The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - North London is red and Merseyside is blue – Women’s Football Weekly podcast

Episode Date: November 19, 2024

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Jenna Schillaci and Sophie Downey to discuss all the weekend’s WSL games

This is The Guardian. free. Without insurance, your assets are at risk from major financial losses, data breaches, and natural disasters. Get customized coverage today starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. Hello, I'm Faye Carruthers, and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. There's a new name on the top of the Barclays WSL table. Does Chelsea get the better of Manchester City? Late goals galore as Kirby capped off a Brighton victory and super sub Salmon gives Villa their first win of the season.

And North London is red, Merseyside is blue Matt Beard didn't think it was a penalty how about you all that plus we'll take your questions and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Susie Rack what a weekend of football we were treated to are you you all right? Did you like my rhyme? I'm still laughing at you being the worst Valentine's rhymer ever. But yeah, great weekend of football. That's just cruel. Right, you're not getting a Valentine's card

from me in February, that's for sure. Jenna Scalacci, it's so good to have you back. I'm a bit harsh maybe from us after a North London battering. It's good to be back. And I think I'm finally recovering, getting over the weekend, yes. Oh, bless you.

Sophie Downey, you've been off on your travels again. New hat today as well. I have, yes. It's fully winter. But yes, I've been here, there and everywhere travelling around. It's that time of year, isn't it? It is indeed.

And I'm very jealous of your hat. I'm going to be putting one on after this. It's freezing outside. I'm loving all the messages when it gets to this time of year and people have never seen snow in their lives ever before. It feels like anyway. White Christmas out there. Except it's not Christmas. Shut up, Faye. Right. There's a name, a new name, in fact, at the summit of the Barclays WSL. Top of the table clash at Stamford Bridge.

Two unbeaten sides and it promised to be a blockbuster in the prime Saturday night slot. But it was Chelsea who continued their 100% win rate, beating Manchester City by two goals to nil. Two goals in four second half minutes, in fact, from Mayra Ramirez and Guru Wrighton. City had been a point ahead of Chelsea at the start of the day but the Blues have a game in hand and now leapfrog their title rivals. It was another record as well for Sonia Bonpastor. She became the first WSL manager to win their first seven league games in charge. What did you make of the match first of all Susie? Did it live up to your expectations? Yes and no.

A game like that is so hyped up right? And we're quite used to a lot of goals in there. We've seen a lot of high scoring draws between these two teams. But at the same time I thought it was a real tactical battle, like a real chess match of a game and that was actually quite enjoyable to watch at times and yeah like I suppose to steal the cliche of the managers like

games like that are going to be won or lost on the fine margins right and I think um Lauren Hemp was such a massive um miss for City in that game that that probably for me was the difference they couldn't quite get the service to Bunny Shaw that I think they would have liked and I yeah I think that that maybe proved costly yeah I mean Bunny Shaw didn't have her her best game and exactly that reason you know if you've got the player who is the leading assist maker in the WSL missing, you can understand why Myron Ramirez came up on top and Bunny Shaw was uncharacteristically quiet, perhaps. It was a massive blow, Jenna, wasn't it, to lose her just before the game? Absolutely. I think, you know, she's been instrumental and was obviously watching the Man City-Tottenham game the weekend before for my sins.

And she was, yes, all the talk was about Bunny Shaw and another hat trip, but I thought Lauren Hemp was absolutely fantastic, you know. And yeah, you talk about a key player. To not have her start, I think that would have affected Man City just because of how instrumental she has been. And I think you touched on it there. I thought Bunny Shaw, she did have some opportunities, but she was just off the pace. And I think that was the difference. I think you saw in Ramirez, who was absolutely in

top form, unbelievable, unplayable at times in that game. You need every player to step up and be at a level 10. And I think that was the difference on the day. And yeah, there's no doubt that losing Lauren Hemp just before such a huge game is a massive blow for City. Yeah, knee injury for Lauren hopefully won't keep her out too long. We were waxing lyrical about her last week, weren't we? We've also waxed lyrical about Mayra Ramirez-Sofie continuing to impress leading the line for Chelsea. I can see the smile on your face the minute I mentioned her name, her third goal of the season. And it just feels as if she's almost impossible to defend against. Yeah, I do think it almost strikes her into defenders already before they've even started moving on the pitch when they see Mary Ramirez on the team sheet, she is just, I just watch her with so much joy

because she has everything to her game. And I'm just really like, she's only been in this league 10 months or something. And to be that adjusted to it, she had a period at the end of last season out injured as well. And she just looks like she could just beat any defence. It's not just her pace and her strength,

which she showed with Alana Kennedy on Saturday when she completely shrugged her off for the goal. It's the intelligence to cut inside on that run to beat Alex Greenwood. She knew where Alex Greenwood was already going to go, so she cut inside to send that shot away. I would also add a shout-out for Maika Hermano as well because I thought that was her best game in a Chelsea shirt. I thought she's so young still but she's known for her kind of skill and possession and her talent on the ball and her striking ability and her goals but actually the way that she managed the game off the ball was really really impressive for a young player. The way that she completely marshalalled Yui Hasagawa out of the game

gave her literally no space. Yui Hasagawa, we know, is one of the best in the world in that position at the moment. And Hermano just completely marshalled her out of the game. So those two, I think, were absolutely key for Chelsea. And to score that goal in the transition as well was really a sign of what they were trying to do in that in that match my record is strong right like I interviewed Ramirez big interview ahead of this game and she gets the like critical goal I did it for Russo against Chelsea last

