The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - Manchester City crush Chelsea and Arsenal are world champions – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: February 3, 2026

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Tom Garry and Emily Keogh to analyse the weekend’s WSL games and Arsenal’s triumph in the inaugural Fifa Women’s Champions Cup

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faker Others and welcome to the Guardian women's football weekly. They think it's all over. Well, surely it is now. Manchester City steamroller champions Chelsea to take a huge step closer to WSL glory. Manchester United move up to second, while the Goodison Park Houdoo is finally over for Everton. And can we call Arsenal rulers of the world? Not sure about that, but they are winners of the inaugural Champions Cup.

We'll dissect that as well as radical. changes to the FA Cup. Plus, we'll take your questions, and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. What a panel we have today, Susie Rack, how are you? Good. I'm not going to say tired, I'm not going to say tired, but good. It took you a while to say good, so I'm now slightly concerned. Well, I was trying to recompute my brain to not do the instinctive, exhaustion-related reply. Right, okay, okay, well, Good is good, I suppose. Tom Gary, are you good? Morning, yes and well. Busy deadline day ahead. And I'm ready and braced for the to tackle the day with all the little energy that I have planned. Emily Keough is always ready to tackle the day. She's like Zebedy. Always got so much energy. How are you?

I mean, that's not true. I'm very tired this morning. Yeah, no, I'm good. Like Tom said, yeah. It's a busy week. It's a busy day. but yeah, feeling good. Yeah, well, your day's about to get busier because we were going to kick off with the WSL weekend and Manchester City having one hand on the trophy. But we are agile on this pod and we have some breaking news to react to. It's regarding the Adobe Women's FA Cup

and some quite radical proposals to change the competition. Tom, you've just broken this on The Guardian. What can you tell us? Yes, so we can reveal that the FA has proposed to seed the top four sides from the WS. be a sell from a previous season into the women's FA Cup so that they'll be separated in the draw, which is going to be a hugely controversial and probably quite divisive plan. But it comes after a really big review of the competition at the FA have commissioned.

And the FA very much pitching this as a way to try and enhance the commercial revenue of the competition. The idea is to make some of the latter stages, the latter round, see some more compelling fixtures and bigger teams going head to head and sell back to broadcast us all around the world and have this big competition. But of course, that goes against so much of what we have seen about the cup for so long that the balls are in the bag and anyone could draw anybody. That wouldn't be the case under this plan. The top four in the devil itself in the previous season would be seeded. And they would introduce a new bracket system from the round of 32. So you would be able to see your

pathway all the way to the final, like in a World Cup draw or Euros, etc., where you could see from the round of 32 who you might play all the way to Wembley. And that's another big change because we've all been so used to the balls coming out of the bag and all of that tradition. There are other changes in this too. The document that the Guardian have seen also says that the review concluded that Wembley should carry on hosting the final, which is a significant thing as well.

And also review found that the name should not change, that the FAA Cup name has heritage and that shouldn't be changed. But it's interesting. I think that tells you how wide scope the review, was, but I do think that there's going to be a lot of opposition to these plans for, something to a lot of clubs already who don't like the idea of the big four being seeded. There's no final decision yet. The FA have told us that nothing's been finalised.

It would need to be a further consultation period now, and then there would be a final plan put to the FA board in April. But this is quite a serious proposal that we, the guardian, have seen that were sent to clubs yesterday by email, and it's going to be a fascinating few weeks now to see whether or not it gets the green light. Yeah, it really is. Controversial is definitely a word that's going to be used a lot, I think, Susie. Look, we haven't properly delved in, we've only just heard this news, so we haven't properly delved into the detail yet. But what's your initial reaction? Extreme skepticism, I would say, is probably initial reaction. I can see why they're doing it. I don't agree with it. I don't think it's necessary. I mean, the idea that one of the positives around it is that it kind of protects the, final is a real showpiece because you are more likely to have one of the top four teams or two of the top four teams in the final, I think is unnecessary. Because if you look at however many seasons of the FA Cup final, I think it's in the past one, two, three, four, I've got them up in

front of me, five, past five, only spurs have breached the gap and played in the FA Cup final outside of Man United Chelsea City and Arsenal. And then if you go back, a little bit further. You have Everton in 2020 in the final against City and West Ham in the final against City the preceding year as well. And those are such huge moments for those clubs. So to put sort of further hurdles in front of those kind of teams from reaching the final by keeping the big teams from playing each other and knocking each other out, I think it's like a real shame. It's the it's the death of the magic of the cup in that it is literally ensuring

that you have to beat a big team to reach the final and one of the beauties of this competition is that they can take each other out there can be giant against giant. Yeah, and also giant killings. I was just going through a few bits in terms of the fan-based survey that they did as part of this review.

