The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Chelsea slip up as Manchester City inch closer to WSL title – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: March 24, 2026

Faye Carruthers is joined by Sophie Downey, Tom Garry and Jamie Spangher to discuss a weekend of WSL results that favour the league leaders, the relegation battle at the bottom and Japan’s triumph in the Asian Cup

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faker others and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Bunny Shaw's record-breaking hat trick against Spurs, extended Manchester City's lead at the top of the table. Manchester United keep pace after a late Melvin Mallard winner, but Chelsea dropped points conceding a late equaliser at the Den. We'll discuss the relegation battle and Japan winning the Asian Cup. Plus, we'll take your questions, and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly.

Well, what's a panel we have today? We are sending all of our best wishes to the wonderful Susie Rack, who has called in sick this morning, bless her. There's so many horrible bugs going around. And so jumping in like the hero wearing a cape all the time she is, is the wonderful producer Sof Downey. How are you? I'm good.

I am, yeah, super sub today. My probably best position in football when I used to play was super subs. So maybe I'll make an impact from the bench. You always make an impact. Don't even need to be on the bench to make an impact. Tom Gary, how are you doing? I'm very well indeed. Where would you be? Up front, in defence?

I thought you were going to call me a horrible bug that kept coming around. I thought I wouldn't do that. I'm well, thank you. I mean, you have all the bugs. You have the baby. So all the bugs are residing in your house. It's true. I'm well.

I've had a lovely day yesterday of building a cot for said baby from a well-known flat-packed furniture store. And I would actually say it was surprisingly stress-free. You know, usually those builds are like the same. kind of things that's triggered divorce or like the terrible arguments. And actually it was, it was a very serene and pleasant building experience. So I'm very happy, very proud of ourselves for building a cot. You've given me some faith because weirdly me and my husband had the same conversation last night. We are about to buy a single bed for our child. And we have almost divorced over various other beds that we've built previously. And so I said, why don't we get somebody

else to do it? And he went, no, we're not doing that. We're building it ourselves. And so So you've now made me feel, you know, slightly better about the experience, but I'll be coming and having a word with you if you've lulled me into a false sense of security. Jamie Spanger, it's lovely to see you. Listen, under better circumstances, I wish. Have you come down yet from that disappointment, or come up, should I say, from the disappointment? Oh, Faye, it's nice to see you. However, it's been hard 48 hours. I can't lie, moving on from the Asian Cup final, which I'm sure we'll speak about the heartbreak later. Yeah, a lot of football action to look forward to this week. So I'm trying to just kind of block it out, forget and move on.

You're always very zen. I'm sure you'll get over it. But we will be talking about that in part two, I'm afraid. So buckle up. Let's talk about Chelsea, though, because they were dealt a blow in the race for European football next season. London City lionesses came from behind to earn a point against the WSL holders at the Den on Saturday. Isabel Goodwin scored late, the 82nd minute to earn them a point after Johanna Ritting, Canerrida had put Chelsea ahead in the first half. Pretty frustrating afternoon all round, I think, for Chelsea. So for more dropped points as well. Where did it go wrong for them at the dent? Yeah, really frustrating, particularly after their win over Brighton in midweek when Manchester United had dropped points against West Ham. So I think they came into this one thinking they had that advantage in the race for European places. But it didn't quite pan out that way.

They had a really good first half. I think the young players played really well. They bought in Chloe Sawie, who's 17 years old, who's going to be a real talent, I think, going forward for both Chelsea and for England. Lexi Potter started to get in my field, and I think they were the two bright spots for Chelsea early on. They dominated the first half. London City struggle to get into proceedings,

but in the second half, everything went a bit backwards, especially in the last 15 minutes, and lots of changes during the game. I think they had one eye on what's coming in midweek against Arsenal, the Champions League. quarterfinals and it's out managing the squad situation and I don't think they're quite managed it well enough and Chelsea they're in a really good form at them like there's six games unbeaten I think in all competitions but they do have that wobble in them don't they I think this year that we

haven't seen in previous years and when it comes to league football there's still a lot to be played and a lot to be done so they need to keep their their concentration going yeah definitely and they did control the first half London City though stronger in the second half Jamie and and probably had the momentum and would feel that they could have gone on to take all three points. What changed for them after the break? Yeah, it's interesting the second half. It felt like a bit of a dramatic shift. And I think, to be honest, not to go back to Chelsea,

but it does feel like it kind of sums up where things have started to slip for them in the fact that it used to be a really big sense of grinding out games. And in possession, they were able to just stall and get a result. And in this game, Luton City completely do exactly that to them. And Chelsea are working to either try to double the advantage or even go for the winner are on the counterattack where London City are controlling possession. They're really flooding the 18-yard box. So it felt like in this second half, LCL just gave Chelsea a bit of a taste of their own

medicine and we're really, really attacking that box and they have the players that can do it. And I do feel a bit bad for Chelsea because, as Sophie said, like, they're focusing on the Champions League. They have to run that depth with all the injuries that they have right now. But it did feel like Sonia Bonpastor really took her foot off the break. And London City are getting a lot better at kind of finding what works for them and what works for them to finish off games strong and take it to these teams rather than.