season uh Nikita Paris before she scored against United a couple of weeks back Frida Mahnem at the start of the season when she went on that scoring run. Basically, I'm a good luck charm and all press officers need to take note. All fans need to take note as well. I think we should all message in and tell Susie which player

she needs to go and interview next. Where can she sprinkle her stardust next? It's a good point, Susie, as was your point earlier on about the tactical aspect of the game and it felt as if Chelsea had to be really patient which is maybe you know a sign of the growing maturity in this team this season Sophie just talked there about how good they were off the ball yeah um well they had to be good off the ball right because they sort of like what I think was really clever is,

you know, there's going to be very, very few games this season where Chelsea don't dominate possession, right? Like where they aren't kind of dictating the ebb and flow of the game. And here they played into Bad City's hands. They let them have the ball. They knew what they wanted to do tactically in this game and were really strategic about it and they did it in a way that yes sort of kind of played to the opposition's strengths to a certain extent but played to their own strengths and played to the strengths of the

individuals that they've got in their team as well so like I just i thought it was just really really clever how efficient they were with the ball when they had it and despite having so little possession wise they were like really that was really unnoticeable i felt because they were so efficient with it and so effective um the press was so good um i think what sophie about Maiko Amano was spot on. There's a little video doing the rounds of Sam Kerr and Kadeshi Bukana running up to her after the game and screaming player of the match at her,

which was really cute. But yeah, I just enjoyed them doing something a little bit different in order to win this game. They really adapted tactically to the opposition while still playing to their own strengths. And I thought that was the sign of a team that is really evolving tactically.

Yeah, Man City did dominate possession, Jenna, but Gareth Taylor labelled it a game of errors. They didn't do very much with it. It can't just be because of Lauren Hemp. Where else did it go wrong? Yeah, I think there was quite a few uncharacteristics in Man City in that there was a lot of careless passes. I thought there was a lot of turnovers from Man City.

And I thought after Ramirez got the first goal, there was a moment of obviously the goals coming quick successions. And I don't think they were able to reset after the first goal. And that's where a string of mistakes come in. And then any good team is going to capitalise and be ruthless. And I think that's what Chelsea showed there. They pounced on the nervousness, I think, after that first goal. And I think that's probably the difference, that mentality to go on and then kill that game off. It was a fantastic second goal by Guru Roten. Really classy, I thought, the way she passed it in. But yeah, I thought Man City, I thought playing out from the back, obviously I thought Greenwood was a standout defender. And I thought Kennedy really, really struggled.

And again, I think that was down to just how difficult Myra Ramirez is to play against. And I think once she sniffs a bit of blood, she doesn't let go. And you saw that time and time again when she was, I think she identified Kennedy as the weaker of the two centre-backs and really gave her a tough, tough afternoon. Yeah, she did. Two contrasting bits of news that came out

after the game, actually. Sonia Bonpastor announced that Canadian defender Khadija Buchanan has been the latest player to suffer an ACL injury so she's out for the rest of the season we obviously wish her the very best in her recovery some nicer news to bring you huge congratulations to Sam Kerr and Christy Mewis

they've announced that they're expecting their first child in 2025 prompting this Instagram interaction from Chelsea's official account should we get the half and half scarf ready or will you West Ham women West Ham responded handshake on it love that excellent uh right earlier in the day this is the bit that Jenna is dreading don't worry I'm gonna go to Sophie first on it uh you can have a think about what you're going to say about your team. I'm not sure about it enough yet. I bet you haven't. 28,000 though packed into the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the first North

London derby of the season. But unfortunately for the hosts, Genaside Tottenham, it was an encounter without the drama of last season and finished quite straightforwardly at Spurs nil, Arsenal three. Alessia Russo opening the scoring 63 seconds it took her Frieda Marnham claimed her seventh goal of the season and then Steena Blackstenius rounded off the route just minutes after coming on as a second half substitute so three wins 12 goals and three clean sheets it's been a real confidence boosting week for Arsenal and they sit just one point behind Brighton in fourth place. What did you make of their performance, Sophie?

Yes, no, I think it's been such a good week for Arsenal. You know, you look at their creative players, you know, Frida Mornum, Alessia Ruto, Beth Mead when she's playing. I know she didn't start in this game, but she came on. They all just look so creative. And I think that's been the difference in the last few weeks. I think they were under quite a rigid structure or rigid tactics under Jonas Eideveld. And I think just giving them a bit of, I guess, authority on the pitch to decide what to want to do.

Their tactics haven't changed that much between the two coaches, I don't think. But I think that Rene has come in and just allowed them to kind of be themselves on the pitch and kind of be a bit intuitive with it which I think was being lost in that first bit of the season and it's just showing that they're having quite a lot of fun out there you know scoring the goals their press is amazing in terms of the pressing from the front Alessia Russo is back to doing what you know we've seen her do for England in in the past year and I think she's back to scoring goals, that was her

fifth goal or something in all competitions so it just shows that when players feel a bit more able to be themselves in the pitch they can really lighten up and they can get the rewards and you know, things change so quickly in football and now as you say

a point behind Brighton in fourth you think about what happened a month ago and it was that terrible week where you had the Everton draw the Munich loss and then the Chelsea loss and in that space of that month and the narrators are just completely turned around so yeah it's a pretty exciting time for Arsenal they've got so much confidence. Yeah Jonas Eidevall stepping away it seems to have given the the players and the club an injection of of enthusiasm again and changing things as you say and Susie we've talked a lot about Renee Slagers in in recent weeks don't want to repeat ourselves but Tom wrote a really interesting piece at the weekend about whether or not she should actually be in line for the permanent role what what do you think there's one more game to go before the latest international break is this the