Large scale, they've said, over 6,000 responses collected, which gives proper data on perceptions, engagement and priorities from what they call the current and the potential fan base. The question there is potential fan base, are they football fans? I'd quite like to know the demographic of the fan base and also what teams they support, because obviously if you support a team in WSL2 or lower, I'm not sure whether you'd necessarily be on board with, you know, these proposals, Emily. What do you think? Yeah, I think you're completely right. And I think one of the, like she said, the beauty of the FA Cup is that we have these teams from the third, the fourth, the fifth tier that go on these incredible

runs. And it might be the first time some fans are even knowing that there are teams below the double the double SL2 or that these teams exist. And then there's a huge exposure for them and that these positive stories are so important to the growth of the game on different levels and also for us as well as a chance to sort of from a journalist perspective cover other teams that have these really lovely stories to tell. And I worry that we may lose that to a degree and we may lose the ability to sort of see these, you know, smaller teams with resources that are so, so below the likes of the top four, having these really impressive runs through the competition. It's so important for the clubs, for the growth of the game, you know, for everyone involved that we have

those abilities, those stories and I don't want to lose them. I am in favour to a degree of exploring new things. I think as we've seen with a lot of different movements with the Champions Cup and I will come on to that later with sort of the League Cup changes. Like I do like the idea of looking at new ways that we could change the game and look to make it better. But I think when you look at when you take a step back from that, I don't think this is serving the overall game in England. I don't think this is actually going to do the sort of thing that maybe it's proposed to do because I think like Susie said, you just lose the sort of essence of what the FA Cup is and I think that's a disappointment. So I like the fact that the FA and the people

in charge are looking at other ways to grow the game. I just don't know this is the right way to grow the game. Yeah. And I do understand, you know, even to get to the fourth round proper as it's called now they're proposing round of 32. You know, it's very difficult for lower league teams to get there, but this year alone, you've got Swindon Town in there, you've got Ipswich in there, you've got Oxford United, Chatham Town, York City, for example. So, you know, this is going to affect a lot of teams.

But I think in the interests of fairness, bearing in mind, we've only just received this information, and Tom's just broken it on The Guardian. And I think we need to delve a bit deeper into it before we cast complete judgment. As we say on this pod all the time, we are fans of innovation and changes if they're warranted. So watch this space. Right, let's talk about the WSL, shall we? Because, I mean, it was a seismic weekend, I think it's fair to say,

with Manchester City sending shockwaves through the league, demolishing Chelsea to go 12 points clear at the top of the table and put one hand on the trophy, I think it's fair to say, and a 5-1 win. A hat trick from Carolyn and goals from Bunny Shore and Vivian Medemar stuns Sonia Bonpastor's side. It's actually Chelsea's worst defeat since the 2018-19 season, and it was some performance, Susie, wasn't it? Are they now champions instead of champions-elect? What did they get so right on the day? Well, no, they're not champions yet.

They're champions-electing that, like, the maths. doesn't math for them to be champions. The English doesn't English either. The English rarely English is for me. And I mean, what did they get right? What do they get wrong? Like everything right, nothing wrong. Like just across the pitch, defensively superb, offensively,

just absolutely deadly. That front free of Shaw, Carolyn and Lauren Hemp was so damaging. Carolyn and Hemp in particular, absolutely. annihilating city outwide, Mirdamas, like, vision from the sort of deeper role, just superb. And, yeah, like, they were totally unplayable. And, like, there was just a hunger there. There was a hunger to every aspect of their game,

to every 50-50 ball, into every challenge, and Chelsea just couldn't cope at all. And I think it's, if anything, a slight indictment of the League Cup semi-final. in that this is what city should have done to Chelsea in that game as well because they possess this phenomenal, phenomenal ability and talent at the moment. Yeah, they would do. And that has always been Chelsea's domain, Emily, hasn't it? A huge blow for them.

But actually, not just in terms of the math and the numbers, but the manner of it as well. What went wrong for Sonia Bonpastor's side? I think a lot went wrong. I think defensively, it just was all over the place. I don't think it was anywhere near the defensive display that it should have been from a team that has the quality like Chelsea. I do think they are still missing Natalie Bjorn.

I think that's a huge miss for them and that we've seen that in that cohesion in the back line. And the tax has not been there. And I will carry out that with sort of the injuries to Chelsea that, you know, from my perspective, that Chelsea don't have an informed number nine at the minute, which is we've seen that in the less goals that they've scored this season compared to seasons previous and the way that they've gone about their attacking.

I think that's playing a huge role, but that doesn't offset just the poor performance all round. I think the tactics probably weren't right. I don't know if they were prepared enough for what city were going to do. I think I look at sort of the opening stages of that game and they almost look slightly shocked at how Ruthler City were. And I wonder if that was slightly complacency from their point that maybe they thought that it was going to be a far more cagey game or far more open game than it was. was and I think City just proved to everyone that this is what it takes to be a champion and that

they deserve to win the title this season. I think they are the only team that have shown that they deserve to be to be winners and when you look at sort of the race that we've had in the top of the table or if you can call it a race really. So yeah, I think it's it just went wrong on all fronts really and I think off the back of that Arsenal defeat the mentality probably wasn't there and I wonder how much that defeat last week really shook them up internally and and maybe they didn't expect sort of to not rebound the way that we've seen them before. Usually they come off a loss and they'll put three, four pass another team, but this is a different story.

