The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Chelsea and City trade blows and a new era of seven-a-side – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: March 25, 2025

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Jamie Spangher and Chris Paouros to discuss a dramatic week for in the women’s game

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faker Rothers and welcome to The Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Suzy Rak, will you marry me? I'm not doing a Rika Madsen, we have a two-time SJA women's sport journalist in our midst. We're all in love with the wonderful Suzy Rack, more on that shortly. Anyone from Manchester City, Chelsea again? We have Champions League games to discuss as well as WSL matters. Arsenal have a mountain to climb in Europe while the domestic relegation battle

took another twist. All that plus we'll discuss World Sevens, take your questions and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Here she is. I have to say whilst I was at Wembley last night, I'm normally at the Sports Journalists Association Awards every year. They are, if you don't know, the Oscars of sports journalism and the absolute legend strolling along the red carpet picking up her second award in a row for women's sport journalist is Susie Rack. Congratulations. I could not think of anybody more deserving of that title. I can. Like literally when I saw the shortlist, I was like every single person on that list

could legitimately win that award, which like sort of makes it slightly frustrating that they're all concentrated in that award and not like spread out across some of the other awards as well and like in numerous categories but yeah I think every single person like I would not have been sad to lose to any of them and that shows the strength of like well I was gonna say women's sports journalism like literally all of the shortlisted ones except one were football journalists so it's a strength football journalism and also the focus on that as well, which is a bit of a shame too because Fee Thomas from The Telegraph was on there who does a little bit of football but everything else and why is she the only one on there who's representing non-football as well? Anyway,

that's my rant, but yeah, yeah, it was lovely. There's always a rant. I've come to learn, I've come to learn that, but, you know, take your accolade. You were top of the tree as well and everyone's absolutely delighted for you. And you're right, women's sport journalism is very, very strong at the moment and more to come from other sports as well. But obviously we focus on football here, on the Guardian Women's Football Weekly of course Jamie Spanger how are you? delighted no doubt that we don't have to talk about Australia. I'm good Faye very happy that it's not quite the international break yet so I'm clear

of all questions about the Matildas but yes good and Susie congratulations please pat yourself on the back. All credit deserved. I know. Tell me about, honestly, listen, if anyone's going to pat you on the back, I am your biggest champion. Chris Powerost though, she makes up songs for people. So, uh... Oh God, don't get us started.

I'll have one by the end of the show. Right. By the end of the show, do you reckon we'll get another 90 minutes worth of Manchester City Chelsea? It feels like you know they're just trying to cram it into every single schedule they possibly can. The blockbuster continued this week, two more episodes of this four-part series. On Wednesday night Manchester City hosted Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Let's dissect that first of all, shall we, before we go on to WSL matters. It finished Manchester City 2 Chelsea 0. A bit of revenge

possibly for City after their Subway League Cup final defeat. A second half brace it was in the end from substitute Vivian Miedema. Crucial victory actually for Manchester City, Suzy, wasn't it? And they did kind of come into the game with some big concerns. Bunny Shaw and Ioba Fugino both ruled out with injury. What did Nick Cushing get right in this match? Yeah, and you add that to Lauren Hempin, Alex Greenwood and they're light, right? They're really light. But they were brilliant. It was one of the best performances I've seen under them. You can't bet against a team that has Viviana Miedema in it. Like she's just so unbelievably good composed. I think that the thing that Nick Cushing got right was to leave her on the bench, which I think a lot of people were

surprised at given the injuries. Obviously she's had her own injury problems. So, you know, when you've got this number of games in this many days, you have to be quite tactical about the way you use her. But I think most people would have thought she would have started the game and maybe come off after an hour or something like that. To bring her on was just very, very intelligent and she was the difference maker and yeah, just providing the impetus and Chelsea couldn't handle her at all. So I think that's where Cushing got it right. And yeah, I don't think many people would have predicted that, but it was just a phenomenal performance like all around they were just so battling and yeah really really deserving of it. Yeah Nick Cushing alluded to the fact that that Viviana Minnema was not

particularly happy at not starting but she gave a masterclass when she came on Jamie. How did she change the game? She did didn't she? I just again, like going back to what Nick Cushing said, it was such a brave managerial decision from him because like Susie said, it's Viviane Amidema. You know that she's going to make an impact on the game and when you're missing these key players, it almost seems brainless to leave her on the bench. But it felt like she knew her role. She knew exactly what she needed to do when she came on. And I think a lot of fans over the last few years have been crying out for it, to say that you're a natural number nine Viv like you don't I know you want to kind of play drop her into the midfield but when she's playing nine she makes such

an impact and we saw that like I just thought Man City absolutely outclass Chelsea and I think there's a lot of big shout outs we need to give to Lily Murphy and Gracie Pryor as well because they're young you know young talents for the Man City team stepping into Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood's places and showing up against a team as strong as Chelsea, the plethora of talent they have across the squad. So when you have a player like Viviana Mitema, you know that's going to make the impact, kind of raises the levels of everyone else. And I just thought Man City absolutely outclassed it and they were very deserving winners. Yeah. Chelsea weren't at the races though, which we've not said all season pretty much, Chris.

Bit of a mountain to climb for them now in the Champions League. Where did it go wrong? I suppose it had to happen sometime is the first thing. And I also think, I wonder, for me the interesting thing about all of this has been the psychology of it. How do you really manage playing the same team four times in a row in so many differently important matches? And given the Champions League really is their holy grail, I can only imagine there was something of that in there. And also, but to see Chelsea fall short of that moment is interesting because it was nice to see that they're fallible from a sort of a neutral perspective. But yeah, I think that's what's been really interesting for it is like what that sort of the sort of the chess match

element of it. And I just wonder if the sort of the psychology kind of got the better of them. I also think there's something about, you know, in inverted commas, new manager bounce. I know it wasn't his first game, but obviously, you know, the cup final was, that was obviously, you know, again, a big deal, a cup final, Chelsea came in and do Chelsea things and just kind of win it, you know, sort of see it out. And then, you know, Nick Cushing's a great coach. So he obviously saw what he saw in the first game and then did what he did in the second game and then obviously you know we've had the third and the fourth is coming up I just as I say I just love the psychology of

it that's the thing that's what I'm here for that kind of drama. I'm here for a little bit of chuckle brothers to me to you to me to you because that's how it felt four days later didn't it they met again in the WSL but Chelsea came out on top that time so they've restored that eight point gap over Arsenal at the top of the table. It finished Manchester City 1, Chelsea 2, Keralyn fired City into the lead she was really impressive wasn't she it was a dominant first half actually from City but Chelsea equalised straight after the break. Aguibiva Jones on the score sheet again and then Aaron Cuthbert with a 91st minute winner ended up winning the game. It was that cliched quintessential game of two halves Suzy this one but how did

