The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Chelsea's WSL title hopes dented and City tighten grip on top spot – Women’s Football Weekly podcast

Episode Date: January 27, 2026

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzanne Wrack, Tim Stillman and Ayisha Gulati to discuss late drama across the WSL and the debut of the Women’s Champions Cup

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faker others and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Will the real Arsenal please stand up? Did that win over Chelsea seal the title for Manchester City? Money sure may have, grabbing a late winner over London City lionesses to go nine points clear at the top of the table. We're big wins at the bottom for Liverpool and West Ham, while Manchester United kept pace for the Champions League places. We'll talk League Cup, the inaugural Women's Champions Cup,

Us will take your questions, and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Susie Rat, good morning. Let's just face the elephant in the room. You may be taking over this pod imminently. I mean, you sound great. Like, Top Phoebe Buffet. Embrace the voice. Hello, my babies.

Or should I do Smelly Cat? Which one? Oh, Smelly Cat. Always Smelly Cat. Tim Stillman, how are you? You must be cocker hoop after the weekend. Yeah, very much so. Hard relay on the voice.

I think it will just about hold up. But yes, Saturday certainly helped. Gave a little bit of a boost for sure. Excellent. This should be you with your cheering. I had nothing to cheer about at the weekend. Aisha Galati, how are you? I'm very well, thank you.

Nice to see you, Fay. And you're going to power through, I believe, in you. Yeah, it was lovely to see both Susan. and Aisha actually at the Football Writers Association tribute to Serena Vigman at the weekend. It was a lovely event with lovely people involved in it and really good to hear from the woman herself in more relaxed surroundings than when used to hearing her for during post-match interviews. But maybe we'll talk about that a little bit later. Let's focus on Arsenal, putting the cat amongst the pigeons in terms of Chelsea's title chances at least. They came away from Stanford Bridge with a 2-0 victory, which ended Chelsea's six-game unbeaten run against their London rivals.

Beth Mead and Mariona Caldente both scored in the second half to bring them within a point of Sonia Bonpastor's team who still sits second. Big dent to Chelsea's hopes of retaining the title as if they had a mountain to climb already. They're now nine points behind Manchester City, Susie. Sonia Bonpastor said they're not going to give up on it, but did, perhaps, Perhaps this game highlight their frailties this season and is the title race over? In terms of highlighting their frailties, I think they've looked fragile for quite some time. You know, across the course of last season, I think we said it many times on the podcast that despite that phenomenal run across the season, unbeaten, three domestic trophies, etc.

Like they didn't look amazing. You could easily argue that last season, Arsenal, and possibly city at time, played better football at points of the season, but just lacked consistency for significant chunks of the season. And I think there was a bit of an expectation that Sonia Bumpastor's first season would be resolved in the summer a little bit, and they would sort of move on from that period and start to gel more and a couple of new signings and a bit of stability over the summer

would strengthen things on the pitch a little bit. And I don't think that's happened. So from that point of view, you know, I'm not overly supportive. surprised because it's kind of a reflection of the way things have been since Sonja came in. Slightly lucky with everyone else's sort of failures last season and then getting a little bit caught out for not improving on that form this season. In terms of the title race, nine points in a league of 12 teams is like an insurmountable task. That said, they've got Chelsea at the weekend and then Arsenal straight after the following weekend.

So if they lose both of those games, it's three points and suddenly everything is looking. very different and they've still got to play man united away so no not over highly likely it's over but you don't know you know if those two games don't go the way they plan then they're in trouble and that's a huge confidence knock as well that said Chelsea and Arsenal have got Champions League Arsenal have got Champions Cup this week there's a lot going on to distract those teams while City are able to do week on week on week football yeah consistency. And if my voice was more consistent, I'd be cracking out Lenny Kravitz. It ain't over till it's over. But I'll save you that. Ayesha, what I found really interesting about this game is if you

looked at the lineups before kickoff, Chelsea had so much more depth that they could call upon. Whereas, you know, we've talked about Arsenal's lack of options at times. Steina Black-Sinius and Alessia Russo had to start this game for René Slagers. So were you then really surprised? how little Chelsea could impact the game from the bench. Yeah, definitely. I enjoyed your mention of Cat Amongst the Pigeons at the beginning, by the way. It was a bit of a traitors reference as well, which for the traitors' fans. Also, if you're of a certain age, bross.

But I'm maybe averaging myself with Lenny Kravitz as well. Hitting it all. I love it. Yeah, it felt like the roles were reversed from what we have seen in recent times. Arsenal haven't won away at Chelsea in the league since 2018, which is just crazy. But actually, when you think about it, that makes total sense. And yeah, those lack of options, there was a lot of talk about Olivia Smith's suspension. I thought that would have quite a big impact.

She's had a big impact on this Arsenal team this season. And, yeah, the restrictive bench that Arsenal had, but it didn't seem to matter because those players that started just played with so much fire, so much passion in a way that we haven't really seen in recent games. And I think especially it was just that clinical edge that they had. They've been criticised recently. And I think fairly so for missing chances in front of the goal, not being cutthroat and ultimately not winning as a result of that.