the time where they confirm her or are they looking elsewhere I think it's too soon to say whether she's done enough to be permanent manager like you know I'm slightly biased but like the job at Arsenal given the context of like not just the sort of history of the club and things like that but like what is going on off the pitch in terms of you know how successful they're being at sort of getting people into the Emirates and things and building that connection with the fan base and the away traveling support and all of those kind of things it's like it is one of if not the biggest job in women's club football maybe alongside like the barcelonas and chelsea's and

like she is a you know while she's managed in sweden she's a relatively inexperienced manager at the top top level of the game and we're looking at like like not a huge number of games of her being in charge it's it's not her team it's very much Jonas's team still they're riding on the back of a you know kind of new manager bounce you know when players sort of thrive a little bit on just changing and of itself so like I'm not saying she shouldn't get it like she clearly is doing a great job and comes across fantastically well in press conferences and things like that but they've the run of fixtures they've had for me and the number of fixtures they had isn't enough to say this person should have this job like give her to the end of the season maybe and then sort of consider it then or whatever but

I just I don't know like I feel like if they gave it to her now and then Arsenal go on to lose that game against Bayern Munich potentially don't get out of the Champions League group stage or um you know they've got the big game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the end of January if they if they lost that significantly then that completely spins the narrative of her tenure as manager to so far and I just think there's a few key games coming up that would really be a significant test of her ability as a manager that they should maybe wait for I think it's too big a job to just kind of give it to her straight away at the moment as it stands um but I'm not saying that they shouldn't necessarily at some point yeah I know what

you mean you're slightly sitting on the fence, slightly got some splinters, but I understand why. Jenna, let's talk about Tottenham. I mean, look, it's not been the start of the season that Robert Willeham would have wanted after all the positives of last year. I don't think any of us predicted it either.

Fifth defeat in six games, second week in a row that you've been behind within two minutes. What is happening? Is there too much experimentation going on? We had Chris Sleg on last week, who's obviously a big Tottenham fan, and he spoke about, obviously, the club philosophy across the board, men's and women's, that you're playing this kind of risky, exciting brand of football. But at the minute, it's not quite paying off is it? No and I think

yeah I mean it's in the club's DNA that they want to play out from the back and that is a really really risky way to play and I think when you pull it off it looks absolutely magical and the fans love it when you don't and when you've got a team that aren't confident and you're playing against the likes of Arsenal, Man City, who are well known for being excellent in the press and out of possession, it's a really tough ask. And you've got to have a plan B in those moments. the formation was changed, which, you know, started with the three at the back and then Molly playing as a shield, I guess, in front of the defensive pair, which to experiment something like that for the first time against a team like Man City, who are absolutely flying, was risky. But I guess then to concede so early on, to come back from that, you know, it's impossible against the best of teams in the WSL let alone a Man City so I think when you're looking at the Arsenal game you know you've had a week to reflect

that Man City result would have killed them the manner in which they've done it there was a lot of talk around it and you're kind of thinking just get through just stay in the game against Arsenal because Arsenal have found their form at the wrong time coming up against the Tottenham team at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, all eyes on them. And, you know, it was the worst possible start again. And I think how, I don't think you can underestimate mentally what that does to a player so early on in the game for a second week,

you know, and I was looking at the sideline and I think even Robert was like, just struck by it, like just froze, what to do in that moment? And then from that minute on, it was just relentless pressure from Arsenal and the game plans out the window. You've got players who aren't feeling confident anyway. Change your formation again, five at the back. And Tottenham just couldn't handle Arsenal. And I think what was evident in the first half especially was the back five. Frieda Marnum was just picking up pockets of space. I was almost just doing a cam, just watching her, just no one marking her. And I think it was

evident that there was no real leadership in that back five. Nobody wanted to jump in and pick Marnum up. There was no communication. And time after time, the ball was getting played into her. And you know, she scored that second goal in the end with a run into the box and nobody followed her run but I think I think it's tough I think there was a moment in the first half where the Beth England strike um Beth England strike and it was a fantastic save and you saw Beth England like punching the air trying to rile a team up because that's what they needed it was that kind of energy it was that started to feel like a North London derby the players were fighting for it. But, you know, they've given themselves such a tough, tough mountain to climb after conceding so early again. And it was a really

tough watch and tough afternoon for them. Yeah, I completely agree. I just I think Robert Villaham needs to maybe get back to his principles a bit more. I don't think we saw this much change last year when things weren't going well. I think he had a very set system last year. And maybe there were some alterations in kind of personnel and making themselves maybe more defensively strong. But I'm not sure he tried so many things. Poor Susie was on the end of my frustrations at the weekend with my texting her in capital letters, because it's's just like it's even such an example of like the way that he uses bethany england right and for me she's the most potent striker number nine you can have at when she's in form and you just need to stick her in the box and instead she was

on corner taking duty and for me i was just that was just not making sense to me i was like you literally have one of the best you know finishes out there and she's there taking the corner just I think there's just maybe a little bit too much going on and he maybe needs to get back to the basics of what he wants to try and do as a football team I was just really struggling with how much space Leah Williamson was getting like well into the Spurs half to just dictate play and you know find those passes like I just I found it staggering just time and time again attack after attack after attack they were just building from within the Spurs half with zero pressure on them you know not a single forward was putting pressure on that Arsenal back line to like to turn over the ball or make them feel like they need to sit just