Chelsea this time get the job done and and how vital was it going back to Chris's psychology point for them to get back to winning ways ahead of that last instalment on Thursday in the Champions League? Yeah, I mean they needed it right like you can't lose two games on the bounce if you're Chelsea, like the fear is right you lose that first game and then it like triggers a pattern and you know that can like really impact your mentality. But City was so good in the first half. Carolyn was, you said impressive, she was unplayable. Millie Bright couldn't deal with her and Eve Charles couldn't deal with her. She was everywhere. The first goal I just thought was really smart. It almost looked like she was going to shift onto

her left foot and then struck it with her right. And I think that really helped Wrongfoot, Hampton and Millie Bright. Yeah, like super smart. Obviously, like, I mean, everyone could see like they should have been two goals up though. I think that will be the biggest frustration. But yeah, I mean, Aaron Cuthbert and the depth of the Chelsea's bench for me is what won it for them. Yeah, let's talk about that, Jamie. You know, there was controversy. Jess Park's strike disallowed just before the break.

The referee had blown the whistle for a foul on Keralyn just as Jess Park put the ball in the back of the net. Nick Cushing said afterwards that the officials had apologised to him. They're clearly right to feel aggrieved Manchester City but how did the game apart from that, which you know is very difficult not to focus on that but they've held their hands up to the mistake, what else can you do, how did the game get away from them? Yeah look obviously like Nick Cushing and Man City fans, they're going to be upset,

especially when the referee is saying we were wrong, because that apology, it's not giving you the three points back. And had that been a 2-0 lead, it's a very different game state. However, in the second half, Sonia Bonpastor has a very niche skill of being able to get her side turned into a completely new team in the second half, because they were unstoppable. And the stat sheet says it. Chelsea had 28 City had 11 and Chelsea were very quiet in the opening 45 minutes so it did feel like they came out after half time and that's where they did most of their ball work like it did feel like Joanne Riddinkanarid was taking Naomi Lezel for a spin down that right side like as soon as she was switched on the game changed on its head she was absolutely terrorizing

the channel and I just thought it was completely like that cliche of two halves because Chelsea did all their work in the second half and I do think they have a very strong mentality so had that been 2-0 maybe they turned it around because they had the complete momentum I don't think City had answers for them and it goes into that that question we've been speaking about for so long of their squad depth and what Sonja has to work with is so incredible like the talent on their bench, the players that they can bring on, it's different. Like if you can just not start Erin Cuthbert, like she's

a player that probably starts in every WSL team, you decide to like you know play her on the bench and then she comes on she scores a header, she's a midfielder doing that as well, it's not like she's a striker, it just goes to show like she has the players that she can ride out these games with. So had it been 2-0 I still think Chelsea come out, maybe they don't win, but they do get it level because that second half, it was just, they were all over them.

Yeah, they were. And to be honest, the reason they didn't get more goals was Kiara Keating, Chris, because she was incredible, just stopped absolutely everything. She's had a really difficult season as well, which kind of makes that performance even more impressive. Yeah absolutely and I did I mean I really rate her and actually I think she's kind of you know nailed on to be England's keeper for many years to come so not seeing her start you know

very much this season has been tough but then to be called back into a game like that and perform in that manner, you've got to give her all her flowers and she'll be first name on the team sheet for Thursday for sure. And I did feel a bit sorry for City to be fair, but you don't blow the whistle. Apologies or not, you do not blow the whistle at that moment. But the whistle was blown and actually Hannah Hampton didn't respond so you know it's not like you could have done anything with that because the whistle did blow but you know I would be very aggrieved as a Manchester City fan because as Jamie said at 2-0 you do have a completely different game but again to give

Chelsea their dues they absolutely killed it in that second half. You know, they managed to sort of, you know, like you said, it's like one of football's greatest cliches, a game of two halves, but it was that completely different game. But you know, for the rest of us, Aaron Cuthbert coming on, we're just like, oh man, like what hope have the rest of us got? And honestly, like everything shone out there, like the experience, the sort of big game play, all of those things, to get herself in that position, such a commanding header to kind of get in between,

it was terrific and a really good way to win the game and like perfect drama in the last minute and all the rest of it. It's the things that we love. Yeah and it perfectly tees up Thursday's Champions League decider doesn't it at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City coming into it off more injury issues. Of course Chelsea have the momentum. It was interesting that Viviana Miedema actually finished Sunday as a holding midfielder. That's how much they're struggling. How big a task ahead is it for Chelsea or is when you think about their performance in the second half of that league match, how small does a 2-0 deficit feel when they're

on that kind of form? Can it feel like both at the same time? Because I feel like that is what it feels like. In that like, you know, City have been so good defensively against them over these few games, like that you can't see them conceding a lot of goals. You know, obviously Keirah Keaton was phenomenal at the weekend, the performance in the Champions League, like the unit was really, really strong and you feel like they're not going to concede. But then Chelsea just have this ability to be able to like pull rabbits out of hats and they've got such depth in the squad and they've got so many players fit. And when you're bringing on the Leicester Macario and Aaron Cuthbert

and players like that, if you're not starting them, like there's just me official, like there's just so much depth there. Like I think they've probably got the easier task in a way of the two ties for the English sides in the Champions League at the moment. In well, that was weird because there's three English sides in Champions League and two in the players league. Anyway, you get what I mean. Between Arsenal and Chelsea, who have to overturn

deficits, I think Chelsea actually have the easier job at the moment, which like, if you had asked me that sort of before this weekend, I probably would have said it was the other way around. Well, let's talk about Arsenal, shall we? It was, you It was a trip to Real Madrid on Tuesday night full of hope and belief and mud. Well listen we're going to talk to the pitch. I missed a trick in my intro of saying we'll talk about the pitch sitch but to be honest I was so annoyed about it that I couldn't even make a joke about it. Do you know what let's let's start there I was gonna start on on Arsenal but I think really the story of the match was the pitch. Who wants to take this on? Jamie you go I feel like

you're gonna be measured if possible I don't know why should we be measured why should be it's ridiculous. Yeah I'll try my best I was actually at the game in Madrid and honestly, like I walked out and I was watching these players warm up and I honestly wanted them to stop warming up on the pitch because it was just getting torn up in front of my eyes. The torrential rain in Madrid, I think it was something like if the rain had stopped that day and had been sunny for the rest of March, it was still like the wettest March in Madrid history. So rain was pouring down. But at the end of the day, right, that's not an excuse.