And it was just the opposite on the weekend. They did actually miss a couple of chances in the first half, but it was like something switched in that second half. And that second half, those two chances they had. and Beth Mead and Marianna Caldente took them really, really perfectly. And it was the total opposite story for Chelsea. Cuthbert missed a golden opportunity. Nuskin missed an opportunity.

And it felt like it wasn't the Chelsea we had seen of late. Like you mentioned, that squad depth. They made some really, you know, good changes, impactful players coming on, off the bench, but just didn't really seem to impact the game in the way they normally might have done. And on the flip side, I was kind of looking at. the changes Arsenal was making and thinking like, oh, I'm not, you know, not sure they're playing so well, like maybe maybe leave it for a bit. But I mean, René Slegger's knew what she was doing. She wanted to see that game out. And she did just that. And I think Sonia Bonpastor will be

frustrated that the impact subs, the squad depth that she normally has just wasn't able to have the impact that they've been able to have in recent times. But on the league, I think it's an interesting one, because obviously if Sonia Bonpastor was ahead by nine points, she wouldn't be saying the league's over, it's wrapped up. She'd be saying it's wide. open and it's all to play for. So I think there's, of course, that mentality and maybe a bit of mind games going on, but of course, City do look like they are in the strongest position. Rennie Slegger's has been under pressure herself, hasn't she, Tim?

Obviously, Arsenal knocked out of the League Cup by Manchester United midweek. But what was it that she did in this game? Do you think that kind of outsmarted Chelsea? I think there were a couple of things. You talked a little bit about, I think everyone was looking at both the benches. before the game and thinking Chelsea have got a lot more tools to change this and they did. The problem for them and the good thing for Arsenal was that by the time those changes came into effect, Arsenal had a two-goal lead. If this game had been level with 20 minutes to go,

I think we might have been talking about Chelsea's better squad depth, but Arsenal had something to hang on to. I spoke to René on Friday and kind of I asked, you know, in a strange way and just a one-off game, does having fewer options give you greater clarity? Perhaps just that feeling that these are the players we've got, this is the game plan, and we know we've got to do it. And René did reference that afterwards, whereas with Chelsea, they changed formation, I think three times. Sometimes it can be too much, but I think that was mainly the game state.

That where Arsenal really won this game was in midfield. Chelsea played into Arsenal's hands. They played a back three, and then they had a front three that they gave. no defensive responsibility to. I can't understand if you're doing that why you don't start Lauren James. The only reason you don't start Lauren James is if you've got out of possession concerns, but they didn't ask Giro Wright and Alyssa Thompson or Sam Kerr to do that anyway. So it just left a massive gap in the middle of the pitch and Arsenal kind of brought Beth Mead inside. They brought Emily Fox inside and they just had greater numbers in the middle.

And I think Arsenal played well recently. They just haven't been able to put the ball in the net. But this time, when the two chances came in the second half, they just calmed right down, composed themselves and kind of got it done. And that's the piece that's been missing over the last couple of months, probably all season. Yeah, you mentioned Beth Mead there. Susie, she got a goal and assist, played a more central role, 10th goal against Chelsea. She's actually had quite a bit of criticism from a section of the Arsenal fans this season.

How harsh has that been, do you think? Very. I think she's been phenomenal for Arsenal and England for more than a year, like out for a period of time with her ACL injury some years ago, and it took a little bit of time for her to kind of refine her form of fitness after that. But I think since she sort of got over that, you know, kind of slow, long recovery period, which it can take some time. I mean, look at Sam Kerr and her struggle to sort of find any kind of rhythm now. She's playing some of the best football of her career.

I think she's dangerous, constant threat, fantastic outlet, like work rate is incredible, vision is brilliant, connections and combinations with Emily Fox where Arsenal's most dangerous outlet for most of the match and great eye for goal as well. So a player that's got it all, you know, for a team that hasn't been scoring a huge number of goals, hugely important that she's picking up that man to. and taking it on and also good in the context of, no, Olivia Smith through suspension as well that you've got such a seamless transition between the two of them as well. Tim, just a quick one on what this can do for Arsenal's season? Yeah, I mean, actually Arsenal hadn't won a big game this season. They'd lost Tobion, Leon, Manchester United,

drawn twice in Manchester United, lost to City, drawn with Chelsea. So it's quite a strange one because on one hand, and I kind of agree with this, there's a lot of all Arsenal turn up in these games, but they don't do it consistently. I do think there's some truth in that. But at the same time, it was the first time

that they'd really done it this season, and they're going to have to do it again. They've got Man City is literally their next WSL game. They've got the Champions Cup. If they want to win the FA Cup, for example, they are not going to be able to do it without beating at least one of Chelsea City or United. And obviously, there could be a Champions League