and we've got a quick forward in Nikita Paras, so we have Izzy Goodwin in height. They're starting to play football, and I think their midfield's doing a really good job at controlling games as they play out. So yeah, a really big point for them and a disappointing result for Chelsea. Yeah, Sophie mentioned that the changes in personnel in game,

but also she'd made five changes, Sonia Bonpastor, Tom, from the win over Brighton in midweek as well. And we know the injuries that they have. It is always a balance between freshness and stability. But with that Arsenal game in mind, additionally? Was it maybe a little bit too disruptive? Personally, I don't think so. I don't like to criticise coaches who do a little bit of sort of looking after players during a busy period. And these are really important games coming

up. I also think we can't overlook the Asian Cup. Like we did wonder, didn't we, earlier in the season, how this period would impact a lot of the sides with players, in this case, still travelling back in some, you know, a player like Kerr, for example. Maybe it just hit Chelsea a little bit harder than we thought. It was going to, there was a really sort of an amusing press conference moment yesterday when Sonia Bonpastro was asked about where all her players were because there was only about eight of them seen

training yesterday, but she did try and reassure everyone that they're all kind of just doing individual programmes. I didn't have a problem with it, in honestly, on an honesty fate. I thought Chelsea started the game really well and as the team have alluded to here, Lan City just thought back brilliantly. And I think Cascarino coming on was a big,

big, big difference. Maybe we just need to readjust our expectations. Yes, of going away to play London City. Like that's a really difficult game now. Man City won there, but just like I was out there, win there, and they needed a late winner from Bunny Shore, and it could easily have been a draw or win for London City. The London City play really well.

And it's not easy to go there and win now, and I think particularly to go there and to try and win there, you know, sandwiched in between a midweek game and a Champions League quarter final with people injured and people away at the tournament. It's not like a disastrous point. to get a point there. Is that a fair? Yeah, absolutely. And listen, this is why you're such an excellent journalist, Tom,

can I just say, because that entire answer was very balanced and very fair and took into account all the context surrounding it. Where it leaves Chelsea in terms of securing Champions League football sof, though, that is the big question, isn't it? You know, we're going to talk about Manchester United and Arsenal's victories very shortly, but we knew it was going to be really tight. We knew it was going to mean one big team in inverted commas is likely to miss out. Where do you see it falling?

I mean, if they had any hope of the title, first of all, is definitely gone now. Not that there was much hope to be had. I wasn't even alluding to the title. That feels like it's been gone for a while. Yeah, no, it has been, but it's most certainly gone right now after that result. I think they knew they probably had to win every game this side of the year to have a chance at that. In terms of Champions League, it's going to be fascinating this race to the end of the season, I think. Arsenal, when you look at it on paper, have the more simple run, but they have more games to play.

They've obviously got two games in hand. They win those two games in hand. They come within five points for Manchester City. So you would think that they probably are the favourites to get that second spot, the second automatic Champions League spot. In terms of the third one, it's going to be really interesting, I think, between Manchester United and Chelsea. They play each other on the final game of the season, if I'm not wrong. It could come down to the wire to see which of those teams give. it's European football next season.

And it seems sort of unfathomable to think about Chelsea not being in Europe, but then United after the season they've had on the continent as well. Either of those missing out seems like a big blow. You know me? I always look at the fixtures. Manchester United fixtures are really difficult. They've got to play Man City.

They've got to go away to Tottenham. Very hard game for Manchester United. And then they go away to Chelsea. So I still realistically think that Manchester United are most likely to finish fourth because that's a tough running. From a neutral's point of view, I'm very excited about it going down to that final game of the season.

That's what you want. I don't want dead rubbers on the final day of the season at all. Bring some excitement. There's bound to be excitement tonight as well. We're not fully previewing this game, by the way, because it's pointless because some of you are going to be listening to this. After it's already happened, because Chelsea Face Arsenal in the Champions League first leg of the quarter finals,

we talked about all the injuries, Jamie, but just quickly, we know that Sam Kerr had a flight can't. So she's not back yet. Ellie Carpenter is, but involvement, you know, probably unlikely. And now it looks as if Aggie Beaver Jones has been added to the injury list additionally. How much of a blow will that be? Especially because she was just kind of starting to find her form again at a great weekend last weekend. Yeah, that is a massive blow.

Even against LCL, I thought Beaver Jones had a really, really strong first half. She's kind of adopting into this more mature player. She's always been a very explosive, young, speedy player. But she's this kind of hold-up play nine. and that's why she was so good against London City in the first half. Like obviously the head of flick on for Johanna-Rid and Canada-Rid is just something that a really, really good and established striker can do. So Agribeva Jones has had a really tough season with injuries and you feel bad for a player

that young. But with Chelsea right now, obviously Samco is not there. Ramirez isn't fit. This is the player that needs to be starting in the nine for them because when they came out against Arsenal at Stanford Bridge, they tried to play that guy over-the-top ball to Alyssa Thompson and it wasn't working with Ridin-Cannery either. Arsenal were very, very good at stopping that counter-attack. that high transition over the top.