Like there is weather, there's conditions in football. But when you have a team and a club as big as Real Madrid performing on that pitch in a Champions League quarterfinal, there is it goes without saying that it's just not good enough. Like, it's not good enough. It's also important to know it's a men's international break, right? Like the Bernabeu Stadium is sitting empty right now. They had a game on March 3rd, and I don't think they have one till the 20th.

I can't even remember, 30th or something. So it's like a very big break where they don't have a home game, the men's team. And the president of Real Madrid has obviously come out and said in the past they're not playing there until they win a league title. And when you're going up against Barcelona, it's not really the easiest task. So it's just so disappointing from a football fan that just to look at a club like Real Madrid, we've all kind of grown up watching them. They're a powerhouse and they have no value for their women's team because they're playing in mud. I remember like Emily Fox went in for a challenge and she slid like all the way back to North

London. It was insane. Like the pitch was just awful. So it was disappointing. And I asked Renee Slegers about this after the game. I said like, how do you feel as someone who obviously is the head coach of Arsenal, you play at the Emirates Stadium, how do you feel that Real Madrid have a refusal to play their game at the Bernabeu? And she said like, she gave a very measured response of you know, I trust UEFA, we'll put the best decisions forward. But I just want to

raise what Sonia Bonpastor said, because she was asked about it. And she's like, was so frank and honest about it. And she said, that's what happens when you're a woman in life, you have to say things again and again. So we're so used to that. But sometimes we're just fed up. And it's true, like, it just wasn't good enough. And it was hard to see. But yeah, look, I think we can talk about the pitch, we can also talk about performance, but in terms of that mud, gosh, I was not, not happy about that. No, do you know what? Even just hearing Sonia Bonpastor say that makes me so cross. Just, it feels like you're banging your head against a brick wall and eventually the bruise is

like oh it's too much now. Like this is ludicrous. What do clubs and UEFA need to do Chris to ensure player safety, listen to people bashing their heads against the wall? Think about how many regulations there are to play in European football. You've got to have X amount of space for journalists, you've got to have this much car park, which is absolutely correct right? It's the biggest club competition in the world. But it's really basic to not have a pitch that you're going to slide back to North London on, get your studs caught in and basically not be able to play football as well. You know, the ball, you couldn't get the ball further than four yards unless you hoofed

it. And that's not what we used to look, you know, yes, football was played like that once upon a time, you know, but it's not played like that anymore and there are facilities and conditions exactly as Jamie's just said that mean that you don't have to play football like that and it just I think it's a stark reminder no matter how long we think you know that we're the game is developing and you know there's all you know so much quality I think you've got to give so much I look at that and I just it gives so much credit for those brilliant women athletes who in such a short space of time have developed the game so it's such high quality despite all of the impediments that are thrown in their way, including for example the state of the pitch last week.

Honestly, and like you can forgive the rain right like the rain was exceptional it was bad but like you read about the watch the video of the Bernabéu pitch right like their state of the art pitch that literally is like split up and then goes underground into to quote uh google an underground warehouse called Hypergeum, equipped with ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, control and irrigation systems that can set up ideal ambient conditions to preserve the grass. It's also got a retractable roof, right? Like it is a pitch like that you just would not have the same problem with even with the

rain. So like it's absurd that that's not being used. And like for, you know, real Madrid fans or fans of other teams Are you just annoyed that Arsenal didn't score? I'm not being funny, but they got the injury off that pitch like Melanie Nupols is out for the rest of the season Having torn her MCL. All right, it's not it's Disrespectful to the real Madrid players as much as it is to every other team that has to play on that pitch Which is usually quite a nice pitch, but it's it's a small pitch. It's really awkward to get to. It's not the best

conditions. Yes, they don't fill it, but put it in the burn about, treat one of your best products as if it is one of your best products, and then fans will do the same and will go and watch it. You put that game on in the burnabout and you will guaranteed sell significantly more tickets than you do to the much lesser stadium that it's put on in. And that's what really annoys me as well. Well, yeah, but we're in Spain, aren't we? So let's just make everything as difficult as possible. The venue, the pitch, life. I'm not, I'm not laughing by the way. That was a sarcastic laugh, shall we say. Easily the worst venue in the UEFA Women's Champions League according to producer Sophie as well. And you're right, it's got nothing to do with the result, the complaints

about it. Real Madrid were playing on exactly the same surface and they did win the game by two goals to nil. So just quickly on the game, Susie, because we're then going to speak about Arsenal's WSL win over Liverpool at the weekend. But where did it go wrong? What do they need to do? For Arsenal, the pitch is an excuse, right, to a certain extent in that, like, they could not keep the ball down. It's the way like to play it's they move it really well but you need to have a plan B and they didn't have a plan B that's the issue you know Real Madrid played well on that pitch and they've shown that they can you know play well on pretty much any surface but like yeah it was really

disappointing with such dominance for them to not score, just not be clinical. It's like 13 shots to five in Arsenal's favour, 28 touches in the opposition box to 13. They should have scored and a lack of consistency in being clinical is something that Arsenal struggled with slightly perennially. So like, that's a problem they need to sort out. They have the pitch as a bit of an excuse, but you have to have a plan B. You can't not have a plan B. Yeah. So that game under the lights at the Emirates on Wednesday, Arsenal against Real Madrid and Arsenal were back at home to host Liverpool at the Emirates in the league on Saturday afternoon and you say they've permanently struggled but they

certainly didn't for goals in the WSL. Katelyn Ford, Mariona Caldente and a brace of own goals for Jasmine Matthews. What changed from midweek Jamie do you think and of, you have to remember that it was Liverpool who dumped Arsenal out of the FA Cup just a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, it was a completely different game to that Meadow Park one. It was a completely different game to the one in Madrid. I feel like the pitch is obviously like we're going to talk about that because it's inevitable that we do. Arsenal have scored four or more

goals in their last six home games. And that's something to say about their home dominance in the league but it's also something to say about the Emirates Stadium because it was a different game. I thought that René Slega's ability to look at that FA Cup loss and really adapt was so impressive because that FA Cup loss obviously again speaking about pitch was a bit bumpy and that really played into Liverpool's strengths right. They're so aerially dominant, they win the most aerial duels in the WSL so René Sleggers in this game you could tell from minute one they were targeting the channels they were playing low balls and it had a lot to do with the wingers I thought Chloe Kelly was phenomenal she knew how to read the game state very intelligent footballer but it felt like