quarter-final against Chelsea. So we know in this league in these competitions, you want to win trophies, you've got to beat those teams. And Arsenal hadn't been able to do it. They played reasonably well, at least for patches in all of those games. But the reason Man City are going to walk the league is because they score a lot more goals than everyone else, Chelsea included. And that's really the issue for Arsenal. I still hope and think they might at least try to add something in the last one. week of the window just to give them a little bit more firepower. Confidence-wise, though,

absolutely huge. I think Arsenal are a good team and they needed to remind themselves of it. They do score a lot of goals, Manchester City. Late and important ones as well, they've opened their gap at the top of the Barclays WSL up to nine points because of Bunny Shaw's 86-minute winner against London City Lionesses. They won 2-1 in the end. It feels quite a significant result for Manchester City. Ayesha, bearing in mind what we've just been speaking about. But they didn't actually have things their own way, but they managed to find a way, which is kind of what champions do, isn't it? Exactly that.

It's what Chelsea did last season when they weren't necessarily playing so well in those games and just winning by one-gold margins. Tim mentioned Man City have been a bit more free-scoring this season, but Sunday wasn't one of those examples. I think they have ultimately just these. champions, these elite players in their squad. You know, players like Bani Shaw, Viv Meademar, Lauren Hempu, they weren't able to be consistently in the team last season. I mean, City just in general, were quite brittled with injuries last season. And I think people

did think that had a big part to play and why they weren't really at it. But this season, yeah, they've really been brilliant. This was their 12th consecutive win, which is impressive. You can see why. And Andre Egglerts has just injected so much into the City team. It's like the belief that they have again that they didn't have last season, but we've seen before. But I want to just mention London City a bit because I thought, you know, they really competed. And there's been a fair amount of criticism about all the signings. Can they gel? It feels like they're getting there. And I mean, Freya Godfrey's goal was just, what a goal.

And also, Izzy Goodwin hitting, you know, hitting the post, hitting the crossbar. She was on fire too. And actually those are two players who aren't necessarily in that. big roster of what they might call the superstar signings, but just two bright young, you know, talents, English talents that are just, they're just superstars in their own way, for sure. And of course, excited to see what Cascarino brings to that side too. And definitely a team that is going to have a really interesting end to this season. But yeah, City ultimately on the day, definitely just got that edge.

Yeah, and the amount of like attacking depth they've got as well, Carolyn scoring three times in three starts. And, you know, like the bench they have, Grace Clinton doesn't even get on in this game. But I saw a stat that this season, Medema and Shaw have got 26 goals and assists between them. You compare that like Arsenal, Rousseau-Mornham, it's 12, Tune and Turland, it's 14, goals and assists between them.

Like, City didn't play particularly well in this game, I don't think. And like you said, Aisha, LCL had some really good chances. But I don't think Citi are, you know, overall, tactically, strategically, so much better than everyone else. They've just got those goal scorer. And that's what makes the difference for them. It made the difference for them in this game as well.

Yeah, it did. Bunny Shore always makes the difference, Susie, as well. We always wax a recall about her on this pod. Brilliant goal, obviously. But we kind of forget her all-round game a lot of the time because she scores so many goals. And, you know, that was a goal-saving block that she made earlier on in the game

to deny Wassa Sangare. And maybe she needs more recognition for those kind of things, Susie. Yeah, I mean, just needs more recognition generally on the global stage, right? Like, I think we talked about it around the top 100 list and the Ballon Door

and all of those kind of things. So she's delivering on every front at the moment and I really hope starts to pick up some of that sort of more international recognition that she deserves for the kind of numbers she's putting in and the way she plays, which is just so beautifully, technically, clever, physically, like, intelligent, defensively,

has a presence that really helps a team as well. All-rounder, gifted, and a delight to watch. As is Freya Godfrey a delight to watch, Tim, Just want your thoughts because obviously she came from Arsenal in the summer having come through the academy. And as Aisha said, you know, possibly one of the goals of the season she scored as the equalizer. How has she started to come into her own? From an Arsenal perspective, I kind of think it's a real shame in terms of there might be a gap there next season for her. But it just wasn't quite there.

And she'd been on three loan spells. So I think she just had to go out and join. someone and play and she's got in the England squad recently. I don't think that would have happened if she'd stayed at Arsenal. She just needed to go and play. But, you know, you'd look at her performance against Tottenham recently as well. I think she's just come to that age where she's had a couple of good loans in the WSL2 or the championship as it was.

And yeah, I think just getting that regular game time and getting that confidence has really, really helped her. I'm really, really pleased to see her doing so well. And if she was a year younger, maybe it could have happened for her at our Arsenal. Never say never. She could go back. Right, Liverpool to Spurs nil. Liverpool also left it late. Sensational first win of their league season. Garif Taylor's side beat Spurs thanks to two goals deep into injury time. One of them was an own goal from Toko Koga and a finish from Mia Enderby. Smiles all round. Garth Taylor described the result as really satisfying. That's quite an understatement. What did you make of their performance?