So you kind of need a player that's going to keep the ball to their feet. And then all that falls on to Lauren James. And that's a lot easier from an Arsenal perspective to look at that one player and say, she's the ball user without Agie Biva Jones there. We just shut that down. It feels like Chelsea's struggle going forward at the moment. So it's a massive loss. And I'd say probably bigger than Sam Kerr because, yeah, she's the player that's coming

off the bench. But Biva Jones feels like the player that really needs to find her feet in this team. And I just feel really bad for her right now with her injury luck. Yeah, tough, isn't it? For sure. And talking of Shaw, Manchester City got back to winning ways with a five-star performance

against Tottenham Hotspur. This was incredible. I was on Talk Sport at the weekend and I kept throwing to our reporter and he kept bringing up the stat of Bunny Shaw's incredible record against Spurs and the incredible record she holds of scoring hat tricks

against them. And literally in 13 minutes I went back to him three times and there we go. 13-minute hat-trick the fastest in WSL history. It was quite a devastating first half for the visitors' spurs. Leaser Copping goals, Sparer thought for her. But it felt like they were back with a bang after that draw against Aston Villa, Tom.

Those five goals, by the way, came from just four shots on target. One of those was an own goal, by the way, which kind of put any fears of a wobble firmly to bed. We were trying to stoke it up, weren't we last week? Bunny Shore and Tottenham, it's like, She's just four hat tricks in a row, isn't it? In home games against Tottenham, is that right? Four Hattrick's four home league games against them.

I think she's scored against them 15 times, which is now more than any other player has scored against a single WSL opponent. 15 goals against Tottenham. Like, that's more than some clubs have scored against an opponent, let alone an individual player. And she's just extraordinary. This was like her aerial prowess kind of came to the four in this game, didn't it?

She was so strong in the box. and I also just think we're seeing such a complete forward now. Like she can score every kind of goal. And we've seen her score every kind of goal of a season. She's slight years ahead of the rest of the pack in the Golden Boot Race. Like Kirsty Hanson is also having a really good season. It's the only other player in double figures. And Shaw's on like 18 goals in 18 games.

By herself, she has scored more goals than cumulatively this season. Liverpool have. They've scored 17. West Ham have scored 15 and Lester has scored 9. It's incredible. And it's also part of down to the service. They've got more and more players

in that midfield and wide areas who are providing world-class assists. And Tottenham, I think, particularly for a couple of the goals, they struggle to cope with the kind of inswinging left-footed corners from Alex Greenwood, for example,

a really good player with set pieces. So it's not just about her, but she's been phenomenal. And we've said it before, haven't we? But I really hope that all the awards and accolades head her way in the end of season. Bonanzas because she's been fantastic. And Tottenham, perhaps just a little bit of a reality check,

like the fact they're having a really good season, but they're now more where we would have expected them to be earlier on rather than any of the kind of over-excited talk about them, maybe getting into Europe or maybe sort of bursting into top three. I think it's okay to be where they are. They're still doing well, but they are not on the same level as Bunny. And as I mentioned earlier on this kind of Asian Cup thing,

if you were a rival of Manchester City looking at their lead about three weeks ago, you're probably thinking, oh, hope it all falls apart during the Asia Cup when they lose a few key players. No, no, like clearly not. There was still some defensive frailties, maybe Keating didn't play brilliantly against Tottenham. But they've come through with like what, four points in these two games and a really good win. Like they've come through that.

Now it's just a matter of when, not if for the title, isn't it? Yeah, it feels it. for sure. We'll talk about spurs. Actually, you know, you say it's where we expect them to be. They were actually really good in this game. I'll give you the stats in a minute, but I just want to carry on talking about Bunny Shaw because, you know, we've waxed lyrical about her many times, Sophie, but you read out those stats and she genuinely is just in a league of her own, isn't she? Which makes it even more crucial that Manchester City keep hold of her. Oh, absolutely. And I think from Tom's reporting, I think they probably will.

I know there's been a few rumours up and down in terms of, like, newspapers and stuff, but I can't see her leaving Manchester City at the end of the season or at the end of her contract. She looks like she's looking like she's having fun out there. She looks like they've really started to, like, gel with her and Viv Meademar and those kind of players. And last season, they were both hit by injury so much. So it's been the first season where they've been really, like, had a run of games together, really being able to properly, you know, become cohesive and really understand each other. and together, they're just like, along with Lauren Hemp and Carolyn,

they're all becoming this like cohesive attacking unit that's quite frightening. Yeah, definitely. Let's look at Spurs, Jamie, because, you know, I mentioned the stats there, didn't really align with the scoreline. They actually outcreated Manchester City. Overall, it's been quite a tough fortnight for Martin Ho. But did you see enough positives for him to build on ahead of the North London Derby next week? although should he perhaps be a bit concerned about their defensive performances at the minute.

Yeah, I think there's a lot to this Tottenham performance. I honestly think it's one of their better games of the season, which is quite hilarious because obviously the scoreline doesn't suggest that, but it's a tough outing for Leitso-Cop. It's a tough hiding for Molly Bar-Trip, Amanda Nilden, a really makeshift defence. Like we talk about Yui Asagawa, Yamashita, not being in that Man City team, but Tokugugia's arguably been one of the best signings of the season, and she's been amazing for Tottenham. and that's a big, big member of that defense that comes out of that team.

So obviously there's going to be frailties at the back and there's going to be frailties when you're playing a team like city up the front. But I think that in midfield control and as well as going forward, I think this is one of the brightest performances we've actually seen from Spurs. And this is a fully fit Manchester City back four. Like Caspariah Greenwood, Rosen and Kanak, you'd argue, is probably one of their best, if not, they're starting back four. So I thought, like, Martin Ho has a lot to take away from this game.