And I'm interested to see what the mentality is like from these two defeats back to back. I think that's going to be really telling of where this team really is at and sort of how they move forward from it. It's interesting thinking of Sonia Bompastor's mentality as well, bearing in mind her post-match comments. This is what she had to say. A lot of people talk about Chelsea being an example of having depth in the squad and of having players with different profiles they can bring into the game. Right now, I don't think we're in that place.

I always reflect on my own decisions. This is a separate conversation, by the way. I always reflect on my decisions and my tactics. I'm always hard on myself. We played the game against Arsenal with a back three. In this game, we changed the system to a back four and tried something different with different players. As much as you always want to explain things in football, sometimes it doesn't work. When it's like this, it's tough for sure.

What did you make of her comments, Tom? Is this just a little bit of a blip for Chelsea, or is there something else going on behind the scenes? It's a risky game, isn't it? It's a really risky game to start talking about squad depth and even hinting that she wasn't 100% happy with a last transfer window. We've seen in football that that doesn't often end very well. I was just surprised by the tone there.

I also think when you start to talk about maybe not saying that you have enough depth, you have to think about how that message we received by your substitutes by the players that you didn't bring on and what that will do for them on a confidence level. So I think I was surprised by the turn of the press conference from Sonny Bonpastor. I think she took some big risks there. It's not an irretrievable situation. It's not like Doomsday. You know, they've lost to Arsenal and Manchester City.

They haven't gone and lost to, you know, two of the worst teams in the country. they've lost to two of the best teams in the country. But it doesn't sound like a very happy camp at all. I've been really surprised by the negative tone of some of the things I'm hearing from within the camp over the last 48 hours. And I was very worried by the body language on the pitch of the players who didn't appear to be playing for the manager right now. So I would be deeply concerned if I was Sony Yvonne Paster and I would think that the game against Tottenham at the weekend where their champions, league qualification now is really important, that could be a really big game for her future, which is something that was unimaginable to think about, right? In December, when she'd never

lost a single domestic match. So it's almost ridiculous to even be talking about this, but it doesn't sound like a very happy camp at all, and the expectations are so high at the club. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there were some big changes over the next few months, if things don't improve quickly. Yeah, it feels like pressure's mounting on her and on the team. The fan base are getting disgruntled. She was asked about her future and said, in the club, if people think I'm not the right person to stay in this job,

then I'll be happy to go if they think that's the right thing, but I'll never give up. Again, this is Chelsea, by the way. We've seen what happens to outspoken managers at Chelsea in particular. But do you think, bearing in mind the context of all of that, Susie, and what Tom said that this was just unthinkable a few weeks ago, I think it's fair to say. Do you think it's actually fair that her position's under question? I think it's unfair that her petition is under question at this stage of the season,

particularly after a unbeaten domestic treble last year. Like I think you deserve a little bit of leeway, particularly with a squad that arguably has kind of needed a little bit of a refresh that said, like once you start to lose a dressing room, I think that's when it becomes really, really difficult for a manager to stay in post because there's literally not much they can do and not much a club can do to kind of resolve that situation, right? Like, it doesn't take much with a team of the quality that Chelsea have in their number

to turn things around. But if they won't pay for the manager, then that becomes a problem. Do I think it's particularly fair? No. Do I think that there is maybe a naivety to the quality of coaches that are out there and available? Yes, like elite level coaching talent in the women's game is at a premium and a small in quantity. So, yeah, I don't think it's necessarily the right time. But I also am acutely aware that once a dressing room is gone, then, you know, that's kind of the writing on the wall a little bit as well.

Yeah, we'll focus on positive because actually there was a winner in this game. We've focused a lot on Chelsea. But it feels like Andre Yuggler, St Manchester City, has kind of breathed new life and energy into the club, which is something that they really needed. What are the main things on the pitch and behind the scenes, I suppose, Emily, that you think he's changed? I think, I mean, we've seen from spending a bit of time around the club at the start of the season, he has a completely different approach to what Gareth Taylor had. And I think the squad where they were at sort of end of last season really did need that.

Like you say, that breath of fresh air, they really did need a change. And I think what you've seen is he's come in. And from kind of what I hear and what I've seen, he likes to sort of give accountability to the players and want them to have ownership over what they're doing on the pitch. And I think that's a really key way that they've got the most out of a squad that has, you've got players like Viviana Medemar who are so intelligent. Her football IQ is incredible. And using her and her knowledge to be able to best.

benefit everyone. I think that's been a really key thing in sort of making sure that the players are on board with what they're doing and that they have an ownership. So when it goes right, they feel that they played a role and that when it goes wrong, they've got accountability of, cool, what's the next thing? How do we fix this? I think that's been a really key thing for them. And I do think they've done a lot of work behind the scenes on the squad. We've seen just the calibre of signings they've made and in key areas. I think that's been something that probably we've not seen from other clubs over the past couple of seasons that maybe they haven't reinforce the positions that from an outside perspective that we look at going, I look at