that little bit deeper perhaps um like it was just it was way too easy from the off I just that's what really staggered me and I found really disappointing based on how well they did last season how well organized they looked last season I just I don't understand how that has evaporated so quickly yeah I think a lot of it has got to do with the confidence within the team right now I think obviously they had a really tough run of games they've played all top four teams consecutively with the West Ham in between it but I think just touching on that I don't know I was looking at Beth England as well when she was urging the team to get up but they were just getting pinned back and back and back and there was no Becky Spencer at times when she'd come to claim the ball she's looking to play out

and her defenders are behind her it's almost like the players kind of were hiding a bit in that first half, especially. I thought the basics just weren't right. There was a moment where Eva Suminen had the ball just outside her own box. The simple pass was to play it back and she tried to nutmeg Mahon and didn't pull it off. And then it was just, I had my hands, my head in my hands

at that time. So even like the basic things they aren't doing, and I think it is going back, stripping it right back to basics now. And once you get those basics right, they are a very good team and they are hard to beat. But in a minute, they're just going through this moment where nothing's falling for them. There's no confidence.

They're not looking like the team that we saw last season. And I think off the back of last season, I thought, you know, where they did pick up points off of the top teams, it's almost kind of like the gaps got bigger this season for them. And I don't know whether that's down to the quality of the team or the moment that they're in where they can't express themselves and not got that confidence. A bit like how Arsenal were, I guess, when they weren't picking up the results.

Like confidence, that mentality really, really affects players and it's going to be tough and they've got to fight through it and come out the other side of it and quickly. Yeah, they do. And I think sometimes they need a little bit of luck as well, which is exactly what Everton got at the weekend. Their first win of the season and under controversial circumstances at Goodison Park.

The Merseyside derby ended Everton 1-0 Liverpool thanks to a penalty from Katja Snoyers. I mean credit to the Netherlands striker for scoring it first and foremost but should it have been awarded in the first place? In case you've not seen it this is what happened. Onaka Hayashi was brought down by Fuka Nagano and you don't even need to watch it more than once to see that the foul was clearly committed outside of the box but the referee pointed to the spot Matt Beard understandably furious post-match this is what he had to say

I don't know whether they, meaning the officials don't like me personally I don't know and whether that has an effect on my team it could do I've been booked for things this year when I've seen other managers do a lot worse and get away with it.

You have the referee, the fourth official, the linesman and the assistant referee, all with unblocked views. Even I saw the contact was about a yard outside the box. I just give up with it, to be honest, because it happens every week, not just with us. And it's cost us the game today, 100%. What did you make of his comments

Susie did he go too far I mean he's effectively calling the officials integrity into account there I was just sat here giving to myself because I was thinking it'd be really funny if I just went well it was Stonewall penalty wasn't it just like purely to see Sophie's face um in reaction given that she's been shaking her head in disgust at the decision the whole way through you reading that out um but yeah no I mean it was poor decision wasn't it but um his comments yes too far in calling the integrity of the referees into account I think the idea that you know referees will make a decision based on um them just not liking him is a bit far-fetched I think it feeds into a narrative around referees at the moment that isn't necessarily a healthy one, you know, in the men's and women's game.

And, you know, they make mistakes, right? Like it's a big mistake. One of them should catch that it's really poor and they're going to have to review it. And they're probably going to be beating themselves up about that mistake for quite some time. Because, I mean, being to one of their like training weekends, like they spend a lot of time agonizing over the errors that they make and it's a really costly one i think in his post-match interview when he said it's cost us the three points was a little bit a little bit rich given that they failed to score again but yeah like it's it's a really really bad decision i just i think it's it's not okay to feed into a narrative

that, like, referees have some kind of agenda against managers at the moment. I was just going to add that I think when he reflects on it, he'll realise that that wasn't what you should say. I just think back to the penalty that got given to them against Tottenham a few weeks back. That was never a penalty. So I think the narrative that the referees are

against them referees make mistakes as Susie says but I think that narrative is proven to be a little bit wrong so or more than a little bit wrong so I think maybe when he reflects on it he'll probably get in trouble for those comments I'm sure but yeah I think when with the when he's had a few days away from the kind of the drama of game, he might look back on that and think, maybe I went a little bit too far. Yeah, I think it's dangerous, actually, to be doing that, particularly at the moment. He has a powerful position

and he perhaps needs to think about that a little bit more and the damage that that could potentially do. Because I'm sure the referee will be absolutely beating herself up about it. But that kind of scrutiny is not good for anybody. Liverpool did catch the eye last year, Jenna, but a little bit like Spurs, actually. They've had a real mixed campaign so far.

They dominated the stats in this one, but as Sophie said, didn't score and didn't really have any cutting edge at all what's going wrong for them yeah no they created chances I think they had 17 chances on goal and then six on target which you know isn't good enough but I thought you've got to give a shout out to Courtney Brosnan because I thought she was absolutely fantastic and the save that stood out was that double save against Fugano. You know, pure reaction saves. But, you know, the strikers usually get the shouts out.