Arsenal had the game plan they said we're not going to play it over the top we're not going to play it in the air we're really going to dictate the channels and something I found really interesting was I've been saying the last couple weeks I thought that this Liverpool game was a perfect curtain raiser for the Real Madrid game on Wednesday because they play quite similar football they're really strong in transition I think Olivia Smith is such a similar profile to a play like Linda Caicedo as well really direct really good with the ball at her feet really quick on the counter

attack so it felt like if Arsenal were able to manage this they kind of have the recipe for what they need on Wednesday and they did just that like Liverpool didn't really have the answers at all. And I think what I saw the most from Arsenal was that opening 30 minutes was the strongest start I think Arsenal have had all season. The intensity was just raised. There was so much tenacity in the team. So I think Rene Seger's got it right. And it was such an attacking lineup. You have Mariano Caldente in the double pivot. That's risky, but it really paid off. So it'll be interesting to see whether that translates across. But yeah, I thought it was dominant. I don't think

Liverpool had a shoe in. They didn't actually have a big chance so yeah great performance from Arsenal and great response. Yeah Reni Slaygh has actually said afterwards that they've got to make the intensity of their performances a habit. It can't just come in and out can it? And you mentioned Amber Whiteley you know she was disappointed obviously. She's had a great run since she's taken over as on interim charge. But the game got away from her side in the first half, really. Was it a reality check? Is that, you know, too simplistic to say, Chris, or just came up against the better side? I think probably the latter, because I think Liverpool have been there or thereabouts the last couple of seasons,

and it's just about what it's gonna take for them to push on. But, you know, I know you've spoken about this, but I do think there is something about how they do push on, given they've lost the likes of someone like Matt Beard because they're not making the commit. Well, who knows

if this is the reason why, but you can hypothesise that it might be because they're not making the commitment to what they need to push on. But I mean Arsenal are also a much better side and they're probably hurting from midweek. They want to make sure that they push on into tomorrow night's game. Those days at the Emirates are like a big party for everyone as well, so I think there's something about having your home crowd. And there was a, in amongst all the WhatsApp groups that I'm in, slight sort of begrudging sort of delight at the big sort of rainbow sort of fireworks that they threw up before the game, flanked by their sort of delight at the big sort of rainbow, you know, sort of fireworks that they threw up before the game, you know, flanked by their sort of, you know,

love is love banner. So there's just something about what, you know, what those game days, particularly WSL game days are like at the Emirates and, you know, that intensity kind of follows from that. I say it every time, but Mariona Caldente, what a player. I mean, like, you know, yes, she bossed it but just the take for her goal as well was just wonderful. I just think she's,

you know, she's terrific to watch and they just, they showed their intent and I think part of that was the intent for tomorrow night. I do think it's interesting though that Madrid beat Barcelona for the first time so they're showing their intent as well. So I think we're in for a tasty fixture tomorrow night. Yeah, it's going to be fun isn't it on Wednesday at the Emirates. Right, that's it for part one. In part two we'll look at the rest of the WSL fixtures for the weekend, catch up on the latest in the championship and we'll discuss the new World Sevens tournament. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Right back to the Barclays

WSL action, Crystal Palace's win last week had pulled Leicester right back into the relegation fight but fans were treated to a five goal thriller. The Foxes held off a Brighton comeback to secure a huge three points at King Power Stadium giving Omandine McHale's side breathing room again. It finished Leicester three at Brighton two. They went into a three goal lead Leicester as well in the first half. Shannon O'Brien, Saori Takurada and Shana Chosunote on the score sheet but Brighton responded after the break with goals from Madison Haley and Frank Kirby meaning it ended with a very tense finish. The Foxes actually had just under 30% possession but they created the same number of chances as Brighton, 15, but registered one less on target, six. How pleased will they be with that performance?

I mean, it was just a really efficient performance, right? Like really clinical, really efficient and like really satisfying to watch. And it shows what happens when they get like, you know, players back from injury and the difference they can make and that Amadee McGill is a good manager and was just really struggling with the weight of those injuries to their forward line in the first part of the season. I thought it was interesting not to dwell on pitches, but they won three and seven and are unbeaten in their last four home games and they play at the King Power every week and that was something that Miguel praised afterwards and said that if every club played in a proper stadium like this maybe more people would

come, there are some nice training grounds in England but it's not the same, blah blah blah and like I think that plays a part too right when you're starting to sort of build a real momentum at home that that can make huge difference. And yeah, they're just super clinical and that's what not many teams necessarily doing a lot lately, particularly sort of further towards the bottom of the table. Yeah, Brighton's poor away form continued. I mean, the game was pretty much wrapped up in the first half but they showed resilience getting back into it didn't they Jamie but how frustrated is Dario Vidovic going to be with their inconsistency this season? Yeah it does feel a little bit like that and I think I was at

the the Spurs Brighton game last week and I spoke to Dario after the game and he kind of said it does feel like this is turning the corner especially in terms of away form because they after before winning at Brisbane Road, they hadn't won an away game since November. So it's been a bit of a bit of a tough, turbulent period in terms of traveling. And I think, look, as you just said, like playing Leicester City at home right now,

it's not an easy task as well. So for Brighton, it just feels like this is an experimental year. I think they came out of the gates really, really strong this season and there was a lot of high expectation on their squad. They obviously have shown real ambition. They've signed Nikita Parisev, signed Frank Kirby. This kind of ceiling-raiser experience players to lift those younger players.