Man United and think that, you know, maybe centreback is an option that they should be looking to invest in. Whereas you look at city and the areas that they need reinforcements in, they've gone and got them. And so I think that's been a really key part for them as well and sort of be able to, they've had a few injuries. And last season, they had a couple of injuries and it tore everything apart. You could tell that they had these huge injuries. Whereas now they've sort of added that depth that they've been missing. You know, they're missing Carolyn for a while. Fidino was out for a while and they didn't look like a team that was balancing a couple of injuries because they had that, they built up that depth. And I think that's been a really key point. So I think a lot has clicked

for them this season. I think there's been a lot of work behind the scenes from the club to make sure that this is the season that it all falls into place. And I think they had to do that with, you're investing in a new manager and a new ethos, a new identity and you've, the club have to back the manager with that. And I think that's something that's been really nice to see is that everything has worked for them because they've put the work in. So I think a lot has really worked for them. And I've been really impressed with Jaglats and what he's done with the club this season.

Yeah, I agree. I've also been really impressed with Carolyn, Tom. And a hat trick against the holders at the Ettiad doesn't get much better than that. You were there on Sunday. What did you make of her performance? She was electric. And really a problem that Chelsea just could not cope with all through the game, the pace, the skill, how much fun.

she was having and the confidence she was playing with. She's one of the players that has really helped take this Manchester City team to the next level. And the exciting thing if you're a Man City fan is that Andre Yeglertz thinks she can still keep getting better and better and better. I think that her performance on Sunday will probably be one we remember in 10, 15 years' time and we look back on this changing of the guard. This was really symbolic of how Carolan kind of tore apart Chelsea. and I think that the link up she has with Bunny Shaw now is as well as so many other of their forward players, but particularly those two now, they're really taking the league by storm. And I think that they will dominate the end of season awards.

And I really think that they were the difference. We've actually, we've seen Caroline play well against Chelsea at the Etihad before. And she just seemed to be playing with so much enjoyment and freedom and confidence. And when you have, yes, she was lucky with the deflected. first goal, agreed. But the calmness in the chipped finish past Tannohampton in a second half and then, you know, the speed of which he raced away from everybody from inside our own half to score. That was a goal that I think will be iconic when we look back on Manciti's title win in the future. Manchester United took full advantage of Chelsea's downfall, didn't they? And Arsenal's Champions

Cup exploits as well. We'll talk about that a bit later. But they're into second in the table, Mark Skinner's side. Didn't have everything their own way. It was a 3-1 win over Liverpool in the end, but they managed to find an extra gear in the second half. Lisa Nalson scoring a brace and Friedelina Rolfo coming off the bench to make sure of the victory. It was important for them, actually, Susie, wasn't it?

But they did have to work for it because Liverpool are improving. But what changed in the second half for them to take control of the game, do you think? In terms of the second half, I think it's just that level of experience quality, like the physical preparedness of players for a game of intensity, Liverpool struggled to handle that in the second half. When you're chasing the ball a lot, you get tired, don't you? It's just that experience and that patience that does it. In terms of the game as a whole, I think what's impressive about Man United this season is their

rotation of players. So, you know, Lisa Nelson, who gets two goals is not in the starting 11 last week. comes in for this game and has the impact that she does, you know, shifting Jess Park out into the wider area as well, who was also as potent there as she is from the middle. You've got Turland back in the starting line up after Leah Shillah started last week. And, like, I would say the overall difference in them and what they're sort of able to do this season is, like,

they've added the quality, but critically given it that quality time on the pitch to be able to slot in, as and when needed in a way that I don't think they've had in previous seasons. So I think that is what is keeping them like right up there battling at the top. It's this very interchangeable starting 11 of very good talent now. That is like stepping up and no one is necessarily being thrown out of the deep end, having not played many minutes and things like that to the same extent that we'd maybe seen in previous years. Liverpool's still rooted to the bottom of the table.

but we've talked about how much they're improving on the pod before, Emily. What positives do you think Gareth Taylor can take from their performance that they can build on going forward? I think it's really hard when you have a pretty good start to a game and then it's slightly unravels in the second half, really because another team is just slightly ahead of where you're at. I think it's then really hard to look at those positives. But I think what we've seen, especially with Liverpool, is that that scoreline could have been very, very heavy, you know, first half of the season. then that result probably goes another way and they could lose 4-5-0. And so I think it's a really positive that,

one, they are starting to score more goals. I think that's a key, obviously, key part for them in times of picking up points and trying to climb up that table. And then it's just sort of developing that ability that the resilience, the grit, to really just grind out those results and not have sort of a team come back

in the second half and really put the pressure on and they then lose, you know, three-one. So there are positives there. I think it's still a really tough time for the club. I think, you know, everything works in tandem and they are starting to pick up a bit of form and the signings they've made in this window have been really key to sort of getting them into a good place. So I think it's just as long as they can capitalise on those positives like say in the early

first half sort of their ability to press, you know, the organisation of that. That's going to be key, I think, for them. Big relief for Brian Sorenson and Everton fans. They came from behind to beat Aston Villa. Their first win at Goodersen Park. They're now ninth in the table. Ebony Salmon had put the visitors into the lead but Martina Fernandez scored two brilliant headers

to complete Everton's comeback and win the game by two goals to one. It ends a six-game losing streak at home Tom. They're now four points clear of the bottom. How timely is this win, do you think? Everton really needed that, Faye. Very significant result for them, gives them a bit of breathing space from the bottom and just eases a lot of pressure.