I think Liverpool are one of those sides this season and I might have said this on the pod before but they hadn't got any wins but they didn't strike me as a team that were playing the worst in the league and they'd been a bit unlucky, you know, they've had some late goals against them it felt like they needed a bit of luck to go their way and this did feel like one of those moments. They were maybe slightly, maybe, you know, probably deserved the win on balance but it was a tight game. And yeah, they really needed those late goals to get their first win.

I'm not surprised. Garrett Taylor is delighted with that because, yeah, it's a stressful situation. And you don't want to be bottom of the WSL. And all of a sudden, these three points have just made it super tight at the bottom. You know, only two points between those bottom four. And I think they're going to be okay. I think this is going to be that piece of morale that they need. needed just to get some more wins under their belt. Because, you know, against his Spurs side,

he's been very impressive this season under Martin Ho and are in that conversation for top three. You know, they've been there or thereabouts. And I think Martin Ho said, actually, this is a bit of a dose of reality. And it shows we are making progress, but we're not quite there yet. We need to be better to compete with those top teams. And we need to have that clinical edge to actually find those goals and get over the line in those draws. And actually, it was Liverpool who were able to do that at the weekend. And I'm really pleased for them. I think they deserve their first win and please for Garret Taylor and his team. And they've been, oh, sorry, I was going to say they're a super busy transfer market as well, which shows so much intent. And I think that's

really, really important for this side. Yeah, you could see that their newfound strength in depth came into play in that as well. And we will talk spurs in a second. Meera, though, Susie, not really had the easiest time of it. Her goal came in the 95th minute after the Cogarone goal came in the 94th. She got that late equaliser against West Ham in December, which was actually her first WSL goal, but actually involvement in both goals

could prove significant in the course of Liverpool's season. Might this spark her Liverpool career into life, or is it just one goal in 95th minute? I hope it does spark it. to life in that this is her third season at Liverpool and you know she hadn't scored in the league prior to this season right like she's gone two seasons without scoring in the league just scoring in the various cup competitions um so to have three goals now at this stage of the season at a time when Liverpool bringing in players that hopefully will help them creatively I think is really important

she's only 20 years old um so she's been there for a fair while joined at a fairly young age from Sheffield United and um yeah. Yeah, hugely talented player that has really kind of lacked service in the first half of the season. And then, you know, had a nasty neck injury in October-November time where she was stretched off the pitch. That really kind of caused some quite serious concerns. Luckily, clearly not that bad. Came back OK. And has now started scoring in the league for the first time in a very, very long time.

Well, in fact, ever because she was in the women's champion. Championship with Sheffield United. So like, yeah, I think the vibes are good at Liverpool at the moment, given the new signings coming in and a result like this. And, you know, you do hope that they can kick on from there. I think they deserve, like, a bit of good fortune as well after the tough start and doing it on such depleted resources. Yeah, Spurs will be disappointed though, Tim. Martin Hoam, Bethany, England, both, you know, very honest about their poor performance. We weren't At it is what host said. Liverpool with a better team. We didn't get up to speed at all. And they didn't. It was their chance as well to keep up with Arsenal and Manchester United in

the race for the UA for Women's Champions League spots. And they failed. How disappointed will they be, do you think? Yeah, very particularly because like Liverpool, they've done a lot of work this January. What kind of struck me in this game is that both teams had players missing but still had their full complement of nine subs, which you don't always see, I think, particularly with Liverpool recently in Liverpool missing someone like Olson as well who's been probably their best player this season. I think the surface played apart. I mean, it certainly plays a part in the second goal,

but you can see people falling over all over the shop on this kind of surface. But I think the thing is, I think Martin Ho's right that it's probably a bit of a reality check. I don't want to say they're in a false position, but they're on minus one goal difference. And I think goal difference is often a very good gauge of, you know, in terms of when you're comparing yourself to the kind of big four, that they're

not quite there yet, but they're certainly building towards it. So kind of bigger picture, they're still in a great position that they would have taken even two months ago, let alone at the beginning of the season. But yes, certainly a little bit of a reality check here, I think. A bump back down to earth. That's hit for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. And part two, we'll wrap up the rest of the WSL action. to the inaugural Champions Cup. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Thank you for bearing with me.

I'm sorry if this is ruining your experience of the pod, but hopefully the voice is kind of getting a little bit more lubricated as we go on. Now then, we were talking Liverpool in part one, and not to be knocked out of sync, West Ham secured their second victory of the season. It was a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Leicester. Verena Hanshaw scored a spectacular free kick. for Shakira Martinez doubled the score. Lester did pull one back through an even Nystrom own goal,

but couldn't salvage the point despite late pressure in the end. But the first league win under Rita Guarino and only Westam's second win of the season, Aisha. How did they get this result over the line ultimately? Yeah, super important for the new manager to get that result to kind of vindicate the decision of getting in. new manager in and having the team working for you. It was one of those sort of bottom of the table clashes. It felt like that very much of both teams going for that win. I kind of feel like