And it's funny because I completely agree with what Tom said that this is, this is what we're seeing of Tottenham, this is where they should maybe be comfortable with being in the table. But I also think this is a massive improvement on the game they played against City not long ago at all. I think that they performed better. I think they controlled the ball better. And I think they went forward and really picked their moments and learned a lot from that performance. And I think that's something that we're seeing under Martin Ho that we didn't see under Robert Villaham, we didn't see under Rianne Skinner. They're almost always always regressed after a performance. They'd go home or they'd go away. They'd come to the reverse fixture.

and it always felt like the team got up on them, but this game felt like they really, really learnt from the city, the narrow city defeat recently as well. So I think it's a funny game for Spurs where we look back two seasons ago and there was obviously a public apology after a 7-0 loss at the Joy Stadium. But this game, I think it's a tough one to swallow because I thought they played really well, but it's a good place for them to be going into the North London Derby. At the same time, you're coming up against an Arsenal team

who haven't conceded a goal in the WSEL since December. and they're absolutely full strength right now going forward and we saw what they did to West Ham, which will come on to. So they're going to be hoping that Tokugas fit to come in and kind of come back into your centreback role and really make a showing of yourself. So yeah, I think a good performance, and it feels weird to say that after such a big school line.

Yeah, it does, but it feels like a more mature spurs this season. And I tell you who's going to need that maturity this season. It's Leicester City because we're just going to switch to the other end of the table at the minute. Problem's growing for Rick Passmore's side. over Aston Villa would have lifted them off the bottom of the table. And they started brightly enough at King Power Stadium. Alicia Lehman firing them into the lead. But Villa responded in the second half, Anna Patton and Kirsty Hanson,

both scoring to make sure that Villa took home all three points. And it felt like a bit of a sucker punch for Lester Tom, particularly after a positive first half performance. It's now six straight defeats in the WSL. What can Rick Passmore do to try and turn things around? do you think? Can they do it? So literally answer a question. Yes, they can. They can do it, but it's going to be very, very tight now.

They're going to have to get something from, particularly the game against Brighton at home. When you're playing a team who's like not in the upper echelons of the league at home, you've got to try and get something. Villa was an opportunity for that. They can't be waiting to rely on the Everton game right at the end of the season to pick up some really important points. So they're going to have to try and get something against Brighton and all London City, probably against both.

But it's, you know, we need the context of Lester's relatively tiny budget in this league. They've still got a decent,ish, point to return for that so far. Everyone's probably been a little bit caught out by Liverpool's excellent resurgence since the January transfer window and Liverpool recruited really well. Yeah, at a moment, it looks like Lester will be in the playoff. It probably is the 12th best squad in the league, isn't it? So can they squeeze out of it with a good win somewhere? And if not, can they be as ready as possible for the playoff game?

But listen, there will be twists. We saw how badly West Ham defended at the weekend as well. I think West Ham are also struggling. Liverpool fans won't count their chickens yet, but maybe we are now looking at just two contenders for the bottom spot. They have got a game in hand over West Ham and Liverpool, and there are only three points behind West Ham. But I think is the game in hand away against Arsenal?

Yeah, I think so. But Brighton have also got a game to play as well. So maybe there's a Brighton Arsenal game, I think, and then a Leicester Arsenal game. I think that's how it works. But the goal difference as well, they're both on very, very similar goal difference, West Ham and Leicester. So it could potentially go down to the wire that one.

Minus 26 for Leicester, minus 25 for West Ham's. Every goal counts as well in this run in additionally. Just to end this, so if we'll just focus on Aston Villa, who had struggled really early in the league, but it's been a really positive couple of weeks for Natalia Arroyo. how did she turn things around in this game? Assylva are a bit of a conundrum, aren't they? When I watch them, I go, there's a really good team inside there somewhere,

and they're just trying to figure out how to find it. This season is, like, her first full season in the league, so I think she's still been adjusting to it and building a team in her image. I think they need to be commended for the amount of youngsters that they've brought in, and the fact that they are keeping an eye on developing young players, Lucia Kendall's back,

and that's made a massive difference in the last two games. I think the way that she controls the midfield area. She's been a revelation this season, got herself into the England squad. And I just need to give credit to Kirsty Hanson as well, because I think she'll fly under the radar because of who she plays for and because of where Aston-Ville are in the league. She is the second top scorer in the WSL. She has 10 goals to her name in the league.

She is so understated in the way that she talks about herself. She always gives credit to her teammates and always looks a bit kind of baffled that the spotlight is on her. but I think she does the basic elements of the game really well and she's been moving around so she normally plays out on the wing but she's been playing more central because of the absence of Rachel Daly which has been a massive miss I think for Aston Filler as well since the turn of the year and she's really taken on that kind of leadership mantle

she is one of the more senior players in the squad now she can shoot from anywhere and I just need to give her kudos because I think she's in team of the year for me and I know that will be unfashionable because of where Filler are in the league, but I just think her performances have been second to none. You had vociferous nodding from everybody on the panel, as you mentioned Kirstie Hansen's name. Right, that's it for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly and part two. We're going to look at the rest of the WSL action and catch up on Japan's Asian Cup victory.

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Listen wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. So back in the northwest, going back to the fight for the Champions League spots, Manchester United. returned to winning ways for the last gasp. Two-one win over a resurgent Everton. Elizabeth Turland had put Mark Skinner's side ahead, but Inma Gaboro looked to have nicked a point back for the Toffees in the 90th minute. Still time, though, for United to respond,

and Melvin Mallard did the last kick of the game, in fact. 94th minute she took all three points back home for Manchester United. She didn't take them home because they were at home, but you know what I mean? I slipped into football cliche there. and then realized it was actually inaccurate. United had to dig deep this weekend. They had to be patient.