I think it had been weighing on their shoulders that they hadn't won at home in the lead this season, particularly that they hadn't won a Goodison part this season in the league. And they had, to caveat that, had some very difficult features. They played almost everybody in the top half at home. So this was perhaps one of the games they would have targeted, but they really needed it. And the fact they got it with a late goal,

we'll just give them a real confidence boost and a real lift. I think they have been disappointed with their results so far this season. They'd hope to kick on. Being honest, I think if they, lost this game and had another home defeat, I think a lot of the supporters would have really started to get fed up because there was booze after the last, I was at their last home game against Brighton

when they lost on the Friday night, and there were booze there and even some chance of Brian out from a few supporters in one corner of the stadium. So I think this is a big, big result for them and should start to ease their concerns of ending up in the relegation playoff. They still got a bit of a way to go yet, but with the home fixtures that they've got left when all of the other teams around them

have still got to go to Goodison I think they're in a much healthier place now with that result. Yeah. Not so rosy or starting to look rosy for Aston Villa though. Three defeats now on the bounce for Natalia Arroyo, Susie. They're struggling for consistency, Villa. I feel like we consistently say that

on this pod. Yeah. I mean, consistency is a key. I don't even think you can call it a lack of consistency now because it's not even like it's one game on one game off. They've lost three in a row. They've lost five of the last seven. So it's just a really, really, really poor dip in form, confidence. I don't know what it is.

I thought defensively there were a complete shambles. You know, the fact that you concede, you know, from a Ruby Mace cross into the box and a header in and then, you know, fine, people concede from headers. But then to do for the winner the exact same thing again essentially and to not be prepared for that threat I feel like is very, very neglectful and they should have done better defensively for the first as well.

So not great. It's a worrying runner form for a team that has quite a lot of talent and has had a fair bit of investment in it. Yeah, without a doubt. Right, that's it for part one of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly and part two will wrap up the rest of the WSL action and discuss Arsenal winning the inaugural FIFA. Women's Champions Cup.

Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Totham Hotspur returned to winning ways. It was a hard fought victory over West Ham. Shakira Martinez gave the Hammers an early lead, but two sublime long-distance finishes from both Matilda Vimberg and Olivia Holt saw Martin Ho's side take all three points in a two-one win. Back to winning ways for Spurs, but they had to do it the hard way, Emily. Is that going to be a worry for Martin Ho?

Or is this perhaps a sign of their growing maturity that, they managed to dig in and find a way? I like to look at it from a perspective of this is still a very new team. It's a very new look, Spurs. This sort of identity has only been around since the start of the season. And what I really enjoyed is that they are creating a lot. They're not getting a lot of that on target. They are from sort of previous seasons.

They are creating a lot more chances. They are looking really, really threatening in sort of generating attacks and looking really positive. And I think what we've seen for the past couple of seasons is a spurs team that was a lot more nervy to push forward that kind of would sort of defend first rather than attack. And I think it's been really nice to see a different change of a style of play and tactics. So I don't know if you would have said coming into the season, you would have had spur up in and around that sort of top four, top five, sort of, I think they're level on

points with Arsenal, although Arsenal have a game in hand. I've been really impressed with the business they've done as well to sort of reinforce what they've needed in sort of the key areas that they wanted to look to play really attacking. They've bought in players that can do that for them. Interesting performance, I think there's a lot of areas where they can still build and develop, and I think Martin Ho will be the sort of manager that will tell you that firsthand of that there's still a way to go. But there's a lot of positives there, and there's a lot of the foundations there for this to be

a really, really challenging team, I think, in the league moving forward. So I think it's been really nice to see a team sort of come back up through a really bad season last year and to have completely, you know, transformed on a new manager and what the possibilities are when that all worked. On the flip side, Tom, West Ham, Rita Guarino hasn't had as much time as Martin Ho has had, but things still not looking great for West Ham. Their forward, Leila Vondola said that they were punished for their mistakes at the window, highlighted that they were defending well, but she said we saw in the first half they were shooting from far away,

we needed to block these shots, we saw it in the first half, needed to be ready in the second half. That must be frustrating for the manager to see how her team dropped off. in that second 45. Absolutely. And that's one of the things that she's implied in the media is wanting to kind of keep that intensity across the full 90 minutes and be more consistent. I just would say to West Ham fans that I wouldn't be too alarmed yet because it will take a bit of time for her ideas to really cement into the team.

