delivering a little bit of a warning to Serena and others that her players need a rest. So there's a real sort of complicated element to things as well, particularly for teams playing in the WSL at the top level, are playing in the Champions League, the Chelsea and Arsenal players and stuff, who have had an incredibly intense block to then be going into a game against Spain is a big ask. Yeah, it's going to be fascinating. actually going to do our pod on Wednesday morning so that we can bring you all the latest from that game.

Now then, just to wrap everything up, I want to tell you about a couple of promotions this season because the FA Women's National League is entering its final stages. We've got two champions already. René Hector's Watford secured the FA Women's National League's Southern Premier title with a

3-1 win over Guarliate United on Sunday. That means that they're going to return to the Barclays WSL2 next season. And Fulham, secured back-to-back promotions. So they've won the Southeast Division I title and we'll move into the FA Women's National League Premier next season. By the way, currently unbeaten across their last two seasons,

which is some feat. We'll keep you up to date with everything going on in the lower leagues additionally. But it's been an absolute pleasure. Anne-Marie, lovely to see you as always. Thanks for having me on, guys. Pleasure to see you. Take care, Tom. Take care.

Lovely to see you all. Susie, I'll let you know if I find an Easterer, cunt somewhere. Good luck, Faye. People are back to work now. It's school holidays, but people are back to work. Terrible parenting. Lovely to have you with us as well. Keep having your say. Send in your questions via ex. Email us at a women's football weekly at the guardian.com. Until then, this is also your regular weekly weekly weekly women's football newsletter. It's called Moving the Goalposts. So all you need to do to find it is search moving the goalposts sign up. The Guardian

Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Slellanie. Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Iodale. Our executive producer is Joel Grove. This is The Guardian.