They had that frustrating draw against West Ham in midweek, which was damaging for themselves. But how do you think that they handled the pressure of what felt like a must-win game at the weekend? It was a must-win game in terms of their European hopes. They will be relieved because, well, I do think they were the better team. Everton have had this resurgence. And when you can see the 19-minute equaliser,

it's a bit nervy, isn't it? So to be able to respond like that in the manner they did, and especially I think after the week they've had losing that Cup final last Sunday and then also that midweek frustration, to be able to have that character, especially with this kind of week ahead against Bay of Munich in the Champions League,

that gives them something to build on. I think it would have been really disconsolate if they'd drawn that game and drop two points and then had to go into Old Trafford on Wednesday on the back of that. So shows a lot of character. I do think they could be a really attacking outlet with the players that they have and then just not quite fine yet at the moment, whether it's

a set up or whether it's a defensive foundations that they are built on. I know that's very, very key to the way that Mark's going to like us to play football, but they're just not quite there yet. So it's going to be an interesting running because they're a bit up and down, but I think getting three points was the most crucial thing and you figured about the performance at the end of that. Yeah, well, especially at this crucial part of the season, the performance, I really hesitate to say that. It doesn't matter because usually a decent performance brings all three points, but really at this stage it is just getting over the line and getting the points on the board. Word on Everton, Tom, how frustrated is Scott feeling going to be? I mean, the defence totally

switched off for Mallard's winner in the final minute. I think they thought that they'd wrapped up the point and were, you know, happy enough with that to come back and just forgot that there's still time to play. Yeah, perhaps a little bit of mental fatigue when you're in the 94th minute. it like that and that's a big lesson for them. But when they step back, they'll probably reflect they played relatively well and there's things they can take from the gameless and they've, they've performed superbly in the last few weeks, really. There's some brilliant results and they can go into that Merseyside Derby with terrific confidence despite that late sort of sucker punch. But overall, the trends are positive for them, aren't they? So they just need to switch on a bit

more that late. And you know, when you've done all the hard work, you've got yourself back into it. you've got what could be a very, very valuable away point. It's a little bit frustrating for their sportsers to see them switch off like that. Their season now really, you know, it's so much of it is on, is on this upcoming weekend, the Derby. And I think they're not going to go down now. Their wins recently have eradicated that risk. It's a fight for sixth, isn't it?

Very much it feels. I guess so, yeah. But that would actually be a really good season for them. Things weren't going quite the way they wanted. They changed the manager. they now need to kind of look behind the scenes, think about what they want next season to look like and be building for the summer.

So really, the vast majority of their happiness for the next season now depends on whether they can beat their local rivals at the weekend. And then the challenge for them will be to not be on the beach for April and May. Because there's very little to play for apart from pride beyond that. So I'll be interested to see how motivated they can remain and how professional they can remain.

I tell you what, it's such a quick time. Turn around again, Manchester United host, Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in the Champions League quarterfinals this week. It's the first leg. Again, no point previewing too much, Jamie. But what are you expecting from that one? I haven't really had my eye that much on Bayern Munich this season. Can Manchester United do it? This is going to be a really exciting game for Manchester United. I think that we're getting to the stage of the season where this is where we're most worried about them because there's been so many questions over their depth. Like we were worried at the start of the season, can they keep up European nights, but also manage the WSL, return to Europe. Obviously, they could win the Champions League and return to Europe, but I think we're maybe not, we're not considering that as to be their main aim at this stage.

So I think it's going to be a really interesting week. And I think Mark Skinner has a real challenge because he's going to struggle with this like intense block of fixtures, especially against a team like Bayern who are running away in Germany and they're in really, really good form and just scoring goals like there's no tomorrow. I think it's a big benefit that United are at home first. I know you kind of want to be away first in the Champions League and bring it home, but I think they need to focus on a big performance at home at Old Trafford because you don't know what Biom Munich can do to you away, and I think you need to set the tone in this kind of game. So again, they're a little bit struck by injury, similar to Chelsea,

not quite to the extent that they are, but I think that back four right now is a little bit makeshift, and that's a real vulnerability when it comes to Bayern Munich. But I think there's a lot of exciting football to be played. Of course, Leah Shuler is coming up against Bayam, which will be an interesting matchup as well. So I think for United, it's just put in a good defensive shift. We know that they can do that against top teams.

They've done that against Arsenal. They've kept Chelsea to really low score lines as well. So for Manchester United, it feels a bit like survive the weekend and see what you can do on the weekend and then in the following fixture. But a big game ahead, this is probably the Champions League tie that I'm most excited about despite the London Derby coming up tonight. Tantalising quarterfinals for sure. Arsenal go into theirs with some momentum.

