The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Chelsea reignite WSL title hopes after City slip up – Women's Football Weekly podcast

Episode Date: May 7, 2024

Faye and Suzy are joined by Anita Asante and Jenna Schillaci to round up a dramatic weekend in the WSL, check in on what’s happening lower down the pyramid and preview the Women’s FA Cup final

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starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faye Carruthers and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. To me, to you, to me, to you. The tussle for the WSL title takes another twist. Chelsea lost, then Manchester City lost, then Chelsea won. That's the week in a nutshell basically, but it doesn't even begin to cover the drama. And after Emma Hayes waved the white flag on Wednesday. By Sunday, after smashing eight past Bristol City,

she declared, it's not, insert swear word, over. We'll round up the rest of the weekend's WSL action and check on the promotion and relegation picture lower down the pyramid. We'll also be previewing Sunday's FA Cup final. Plus, we'll take your questions, of course. And that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly Women's Football Weekly is supported by Google Pixel the only phone engineered by Google

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Search Google Store to find out more. What a panel we have today. Susie Rack, are you feeling better just in time for your team to throw a spanner in City's title works? Loads better. And yeah, always good to come back for a nice, big, lovely Arsenal win, isn't it? Oh, yeah. And your timing is impeccable. Anita Asante, I expected like a sachet and some, you know, proper moves being coming on as you walked in. How are you doing? I'm very well, thank you. Didn't drop a two-step just yet, but maybe. You'll get to see some moves.

We've got 50 minutes, so I expect that at least by the end. Jenna Scalacci, it must feel like the week leading into Christmas for you at the moment. Yeah, what a time to be alive for a Spurs fan right now. Spurs women fan, sorry. Yeah, excellent use of the caveat there. Much, much needed. Listen, the rollercoaster that is the Barclays WSL continues after a week of twists and turns. The title race is now going down to the final week.

After Liverpool beat Chelsea 4-3 in dramatic circumstances midweek emma hayes conceded the title in her post-match interview a mere 96 hours later she was standing on the pitch at king's meadow telling her fans let me be clear it's not over a lot can change in four days Let's go chronologically and start at the beginning, not the start of the season, but Wednesday night at Prenton Park, where we were served an absolute classic WSL ping pong of a match. It ended Liverpool 4, Chelsea 3. Four goals in the final 10 minutes, seeing the pendulum swing between the two clubs until the 92nd minute when Gemma Bonner

scored the winner on her 150th appearance for the club I mean Susie I don't even know if it's possible to sum up this match can it possibly just be described as the game of the season so far in terms of like oh my god yes um in terms of like quality defending and structure to a performance from both teams, no. I don't think either team would look at this game as a perfect performance. But in terms of what it did to everyone's brains, then yes, it's definitely the game of the season. Just thrilling, right? Just so utterly delightful to watch, ends to ends, like so many nuances to it. You know, seeing Chelsea concede that many from set pieces is a real shock as well.

You just don't expect Chelsea to sort of drop the ball to that extent at this stage of the season ever. Like I've said all season, I would just, you know, no matter how it's been looking, I would never, ever, ever bet against an Emma Hayes team in the final third of the season. And here is the moment,

and I can't remember another one like it, where like in the closing stages of the campaign, they've dropped the ball a little bit. So that was like surprising and like fun for what it did to everything following. Unless you're a Chelsea fan. I wouldn't have fancied being a Chelsea fan on Wednesday night, that's for sure. Then when you hear your manager afterwards, I mean, she raised some eyebrows, didn't she?

With this post-match interview she gave to Sky. We've won a lot of things, but that's not going to be this year, is what she said. What did you make of those comments, Jenna? Were they the kind of typical Emma Hayes mind games or did she mean it? Well, initially I was shocked really by the words that were coming out of her mouth, because what we've always known about Chelsea and her team and Emma Hayes is they never ever give up, do they? And it was kind of really defeatist, especially with games to go. And we know, I don't know if anyone could have predicted what's happened this weekend. But, you know, you're still in with a chance.

It's not completely out of your reach. Yes, it's not in your hands. But, you know, this is Chelsea they're talking about. So, yeah, I was really, really shocked. But then I thought, is she being really clever now and just actually just taking the pressure off of her team and I think now she might claim that she was doing that um and it wouldn't surprise me at all if she was doing that but yeah initially I was so shocked to see Emma Hayes with that defeated attitude really and like heaping the pressure onto City as well, right? Like make them feel like they've won it, like it is theirs. They've got it in their hands and, you know, heap a huge, huge amount of pressure on them ahead of a really, really big game against a big rival like you. because her press conferences haven't exactly been typical Emma Hayes press conferences. A bit wild, isn't there?

I sort of thought, oh mate, is she really rattled here? But in hindsight, it is the most brilliant of mind games. And she knows exactly what she does when she talks to the press. She knows the message she wants to get across. You never know in the heat of the moment whether that is impacting it or whether she's still sort of thinking that way. But yeah, I thought it was genius in the end and Emma Hayes obviously she has a strategic sort of mindset she doesn't do anything without a

purpose so you know in her mind she she like you like you're both saying it was to keep the pressure on Man City is to take the pressure off her players to let them go out there in the last few games and play with that perhaps that bit of pressure off of freedom to deliver the kind of performance that we saw against Bristol City. Everyone just lapped it up though, didn't they? They fell right into her trap, if that's what she was going to do, because it was headlines everywhere. And this is the problem, Anita, actually, isn't it?