these are the two teams that have maybe, in my opinion, struggled the most or maybe looked like the teams that are going to be struggling towards the end of the season. So it was interesting to see how it played out. I think with Lester, they have really tried to strengthen in the transfer window. They've got players in kind of all positions. We saw Alicia Lehman have a part to play in that late goal that they did manage to get. I think on balance, West Ham deserved the win, but I would say that it wasn't sort of super, a super impressive performance from either side or super convincing. But yeah, a really, really important win for West Ham to get it in the situation that they're in. Yeah, Rick Passmore, Philiside did enough to get a result out of

of the performance, but obviously it wasn't, and they've been pulled right back into a battle at the bottom of the table, which means worrying times again at the King Power, Susie. Very, and they're likely going to be in more trouble because their next three fixtures are Arsenal, Man United and Man City, so I wouldn't be surprised if at the end of those three games they were at the bottom at the table. I think they're in a tough spot. The performance against West Ham wasn't terrible, but it wasn't one that was going to kind of set the world of light or necessarily inspire hugely either. So like, they really need to be getting results against those teams that are around them before and after this run of fixtures and they've

not done it before. They've got then Liverpool straight after the city game. So there's a chance for them to pull it back, but it's how much of an impact those three games against top four teams have. Well, they actually have a reprieve. because the Arsenal fixture has been postponed because of the Champions Cup. So, you know, slight little bit of breathing space. There's no breathing space. There's no breathing space. Well, there's no breathing space for any of these teams, actually.

It's such a... Yeah, how could I forget the Champions Cup? It's not like it's a, you know, like tournament that's not being shoved down our throats and I'm not spending two entire full days there and preview days. So, yeah. No. Hilarious. Indeed.

Yeah, still horrific. But I mean, Lester won't care about the Champions Cup. Their brain is fully going to be on the relegation battle. And it's an intense one, Tim, at the minute. The bottom four, Lester Everton, West Ham and Liverpool, all separated by just two points. But actually, obviously, there's no automatic relegation with the last place team playing the third WSL2 side in a playoff to stay in the league. Does this feel like a missed opportunity? Yeah, I think so.

I think Lester of the team I worry about the most there as well. I mean, we're talking earlier about Manchester City being so far clear because they score so many goals. Look at how many goals Lester have scored. I think they scored eight this season, whereas I look at West Ham. Shakira Martinez scores a bit of a worldy in this game. They've got that player that can do that. Liverpool have got Olson as well and they've reinforced. Maybe Everton don't have that really either, particularly if they're going to lose Kelly Gargo this month.

but I really look at Lester and I just don't see goals in the team and they've brought players in and they've obviously prioritised experience with players like Sarah Maling and Ashley Neville, Rachel Williams. Rachel Williams is really good player but that's the attacking player they've brought in

is she going to be able to get them the goals to keep them off the bottom of the table? I don't know. I think that remains to be seen at the moment. I think they've maybe made themselves more solid but they're quite solid anyway. And I don't know if I, from where they can find one.

But I think they really need a striker. And I do think they're going to be the team that's going to sit at the bottom of the pile at the end of the season. Everyone else, I can just see pulling a result out. I just can't see it with Leicester. Let's move on to Manchester United because they did keep pace with the top three.

It was a comfortable 4-1 win for them over Aston Villa. Kirsty Hansen cancelled out. Julia Ziggyotti's Olympico straight from the corner in the first half. but three goals in eight minutes for Mark Skinner's side, turn the game right on its head. And it felt like a must win, Aisha, didn't it, for Manchester United, if they were going to keep pace with Chelsea and Arsenal and look for Champions League football? Bearing in mind their growth over the last few years,

did you feel maybe that it was a mature performance for them coming off the back of a midweek high, reaching their first ever League Cup final, of course? Yeah, absolutely. I think Mark Skinner has spoken about it, you know, creating history for this club. which kind of, he does keep seeming to do, you know, making the first league final. If you say what you want about the League Cup final, you still got, they still have to beat Arsenal to get there. And that's a special moment for them being able to be able to go on and face Chelsea, chance for silverware, first sort of piece of silverware that they can battle for this season.

So they must have been absolutely delighted with that midweek win. And to then come out, go to Villa and get a really convincing winner. And like you say, I would think mature is a really nice way of describing it because four goals. And, you know, even after the Kirsty Hansen goal came in, they still kind of showed that they didn't lose their composure. All over the pitch, I thought they were pretty good. I thought their three new signings have looked really good as well. I think that's something that, you know, we spoke about Lester there. Are they signing the right people? I think with Man United, it feels really targeted. And it does feel like it's really bolstering their side. You know, Hannah Lungfis scored in that game. Ellen Wangeheim had got the assist midweek. And Leah Schiller was kind of involved in one of the goals too, even though it sort of ended up not touching her with that last touch.