So I thought, it's right, we give her a... Because they're like goal... Game-saving... It's turned out to be a game-saving save, hasn't it? You know, we love the goalkeepers on this course. We love the goalkeepers. So, yeah, I thought defensively, you know, they had to dig it out, that result,

because the chances were flying in and they defended with their heart. And, you know, I think just touching on Matt Beard, I think in reflection, if you look at it, they had a lot of chances to turn that around. And the penalty wasn't like it was in the last 20 minutes or anything. You know, it was quite early on in the game and they they they they had time to you know convert those chances they didn't so I don't think they did enough um so to to call out the the ref I think it's just pure frustration but you've got a yeah for me I think that that point and those three points for Everton is huge they needed that and you know I think the state that the that the women's game is in at the minute without without VAR, you're always going to have some throughout the season,

the course of the season, some of those are going to go for you and some of them aren't. So every team's in the same position in that sense. So yeah, I think Everton hung on and yeah, I think deserve the three points. What is it about Everton and Merseyside derbies, Soph? They've won five of the last eight against Liverpool, which, you know, big relief really for Brian Sorensen. They move up to ninth now.

Yeah, I mean, it's quite a funny stat, to be honest, given, you know, the kind of travails that Everton have had over the last two years in terms of both injury crisis, the financial problems that the club have as well, the change of ownership so um i think it's quite funny that the they have that such a strong stat in in this in merseyside derby brian sorensen i think after the game said uh the city is blue and we can hold on to that until the next time we meet them it's always going to be blue until that point so he's understandably delighted um i thought you know it was a long time coming for them. They have put in performances at times.

And this is what makes me... I know we've been talking a lot in recent weeks about how worried we are about Everton. But then there's something where they pick up points against Liverpool, they pick up points against Arsenal, and I just think maybe they've just got enough about them to be OK. It's not like it's not going to be a slog till the finish line. I think it will be.

I think they'll be right in that mix of the relegation battle. But there's just parts of me that see they have the world-class keeper in Courtney Brosnan. She is world-class. I've seen what she's done for Ireland as well. And they do have players with huge experience on that pitch. I know they're very light, but I do just think that, you know, they might just have enough to keep themselves up. Yes, we shall see come the end of the season

whether they have enough to stay up. That's it for part one. In part two, we look at the rest of the weekend's action and we'll catch up on the latest in the championship. Do you have business insurance? If not, how would you pay to recover from a cyber attack, fire damage, theft, or a lawsuit? No business or profession is risk-free. Without insurance, your assets are at risk from major financial losses, data breaches, and natural disasters.

Get customized coverage today starting at $19 per month at zensurance.com. Be protected. Be Zen. Welcome back to part two of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Two five-goal thrillers to go through, starting at the Amex, where Brighton got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over struggling West Ham. Rachel McLaughlin and Kiko Seiki fired the Seagulls into a two-goal lead, but they were pegged back by a quick-fire double from Katrina Gorry. It was an 82nd-minute winner, though, from Frank Kirby that sealed the points for the hosts. Brighton perhaps made a little bit tougher work of it than they should have done. Susie,

what did you make of them? Yeah, you could say that, but I just thought Katrina Gorry is just such a phenomenal player with like those kind of goals in her locker, you know, able to pull something out of nowhere. You know, I feel mean saying that I would like to see a bigger club come in for her because West Ham have been very good to her they are you know obviously kind of a really good club with parents and um and pregnancy like they've got a really good track record there but like a player of her quality I would love to see fit into a into a bigger team and see how that goes so I sort of like you know I'm in like making my little funny I'm in an hour in noises because like I feel mean saying that because West Ham like have been good to her and her family and have earned the right to have her as well and you know not every brilliant player should be at one of the best teams but I just really enjoy watching her

play and would like to see how she does with players around her that are able to get the best out of her on a more regular basis I suppose but yeah like I mean in terms of Brighton you know obviously they'll probably be very frustrated by the goals conceded but when you're playing against a player like that like I imagine they'll be glad to have just, you know, kind of got the win and scored more. Yeah, definitely. Frank Kirby, with an assist and a goal, became just the fourth player to reach over 100 goal involvements in the WSL. She's becoming really important, isn't she now, to this Brighton side, Soph?

She is, and all she needed was a run of games where she stayed fit, I think. And I think that was the problem at Chelsea last season, is that she got she got herself injured picked up knocks and then could never really get herself back into a run of games in that Chelsea side because of the amount of you know quality around her the form that was going on in terms of that run to the title she just could never get going whereas I think now she's found a home at Brighton where she's playing regularly playing week in week out and you're just seeing Fran Kirby come back to life again I mean I've always said I think she's playing regularly, playing week in, week out, and you're just seeing Fran Kirby come back to life again. I mean, I've always said I think she's one of our generational talents. She's one of the best players that we've had in an England shirt for a long time.

It's just been those injuries that have really not been able to show her in her best light at times because she's just not been able to get that run of form. So, yes, she's becoming absolutely key to this Brighton side. Brighton aren't built on defence at the moment. They are built on goals. You can see it in their forward lineup and their attacking threats and as long as they outscore the opposition they'll be absolutely fine maybe at some point I think Darian needs to think about that defending a little bit more and make it a priority because they're going to probably beat those in and around them in the league but they won't as we saw with

Arsenal a couple of weeks ago when they come up against them they'll get beaten quite heavily so they need to think about that maybe a bit but at the moment for them as long as they're outscoring the opposition it's fine. Yeah and they're quite fun to watch at the moment it feels if you're a West Ham fan it's not much fun at the moment first win last week and you'd love to have seen them follow it up with something this week but their woes on the road continue. Just one of their last 15 away from home have ended in three points.