From a Liverpool perspective, poor Matt Beard, he's pulled off one of the results of the season. You know, they have to have all the credit, obviously what they did at the beginning of the season. You know, they're pushing for a fourth place finish just two years after returning to the top division. They weren't brilliant in the first 20 minutes, but they were arguably the better side the rest of the game.

How did they get the job done? And how mean is it that actually that's not been the focus at all? I know, it's Chelsea stealing their limelight, as per usual. But no, I think massive credit has to go to McBear and Liverpool this season. They've taken points off Man Utd, Arsenal, now Chelsea. They know what they're about. They've got a clear identity they're happy to try and be organized offensively sit behind the ball they've got some solid defenders in there that can

lay the foundations for them to go on and attack and we've seen how threatening they are actually in transition moments and those counter-attack moments going forward but in terms of set pieces they get it right they get good quality from their set pieces and they've got winning players that fight for those balls in the box and they're alive and and players like Bonner who's so experienced in those scenarios that put them on top and an item for me it's a joy to watch they're a different style compared to a lot of teams in the league but they're really effective at what they do yeah they certainly are and a fourth place finish if they do make it would be absolutely incredible um right i said we were

going in chronological order didn't i and with that result the ball was fully in manchester city's court so chelsea was six points behind them going into the weekend and gareth taylor's side knew victory over arsenal basically would leave them with sky blue ribbons tied at least to one half of the trophy they came into the match on a 14 game winning streak in the league as well I mean that run of form was only equaled by Arsenal back in 2022 and they hadn't lost to the Gunners in their last six home meetings so all the all the omens all the stats were in their favour and they started really well.

Lauren Hemp firing her side into the lead at her 10th goal of the campaign. It feels like she scored more, but I think it's because she's been involved in so many more goals than that. But Jonas Eideveld's side improved in the second half, eventually found a breakthrough with two goals in the 89th and 92nd minute from Stina Blackstenius,

flipping the script and leaving the final score Manchester City 1, Arsenal 2. Susie, big, long-arching question. Where did it all go wrong for City in this game? They were so good in the first half, like so scintillating and they didn't make the most of that dominance, right? Like they pressed with this incredibleating and they didn't make the most of that dominance right like they pressed with this incredible intensity Arsenal couldn't move the ball for love nor money the press was so high and energetic but they didn't make the most of that that period like they didn't they you know had a few chances to increase their lead and didn't really do it. And then in the second half, that intensity dropped back a bit. Whether that was the fact that maintaining that for 90 minutes is really, really difficult

because it's a lot of energy to expend. I asked Gareth Taylor about it afterwards and he said, yeah, a little bit of that, a little bit of just mentality dropping off as well and just sort of feeling like you've got to protect what you've got. He also said possibly the weather making it more exhausting because it was really hot to hold on to that press for as long as 90 minutes.

So like, I think that sort of dip in their pressure in the second half, which just allowed Arsenal a foothold in the game, then they're attacking towards their like huge away contingent like stacked behind the goal I think that really had an impact as well and then you've got the fact that they did not build on that one goal lead in the first half so like for me it was it was their like cities sort of almost like letting Arsenal back into a game that they should have put to bed in the first half for me like they should have been two or three goals up and then being able to ease back off that press and mentally

sort of dip into like right now we protect would have made a lot more sense um and yeah like you know kind of rest those legs a little bit after all that all that pressing but like you know without bunny sure are you going to capitalize on those moments in the same way that you would do if she's there? So it's a tough one. Like you set up one way and hope that you're going to maybe kind of be a couple of goals up before you start relaxing a little bit. I say relaxing, I just mean relaxing the press a little bit. Yeah, that's where I think it went wrong for me. Yeah, they really do miss Bunny Shaw.

Worst possible timing, her injury at the end of the season. Let's focus on Arsenal though, Jenna. Sorry, your favourite topic. Not a great half, but the introduction of Kim Little at the break and Stina Blackstenius obviously later on really changed the direction of the game. How important were both of those players, particularly when you think there are still these rumours swirling around the Sweden strikers' future at the club?

Yeah, I mean, a huge impact they made. And I think the introduction of Kim Little kind of changed the game. I think just that control she brought to the Arsenal team and Arsenal really grew into that second half and the momentum completely shifted into their favour. And I think you're looking at Man City, they know what's at stake. It's a huge, huge game for them. And ultimately they were punished because they didn't take advantage of that momentum. And I think that bunny shawl, missing

that kind of player that has, you know, changed every game for them and been so effective for them. I think that's where they really let themselves down there. But yeah, for Arsenal, I think that mentality there, they put the pressure onto Man City. And I think they could maybe at times, you could tell that they were losing control of the game. And for me, I was just really pleased with Black Stenius. I was actually on my way to Stamford Bridge. So I'd left the TV, got in my car, put my earphones on, and then Arsenal were back in the game. So I thought it was done and dusted so yeah I mean to fight show that fight right up until the end I think it's uh it was huge for for Arsenal and you know they had a massive say in this title race didn't they and you thought maybe that that Man City had got it but yeah I'm never say never and um yeah they've really spiced things up

now I think the super subs they came in Ford, Ford, Catley, Kim, and brought energy. And it just lifted the whole team. And it had that monopoly effect. Then the momentum swings. Then they're on top. Then they're starting to pin Man City. And Man City don't have that sort of focal point like you would have in a bunny with her physical presence as well. To just offer some relief in those moments when they could get onto the ball

and stretch the game again and I think that's what made it really challenging for them and Arsenal really capitalized on that moment with a bit of quality and I was actually shocked that Kim wasn't starting this game you know and she came in and she literally was like the composer in midfield dictating the tempo getting on the ball doing the things that Arsenal needed in the first half and and that paid off really for them and in a bit of quality as well from Steno Baxenius and then arguably obviously I'm sure you're going to ask it but you could argue you know where Gareth Taylor's changes the correct ones could he have maybe made different changes as well that would have impacted City potentially differently as well?