You know, she's still not been there very long. I know she's had a month or so now, but it's quite a big shift in the way they're trying to play football compared to the Rianne Skinner era. So I think it will take a little bit of time. What I have seen when I've seen West Ham in person is that I'm not sure they're quite sure yet what the plan is in terms of the way they're going to dispute the ball from the back. They seem a little bit inconsistent so far under Greener and where they're trying to do that in

different ways. That will presumably come with more time on the training ground and more just just more time jelling together. But I suppose early on in her tenure when I watched them win away against Newcastle. United when they won by being really clinical in the FA Cup, there was still not that sort of clear idea yet of how they were going to move the ball at the pitch and progress the ball high up. So I'm looking forward to seeing how they can maybe develop that up in the coming weeks, but they won't have too long to sort of tinker and, you know, slowly improve things because

Liverpool has strengthened so much in a window that you would expect them to keep on getting better results. So the rest of them, yeah, they're going to have to be very careful that they don't end up in that bottom spot while they kind of try and transition towards Garino's style. So important a few weeks ahead for them, I think. Comeback victories seem to be a bit of a theme of the weekend. London City Lioness is completed their own, fighting back against Brighton. Frey Godfrey caught the headlines again. Her strike in first half injury time proved to be the eventual winner.

Edom Meister admitted his side was second best for long spells of the game, but did take pride in the way that they battled. But what does the win, Susie, tell us about London City's growing resilience and the importance of how to learn to win games like this in particular? I mean, it shows they have resilience in that they were very much against the kosh for a lot of this game, brighter more than 60% possession, 41 touches in the opposition box to six for London City lineesses. Like, you know, stats can sometimes tell a bit of a distorted picture of things, but it is quite extreme.

So to come back against that pressure, particularly after Brighton's very, very good spell early in the second half, was hugely impressive and speaks to the quality of Frey Godfrey in particular, who is just, you know, playing her socks off at the moment, phenomenal talent, like really kind of settling into life at London City after joining from Arsenal being given a chance to play regularly. but also Aslani as well who I think is having a really fantastic season assist-wise and is doing a lot to create a lot of their chances

and provides the assist for Fred Godfrey's goal as well for the winner. So they've got a few players who are really starting to sort of hit a really fine manner form and that is helping dig them out of holes when they're a little bit up against it. Obviously, Brighton really wanted this game. It was a very difficult circumstances, I think, could probably go into at some point. But I think that has an impact as well. Yeah, really difficult circumstances. After the passing of Rado Vidazic at the age of 64, Dario Vidasich's father, first and foremost.

But he was also Brighton's former women's and girls' head of coaching as well. Chris Roberts is managing the team at the moment. Brighton did create a lot, but only put two on target, Emily. And goals have been really hard to come by recently for this side. How worrying is that? I think it's a concern when you look at that they haven't really been that active either in sort of the window in terms of trying to bring in those sorts of reinforcements. I think that's probably where you would look to sort of bring in a player or two to really try and help turn that around. Because that bottom of the table is really, really tight sort of mid to bottom.

There's not a lot separating teams and sort of like Thomas Aymour, if Liverpool pick up points, that's going to put pressure on West Ham. but equally, you know, sort of Everton picking up form, Lander City picking up form, that puts pressure on Brighton. And then as that all moves, we've seen before, like a couple of good results for other teams, and maybe you're stuck in the mud a little bit, can drop you down the table quite quickly. So I think it's something that they will probably be concerned about,

but I assume kind of with everything going on around the club, that they're more trying to make sure that everyone internally is okay and sort of supporting the team and the staff in the best way possible. So it is a really tough time, I think, when you're coming into a game when there's a lot going on behind the scenes. And that can be really tough on players and on results. So it's a difficult time sort of on and off pitch. And I'm not too sure like what the right answer is in terms of how to turn that around.

I think probably time. And like we've seen before, like Susie was saying, with some London City players picking up form the same way that you kind of hope that some of the Brighton players will start to pick up form in the second half of the season. And that can completely turn the season around. But yeah, just lots of thoughts with those at the club and hopefully one or two players can kick on to gear and that can bring the entire team back up before the end of the season.

Yeah, lovely words. Listen, you'll remember last week we had a lengthy discussion regarding the FIFA Women's Champions Cup. The first edition came to its conclusion on Sunday. Arsenal were crowned. You can't see me currently, but I'm putting my quotation marks around champions of the world. world. Thanks to a three-two extra time win over Corinthians. Arsenal's path of the final was

probably the smoothest one, I think it's fair to say. They dispatched ASFAR 6-0 in Wednesday's semi-final. Corinthians, meanwhile, shocked Gotham after their 40-year-old Captain Gabby Zanotti scored late to send them through. Ahead of the final, Gotham FC secured a third place finish with a 4-0 victory over the Moroccans. But the finale took place in the pouring rain at the Emirates on Sunday night. First ever meeting between the two sides and perhaps not the final we had all predicted with our biases, but it was a fascinating game. Arsenal won at 3-2 after extra time. Olivia Smith's early goal cancelled out by Gabby Zanotti before Lott of Uba Moy's struck in the second half with what had looked to be the winner. But Corinthians were then

awarded a contentious 96th minute penalty, which sent the game into extra time. They looked to be running out of steam, both sides, to be fair, but Caitlin Ford struck the winner to make sure that Renee Slager's side took home the trophy and the 1.7 million pound prize fund, obviously aside from the boost that that money brings and you know where I stand in terms of I don't like, you know, how that can potentially skew a league. I think probably less important in the WSL than it would be elsewhere if other teams were to win this. But, I've made that point previously. But what does actually winning this competition mean for Arsenal, Susie,

in the context of the season and maybe their global status? It's a trophy. It's silverware for the fourth season in the row, albeit a slightly, you know, kind of dubious one and a nice, hefty bit of money for their efforts as well. But when you're already pretty much out of the title race, bar a minor miracle. out of the League Cup

and only have FA Cup and Champions League really to play for any sort of way you'll sort of take, particularly when those competitions are still so early on is good. I don't know what you're talking about, Faye. FIFA have done a fantastic job in this competition.