But it just feels like they have brought in the right people and really, you know, really strong players who are in that kind of top-tier remit, who can really add to this team. And it shows a team who are. in the position to want to be going for those top three places on a consistent basis. And I think they're well-placed to do that this season. It's going to be a really tough battle for those top three places. And I think that, if we're saying the league might be wrapped up,

I think that is going to be where the kind of juiciest part of the season is going to lie in who are going to get those places. Well, that and the relegation place for sure. A Skinner able to turn to his bench, actually, to affect the game, Susie. whereas Natalia Arroyo had less resources to call on. How much of a factor was that, do you think? Huge. Absolutely huge.

For Man United, as Asia said, like Hannah Lungfis comes on and scores. They start Ellen Wankerheim and Leah Shuler in that match. What's interesting is, like, historically, when Skinner's bought in Priya, as they haven't necessarily started straight away, maybe potentially because he's really happy with the state of the starting 11 or that he's not felt he's been able to bring in players of the quality

that are going to immediately elevate that starting 11 until they're a little bit more settled or it's just a change in thought process because of the fact that they're competing in the Champions League this season so on multiple fronts something has shifted that those players have come in and they're immediately kind of being trusted with being involved and like it's becoming more of a squad team than a starting 11

and then the others. They then had the ability to bring Lisa Nelson's, Elizabeth Turland, Longfist, all off the bench onto the pitch to have an impact and really shift the game up a gear. So yeah, really interesting change of approach in terms of like the way they incorporate new signings into the team, I think.

Final game to run our eye over Brighton, earning a hard fought victory over Everton on Friday night. Yelani Kankovitch is, just before half time proved enough to get Brighton back to winning ways in the league. But another disappointing night at Gooderson for Everton, Tim. Where was this game won and lost? It does feel kind of bad vibes at Everton at the moment. It has to be said again.

We referenced it earlier. The Kelly Gargo situation I think is not helping. And that probably needs to be resolved. Understand Leviton holding out for the money for the clause in the contract. But it feels like that needs to come to a. resolution and for a replacement to be sought, because they're another team that's not really scoring a lot of goals. And actually, when you look at Everton this season, they won two games. That was the Chelsea game, funnily enough, which I think nine times out of ten, they don't win,

and they beat Liverpool at Amfield. And again, they were pretty fortunate to win that game. So it just doesn't feel like they've got something sustainable. They've had a lot of injuries. I think they've got the youngest average age in the WSL at the moment as well. But they've invested money and they just don't really feel like they're going anywhere. Whereas I look at this game, Brighton make all the running, have all the chances. They've got some really nice kind of fluid attackers. Saiki as well, who's signed a new contract this week, a brilliant performance, bringing in some kind of experience like Kankovic and Kirby,

alongside younger low knees like Kaffaji and unfortunately injured Michelle. Al-Ajimang, like, Brighton kind of look to me like what Everton should be, if that makes sense in that kind of middle of the table, but just maybe quite good to watch. And obviously, Brighton don't have their manager at the moment, but they have clear enough ideas and principles. I think you saw that in this game. Everton, to me, just look like they need a spark. They need something to change, whether that's the manager or whether they need to go back

into the market, it just doesn't feel very good vibes. And they haven't won at Goodison this season either, which I don't think is helping them. It's just bitter Arsenal talk after they beat you before Christmas. I'm joking. Right, listen, we need to talk about the FIFA Women's Champions Cup, which I'm not going to lie, just kind of came and blindsided me a little bit. Oh, okay, random tournament. It is the first time this has happened. It takes place in London this week Four sides are going to try to get their hands on what is an intercontinental trophy. So Arsenal will face Moroccan outfit ASFAR at Brentford on Wednesday night. Gotham FC and Corinthians make up the other semi-final.

The winners will then proceed to the final, which is at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. And there'll be a game as well to decide third place. Let's talk about pros and cons of this tournament. We'll start with the positives, because that's the way we roll on the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. FIFA announced that the winner would earn $2.3 million and the runner-up gets $1 million. The other teams are getting participation payments and it's something that we've called for a lot in the women's game. That kind of prize money really makes a difference, doesn't it? There is the argument additionally.

It makes the teams who are taking part. It makes a difference to them and then that can slightly skew whichever league it is that they're playing in. conversation previously with other tournaments. But talk to me about some positives, Susie, first of all. The money is the positive, I suppose, for any of those teams taking part a negative to that is how late they left it to announce that money, which was a real shame, because I think it gave teams a really tough time planning for this tournament, because the size of that prize pot is substantial. And yeah, I think that, you know, obviously could potentially skew a league, particularly if one of the, you know, current things where ASFR did,

something really spectacular and we're able to achieve that, then they take that money back to their leagues and that's, you know, kind of elevating them significantly, right? But even for Gotham and Arsenal, that's a significant chunk of cash into their orbit. And I don't think that's a bad thing. Like, we need to be driving investment to a certain extent and this is where investment should come from in my view. I think this is personally for me better than sort of private finance coming into football. I'd rather see teams rewarded for the job they do on the pitch. And that have a knock on effect.