they put five past West Ham to no reply at the Emirates. It was a hat trick for Chloe Kelly goals from Alessia Russo and Beth Mead, meaning that the gunner's got their ninth consecutive win in all competitions, pretty comfortable day out, all round sof. 16th league home game unbeaten in a row, which is some feat. What did you make of their performance? Really good. I think the way they kicked off with a goal, early goal,

in both halves actually really set the tone for them. I think they would have been frustrated after the first half to be, only one nil up. They had the chances to be three or four, five, nil up, I think. They were running rampant over West Ham. They looked to have a real good attacking flow at the moment. They look really confident, whoever comes in, whether it's Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessie Roosos, Stina Blacksteneas, everyone's like brimming with confidence and they're having a lot of fun out there and they can really stretch the play. And I think it's really interesting to see how, what Renee's Slegger's did in the second half as well. She brought on Beth Mead and Katie McCabe and brought them both

into the midfield. So she's trying things out, you know. And I think that's really important to use those moments in these games when you're comfortable and you're, like, way up, to be able to do that with trusted players and try them in different positions. Because I think always with the Arsenal fans and talking about Arsenal, your big questions about what happens if Kim Little or Mariona Caldente get an injury. And I think they're just trying to game plan a little bit if that happens, just that they have, we've seen Beth Mead in the summer for England. She played the sixth, eight and ten for England in the summer. She's getting those experiences and those positions, which aren't her natural positions, Katie McCabe, the same.

And they're two very consistent players who can come in and do the job. So I think it wasn't just about the win for Arsenal. It was about trying different things ahead of a really busy run into the season. But I think they really love this time of year. You can see the kind of spark in Renee Slagher's eyes. She loves the business end of the season. Yeah, she does. That versatility, though, is really, really important.

nowadays. Chloe Kelly's had such a disrupted season through injury, but actually this is her second 90-minute game in a row, Jamie. And after that hat trick, René Slager said she's the best version of Chloe Kelly at the moment. I mean, that's perfect timing, isn't it, for Arsenal? It's so exciting to watch Chloe Kelly when she's got a real mood about her. When she knows that she's in good form, you can tell that she really explodes. And I think, look, we saw it at the back end of the Euros. I think that she obviously made a massive impact off the bench for England. England, but I think that has seeped into her position that she's playing in this Arsenal team right now, because like Sof mentioned it, but the versatility in this squad right now is why they're thriving and they're really coming to these performances and putting in shifts against teams against teams in the mid to bottom table that they never used to be able to get through and really, really struggled against. Even under René Slegger's, we started to see glimpses of that. And Chloe Kelly is a reason why Arsenal beginning to break down these teams. Her ability to play on the left wing was something we saw from Serena Vigman in that Sweden game, which came on and got the two assists.

that's something now that's really, really helping Arsenal because her and Olivia Smith's ability to switch is just, it's so, so exciting to watch. And I think there's a two players that just bring exactly what Arsenal's missed over the last four, five, six seasons is that kind of flare, but that also, I'll just do it myself attitude, because I know that I've got the kind of individual skills to carry this team, but it feels like she knows her role in this Arsenal team right now,

her versatility and her ability to just score off both feet. I think that left foot strike, that really far distant strike that she scored against West Ham on the weekend, just shows she's not just a right. She's not that kind of run along the touchline, cross the in player that she was at Manchester City. At Arsenal, she has a completely different role. She's a really versatile, cut it in player, run to the byline. She can kind of do it all.

And I think she's thriving under the freedom that Renee Slagas is giving her. So a perfect timing for Arsenal because this is a player that thrives off form and thrives off confidence. And she can do a lot for this team when she's feeling like that. Let's very quickly talk about West Ham. We talked about how important goal difference could potentially be, Tom. and West Ham really needed that and actually it's made it much closer now with Lester and Rita Guarino

looked really frustrated towards the end they completely fell apart in that second half can they learn anything from it? Listen, it needs the caveat of how informed Arsenal were but yeah they defended really poorly they have often defended really poorly not just this season but in several recent seasons

but then they've defended quite well last week So they're kind of, that's frustrating for me to see them put in a really good defensive performance and get a good result last week and then look so vulnerable defensively here. But, you know, there's a big gap in expenditure between Arsenal and West Ham. Yeah, we talked about it earlier that, you know, it's looking like them or Lester, but they've got a bit like Lester, West Ham have got, they'll have opportunities. They've got, they've got some games where they could pick up the points that they need. And I think they've got Liverpool quite soon as well so that, you know,

that there are big games coming up for them and they'll, they'll feel that if, they can, if they can be the better version of themselves, that they can say out of trouble, similarly to what I said about Leicester, if they do end up bottom West Ham, it will be, they've got that kind of get out of jail card of the playoff that you wouldn't normally have. And I think that both of those teams will be relatively confident that they can still survive that. You know, it would be tricky. You'd be away from home against the WSL2 third-paced club. You'll get home advantage in a one-legged game.

But West Ham do have weapons. they've got weapons coming back from the Asian Cup now as well, of course, the top goal scorer in the tournament, you know, for example. So they will feel that they can finish a season relatively well when they've got their reinforcements back. And I'd be slightly, even without the points gap, I'd be slightly more confident as a West Ham fan than a Lester fan at the moment looking at the run-in and with the players that they'll have. Let's just finish off talking about Arsenal. We looked at this game from a Chelsea perspective, Sof, but this Champions League quarter final first leg against Chelsea.