Where did it go wrong for them on Saturday, Jenna? And how important are the next two games that they have against Crystal Palace and Aston Villa? I think they'll be kicking themselves. I think they've done so, so well to get themselves back into the game. Two fantastic goals from Gorry to get it to 2-2. But

I think ultimately it was the quality in the other end of the box in Frank Kirby that was the difference on that day. They've shown a bit about themselves in the last recent weeks. They're starting to pick up points. I think maybe for me, they're just missing that number nine, that quality in front of goal that can, you know, get the games over the line. But yeah, the next coming games, they're huge because obviously I think those are the teams that they're going to be looking like they're going to be their cup finals. They're going to be stuck in a relegation. So if they can pick up the points around them against those teams and just get themselves a bit higher up the leagues. Those games are so, so important because I think at the end of the season, if you're there beating those teams in and around you, you're going to be OK.

But yeah, frustrating day for West Ham after doing so much to get themselves back into the game. Yeah, equal entertainment on show at Villa Park on Sunday. Aston Villa claim their first three points of the campaign, similar to Everton. More late drama. 94th minute winner from Ebony Salmon saw Robert de Pau's side edge past a stubborn Crystal Palace it finished Aston Villa 3 Crystal Palace 2 Villa's first home win since December 2023 almost a year that's incredible um I mean they'll they'll just be relieved won won't they, first and foremost, Susie, that they've got over the line. Can they build on it? Well, yeah, I mean, like there's not much of a way down to go, is there? So like they have to build on it to a certain extent.

I just find it staggering that it's still only four points separating sixth and twelfth. 12th um and the you know like Aston Villa and Everton both getting wins means that everyone has got that duck off their back and it's still so so tight at the bottom and Crystal Palace are back bottom again like it's that is like wildly exciting yeah they'll be delighted to have it I like just how difficult it was for them I think is like the concern um you know it's Crystal Palace um the newly promoted team that has played really really well but like has generally speaking so far faded um in the second half of games or the final sort of quarter of third of games as they're trying to get up to speed with the WSL um it shows that they're doing it quicker than expected but I'm still very worried about about Villa

because for the quality they have in the team, they should be doing so, so much better than they are and it should not have been that difficult. That said, it's really great to see Rachel Daly scoring, to see Ebony Salmon, who has been a player with so much promise for so long, but hasn't really had the games, has had injury problems, not necessarily kind of getting the minutes that she needs to sort of build up a run of form like her

coming on and getting a goal I think is significant and like all of those things combined could be a chance to kickstart something but I just you know like they they should if this was last season and we were looking at this result, this would be like a really bad win for them. You know what I mean? Like it wouldn't be a great result. And I think that's still the case based on the quality they have in that side. Yeah, they're not having the greatest of seasons, but, you know, three points are three points,

which Palace didn't get, meaning that they dropped to the bottom of the table with that result Sophie how frustrated is Laura Kaminski going to be especially with the timings of the goals that they conceded I think I think that for me is like the key thing and I think it's probably been a theme throughout the season so far is that when they when they concede they're showing a lot of promise in terms of what they're learning and how they're learning so quickly in terms of the on the field of play they're pretty compact they battle really well I'll give another shout out to Lexi Potter in the midfield because I think she's absolutely phenomenal for someone so long to dictate a midfield like the way she does I think it's a it's really a good sign for the future for both Palace for Chelsea and then also for England eventually down the line but then I do think it's

so it's just about staying games and to concede in the 90th well the 45th plus seventh minute I think with Rachel Daly and the 90 plus four minute with Ebony Saban it just kind of shows that kind of trend that they're not quite switched on at these key moments where they just need to stay in the game and it happened in the Chelsea game when they beat in 7-0. They conceded in the 47th minute just after halftime. And I think that's where they need to work on just being really key in those moments, not going all out or trying to do too much, just trying to stay within games and manage those moments. And once you've got a run of games where you're not conceding, kind of break that kind of rhythm but I wouldn't actually be too worried like I said

with Everton I think I wouldn't be too worried about Palace they've shown me enough in this first block of the season I think they have enough to stay up they'll be yes they will be in the mix but I do think they've got enough within their wheelhouse to to be able to stay up one big shout out though to the commentator on this game for the impeccable timing just before Ebony Salmon's goal. He said something like, if either team were to concede at this moment in time, it would be heartbreak for the other team. And then literally the ball comes into Salmon's feet.

She turns and shoots into the top corner. And I was like, just the timing was absolutely impeccable. Amazing. The commentator's cursed. cursed well not in that case obviously um listen don't have a go at us Guardian Women's Football Weekly fans if you support either Leicester or Manchester United but is our final game uh to go through and United returning to winning ways as well ending a run of three draws to beat Leicester 2-0 at King Power Stadium. Elizabeth Turland opening the scoring in first half injury time before Celine Bizet scored her first of the season in the closing stages.

Do you think, Jenna, that the victory's kind of eased a little bit of the growing pressure on Mark Skinner or are the fans that want him out always going to want him out and that they're not for turning? Yeah, I don't think a win over Leicester is going to ease that pressure on Mark Skinner. I think you alluded to it there. I think the fans who have got it out for him are not going anywhere. But I think you expect a routine win there for Manchester United. I can't really read them this season. I mean, I know that they've had a bit of change over the summer,

but they've dropped a lot of points already for a team that wants to be staying up there and cracking those top three, top two teams. So, yeah, I think a routine win for them. But in answer to your question, no, I don't think those haters are going anywhere. No, they were without Ella Toon, Susie. She's going to miss the next six weeks with a calf injury. Oh, such a shame for her. Four away from reaching 100 successive league starts.