I've always said that they're absolutely brilliant and it's great to see Arsenal rightly crowned champions of the world completely justified for fourth place in the WSL. The prize money is possibly the only credible thing about the tournament, but it would have been a massive calamity had Arsenal lost that competition, given it was entirely geared to favour them with location, timing, etc.

So, yeah, it's a weird one. Yeah, I think that's actually a really good word to use. Let's park it and talk about the game, because the game was actually cracking, wasn't it? plenty of chances. 31 with 13 on target from Arsenal, but they were resilient Corinthians, Emily.

Overall, where was the game won and lost? I think it really, for Arsenal, I think they were probably quite surprised at how, you know,

Corinthians came back twice in that game. And I know, obviously, the penalty was people debating it whether it was or wasn't a penalty. And so I think that

added to the discourse. But I think it's so impressive for a team that have sort of been behind and come back and constantly pushed more. I think that's just, it's such an incredible thing, and it's a markover of a really, really cohesive team.

And I generally think, like, I wasn't in favour of the competition. I still am not. I think I wrote in my write up, you know, I did we really need this. But one of the things that did come out that was, that's been such a nice story is Corinthians and how impressive they were on pitch, how impressive the fans were off pitch. And that storyline, I think, was incredible. And at times, I've obviously being the neutral,

in that game. I think there are times that I was quite in support of Corinthians because everything was sacked against. And when you look at the sort of the benefits and the things that were in Arsenal's favour like Cisi said, you know, Corinthians for to come back in circumstances, to have not had three of their best players for the semi-finals because of visa issues, they did a remarkable job in the circumstances. And I think the on-pitch display was just a pretty impressive performance, really, that their attitude, that never say di-attitude was so obvious, so clear. And that's their identity. And I think that was such a beautiful thing to see.

And yeah, I think almost it was just slightly undone by also being a bit more. One, the ability to bring on the quality of subs, you know, bringing on someone like Caitlin Ford is a luxury to have. And that slightly undid them. And I think the result is a bit more reflective of sort of where football and sort of the disparity between the countries and confederations are. But it was a really good game of football.

And I'm glad that that was sort of the final that we got. and it was cagey and it was end to end and you didn't really know who was going to take it in the end. I think a lot of us had two files going for either result because at times you really didn't know who was going to win. So a really nice sort of end to the competition in a way that I guess that was the point of it was that competitive football. I just think it needs to be re-evaluated for next season and moving forward.

Yeah, without a doubt. The scheduling debate obviously is going to rumble on, isn't it? But what did you make of the game, the controversial decisions, Tom, everything that kind of went on in that fascinating 120 minutes? In isolation, it's actually brilliant final, absolutely terrific final. I just keep thinking how grateful FIFA must be to Corinthians for the way they played in probably saving the whole thing from just being a little bit farcical, really. with Arsenal having been given home advantage with so much of it weighing in their favour, you know, being in mid-season for the English side,

being in their home city. Sorry, I know we've ranted about these things before, haven't we? But I just am continually frustrated about the format being one that FIFA has decided is no longer good enough for what they want for men's football, but is now suddenly it's what they want for the women's game, a format that has now been rejected by the men's game for being out of, out of date.

We're now bringing it in for the women's game. If it's not good enough for the men's, then why are we doing it for the women's football teams now? And I think that without Corinthians, is brilliant, fantastic supporters, and without their players putting in such a strong performance, I think the whole thing would have been embarrassing. So actually, well done Corinthians for giving us all a lot of entertainment

and well-done to their fans for embracing something that No one could have asked them to embrace it in the way they did and they did and they were magnificent. So I hear by, if we have a sort of second team on this pod, then they can be my new second team. Oh, let's make sure that some Corinthians fans send us in some emails in that case because, you know, they definitely brought the party to both of their games. A FIFA are going to see this as a success. That's my final question on this because I really don't want to. put too much on it because it is going to be an annual fixture in the calendar, apart from Club World Cup years. What are we thinking? Yes. I think they will. I do think they'll recognise that there are issues

and probably will respond to some of the criticism, but generally speaking, I don't think they will do what should be done and scrap it and focus on that Club World Cup that's coming up in a few years. But yeah, I do think they will maybe not host it at the home city and stadium of one of the competing teams again, I hope. Right, transfer deadline day. For the women's game, the window closes at 11 o'clock this evening. We're recording this on Tuesday.