Obviously, the focus is on the title race, right? But you've got to look at Arsenal and think there's got to be so many what-ifs because they've got the best records. It's so rare that a team who doesn't get the better of those top three go on to win the league, right? And they've got nine points from their four games against City and Chelsea, better than either of those two teams. And are walking away in third, like, well out of it from, you know,

pretty early on towards the end of the season. So, like, there's got to be so many what-ifs. Those points dropped to West Ham, Spurs. And, I mean, you know, one game to Chelsea, but, you know, the grand scheme of things, it's those points lost to West Ham and Spurs that have really cost them and I mean what a pair of errors what a lesson I mean it's going to be the first time a team has won the league having lost more than two games and that didn't get the better of the the results against the top three it's really interesting. Yeah really interesting but interesting in terms of the competitiveness of the league

and how it's evolving. By the way, just two substitutions made by Gareth Taylor, Angledahl and Kennedy coming on, whereas Arsenal used all five of theirs. And that clearly showed. Really interesting from a different perspective as well. Not just you've got impactful players on the bench, but this was actually a chance for the Manchester City fans to say goodbye to a club legend. I mean, I know this game didn't necessarily set itself up for emotion and things like that because there was so much riding on it.

But Captain Steph Horton's retiring from football at the end of the season. She's been at City for a decade. And there was a special tribute at the end of the game. She's been at City for a decade. And there was a special tribute at the end of the game. Both sets of players gave her a guard of honour. Gareth Taylor, though, you know, was criticised from some quarters, Ellen White and Ian Wright included, for not bringing her on as a substitute in front of her fans for one last time. This is a question from Sue on X, Anita. What are your views on whether Gareth Taylor should have given Steph minutes at the end of the game?

Views seem to be divided. What do you think? Yeah, I think initially I thought, OK, Gareth has probably gone with Alana Kennedy because he's opted to use her more often across the season. She's had more minutes, you know, than Steph. But for me personally, having known Steph, played with Steph, the leader that she is, the kind of character that she is for this team, I think she would have had the right kind of attitude and the words and everything, the body language,

to maybe lift her teammates. And I actually think as a defender in the scenarios that they were facing, box defending, I think Steph is the better defender personally. I would have opted to put her in there. But the occasion around her could also benefit the team, you know, because then our teammates are going, Steph's next to us, we want to give her a good send-off. We want to, you know, fight to the tooth and nail

to make sure that we hold on to this result. You know, it has a psychological impact as well. So I was surprised that you didn't make that decision it has a psychological impact as well so I was surprised that you didn't make that decision and and capitalize on that as well what like I found a little bit irritating was the comparison with like the Maramie Older, Frank Kirby being given their big farewell versus Steph not being given a big farewell on the pitch because it was just so different like situation wise you know you're seven, like five, six, seven, eight goals up against Bristol City already relegated at home, like able to, you know, sort of

bring on those players who are still playing a regular, you know, role, particularly Frank Kirby in your campaign versus a player who is barely playing in a massively important game in the title race where the scoreline is so tight so I like whilst I sort of sympathetic to the yeah you you know emotional sentimentality of it give her minutes like the game really mattered and like I don't think Gareth Taylor is the best tactician in the world or would necessarily get the substitutes right. But if they're making a decision to bring on a player that late on, it's a balance, isn't it? When you're trying to win a game like that as to who you bring on

and the sentimentality part of it cannot play a role in that. I agree that I think you can have the um the issue of uh you know weighing up the like psychological impact and all that stuff but at the same time like it there's it's a football decision to be made right in that moment yeah do you think that sub paid off though Susie and like it's football sometimes not just about emotion as well you know a feeling you feel players going inside themselves then they're not communicating then that impacts the tactical game that's just my opinion having played in games sometimes you need someone who's going to scream at you tell you give you some information give you some

positivity and that could just be the difference football is all about what ifs i can i can tell you that for sure as a loontown fan Basically just sums up football in a small nutshell. Actually, there is the argument that they all knew it was their club captain's last home game, last hurrah. So maybe they should have turned on the performance a little bit, you know, a little bit earlier, perhaps. Just to throw another opinion in the mix on it. So here we come to the last game in our wonderful I love a little bit of chronology Chelsea handed a lifeline by Manchester City they grabbed it with both hands didn't they against already relegated Bristol City on an

evening of goodbyes at King's Meadow it finished Chelsea Chelsea 8, Bristol City 0, meaning Chelsea not only came away with three points and made themselves within three points of the league leaders, they also completely overturned City's plus seven goal difference advantage as well. Four goals for Guru Wright and Jenna. I mean, she's been used sparingly by Emma Hayes in recent weeks, but she really delivered when it mattered, didn't she? She did, yeah. It was a huge, huge performance. I was there and it felt like a really special night from the minute you were walking into Kings Meadow. The crowds were there, the blue flags were up,

the DJ was, it was literally like a festival in there before kickoff. And the minute that final whistle went, you could see the intent from Chelsea, like they'd been given this lifeline and it was relentless from the first whistle. I actually felt for Bristol because actually in the first half, I don't think the scoreline, they actually created some really good chances. Obviously, Chelsea were putting the numbers forward.

They were really gun-hoeing the second they scored. They're getting the ball back to the restart. And Chelsea were leaving themselves quite wide open and Bristol on the counter all season have been quite dangerous but it's just that final you know that final execution in the penalty box but yeah they were like those mentality monsters that we're used to see in Chelsea you could see they were they were non-stop and Goua Wrighton like you said she's not really had that that much game time this season, injury at the beginning of the season, but what a performance and some of her goals that she'd scored.