How much are they going to miss her? I mean, that speaks to the problem, right? Like being four away from 100 successive league starts. She's been overplayed like no tomorrow. The lack of rotation in that Man United side. Like for a while now we've been uh i say we like many journalists have been saying she doesn't look quite right she doesn't look she looks tired and like i think this is the result of like her just being overplayed for man united for

for quite some time which is really disappointing um you know they've got the quality in the squads to be able to be a little bit careful with her and they've not really been um she's a huge miss because of that as well because they have relied on her so heavily she then becomes a big miss because you've not necessarily rotated your team enough to give other players the opportunity in that position i mean they're lucky they've got you you know, Grace Clinton, Celine Bizet, like players that have come into the side and really injected some energy in those like sort of midfield and sort of slightly wider areas as well. But I just feel like, you know,

that's an inevitability and, you know, players shouldn't be reaching a hundred successive league starts. Like that for me is the problem in and of itself. Yeah. Yeah. I hear you completely. Let's turn our attention to Leicester. There's a few different things here.

We've got an email that we've received from Amy on womensfootballweeklyattheguardian.com. And then I want to also speak to Sophie about the problems in front of goals. So let's try and combine this if we can. This is from Amy. I've just got home from Leicester versus Manchester United. Firstly, I'm gutted.

Leicester lost 2-0, but I'm also so annoyed with the referee. The first goal was just before half-time and I know the whistle isn't blown on the exact number of added time minutes, but it should have been blown and it wasn't and United then scored. Secondly, for two of the free kicks,

United were awarded. Two players stood right in front of Janina Leipzig, covering her eyes. It baffles me why there was no booking for it. It's not a fair way of playing football. I've got two daughters who play. They're 10 and 11. And even at their ages, I don't like how physical the game can be. But United players pushed and shoved Leicester players over all the time.

If football is going to turn into a game of pushing and shoving, then I'm afraid it just puts me off. There isn't a skill in seeing how many players you can push and shove out of the way to get towards goal. By the way, cliche to say, but I love the podcast. Started listening about a year ago and I look forward to a new episode every week giving me the rundown of the WSL news. Well, thank you for that, Amy. And thank you for taking the time to email in. Sophie, let's discuss that. Was that something that you saw? What do you make of what Amy said? I did see the free kick situation, which I thought was quite frankly ridiculous. I don't

know what they were doing. I know they're trying to put the goalkeeper off. Surely as soon as the ball is played, if they stay there though, they're offside. So, you know, they have to be careful about that. But the referee did come over and have a chat to them because I don't think it's you know they were literally standing in front of her waving their arms in the air um and I'm not sure that's really within the sporting it's probably within the sporting realms of the game maybe um it's just a bit unnecessary I think in those situations uh but yeah I can understand you know there were a couple of poor decisions there was a throw I think that you know, there were a couple of poor decisions. There was a throw, I think, that, you know, was changed halfway through. There was just a couple of bits here and there.

And it's just added to the, I guess, Leicester's frustration within that game and Leicester fans' frustration with that game when things aren't going well. Yeah. Have you ever done that before, Jenna? The free kick routine? Yeah. No, but it did come up on my Twitter feed in the morning and they ran away from the keeper and the free kick, it was almost like they weren't on the same pages anyway,

so it was completely irrelevant because the free kick took about another extra 20 seconds to be taken. So I'm not sure what the aim of that was other than just to annoy the goalkeeper, to be honest. It was like a comedy sketch actually it was i i found it quite distasteful um and i like thought the explanation after the match was weird as well because it wasn't like he just like mark skinner just defended it he said there's a very tall goalkeeper so you've got to try and stop their vision it's something i'll set pete's coach

dreamt up and you're allowed to do it. As if that makes it okay, right? Like most goalkeepers are quiet at all. Like I just, yeah. I mean, there's something very unsporting about it for me that I just think is a bit crap. But as Sophie said, you can be offside. Blocking the goalkeeper's view. I mean, it's just like, it's the laws of the game.

Just one quick one, Soph, on the problems in front of goal that Leicester have. Sayori Takarada, the latest tried in the number nine role, not a striker, but, you know, they registered just one shot on target for the third week running. It's becoming a real issue. It is a real problem. And I think they're desperately trying to get through to the winter break and the transfer window in January because they need to buy a striker, a number nine. They can't keep trying to put all of these kind of square pegs and round holes. You know, they've tried Ruby Mace up front, also not a striker. Yanis Kamen up front, also not a number nine, although she can play on the wing.

And then you've got Takarada this week. It just goes to show the extent of the problem that Amandine Mikel has at the moment but yeah I think they're just trying to get through they really need that because Naomi Michon has the ACL injury so she's going to be out for the whole season they've got Lena Peterman out with a knee injury I don't know how long she's going to be take to get back so it's kind of desperate you know they need to go to the market desperately to get someone to fill that hole. Yeah, I think I agree. Looking at the table, the teams in and around them, they are actually scoring goals as well, bar Everton.

So I think this January win is going to be huge for them because ultimately to win a game, you need to start scoring. And if you're not, you're going to find yourself in a world of trouble come the end of the season. So yeah, January is going to be huge for Leicester. Yeah. After the weekend, it means just two points separate the bottom five in the table. Give last pods a listen if you want to hear a focus on the relegation battle as well, because we did a long piece on it. Although today's pod, Sophie's saved everybody. Everton, Crystal Palace are both OK.