And teams invest to compete with that as a result with the idea that they would hopefully get to this stage at some point themselves. And there's huge bragging rights, right? Like, I think it's great to have some kind of, like, global club competition for the women's game. I'm not sure the timing of this is great in terms of the chaos of the way this tournament has been organised as meant that it's not necessarily. a fair reflection of where both of those leagues are at

if you're going to put teams up against each other with Arsenal in mid-season, competing with big games around City the following week, etc. And then Gotham having to have a three-week, like, build-up camp when they're supposed to be off to try and, you know, kind of get to a fitness level where able to compete at this. But those bragging rights between those two leagues,

I think is going to become a really fun thing as these kind of global competitions like the Clubball Cup develop and things like that further down the line, but I just think it's been a bit hurried and a bit, yeah, rushed into too soon. And maybe because it's been rushed, scheduling has come up as quite a big problem. Caused plenty of debate this as FIFA say that there was consultation with different stakeholders, but last week, WSL football came out and were pretty clear that they didn't believe there had

been, both related to this tournament and the Women's Club World Cup. That is going to be held, by the way, a little bit more of a run-up, 5th to the 30th of January, 2028. The decision has been described as something that could be catastrophic for the WSL. Tim, can you understand WSL football's anger? Yeah, of course I can. You know, that's a bit of a bomb to drop in the schedule. I think it's like nearly five match weeks that are potentially taken out

and how and when do you make those up. and because of particularly because of how late this is all kind of happening. You know, if you're Arsenal, for example, you're probably looking at it going, oh, we need a bigger squad and we kind of need it now. So we need to front load, probably do like a lot of transfer business because all of a sudden the calendar's expanding exponentially. I kind of think FIFA's version of a consultation is we sent an email and told you. To be honest, that's the vibe I'm picking up.

But that's not what they say. They say they've spoken to all the different stakeholders. Yeah, yeah. But I think like with, I guess to put a more positive spin on this as well, I'm really looking forward to this. I think there should be ways that NWSL and the best teams in Europe play each other competitively more often. It's difficult to do because of the calendar.

But I'm really, I think it's great for like teams like Asfar and Corrincians, first of all, who are so dominant in their own leagues. I think it will help their development to play teams like Arsenal and Gotham. But there's so many interesting stories there. As far, they're the team of the army in Morocco. And there's loads of interesting stories about how women's football is being heavily subsidised in Morocco, the Kingdom of Morocco centrally. They're putting a lot of money behind it, which is really, really good.

And the competition is getting better in the Moroccan championship as a result, because, you know, the Moroccan Kingdom, they subsidise wages as well for players. They subsidise all costs. So there's these interesting things, and I think it will spotlight a lot of talent as well in both the Corrincians and the Asphar team. We saw how Morocco fared in the Women's World Cup a few years ago. And I think it's kind of great for them. And I think it's great for everyone to have that competition.

And those teams will really look upon this as a great preparation for the Club World Cup in a couple of years. Not the only controversial thing FIFA got up to in the past week. They've been busy. Jill Ellis, who's FIFA's chief football officer, former US women's national team coach who'll remember as well, told a gathering of English media that FIFA need to be careful not to throw stones in glass houses. When discussing the potential of Qatar hosting that particular tournament, asked about Qatar, which you'll remember hosted the Men's World Cup controversially in 2000. and 22, but it has little history with the women's game. Possible women's football host, Ellis responded,

I've not heard anything about that region at my level. There's a bidding process. The council has to vote on it. We'll decompress, get this thing off the ground very quickly. The 2027 tournament hasn't been decided, let alone 2028. We want to get as many people interested in this to want to host it. I think that would be pretty cool. We've got to look at where we can visibly grow the game

and have the most impact. What do you make of her comments, Aisha? It's an interesting one, isn't it? I think I don't need to reiterate the sort of problems of using Qatar as the venue. There's sort of human rights things. There's LGBTQ plus issues. There's lots to mention about it.

But it feels because of the time of year, you know, they're saying it's going to need to be in that sort of part of the world. it feels like it might be. Of course, we've seen a shift to things being moved to that part of the world in sports recently. And, you know, this has been happening in men's football as well. But I think the issues are so much more accentuated

in women's football for obvious reasons. You know, the fan base, the fan base is such, we've got so many LGBTQ plus fans, and that's part of the beauty of it. It's such an inclusive space. and moving it to a part of the world which maybe is not seen as inclusive is going to cause problems. And I think watch this space is going to be a lot more discussion on this in the coming years. Yeah, I think Joyce's comments about not throwing stones in glass houses is an important one because it is true, right?