So I think Brighton will be frustrated. They'll rightfully be frustrated because they're a very solid team and we've seen Leicester struggle a little bit. But I think it's just about kind of giving it this season, implementing the philosophy. We know that there's an attacking style of football that Vitasic wants to play. And I think he's got the foundation of the players to play it as well. So it's one of those games that look, if Leicester are going to take their chances, even though they're not in the lead of possession, then sometimes football runs that way. I think he needs to pride his players on the ambition and the tenacity to come back in the second half. And at least, you know, you're looking at a 3-0 mountain.

They've come back and they've dragged back a brace. So, yeah, I think there's definitely positives to derive there from Vitovich. They're still fifth, they've still got that top half of the table to sit in, but I think it's positive building blocks season as opposed to a season with a real goal to win Zilberweer. Yeah, I know what you mean. Lester will of course have been delighted to see Everton's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on the Saturday. It was comfortable in the end. Justine Van Hevermat, Sarah Holmgard and Kelly Gargo on the score sheet. But this was the story of the game because Rika Madsen made a dream return to the pitch four months after

giving birth to her daughter, which I still just cannot believe that but the occasion was even more special not just she gets back on on the pitch doing what she loves her boyfriend Martin Thompson got down on one knee on the pitch at full time in front of her surprised teammates spoiler alert she said yes can you imagine I always sit there and think when people do this at football games, you must be 100% sure, otherwise you are in for a horrible, horrible afternoon. But congratulations to Rika and to Martin, that was lovely news. And congratulations to Everton as well, they were bottom of the table in November and now

they're seventh, just three points off of Brighton in fifth place. This is what Brian Sorensen had to say. We've been fighting for our lives for the last one and a half seasons in terms of our squad and availability and always every game was okay which players, which 11 players do we have whereas now we actually have a squad. We can sit down and say what does the end of the season look like? We're not far from the teams above us, so it's hunting season now. Oh, that is proper fighting talk from Brian. I mean, it has been quite a turnaround, Chris. It has and you've got to give them credit for that because they did have a lot of injuries exactly as you said. And, you know, we sort of know that the sort of the rest after that top four, it's a big

mix and you don't know where you're going to end up. But for Everton to have done that, to sort of have turned it around so much, you've kind of got to give them credit for that. But, you know, as you know, I'm a fan of one of the teams in that mix, so it's frustrating to see them to be able to do that because then it goes to show that it's possible and you know I don't know their squad exceptionally well but I don't you know is it exceptionally better than all of the others for them to go on this run and all the rest of it so you know I'm interested to hear what Jamie's got to say. I just wanted to say one thing I think that if you had started the table in November Brian talked about turnaround, they'd be sitting fourth right now, they'd be sitting above Manchester

City. So it's been an absolute like route of a couple of months for Everton. So I feel like they just deserve all the praise in the world. Yeah, absolutely. Crystal Palace though are going to be so disappointed, Suzy. They had momentum from the previous week. It looked, you know, we talked about the relegation battle and how it was going down to the wire. I mean, we'll talk about Villa in a second, they have got a lifeline, but could they potentially see this game as the one that got away in their fight to avoid the drop? Or was it always going to be this way because of Everton's impressive form? It would be hard for them to pick out one game maybe that got away because they've had some really good performances and

particularly the first half of the season where they just could not string a performance across 90 minutes. They looked really good at times and took the lead in quite a few games before falling behind. So there's going to be a few that feel like they've got away and they've got a tough run in. They've got five games left. They play Arsenal and Chelsea next and then City on the last day of season. So they're basically looking at their games against West Ham and Leicester as the ones that you pick points off or maybe you can, you know, if Arsenal manage to stay in the Champions League or Chelsea exhausted from the Champions League and like get past City or City are in a Champions League or Chelsea are exhausted from the Champions League and get past City or City are in a Champions League final, whatever it may be, whatever combination it could

be, that there's distraction there and they could maybe get a point from one of those games. It's extremely unlikely though, isn't it? So you're basically looking at those games against West Ham and Leicester and they're going to be critical. The fact that they're still in the mix though at this stage of the season, only one point behind Villa is incredible really and a testament to the patience of the players I suppose and their fight because plenty would get their heads down when you're losing so consistently. Should they have expected to lose to Everton? Given the form that Everton have been in, I think it's not a huge surprise, but the quality is there in the Palace squad to offer a little bit more than they did in that game.

That lifeline does come in the form of Aston Villa, who didn't take advantage at the weekend. It was a really poor performance actually at Villa Park on Sunday, comprehensively defeated by Manchester United. It finished Aston Villa nil Manchester United four, two goals from Elizabeth Turland, a wonder strike from Grace Clinton and a goal from Leah Galton as well. And I think it's fair to say that manager Natalia Arroyo hasn't had the best of starts to life in the WSL she actually gave a really honest interview to the BBC after the game saying I want to stay in this country I

want to stay in this league and in this club I want to do my best I'm finding it frustrating because I want the players to be brave and it's not the best moment for them to be brave it's good to talk about that because I'm just as scared as they are. I don't want to be the manager of a relegated team but the reality is a possibility if we don't do our jobs. We're in the same boat so we need to row harder, faster and stronger to make it and I really believe we will make it. You can tell how much she's hurting there actually, Jamie, can't you? Yeah absolutely and you would you would be. And I think what the biggest frustration with us in Villa is they don't, they're not short of talent in their squad. Like they had a

really impressive summer window. They've got some real stars in that team. Like Gabby Nunes, they bought in, she's an exceptional talent. We know what Rachel Daley can do. Like in terms of their forward power, it's so strong. And you've got someone like Missy Boekearns that's struggling to start, which is so baffling to me because she was captaining Liverpool a year ago. So just feels like a very disjointed side and that game at Villa Park against United, it looked exactly like that because they look directionless. They didn't look like they knew what they were doing, what they were supposed to be doing.

It just feels like for Natalia Arroyo, she needs this summer. Like if they can survive the drop, she needs this summer to look at this squad, really say, okay, what are we going to do with this team? Because it's not easy coming in and like being thrown in. There's an interim coach and then you're thrown in as the head coach. Aston Villa have been, you know, there and thereabouts with Carla Ward. And I think she got a little bit too much criticism. Maybe she was doing more than we thought she could.