They're without the three Matildas who were at the Asian Cup. Williamson's also been ruled out as well. What are you expecting from an Arsenal point of view on this game? I think they'll be coming into this full of confidence without being complacent. I think you could see that in the pre-match press conference yesterday. Renee Slegg has always talks about being humble and that's like literally the word that she is on her bingo card. She's very keen to keep their feet on the ground and make sure they don't get away

from themselves, despite their form or whatever, they need to do the basics right. And I think they'll be right back to that at the Emirates, but they'll be confident the Emirates is their fortress at the moment. They love playing there and they've got some really good results there. I think for the neutral as well, this game has everything. I'm so excited. When I'm thinking it's a bad spectacle at this stage of the competition, something that really could hook someone in and get them into the competition, this is it. And the two nights that we're going to have over the next two weeks are going to be very, very special. Yeah, safe to say that the final game of the weekend, which we're not going to analyse,

because there's nothing to analyse, would be the polar opposite of what we're expecting from Chelsea, Manchester United, because Brighton and Liverpool played out a goalless drawing Crawley on Sunday. Safe to say it wasn't a classic. Genuinely, the highlights real would start in the 90th minute. genuinely, I watched it. And it was actually dramatically brilliant stoppage time. It was great. There were three chances.

But I would include nothing from the previous 89. Unfortunately, those that were there will have had to have sat through that 89 minutes before they got that bit of excitement. And many might have already gone home and then missed it anyway. Sorry, Brighton and Liverpool fans. Let's talk about the Asian Cup instead. This is where Jamie Spanger just slowly sinks into her chair and wishes that this pod didn't come back in the 89th minute to bring a bit of drama. So the 26 Asian Cup concluded in Sydney on Saturday. Japan ran out 1-0 winners beating Australia to lift their first Asian Cup trophy since 2018.

Massive success for Japan and Nielsen, who is quite the character. His press conferences have been a real breath of fresh air, haven't they? So how excited, Tom, should Nathashiko fans be following their performances at this tournament? And then obviously, hopefully taking that form for them into the World Cup next year. Oh, they're a really good team. They've played some really nice football. They deservedly won the tournament. they were the best team in it all the way through.

Can they win the World Cup? Why not? I don't think they will. I think it will be probably the United States, Spain, England or Brazil. But it's a very good team. Like it's a team full of upper echelon WSL footballers. I'm gutted for Jamie and I'm sorry to all Matilda's fans, but it's no surprise me they won this tournament.

I love the fact that you've also gone hard in, Tom Gary, with predictions for a World Cup, which is not kicking off for another 15, 16 months. That is bold. And I'm so sorry to do this to you, Jamie. But where does the result leave Australia? It felt like the kind of last opportunity for that older cohort of players who we know so well, Sam Kerr, Caitlin Ford, Alana Kennedy, etc.

to lift silverware with their country. Yeah, this was the hardest part of the final, I thought. And looking back on this entire tournament from the Matilda's as a whole, it was rocky. It was not this massive success where they really deserve to be in the final. To be honest, the group stage was really difficult at times. I think Joe Montemiro obviously had a really short amount of time leading into this tournament to kind of instill any sort of philosophy into this team. And it was almost a bit of a half-baked.

It's the same generation, but there's a couple of new stars. How do we integrate them into the team? So it felt like they suffered because of that. But then they got to the final. And to be honest, it was by far their best performance of the entire tournament. And I think it's really, really hard when you're coming up against a team like Japan, who were just absolutely unstoppable this entire tournament. And Japan was sitting back and they were defending,

especially in the last 30 minutes. So that's why it's hard for the Matildas, because you're looking at this tournament as a whole. And like you said, Faye, this was their last chance. And you can say maybe not, but this was their last chance to live Silverware, especially with this generation and maybe for a very long time. So that's why it's difficult looking at this game,

because I think that Japan, it's a wonder goal that separates it on the occasion, and they were the better team in the tournament. And the Matildas were far from it. but that final was devastating and it's always harder when it feels like you deserve a little bit more. But if you're going to lose to anyone, I'm glad it's Japan. But in terms of where this leaves it, it's hard. And I think you could see the emotion on the players' faces when the final whistle went and Caitlin Ford players like Steph Catley, they were devastated because I think that they know this. And it's a really hard situation for the Tillies going forward because there's this

massive new fan base now and you kind of have to remind people, hey, it's not going to be like this forever. But there's some young players that I was really excited by. I think, I think Caitlin Torpe, he had a sensational final and semi-final. And Winona Hietli, I think, is a player that deserves to be starting for the Matildas. And I'm really glad that she's playing in Europe and had some Champions League minutes this season. Obviously, Mary Fowler and Kaira Kourkeunukis, we know quite well. But there's some really fresh youth in this team going forward. And it's exciting.

Players that didn't get to play, someone like Charlie Rule has been brilliant for Brighton or WSL season. So, yeah, it's a bittersweet ending, Japan, are just a team that you respect. And their players are incredible. And they play a brand of football that I think is so good to see. women's football and it's just they're just a pleasure to watch. So congratulations to them, but I am still a little sour. Yeah, well, a humble in defeat, and you certainly didn't come across as sour in the slightest. Joe Montemuro spoke afterwards about what they need to do to continue progressing. From a technical perspective, we need to mould that with our physicality and our

mentality, so we need to find that balance. And I think we'll be in good stead. We need to understand where we are technically and how we compete technically. Our mentality is good. Our physicality is good. We need to understand those things and they're the areas I'm trying to introduce. So maybe, you know, pick up and go again at the World Cup. They will be going to the World Cup alongside the Philippines and North Korea, who confirmed their places in the tournament in Brazil next summer. Good additions, Sof, do you think? Yeah, it's always good to have.