But for me, I was so impressed with Aggie Brever-Jones as well for such a young player, again, scoring, starting, just going to be a top, top player. But come halftime, obviously Frank Kirby and Marilyn Magelle come on and it was, yeah, they started again. I think they dropped off towards the end of the second half. And we were saying, can they keep this up, this kind of intensity? The way they were moving the ball, it was just, it was one touch. It was like ticky tacky football at times. Bristol couldn't get near them.

And they did. They started off the second half again. And I think the icing on the cake would have been Frank Kirby getting that goal. And she had some chances. And you could see towards the end on the cake would have been Fran Kirby getting that goal and she had some chances and you could see towards the end, the players were trying to set her up and it just wasn't coming in. I think there was a potential penalty

possibly and Fran Kirby was in the ref's face, but it didn't get given. But what a performance and it got to 6-0 and the fans wanted more, 7-0, 8-0. And even when the ref put six minutes up,

you felt there was more coming for added time but yeah what a performance and yeah it was quite an emotional night down there actually they then did the send-off for Emma Hayes and Kirby and Mijeld and yeah it was an unbelievable game I couldn't believe what I was witnessing at one point it was just I don't think I've seen anything like it. Yeah it's amazing what an atmosphere. We know what Kings Meadow can bring anyway, but it just felt like all the stars were aligning for sure. But let's take a minute to talk about Agibiva Jones, Susie,

because four goals in two games, it takes her tally to 11 for the season. Lauren James is the only England player to have scored more than her. How important is it for Chelsea as they move into this new era next season that that one of their academy players is doing so well I mean she's got to be knocking on Serena Vigman's door as well hasn't she oh yeah I like yeah it has to be um but the like I thought the interesting thing to me was after that Liverpool game when Emma did her press conference, like her press conference, post-match press with her arm around Aggie,

like pulling her into frame. Because I think that for me, like people thought it was weird, but it sums up what I think Emma Hayes' mentality has been this season, which is, you know, she's probably known she's going way before it was announced. But like from the point at which it was announced, you know, I think there's been a one eye on obviously winning, you know she's probably known she's going way before it was announced but like from the point at which she was announced you know I think there's been a one eye on obviously winning as you know a quadruple and as many trophies as possible and another eye on the like team she leaves behind and I think the point she was making in bringing Aggie into that that like you know chat with her was yes the season's done but look at what Chelsea have got

here like there is a lot to go with you know it's a very young squad even with the likes of Kirby and Mielda going there players that have been on the fringes you know obviously big injury problems for a while you know the with like you say Lauren James but you know Hannah Hampton in goal you know Millie Bright and Natalie Bjorn still a you know defensive partnership that could go on for quite some time Guru Wright and still you know young and you know no signs of easing off at all like that there's actually a really really strong Erin Cuthbert coming into her own this season in the middle there's a really strong group of players there that are being left behind and like aggie is a really really exciting prospect and in a way you know like it's if sam kerr hadn't got injured if ramirez hadn't got

injured if me official hadn't got injured would she have had this opportunity like probably not right and so that's like the nice side of injury is you get to see players really take their moment um and and run with it yeah and obviously I work with Aggie on the 23s and I think what you're seeing with her is the fact that she may not have got those opportunities as you said with those injuries but she's grasped it and that's testament and credit to her mentality and ability to to sort of handle the expectation and and take responsibility in those moments. And for me, that's the positive thing in seeing her growth,

you know, in that role as a number nine, is actually being clinical at the end of those scenarios in those games as well. What's she like to coach? What's she like as a young player to be on the grass with? You know what? She's such a lovely girl on and off the pitch in terms of her personality her energy she's she just she works tirelessly she works so hard

she wants the information she takes it on board and she's hungry you know and if she things don't happen she's disappointed and that's the sort of player and character that you get and I think you know I've seen her in certain situations across the season for the 23s and not score in those 1v1 scenarios or in those spot situations. But to see her do it at Chelsea just shows how much she's taken it on board

and growing across the season. And I've actually been an important part of Chelsea this season. For me, what I've been really impressed about with all the young players, you've got Nuskan Aghabiba-Jones, Carter James. I think they've really stepped up this season when those senior players, key, key players, you know, these superstars, Sam Kerr, Bright, Ramirez, are out injured, but you've actually got these players that are stepping up

and they've had to play in some huge games that have made a huge impact. So for me, I've been really impressed that they've got that, you know, that strength and depth in their squad, but actually they're very young, exciting prospects. So actually the future of Chelsea is still looking bright, even without Emma Hayes. Yeah. And also without, you know, two stalwarts of the club as well. You've all mentioned it, but a formal announcement was made last week from both Marin Mielder and Fran Kirby that they're going to be leaving the club after seven and nine years respectively is it possible to quantify what both those players have done for the club Anita? I'm not sure it is I'm really not um Marin you know is an unbelievable

leader she's so considered in everything that she does. She's well liked among everybody from players to staff. She's shown up in so many pivotal moments for Chelsea across the years. She is sort of the woman of steel when it comes to those penalty scenarios that we've seen her score time and time and again. And, you know, it's hard to sort of imagine them both not being at the club. And in terms of Fran, you know, she's just always been such a special player, a player that I have enjoyed playing with, hated, you know, training against her because of her ingenuity and her creativity and her ability to just get away from players and assist