So yeah, I thought it was a toothless display. But if they can survive the drop, I just think that the manager deserves the summer to look at the squad and see where she wants to take it because the talent's there. Yeah it is without a doubt. Quick word on Manchester United's performance, we know the talent's there Chris, but you know quite important that they got back to winning ways obviously looking for that Champions League spot for next season. I mean it was pretty comprehensive as well you know, I mean whether whether it's whether you're not United were excellent and or Villa were sort of, you know, a bit clueless, probably a bit of both. And I think there was a real show of intent there. And it was it was away from home as well, wasn't it? And to

go and do that away from home, you know, and as you say, comprehensive, and it could have been more. I know I watched Grace Clinton for a season but she is supremely talented and it's not just her technical ability and her ability to see a pass she's aggressive and determined as well so she's got everything you want in a midfielder and that goal just about summed her up because she did have a little tug of the shirt you know she might have got pulled back but also you've seen her not pulled back and then just, you know, spotted the keeper off her line. Like she's clever enough. She's got the technique.

It was a terrific goal. Terrific goal. But I don't think, for the record, I, you know, it frustrates me equally that Manchester United are doing this well, given all of the talk from their owners about how little they value the team. And it's just all of these people who value their women's teams and are doing all sorts of things to try and develop and drive and all the rest of it. Then you've got Man United going on with don't really care. And then somehow they're still motivated to go out and do that. I mean,

you've got to give those players credit to be fair. Yep, without a doubt. And I'm so sorry, but we are going to talk Tottenham next but let's focus on on West Ham because they continued to impress brilliant 2-0 win for Rihann Skinner's side in Dagenham. An own goal set things off from Josephine Rybrink and then it was a last-minute free kick from Vivienne Asayi. And actually, it's the first time West Ham have won five Barclays WSL home matches in a season, which is just brilliant. And they're turning Dagenham into a bit of a fortress, Suzie, which is impressive. Do we need to be paying a little bit more attention?

I was actually at West Ham's training ground the other day, and I know they've now moved to Chadwell Heath from Rush Green but you know we need to stand up and pay attention to what they're building in East London don't we? Yeah I mean I think we've said like all season that like the quality of the squad is there right like they've got a really good balance of sort of quite seasoned senior internationals and then newer players and younger players. And like the quality is there for them to do really well. And if anything, they're sort of underperforming to the level of quality they've got on the on the pitch in a sense, which like is sort of testament to the squad that's been built.

And maybe the recruitment of players has been quite shrewd, I think, in that respect. And, you know, not the most attractive proposition. I don't know how they're doing it, how they're bringing in such great internationals. Like, is it like wanting to play in London? Is it Rihanna and the, you know, what she's able to offer players? Is it what the club is doing? I don't know, but it's all working for them at the moment. And they just needed the performances to sort of match that quality on the pitch, which if ever there's a game that speaks to the phrase lies, damn lies and statistics, this one's probably it, right? Because Spurs dominated possession massively all over this game, hit the woodwork twice, despite under 40% possession, West Ham come away with 17 shots to Spurs is 14. So like, in terms of like chances created making the most of your time on the ball and, you know, kind of being clinical in the right moments, West Ham deserved,

like sat there literally kicking herself. Like, you know, kind of how you can play, you know, kind of so dominantly throughout a game and walk away with a loss, yeah, must be infuriating. Come on, Chris. Your resident Spurs fan is literally just like, she's been sitting on her hands, waiting to go. I want to give you the build up and rant. I did think about coming on and crying, Faye. And it was hard to find many positive things

about it. The one thing I will say, and I don't think I got caught on Sky, sadly, is that one of the shots that went over the bar, I caught rather elegantly and then threw it back. I heard about this. How did you hear about it? I have friends in places. Well, I have dreamt, I've been going to football for like 30 years and the one dream you always have is being able to head the ball back.

And sadly, it was just a bit like it just dipped too soon but I did catch it quite well. That's good I nearly had a ball to the face watching Luton Town at Dagenham years ago my friend literally at the last minute pushed like did that that you know saving uh push to the side and it skimmed past the side of my face, it would have been it would have been a nose breaker. Well I mean it might be behind the same goal because of course this is the Dagenham Stadium right? I know that's what made that what reminded me of it. But look the team look like they're hurting too as well as us, not that that's any sort of positives but I think at least they know.

And I think the other, if you're really scratching for something, I think Suzy's just alluded to it there, we had more possession and shots on goal than we've had in a long time so we created a lot. And then West Ham scored against the run of play and then we were, you know, et cetera, et cetera. But if we just look at the facts, no one has scored from open play in the league except Beth England in 2025. No one other than Beth and own goal has scored anything other than a set piece since October. Right? And that goal in October was Amanda Neil De La Gatiss Chelsea, which if you remember it I don't think it went over the line. In 22 games we failed to score eight times. You're not doing their team talk next weekend are you? Well do you know what? Maybe we've got to flip it on its head because before the

game Robert was saying you know I'm not saying we will win our last six games but I want to make sure everyone speaks about Tottenham and knows the way we want to play. I would ask the question, how do we want to play? It's not clear to me, and I watch them every week and watch every bit of content. There's no consistency in the team. It feels like we're just using the games to try stuff out.

And if I don't know what the plan is, do the players know what the plan is? Feels like some players are being frozen out and we can't work out why. I'm worrying about player management, I mean I don't know, I hear Nick Cushing might be available at the end of the season? Listen, this is running through the whole club. I keep mentioning this. They keep talking about this identity that nobody's still seeing and look at where both teams are in their respective tables. I find it bonkers. Anyway, I'm not a Spurs fan so, you know, I can just watch from afar and sense your frustration and as your friend Chris feel empathy for it. Let's look at the championship shall we? I mean what an attend... we're going back to the days of celebrating attendances which I'm

hesitant to do but equally this is quite incredible because the new attendance record set in the Barclays Championships St James's Park hosted the first time we're derby in its history 38,502 fans turned out to watch Newcastle United beat Sunderland by a goal to nil at Shania Hales settling the match. I mean look I don't want to go back to those days but I think that is that deserves another round of applause. We've given three now, if we give one to Newcastle. Susie? Oh, Susie's not happy.