I think for the Philippines, it's their second World Cup in a row. So to back that first World Cup up with the second one is really important in terms of the development. I know there's some maybe consternation around the team or around the federation in terms of the support that they give the women's team but the fact that they've got to another tournament they got some really good memories from

2023 in Australia when they beat New Zealand as well so while they dropped out at the group stage in that tournament they had that win to kind of build on and the foundations and it's going to be interesting to see what they can do as they prepare for the next 16 months and to go into that World Cup next year. North Korea I spoke about them last week I would recommend anyone going to read up on their story and kind of their return to senior football.

Obviously, a big unknown in terms of how things operate in North Korea, but certain at youth level have been really, really strong in recent years, and this is their return to senior football and the big stage. So to get to a World Cup is huge for them in terms of their kind of, not just their World Ground King, but their stature and kind of what they want to do in the game, I think. And for the two losers of the playing games, there's still another chance, right? Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan go into the Inter-Confederation playoff, and they still have an opportunity to get to the World Cup if they come through that. So big chances, big opportunities for these teams to make history

and to kind of really step on their development. And that's what, you know, getting to major tournaments is about and why, you know, FIFA were so keen to expand the tournament to more teams. Yeah, it's important. Just a last quick one on the overall impact of the Asian Cup, Jamie. what have been your best memories of the tournament and what does it need to do to continue to develop as a competition in its own right? Yeah, I think I've had a few good memories from this tournament.

One of them was, I was actually away during the South Korea group stage game and I was in the camps. I was camping. I was in a campsite and there was a couple people around that were watching like the AFL, which is the Aussie Rules League and they were on their phones, but we were watching the Matildas. And I think someone kind of came over. I was walking to the bathroom area and they were like,

you're watching Collingwood. And I was like, no, no, no, I'm watching the Matildas. and he was like, oh, that's way better. Like, I need to get that on my phone. So it's been really nice. And I was obviously up in Sydney and it's really nice to see like a nation embrace the women's national team as their team. And I think a lot of people and journalists and fans speak about this.

But I've truly like, I watch a lot of football in a lot of countries. I've never been to a country where the national team is the women's team. Like it's not the soccer is. It's the matildas and the whole country. It's really quite, it makes you quite emotional to see what the impact they've made on this country and how Australia's really embraced them. The Asia Cup in general, I think it was a really good opportunity that Australia worthy hosts coming off the back of the 2020-3 World Cup

because we know that was a big success. And I think if you bring the Asian Cup to a country where there was an established international major tournament success, you've got the fan base there and you've also got the eyes on it. And I think it was a good, the AFC made a good decision to do that. Going forward, though, it showed a lot of people that there are teams beyond Japan and Australia. Like, there are a lot of teams in this competition. Obviously, China are the Asian Cup.

champions, they basically hold the biggest stake in this tournament. But that's another team that I don't think we as like Western society and also European football fans watch enough of these players. And I think China, teams like South Korea and North Korea, there's been a lot of eyes and a lot of really good stories out of it. So I think it was a good decision to kind of have the most eyes as possible. But now we can go forward into a future where the AFC hosting countries and get eyes on football, make their development, make their federations are stronger. So yeah, really, really exciting tournament and yeah long made that continue. Absolutely. Right, just one email to finish on actually. Graham Colbeck has sent us an email at Women's Football Weekly at the Guardian.com.

Hi there, Faye, Susie Sof and everybody else. As the WSL title is pretty well wrapped up, it's worth a look down the pyramid. The changes made to relegation and promotion to enlarge the WSL are really having an impact. You often talk about investment in the women's teams or perhaps more accurately the lack of investment often, Liverpool's spring to mind. So it's interesting to see the investments being made down the pyramid to make the most of these opportunities. My local team, AFC Bournemouth, have just given a three-year contract to Helen Blisard as their first full-time manager and have invested strongly in the squad through transfers and dual registrations and loans. Ipswich have also brought a lot of loanies to the squad to stay in WSL2. The fourth tier is also being led by a number

of teams associated with professional men's clubs. So there's always a danger about priorities, but it's clear that the enhanced promotion chances have set some of these priorities. So I really hope we don't fall back to one up, one down after this expansion phase. And we should absolutely celebrate teams like Moneyfields, Bold Miss St Michael's, Cheedletown Stingers and Rugby Borough, who are all flying in Tier 4 without the financial muscle of a professional men's team. Cheers all. See you at the FA Women's National League Cup final at Loftus Road, at Graham in Bournemouth. Yes, I will be there. I'm very much looking forward to it. Thank you, Graham, Very good luck to AFC, Bournemouth and, of course, to Plymouth, Argyle as well for the Women's National League Cup final.

I look forward to seeing you all there. I think it's going to be a brilliant occasion. Right, it's been a brilliant occasion the last hour or so chatting to all of you. Thank you very much. Jamie, it's lovely to see you. I thought you were very, very humble in defeat. So well done. We'll catch up soon.

Thanks as ever, guys. Pleasure as always. Tom, Gary, I'm coming for you. if my bed-building results in divorce papers being filed. Okay. Please, I hope it goes well. I really do. Yeah, me too.

Sof, lovely to see you as always. Great to see you too. Lovely to have you with us as well. Keep having you say. Send in your questions via X or email us at women's football weekly at the guardian.com. This is also your regular reminder to sign up for our bi-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 Holly Fisher.

Music composition was by Laura Iyerdale. Our executive producer is Danielle Stevens. This is The Guardian.