and score some incredible goals as well. But she's grown so much as well in terms of confidence, especially from a sort of communication standpoint and taking presence and trying to be more of a leader, I think, in the dressing room as well. You know, for me, Fran Kirby is synonymous with Chelsea. So it's hard to really imagine her not being there. But her contribution is massive, massive for the club

and will definitely, definitely be missed yeah we'll talk about what might be next for Frank Kirby in particular in next week's pod I think as we kind of sum up the sum up the season I can't see her wearing any other colour bar Chelsea blue I know she obviously wears England white but you know I know what I mean. It would just be weird. But this is how things stand going into the final week of the season. Manchester City top on 52 points with a goal difference of 45. Chelsea three points behind them on 49

with a goal difference of 46. But they do have a game in hand. I'm looking at you, Jenna Scalacci. They face Spurs away on the 15th before heading to Old Trafford for their finale against Manchester United. Two tough games to round off Emma Hayes' time at Chelsea. Manchester City, meanwhile, will be facing Carla Ward's Aston Villa at Villa Park. OK, how do we even go with this,

bearing in mind this pod's history with predictions, some making tactical predictions. At least Arsenal aren't involved in the title race, so Susie can't make any tactical predictions. Right, I'm going to start with you, Jenna, seeing as you're one of one of the two games Chelsea have left so I'm going to go with Tottenham are going to win the FA Cup so we'll be a no-fit state come the Wednesday Chelsea for me though see I can't see Chelsea getting themselves back into this position after they were basically dead and out I can't see them slipping up again. So I'm going to go with Chelsea, given they've got that game in hand. I'm going to agree with Jenna.

I think it's going to be Chelsea. It's theirs to take now. I just don't see them dropping off here now. They're just going to want to make sure they bring the title home. Susie? Yeah, Chelsea. I think the other aspect of Emma

saying, you know, oh, the season's done or whatever it was, like psychologically impacting her players, it demanded that they

step up a gear, right? It demanded fight from them. It demanded them to go, no, this isn't over. And then they get

the taste from City dropping points at Arsenal and there's no, there's like, I say never bet against them at the end of the season. There's no way that they're going to drop it. Now, they've got Spurs straight off the back of a cup final as well.

Like they're going to be, you know, better rested. And, you know, either Spurs will have heads down or possibly still be hung over. So like, you know, that's almost the best time to be playing them either way. That Man United game is going to be really, really interesting last day of the season.

But yeah, I just, yeah, never bet against Hayes' team in the final third of the season ever. I think Emma Hayes made a really good point at the end of the Bristol game. Chelsea will actually get to rest in between games now,

which they probably haven't been able to do for the last two months, given the Champions League and all the cups they've been in. So they'll have a rested squad going into both of those fixtures as well. Right. So basically, Manchester City are going to lift the title because our predictions are terrible always. I'm pretty sure most of us went for Chelsea at the start of the season as well, you know, so it's just written in the stars.

It's going to be Man City's. So in in that case just to even things up on the pod and for emma hayes sake i'm going to say and you know what i'm trying to do here i'm going tactically i'm going to say manchester city are going to lift the title just so we've got a bit of balance right that's it for part one in part two we'll look at the rest of the barclays WSL action and we'll look ahead to next weekend's FA Cup final welcome back to part two of the guardian women's football weekly let's take you through the rest of the weekend's barclays wsl results shall we liverpool completed a superb week with back-to-back victories beating manchester united at prenton. It finished Liverpool 1, Manchester United 0, thanks to a first-half injury goal from Jenna Clarke. It's been quite the week for Matt Beard's side.

Susie, we mentioned him earlier on. He got himself sent off at the weekend, but that's not that important, actually, when he saw his side leapfrog their rivals to move into fourth with just one game to play but from a Manchester United point of view they must have been disappointed with their performance despite Mark Skinner saying they created chances. Oh yeah like obviously you know if you had said to Manchester United at the start of the season that they would be finishing

potentially in fifth with Liverpool having leapfrorogging just before the end of the season, you know, they'd be hugely frustrated. They've got the FA Cup final coming up. Like for me, that's the only thing that saves Mark Skinner, if it does it even then. Like, I don't know if that's enough because they looked pretty clueless, I thought. They didn't really have a plan for how to get past Liverpool.

Few good chances. I'm thinking Ella Toons in particular they should have put away but other than that I mean they're just laboring without much direction I feel it just doesn't seem to be going right for them I think the the cup final is going to be really really interesting because I wonder if it's a psychological thing whether it's minds and focus is already on that game but you would like to think that you know going up against Liverpool for a Manchester United team with the chance that they could overtake you in fourth would be enough motivation to put force of a cup final to sort of one side for a week but if that is the case then

that's a big problem because like if it is just the fact that they just weren't very good and a bit directionless then that is a bit of a concern yeah we'll talk about the cup final in a minute but let's talk Spurs and Everton because it was a goal fest at Walton Hall Park on Saturday it finished Everton 2 Tottenham 2 Spurs fighting back from two goals down to return with a valuable point and secure sixth place. Jenna, I'm really sorry to put you in this position, but can we just talk about the defending in this game? All four goals stemmed from defensive errors. Frustrating for both managers. Yeah, I mean, really awful defending at times.