Well, it's brilliant and I'm really happy for the fans that the women's team is being taken seriously and invested in and those players deserve it, those fans deserve it and the way they've embraced it is brilliant. But I do think we have to like, like this is prime sports washing, right? Like it is literally why they do it, you know, like you look at the conditions for women in Saudi Arabia and then what they're doing with Newcastle women's team to like, you know, kind of paint this image of beautiful equality. Like it is like prime sports washing. I don't think it can be mentioned without that. Like it's so good for the fans and stuff and so good for the players. They deserve

to be paid well. They deserve to be looked after and be given the best, but this is the cost of it. And I struggle with, when we're talking about the men's team as well and the League Cup win, which again, you watch those scenes of those Newcastle fans celebrating for the first time in however many years and it's wonderful for them. But what at what cost? Right. Like, is this what we have to do to have upsets and like exciting things happen? Like, surely there's a better way. Sorry. I'll stop ranting for the rest of the week. No, don't, don't, don't apologize. This is exactly why you are Women's Sport Journalist of the Year two

times in a row, because you speak so eloquently on it. And it is vital that you mention these kind of things. It's really easy from the outside to look at that and say fantastic and amazing things are going on, but you've got to go and dig deeper and look at the context around it and you're exactly right to highlight it. And we can balance, it deserves praise as well right, like the fans that are going out and like showing their support deserve the praise too, but we've got to have that like, yeah, that balance of this, you know, this is why as well. Yeah, 100% agree. Birmingham City's lead narrowed to just a point at the top of the

championship table. They were held to a draw by Charlton. London City then took full advantage of that slip beating Sheffield United by four goals to nil. Blackburn earned a big point against Bristol City at Ewer Park they stay tenth. Another important point though gained by Portsmouth it was a goalless draw against rivals Southampton seeing them open up a three-point gap over Sheffield United who stay at the bottom. Just to focus a little bit on the FA Women's National League as well, Nottingham Forest picked up their first silverware of the season. They lifted the FA Women's National League League Cup for the second time in three years. Two goals from Charlie Wellings and a goal from Melissa Johnson gave them a 3-1 win over Stoke City in Walsall. Wolves then took full advantage of Forest's Cup exploits with

a comprehensive 5-0 victory over West Brom which means that they're now level with their title rivals at the top of the FA Women's National League Northern Premier and then just a nod to the Southern Premier. Ipswich enjoyed a day to remember at Portman Road in front of Pop Royalty. He might as well just have a bed at Portman Road, he's always there isn't he Ed Sheeran? 11,000 coming out to watch the Traktor girls beat Plymouth by 3 goals to 1 to move to the top of the table. They leapfrogged Hashtag United who were beaten 2-0 by Gualier United. Things equally tight in Division 1 as well, Cheadle Towns, Stingers and Middlesbrough and neck and neck at the

top of the North Division. The same goes for Loughborough Lightning in North Hampton Town in the Midlands as well. Real Bedford maintained their three point lead at the top of the Southern East Division, the Southeast Division should I say, with a 4-0 victory over Cheshire United and one division champion was decided on Sunday. AFC Bournemouth gained promotion to the third tier with four games left to play. An impressive season for them. 2-0 victory in the end over Bristol Rovers in the Southwest Division 1. Saw them lift the title in front of a record crowd 7,000 watched that at the

Vitality Stadium. Right listen big news last week it was announced that a new World Sevens football competition has been established. Chris already has her head in her hands and shaking her head. The inaugural edition of the lucrative of course new seven-a-side global women's football series is going to take place in Portugal from the 21st to the 23rd of May. That's the four days leading up to the Champions League final in Lisbon by the way. The two finalists in that won't be involved. Let me just give you a little bit of detail for it. So there is a commitment to invest a hundred million dollars from

the co-owner of Gotham FC, Jennifer Maxey, with five million dollars of prize money available per event. The winning team is going to receive two and a half million dollars and the organizers are being guided by a player advisory council with the likes of Tobin Heath, Caroline Sager, Anita Asante, Kelly O'Hara and Laura George on it. The eight teams involved in the first event haven't been confirmed yet. A different set of clubs will then compete in the second event in November and December which is going to be held on a different continent. I'm going to come to you in a minute Chris but we haven't heard from Jamie for a little bit so what did you make of the news Jamie?

Yeah look I think there's two sides to it I think it is just like from a critical point of view it's a means for the rich to get richer right because I don't really see clubs like in the championship for instance in England getting invited to this tournament. A lot of money is gonna go to the winners and I just think like whether it be they need to implement a guidelines because it is very obvious that when things like this come into way especially in women's football it's a money grab for the clubs that already have a lot of money I think it's just gonna hand a lot of you know the weight into the pockets of people that already

have it and I'm not really a fan of these kind of scheduling issues we talk about it's being held before the Euros as well obviously a lot of players and top clubs are gonna be going to the Euros to play devil's advocate like I spoke to Mark Skinner about it last week and he said look I think it's being held before the Euros as well. Obviously a lot of players in top clubs are going to be going to the Euros to play devil's advocate. Like I spoke to Mark Skinner about it last week and he said, look, I think it's really good for the players that aren't going to the Euros. Like it gives them a little bit of competitive advantage in the summer. They can go play a fun tournament. I think the whole ethos of the tournament is that players love playing seven aside.

So I can see it from a fun point of view. But again, I don't I don't agree with the premise because I just think at the end of the day, of course Manchester United are in favour of this because it's going to put money in Manchester United's pockets. So yeah, Chris, I can't wait to hear what you have to say, honestly. The first thing that sort of worries me not to say that FIFA or UEFA are like anything great, but this is operating, it's sort of positioning itself as a disruptor, but it's operating outside of current sort of governing body standards a disruptor, but it's operating outside

of current sort of governing body standards, so it feels like a land grab. And if there's money for this, as Jamie said, then why not invest in the development of the game properly? Because there's no development angle, it's just a sort of privately run showcase, seven-a-side matches, rolling subs, you know, and not much transparency right now in terms of what players are signing up for. So when I was thinking about this, when you know, when you said yesterday we're going to be talking about it, I was like okay, so who's going to benefit? So the elite are going to benefit, not the game. So you've got top-tier clubs with infrastructure squads and sponsorship deals already in place.