Expected to be a busy one or not. Any gossip anybody can let us in on, Tom? You usually have your finger on the pulse. Would you like something that's come in while we've been recording the pod? I love that stuff. You know I do. Leicester City would like to take Lexi Potter on loan from Chelsea today. But as things currently stand, Chelsea are not willing to let her leave. I think they would need to bring in a midfielder today in order to allow that kind of move to happen.

She's obviously a brilliant young player, England Youth International. The last game she started was the League Cup quarterfinal that Chelsea won 9-1 against Liverpool. but obviously I'm sure we'd love some more game time clearly and Lester really rate her from the tone of the messages I've been receiving all morning. But yeah, as it stands, Chelsea not going to let her go. Could change over the bottom. By the time the pod goes live, who knows. The other thing I can tell you which I know that there's already been imported in other outlets as well. Zara Kramza is heading to Everton for a medical at the moment as we speak right now. But that one I think probably got a really good chance of going. through. That's already been reported by a friend of the pod, Emma Sanders as well, credit to her. But that is probably the only deal Everton are trying to do today. Generally, Faye, quite a quiet day. I think, I hope that maybe we get some interesting late surprises, but most clubs are briefing that it will be a quiet day. A lot of clubs did that business early. If you think about the really good work that say Libbyll have already done in this window, Manorited and Tottenham,

signing some good players. And others are all advising that the summer is their focus. If you think about the rebuild that Arsenal are planning in the summer. We wrote a story yesterday that Katie McCabe's very likely to leave Arsenal at the end of her contract because they're looking to refresh the score with younger players. We know they're linked to then a batche, for example, and Arsenal heavily linked to Georgia Stanway. And those kind of end of contract moves in the summer is where I think most of the conversations have been focused on in the last few weeks here in England. I'm just worried that Tom said the, he said the key word, and that's never a good sign on

deadline day. Quiet. Yeah. I hope that's not a curse. Can we get one thing off our chest fate? Why do we have to stay up till after 11 o'clock when the men's window made a sensible decision to close at 7pm? Or someone will not think of the people with a three-month-old baby in the house? Come on.

Well, you're going to be the only person that is still up then, surely, with that logic. It's just true. Yeah, maybe I should campaign for the window to close at 4 a.m. I like me. Right, listen, I've got an email sent in from Ash. Hi, Guardian Women's Football Weekly Team. My name is Ash, and I'm writing to you from Canberra, Australia. I became a women's football fan during the 2023 Women's World Cup

and have listened to your podcast ever since. After the World Cup, I adopted Arsenal. He calls them Ozzanol as my WSL team and was lucky enough to see them play in Melbourne in 2024. As someone who didn't grow up watching football, you continually teach me new things about the game, and I love listening to your episodes on my Wednesday morning commute to work. I wanted to reach out to ask if you'll be covering any of the 2025 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

I've enjoyed your coverage of the Euros and have noticed you occasionally cover other continents, including discussion of the NWSL. But Australia and Asia don't seem to feature as often. This isn't a criticism of the pod, but rather a request, as I would love nothing more than to hear your analysis of the upcoming tournament. Thanks for everything you do. Hope to hear from you soon. Warm regards, Ash.

given the PODs track record with predictions, I'm okay if the Matilda's aren't your predicted winner of the tournament. Ah, you know us well already, Ash, I love that. Well, I mean, listen, we have some fantastic Australian journalists in our collective, Jamie Spanger being one of them. So as long as time zone isn't an issue, we will definitely look into what we can do with the tournament. Thank you so much for sending us that fantastic email.

By the way, if you want to send us an email, you can send email us at Women's Football Weekly at the Guardian.com. Send in your questions as well via X or Instagram. Until then, this is also your regular reminder to sign up for our biweekly women's football newsletter. All you need to do there is search moving the goalposts sign up. I feel like we have packed a lot into that episode. Tom Gary, I'd say get some sleep, but I mean, it's a bit pointless really, isn't it? It feels empty. Oh no, but the sentiment is appreciate nonetheless. Thank you mate and see you soon.

See you soon. Emily, lovely to see you as always. I'm admiring your jumper which looks very snugly. It is. It's very comfy. But yeah, thanks for having me on and great to chat. Always lovely to see you, Susie Rack. Also wearing what looks like the snugliest hoodie in the world. Yeah, I'm wearing an hoodie. It's like fleece lined and massive and like basically wearing a blanket. And I have no regrets about that choice. My sister bought me one for Christmas actually and she first handed it over to me. I was like, thanks. I was a kid.

I'm never going to wear that wore it once. And I was like, I'm never taking this off. I've got three. So I can have them on rotation when they're in the wash. Really you only need two. But I bought one when I was camping in a like very, very cold emergency situation where we didn't have enough layers at night. So yeah. Yeah, yeah.

But I wouldn't even put them on rotation. I'd wear one. I'd lie down on the other and then I'd wrap my legs up in the third. But that's what the electric heated blanket is for, Faye. Oh no, that's too far. I've gone as far as a heated juley and I think that's as far as I'll go. Anyway, The Guardian Women's Football Weekly is produced by Sophie Downey and Silas Gray. Music composition was by Laura Ayerdow.

Our executive producer is Joel Grove. This is The Guardian.