And I think actually, I think a point apiece probably a fair result I think Tottenham going behind again it's been a kind of common theme of late but what we're seeing with this Tottenham team now which we've never seen before is that they can find a way to get back into games you know and they've got those players that can change the game and this time I think it was

Drew Spence that really stepped up obviously back full fitness again which is perfect timing for us given the huge weekend we've got coming up. But yeah, woeful defending and it's something that they've really got to work on because I think they've conceded so many goals through basically our own mistakes this season. But I think the huge foundation is now going forward. We're also looking really dangerous and we are hurting teams. I think actually we might be disappointed that we didn't get

the whole three points towards the end because we definitely had some opportunities to kill the game off. But yeah, I think probably a one apiece is a fair result in the end. Yeah, Aston Villa secured seventh spot on their travels to Crawley. It finished bright and nil. Aston Villa won, thanks for a second half goal from Alicia Lehman. Second in two weeks, isn't it, from Lehman after having not scored throughout the season. Backdrop, though, to this game, Anita, was the announcement from Aston Villa

that Carla Ward's decided to leave after three seasons in the job. Obviously, this is your former club. I've got three questions for you, if you can wrap them all up. A, were you surprised by her decision b will a seventh place finish be something for her to be proud of and c where are we going to see her next oh okay first question yes I was surprised um I thought you know I think Carla has done a really good job with Aston Villa of late you know that, the highest they've finished last season. Yes, they dropped off a little bit this season.

They had a lot of injuries to contend with, which I think was really difficult for her to manage. But yeah, I didn't expect her to announce that she was leaving. I understand the reasons why. I think, you know, a job as a manager is really taxing and it takes a lot of time, dedication and commitment and time away from family. She has a young daughter she wants to spend more time with. We can all relate. I think to some degree we understand what that's like and reset a little bit. And in terms of finishing where they finished the season, like I said, I think they've had challenges that have made it difficult. I think they haven't necessarily clicked in the way that everyone had hoped as well.

You know, I think Ken Zadali being injured and Hansen during the season, who started off so well as well, I think slowed their momentum. But ultimately, it's a good foundation for them to still build off. And it happens. You know, they've not been in a WSL extremely long time so to get where they were last season to slightly regress and to pick up again I think it's definitely doable for Villa with the right person whoever steps in I don't know who the next contender will be but it will be very interesting who will be looking to take that project on I

think. Yeah I agree with you on that do we so so we think that Carla's probably going to take that project on, I think. Yeah, I agree with you on that. So we think that Carla's probably going to take some time out. Can we see her back in football anytime soon? I think she's going to take some time out. Yeah, I think that makes sense. It sounded that way. It sounded that she needed that reset button. She wants the time to just focus on other things. But I don't think it's the last we'll see of Carla.

I think we'll definitely see her back in football at some point down the road. And wouldn't we all be better for a rest as well? Oh, God, yeah. Oh, by the way, I go on holiday next week and I'm missing the Women's FA Cup final as a result, but I desperately need a holiday. I will be better for the rest,

even though I will have massive FOMO. We are getting to the FA Cup final, I promise you. Just one WSL game to wrap up. It finished West Ham 1, Leicester City 1. Leicester coming from behind to earn that draw. Probably a predictable outcome, maybe, Susie, for two teams that don't really have anything to play for at this time of the season.

Yeah, I mean, I was thinking about it, and it speaks to the fact that we only have one team get relegated, right? Like it's so difficult now to come up from the championship and like maintain a challenge. And there's no real jeopardy for teams that are sort of already up and OK, because you sort of expect the team that comes up to go back down again. So I think I do think there needs to be a discussion about you know sort of two teams coming up and two teams going down or a playoff between 11th and like second in the championship or something like that I feel like that would make for a far more interesting like bottom half of the table

towards the end of the season than it currently is, which is a real shame. I thought Leicester were really good and probably deserved maybe... No, that's unfair on West Ham. They deserved a draw because they got a draw. But I think Leicester could have got a winner. They were very, very dominant in that second half, I thought. But yeah, I mean, it just made me reflect on the battle at the bottom and how unfair it is on any team that comes up

that there's not more at stake for the teams around them. Yeah, I know what you mean. There's been plenty at stake in the FA Women's National League and the season came to its conclusion on Sunday after another highly competitive campaign. Let's wrap up how things stand ahead of next year. So much exciting stuff going on further down the pyramid at the moment Newcastle United and Portsmouth were crowned champions of the FA

Women's National League Northern and Southern Premier respectively so they're going to both play in the Barclays Championship next season they'll be replaced by Lewis and Watford who were relegated from the championship so Huddersfield Town AFC filed Chatham Town and London Bees all dropped down to division one Hull City won the division one north Sporting Cowsa the division one Midlands they beat oh god this was so tight they beat Loughborough Lighting Lighting Loughborough Light, that electrical company in the Midlands. Sorry, they beat Loughborough Lightning on goal difference. AFC Wimbledon, the Division One South East and Exeter City, the Division One South West. All of them, that means, will be playing Premier Division football

next season. Congratulations for brilliant campaigns. Meanwhile, the Women's National League is going to say goodbye to Chester-le-Street Town, FC United of Manchester, Sheffield FC, Leek Town, Cambridge City, Haywards Heath Town, Torquay United and Chelsea, who've all been relegated into Tier 5 of the pyramid. Quick question for someone who wants to take it. This is from Nolly, who messaged us on X. Following Luan Wersi's fantastic breakout season at Nottingham Forest, which included an England call-up, is Tier 3 a viable place for a young Tier 2 player to develop their game? Yeah, I think in terms of exposing a young player to playing minutes, so they get as much opportunity to learn the game and and different

types of game as well you know whether you're playing for a team that dominates the ball or doesn't you learn a lot of new skills um in and out of possession but obviously as they keep progressing and and sort of exceeding their levels then you want to keep trying to progress that level and play at a higher level so ultimately that's the challenge and the goal for any young player going through the divisions. Yeah, I agree, Vanita. I think any young player, I think challenge them in women's football as early as you possibly can. I think that's how you're going to develop and push them on. And obviously getting minutes as well is going to excel their performance and their development.