So reinforcing their position, locking others out. There's no route in potentially for, you know, because we don't know how it works. There's not going to be a route in for other clubs. It's invitation only. And you're widening the gap, not just in performance, but in investment, visibility and growth. It's about brands and not players. Because if it was about the players, regardless of what Mark Skinner said, you wouldn't schedule it six weeks before the Euros, you know, you're putting and potentially

putting pressure on internationals to play, because why wouldn't, if it's going to be a showcase event, you want the best players there. You know, we've got a well known ACL crisis, you know, like what is what are we actually doing there? It's not clear how players are going to be paid or protected. You've got we've got no details on insurance, medical care, or whether clubs are contractually obliged to release their players. And obviously there's no link to a global football pyramid, national systems, and all the and all the organizations that have been fighting really hard to grow the women's game from the ground up to do it in a sustainable way.

And from a fan perspective, what does it mean for my club? How does it fit into a wider vision for the sport, et cetera? So look, everything, the fact that we're here, that we're talking, you know, all of the things that we're talking about, and you said it, Faye, it's like we don't wanna be in a situation where we're celebrating attendances, but we sort of still are, and we're still in a sort of momentum

growing moment, which is great, and that's why that's here, but it's fragile. So if this new money, if there's this much money sloshing around, but if it only flows to a few clubs, the pressure on the players gets worse, fans are treated like passive viewers rather than stakeholders, we're going to lose what makes the game great. So we've got to be really, really careful about something like this. Because for me, if you're going to make a new tournament, it should support the growth of the game, not just repackage it. Because players aren't content, fans aren't just audiences, and development, not distraction, is what women's football needs. So there you go

Yeah, I'm with you and you know what? all I can hear is and we'll hear from Serena Vigman later on today with the England announcement and You know, I can just hear her constantly saying the schedule needs looking at the schedule needs looking at it's already congested and And then oh, here we go. Here's another money spinner for you. Go on, Susie. I agree with all of that, but I actually like am a little bit more positive about it than Chris is maybe, which is unusual for me because I'm not a fan of, as we have made abundantly clear repeatedly, private finance investment in women's football generally, I think is not the way the game should be going. It's top-down investment, etc. The idea that the money, well, yes, you know,

there's 100 million being put into it. That could go into the game elsewhere. I mean, to be fair, the Gotham owner owns Gotham and is putting money in there too. So like, I think there is a bit of a balance there. On UEFA and FIFA and it sort of being outside their remit, I think that's both a good and a bad thing, right? UEFA and FIFA and it sort of being outside their remit, I think that's both a good and a bad thing, right? UEFA and FIFA are crap at running women's football and like, I think there is a difference here. It's a sevens tournament, like it's completely outside their remit because it is a completely different format. It's on a smaller size pitches, it's with smaller goals, it's different football, right? And I agree with all of the stuff about scheduling and things like that, but it's a player potentially playing 90 minutes across four days because it's 15 minute halves and rolling subs.

So you're talking about really small amounts of football and small numbers of players because it's seven aside playing in it. So there's a lot of issues in that, like I say, I'm not a fan of private finance. I agree with Jamie's point about it being the rich getting richer and the clubs that benefit from it are going to benefit very highly. You could argue that that could drive competition and people taking it seriously. You earn more money from winning that than you do from winning the Champions League which is pressure on UEFA which I think isn't necessarily a bad thing but one of the things that I do like is that it's different and I think that there is a drive particularly at UEFA level whether it's

deliberate or not but across football as a whole to mirror the men's game and like I like that there are people thinking differently I think that should be in more formal channels potentially but I like that there are things being done to make the women's game unique and like a little bit different and I think it'll be quite an exciting tournament I think it will exist completely outside of sort of you know the the game as we know it so to speak like but obviously some of the players will look the same the clubs brands come into it. But, you know, you're talking about something that not many people are able to do, which is like, it's clearly targeted at younger

audiences, right? Like short format, fast, technical, we've spoken for a long time about how technically good the women's game could be when you've got players coming through from youth level to the top in proper professional environments in that you have to be technically good to be a female player because you've not got the same physicality and seven-and-a-side football really like speaks to that like technical quality. So it could actually be something that's really exciting and attracts people to the women's game. I like things being done differently and thoughtful. Is this the right format?

Like I say, I don't like private investment in football full stop in men's and women's. Like I'm opposed to that generally. So whether this is the right format is another thing. I agree with everything that both Jamie and Chris said, but I would like to see more out of the box thinking within women's football, but down on a more sort of holistic and grassroots basis as well.

Yeah, and that's the key point actually, you know, we can't all sit here and say, let's think out of the box, you know, let's think differently, let's be innovative. And then when someone is innovative, hammer them for it and criticize because actually, short form versions of other sports, I'm thinking rugby sevens, the unrivaled 3v3 women's basketball league in the USA, they've all gained eyeballs, given success and we want eyeballs on the game, don't we? From whatever, you know, it can lead into avenues and spill off little tributaries. You know, I think there's something in it. I think let's wait until we've got a little bit more detail and perhaps see the first, you know, version of it and see whether or not it does, you know, potentially drip down into into lower levels of the sport

and in terms of bringing eyes on it. But something to watch that is. I hope I'm wrong. Yeah, I hope you're wrong as well, Chris. I hope I hope you're wrong. I genuinely do. Yeah. Listen, Serena Vigman is going to be announcing her England squad this afternoon ahead of their upcoming Nations League doubleheader against Belgium. We'll delve into that next week because we've packed in so much today already. And Chris, as I'm about to say goodbye to you, you've messaged me saying you've made up your song for Suzy. Do you know what? Oh, no. I was it was never in doubt. Go for it. Only a couple of lines. She's Susie Rack, writes the truth and

doesn't look back, got another SJA in her sack, she's Susie Rack. Oh yes! As someone who grew up listening to ACES like religiously from the ages of like 8 to 14 that's pretty perfect oh my god you really really have to have you know a sideline in the of the many hats you wear Chris Poweros I'm most impressed by your coming up with random lyrics hats for sure it's lovely to see you as always keep keep being positive on Spurs. Do my best. Nice to see you all. Jamie, lovely to see you. Thank you guys. Lovely to chat with you all this morning. Suzy Rack, you are electric. You are a wonder. We love you very much. Congratulations.

Have a good week. Cheers. You too. See you around at some point maybe in the future. Yeah, you two are a different band by the way, just saying. Keep having your say by sending in your questions via social media or emailing us at womensfootballweeklyattheguardian.com. And as ever a reminder to sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do is search Moving the Goalposts. Sign up. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Iredale. Our executive producer is Sal Ahmad. And now I've got she's electric stuck in my head. This is The Guardian.