Like we shouldn't be moralistic about one part of the world or one country over any other. You know, the US at the moment where the Men's World Cup is taking place. terrible place for, you know, kind of LGBTQ rights in many states and obviously has, you know, huge issues with immigration and the response to that and these ice raids that make it a not safe place for people to be either in many, in many ways. But like, I think just because you criticize a particular country for a legal system and a way of doing things that is in opposition to many of the values that women's football has, but not just in opposition to the values of it, it actively criminalises, like players, essentially, many players who would go and compete in a

tournament in Qatar. I would say something that is literally criminalised and, you know, you could be jailed for, is a red line. But then we should also raise the criticism of other countries and their laws and rules on LGBTQ plus rights. And it's not an either or, it's not a, like, everywhere else is better. We should criticise them all. But there is a distinction to be made there in terms of legality that I think is really, really key. Yeah, and journalists as well. And producer Sof has just messaged me saying, I would argue I can still live safely with my full rights

and married to my wife in large parts of the USA. And that wouldn't happen in Qatar. So we absolutely have to hold the lens up and hold countries to account on things like this and make sure that it is spread fairly. But you make brilliant points, Susie. And as Aisha says, it's not going to go away.

One final bit of controversy. I promise this is the last one. We did have one positive right at the beginning. But FIFA also announced him that Michelle Kang's multi-club organization, Knesska, will be the presenting partner of the Women's Champions Cup next week, which in itself has provokes some controversy. Yeah, and rightly so. I don't think that's right at all.

And I think football in general keeps getting this wrong. You know, even stuff like multi-club ownership, for example, which I think is a big problem across football and basically shouldn't be allowed. But so many people are doing it now that the horse has already bolted. And I feel like this sets a bit of a precedent as well. I understand the argument. None of her teams are competing. Nevertheless, I still think that's a little bit of a flimsy pretext.

I don't think someone who owns football clubs. should be effectively sponsoring tournaments in this way. I don't know how many other offers they had. I saw that like Visa, for example, have been announced as a sponsor, who I believe a very long time, FIFA kind of partner. So it might be that they just didn't have very many offers

to sponsor this. This has all been put together pretty late in the day. But I'm not really comfortable with it. And don't get me wrong on an individual basis in this tournament, it's probably not a huge issue but I worry about the precedent that it sets.

I think it should be quite obvious that that shouldn't be allowed to me. Let's spin things slightly more positive. Well, it depends where you sit on this. But the final of this season's Subway Women's League Cup's been set with Chelsea beating Manchester City and Manchester United seeing off Arsenal.

It's going to be a rerun of last year's FAA Cup final and it's going to be held at Ashton Gate on Sunday the 15th of March. Jim Herson has emailed us asking Is the new format your league cup of tea? Clever. Anyone want to jump in?

Yes and no, in that I can completely understand the logic of it for next season and the removing of clubs competing in the Champions League which I'm assuming is what he's alluding to. I think it's going to devalue the competition quite significantly. It's going to make it harder for sponsors to be brought on board because if you've not got

the top champions league teams competing in that competition it causes problems and draws eyes away from it and it's also removing a key tenant of like I would say European football

of the possibility of being able to win a domestic treble which you know is something Chelsea did last season it's something Barcelona do regularly like it's it's a thing that matters and having a quadruple on the cards for those teams completing at the top

is something that people want to do, it's something that teams want to do, it's something the players want to do. And so I'm so sympathetic to, like, the difficult position that the league is in in how they make the maths work, but I'm not sure this is the answer for me personally, but I don't really know what the answer is.

So I'm also, like, not going to go for it too much personally either. Yeah, and I think, you know, you look at a team like Man United and they're probably licking their lips at the chance of winning this trophy this season in a way that Chelsea maybe aren't so much. And we asked Lucy Bruns about this in the mix zone and how she felt about the tournament changing.

And she said, no, I like playing games. And I like the chance to win trophies. And it's only three more games. And I think, yeah, in this construct, when it is only three more games, that's not the problem of the fixture congestion. Like, of course, it can add to it, can bolster it. But, yeah, when you strip it back for those top teams,

in this current situation, those three more games, a chance to win silverware, a chance to win a treble, a quadruple, it's huge. I don't see this as the kind of

long-lasting solution of what this tournament becomes. I think it's maybe a bit of a quick fix in terms of stripping away too many fixtures for the foreseeable, but I think the conversation

will continue. Right. Keep having your say. Send in emails like Jim did women's football weekly at the Guardian. com is the email address. You can send them in Virex and Instagram as well. I know I didn't post it out this week.

Completely forgot. I'm so sorry. We will be regular at that. We're terrible. Myself, Susie and Sofa remembering. But this is your regular reminder as well to sign up for our biweekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do is search moving the goalposts. Sign up. Tim, lovely to see you. Take care. Yeah, you too. Thanks for having me. And I'm glad yours and our respective voices held out. Oh, well, yours is much better. than mine. I sound absolutely terrible. If you've got to the end of the pod, well done. And thank you for sticking with. Aisha, lovely to see you? Lovely to see you too, Fay. And I'm looking forward to the Smelly Cat rendition we're going to be getting later. Oh my goodness, me.

It's not happening. Susie Wreck just throws me right under the bus with that. Susie, I got a hug from you on Sunday. It was a delight and I will hopefully see you soon. Oh, yeah. Was that a threat? Was it like you trying to give me your disease? No. I didn't know I had it then. I would never do that. Anyway, lovely to see you. I'll see you soon. The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Iodale. Our executive producer is Danielle Stevens.

This is The Guardian.