So, yeah, I 100% agree. There you go, Nollie. Question answered. Okay, we've come to that time of the pods. This is what Jenna has been waiting for, the FA Cup preview. The Adobe Women's FA Cup final, complete with coat, comes to a conclusion next weekend. A new name's going to be etched on the trophy

as Manchester United and Tottenham come face-to- face at a sold-out Wembley Stadium. Anita this is Manchester United's second FA Cup final in a row which is pretty impressive how do they use the experience of last year's match to benefit them I mean it's going to be a little bit easier to handle the occasion if you've done it before isn't it? Yeah definitely I think they've walked down that tunnel they've experienced the kind of atmosphere the noise that they will will have on the day um they've already prepared for an occasion like this before so the kind of structure of the day leading up to the game in terms of nutrition and fueling and sleep and all of that you know of course they're all professionals so they're used to it but you know it's different the adrenaline you feel leading to a final day so they will be able to manage all of those emotions from a psychological perspective and they'll want to

use that experience to go out there and utilize trying to have a fast start which I think is going to be extremely important for them that they can get into the game early and kind of establish some form of control in the opening minutes. Yeah it feels like they need a little bit of confidence Susie at the minute obviously Mark Skinner under pressure again after that defeat to Liverpool at the weekend how key is success on Sunday to his future going forward? Yeah I sort of said earlier didn't I that I think that they have to win this game they have to win that trophy for his future at the club to be viable like even if they keep him like I don't think if they lose the FA Cup after the season they've had that the authority that he has is going to be very very strong even

if they win it I still think there are questions to be asked there because I think they're actually quite a one-dimensional side I think they've got an identity I think they've got like you can tell a mock skin aside but I think that is quite a one-dimensional thing and that if managers and teams figure out how to frustrate it or prevent it there's no plan b they don't look to the bench often enough for changes they don't like rotate much in season we've seen players leave expressing like how frustrating they found it at the club and things so like there's a lot of things to be worried about there obviously it's not just marking that man united is chaos generally like the men's side is a mess too like behind the background of the club is chaos at the moment so like you can't like put it all

on the manager there's frustrations with the system around it the resources all of that kind of stuff too but when you look at the team on the pitch and the players they've got available and how they rotate or don't rotate and all all of those kind of things like it's a minimum they have to win it for him like he needs that trophy and like I'd say even then it might not be enough. Chaos behind the scenes but both the men's and women's teams have reached the FA Cup finals which is quite quite impressive when you think about it. Jenna I was watching you furiously scribbling something down as Susie was talking there I'm assuming it's not your shopping list it might have been something on

Mark Skinner tell me in a second but obviously you know we know your links to Tottenham how are you feeling going into the ground going into the game and what's the kind of feeling around the club as well leading into it yeah I think it's been it's been funny around the club because in all the media conferences it's been you know we're focusing on each game as it comes but the minute you step in the women's building there's just this like buzz around it. Everyone's just so happy. And I was speaking to some of the players last week in there. They still can't actually believe what's happened, given the state of the club at the end of the season, fighting in a relegation battle.

So it's completely turned around. And yeah, it's kind of been an elephant in the room for the last couple of weeks where Robert's adamant. He wants to focus on the match ahead. And I think this week they can now enjoy the build-up I think I was actually speaking to Roz and Becky on Tuesday and they're like it's you know they've been in these positions not on FA Cup but they've been to the World Cup we've got players who you know who've had these these build-ups to these huge matches before I think they're going into it as the underdogs. Of course they are. But for me, I think the pressure is fully on Man United

and that suits us. We're all right with being the underdogs. I think they always have been, to be honest. But I think what we've seen this season with this team is a team that has taken points now off of, you know, Arsenal, Man United. They got the draw for the first time ever. I think they were disappointed in the opening game

against Chelsea where they felt they could have come away with something. And then obviously they've beat a man sitting in a penalty shootout to get on the road to Wembley. So they actually got a lot of confidence within this squad, got experience now. You've got Becky Spencer, England, Drew Spence, Martha Thomas as well. And I think all a fully fit team now at the right time and they're going to just go out there and enjoy it but yeah

there's such a buzz around the club and you know I've played at the club I've been a Spurs fan and it's not a usual feeling for a Tottenham fan

so but no I think there's no pressure on them I think they'll go out then I think Robert has instilled this kind of belief in them

that even if things aren't going their way, if they stick to the way that he wants to play, they end up getting the results. And we've seen that time and time again this season. So yeah, really excited. Can't wait for Sunday. He's done such an amazing job, hasn't he, Robert Villaham, this season.

He's been fantastic. Okay, those dreaded predictions are coming again now the question is is jenna gonna vote tactically this time she's going along with her heart and just thinks sod the fact that this pod is terrible at predictions i'm just going all in go on jenna oh two one something oh i love it anita i'm sorry, Jenna. I'm carrying 2-1 Man United. Ah! And purely because I think

Grace Clinton is a big miss. I really do. Huge, huge. Can't play against her, by the way. Honestly, the season that she's had, it's so cruel. Yeah. So cruel.

Susie? So, I'm not going to be tactical here, despite the fact that, you know, obviously as an Arsenal fan, the idea of Spurs winning a trophy abhors me. I actually really like the team. I actually really like Robert. I think he's a great manager.

There's a lot to like there, which is like an internal conflict that is eating me alive. But I think there's a lot to be said in the fact that United have this insane, like, fear of losing this game, I think. And I think Spurs, as Jenna has beautifully outlined, are delighted to be there, have nothing to lose. And I think that's quite a big conflict.

So I actually think Spurs could get it. They're coming off the back of two draws having come from behind in those games and fought back. So they know that they can come back into games if they concede. So if Man United score, they're not necessarily worried about it, whereas United are coming off the back of that defeat to Liverpool as well. I just think the momentum of the teams is there for Spurs to do something special. Bethany England scored 4-4. Things are starting to go right for them at the right time of the

season for this match to be played. That's so tactical. She hates Spurs and she's terrible at predictions. She's done it on purpose.

Genuinely not this time. Genuinely not. Right. Well we shall see. I don't hate Spurs. I love Spurs and I'd love for you to win jenna just because we're mates and uh and i would be so delighted for you so i'm going for a spurs win sorry man united fans by the way i just want to give a bit of a a shout out to a post that i saw

earlier on from team grassroots uh they post this is my daughter, Sophie Dennington. I'm so proud of her. She started reffing at 15 years old, struggled so much in school, and at age 13, she had the reading and spelling age of a seven-year-old. But with the help of her school, she managed to pass her GCSEs.

She was diagnosed with dyslexia, but still got her dream. She's running the line for the FA Cup Women's Final. A message to all the young refs out there. You can do it if you put your mind and your heart into something. Good luck to Sophie running the line at Wembley. What an incredible achievement. Listen, finally, congratulations to three lionesses who lifted league titles with their respective clubs this weekend. Georgia Stanway scoring as Bayern Munich lifted the Frauenbundesliga for a second time in a row.

And both Lucy Bronze and Kira Walsh were crowned champions of Spain once again with Barcelona securing yet another Liga F title. Before we go, allow us to indulge ourselves just a little bit. We don't do this very often and we get so many lovely messages in. But I want to highlight a couple that we've had in from listeners that have really brightened our week. And our WhatsApp group's been pinging away. We've been chuffed to bits. And we're going to start with a big shout out to Hebe, who sent us an email with her personal supercomputer workings out for the end of the season.

This is what she said. Hello, Faye and Susie. I'm a 13 year old girl who's obsessed with football, but especially the WSL. And I love your podcast so much. I had a major operation on my spine in January. So it's been a bit of a tough time recently. But your podcast has really, really helped me get through my recovery so far. Every Tuesday, which used to be my least favourite day, I spend the whole morning checking my Spotify to see whether the podcast has been uploaded. And every time it is thoroughly enjoyable. So thank you so much. Shout out to my dad, who's listened to the pod from the very beginning. Hi, dad. Because of my operation, I haven't been at school. So I've had a lot of time on my hands. Obviously, I've used it to watch as much football as humanly possible,

but also to do the work of the supercomputer thing myself. So since the season is weeks away from ending, I thought I could predict the next 11 matches of the top six to work out who would win the WSL. As we already know, the Women's Football Weekly is not known for amazing predictions, but me and my dad aren't actually too bad. I'm only bad at predicting

Arsenal games most likely because I'm extremely biased she says hashtag Guna forever so I spent yesterday evening predicting the rest of the WSL top six and I've linked my results and she sent us this beautifully crafted table lovely handwriting you've got, Hebe, by the way. Again, I just want to say thank you for this pod. I enjoy listening to your views so much and I cannot wait for next season. With love from Hebe. So honestly, we got that this week and we're absolutely delighted.

So this is what Hebe has predicted. Manchester City win 58 points. Chelsea in second, also on 58 points, but two goals behind Manchester City. So City winning on goal difference. Amazing. Arsenal in third on 47 points. Manchester United securing fourth on 38 points.

Liverpool with 35 and Spurs with 33. And she's highlighted City win. Brilliant stuff. securing fourth on 38 points. Liverpool with 35 and Spurs with 33. And she's highlighted City win. Brilliant stuff. Well, we will shout you out next week, Keebie, to see whether that prediction is right. Not next week, the week after. After the end of the season.

You know what I mean. The weeks are all blurring into one. But thank you so much for taking the time out to message us. We really appreciate it. And a big thank you and shout out as well to Roz Morton, who messaged us over on Instagram to say, just wanted to say the episode on schedules, etc. with Thief Pro was the best footy pod I've ever listened to. I've always been a union rep in my workplaces,

so there might be some bias there. Really informative and taking us beyond the headlines to consider the impact of the growth of the game at all levels. No mean feat and very deftly done. Congrats to all involved. Thank you so much, Ros. That means a lot. If you've not listened to that episode, by the way, you can, of course, download it. It's in our feed and it's also in the Guardian Football Weekly feed as well, if you want to take a listen. Listen, I've absolutely loved today's pod. It's been such good fun.

Jenna, I wish you all the luck in the world for Sunday. Keeping fingers crossed for you. Thank you. Anita, a pleasure as always. Take care. Thanks for having me, Faye. Susie Rack, I'll miss you at the final. I'll miss you at Wembley, our little place.

I know, right? What am I going to do with myself? Just to be sat around the thing, like eating the food, and that's about it. I know. I know. I'm sorry. I will be watching Don't Hate Me

from a beach enjoying it but very differently definitely hate you yes sorry that's fine I'll take the hate I haven't had

I haven't had a beach holiday for god knows how long I need the break keep having your say by sending in your questions via x or emailing us at womensfootballweekly

at theguardian.com and as ever a reminder to sign up for our emailing us at womensfootballweeklyattheguardian.com. And as ever, a reminder to sign up for our bi-weekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do is search Moving the Goalposts sign up. In Tuesday's edition, Joey Lynch wraps up the A-League season, the good, the bad and the ugly. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly

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