So, you know, we'll see who's left. Right, let's delve into the Championship, shall we? League leaders Birmingham City had a bye week, so there was catch-up to be done in the Championship this weekend. Durham continued their fine form. They beat London City by three goals to two to leapfrog their opponents and draw level with Birmingham at the top. Back-to-back wins now for Bristol City,

this time a 2-1 win over Charlton, saw them move to third, while Sunderland's 1-0 win over Sheffield United saw them into fifth. Newcastle United scored an equaliser in the final seconds against Southampton to earn a point in front of over 11,000 fans at St James' Park. Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers' 2-0 win over Portsmouth

saw them open up a gap over their opponents who remain stuck at the bottom James's Park. Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers 2-0 win over Portsmouth saw them open up a gap over their opponents who remain stuck at the bottom of the table. So just five points separate first to eighth in the tape. You know how much I love the championship. It's brilliant. Five points separating one to eight. That's incredible. It was the first time that all games

in the top two divisions, Susie, were played in the main stadia. What did you make of the weekend as a whole? I mean it's a good showpiece right like it's good to take advantage of the men's international break to showcase the women's game and it's nice to have like big showpiece fixtures I think there's a case for spreading them out a little bit more. It's a great sort of PR thing. But, you know, the reality is, is that attendances are impacted when there are games sort of clashing or on the same day, like there's going to be a knock on effect there. Do I care that much about that necessarily for one off weekends? Not necessarily. I don't know what I think basically it was good the attendances I

think would like in the WSL were decent I think there was a bit of a natural drop off from the sort of heady heights we've seen in recent seasons but I wrote a piece on it I think that's okay like I think that's natural like more games being played at big stadiums particularly when you look at say like Arsenal I know they weren't at home this weekend but like in terms of where their attendances have looked this season compared to say last season when they played at the emirates when you're playing more games at stadium people can pick and choose more right like about what they go to they're not necessarily have built that relationship with the team enough to say i want to be at every single game yet and that's

a process that takes time it's a process that they're all working through across the wsl and the championship they're all at different stages of. They're all at different stages of that. They're all quite early stages of that. And like, you know, I think the more often that women's teams can be showcased at the big stadiums, the better in part because it's a statement from a team, a club to say, we value this enough to put it on our biggest stage you should value it this much when a team is putting it in a sort of little stadium in the middle of nowhere like what does that show about how a club values the side and then how can they expect fans to value it if they're not fully

showing that they value it to the same degree so like I think it's always a good thing when they play at big stadiums, whether it works completely across the weekend at the same time, same places, not necessarily for me, but for one of his and theirs, I mean, does it matter? Am I being pedantic? Probably. Arsenal have moved their Champions League game to Meadow Park, haven't they? By the way, just an aside to that. Let's not go there. We went there last week. Let's not go there again.

Soph, what did you make of the weekend? So I maybe disagree a little bit with Susie in that I will say this wherever I go these days. I think every women's game should be in the main stadia. And people will come at me about logistics and revenue and all of this stuff. I think that WSL teams certainly anyway should play in the main stadia and people will come at me about logistics and revenue and all of this stuff I think that WSL teams certainly anyway should play in the main stadia you have like King Power Stadium being used every week by Leicester City who aren't doing that that well I think it gives you a base to build off and you build it and people will come and I think at this point in terms of facilities for the players and for everyone else, for the fans, for the media, it's just different gravy when you go to a main stadium compared to when we're in Boreham Wood or when we're in Kings Meadow.

It's just completely different. And I understand that they won't fill stadiums straight away. I get that. But I think you just have to be patient with it and go, well, maybe for a season, you're not going to get, you're going to get 10,000 or 5,000 or whatever. And then next season, you up it by 10, 20%. You've just got to put those foundations in place. I think we're beyond having to travel across to random parts of cities for Arsenal to play football matches. And somewhere like Leeds Sports Village in particular, that's just a completely, it's not acceptable

to host a top league football game there. The access is crazy via transport to ask fans to go to kind of one road in, one road out. I just think it's just got to the stage where the women's game just needs to kind of think about it a bit more. And I will get on my soapbox about that wherever I go. For me, I'm going to sit in the middle of it.

I think it's obviously another step in the right direction for the Championship, first time ever that that's happened, that they've all been in the men's stadium. I think from working within a club, I know that things, you've got to kind of build on it, and I think for your likes of Arsenal, who have nailed it, you know they get big crowds and every time they do it at the Emirates they just do it perfectly and they get the numbers and people want to come to them so I think for a team like I guess example Tottenham who are

aren't at that level yet and they will pick and gradually each season are playing more games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and just being realistic with some teams have that money, that investment to be able to put on these big games at stadiums. I think the teams a little bit lower down who don't have that investment, because the costs that go into putting on a game at a stadium are absolutely huge. So I think it's really important that you don't jump in too soon and I know at Tottenham it's a gradual thing that they're doing each season they're looking to put more games on and then hopefully in years to come every game will be played there but I think it's just about picking and getting those games that people will

come to watch especially when you're not your Arsenal's or your Chelsea or Man City's. Yeah yeah it's a building process isn't it suzy yeah it's got to be a strategy for me that as long as there's a strategy in place for it like i sort of sooner rather than later for me but like as long as there's a plan i'm happy that's what arsenal did three years ago they said we're like we're gonna go from five games to eight wsl games at the emirates within three years and that's what they did three three games the first year five games the second year this is just WSL games plus Champions League and then eight games this year like and they've done that and like

they've built that really successfully the the thing I worry about is some teams are probably just going oh yeah we'll have two games this season and it's not really got a strategy for growth and I think that's that's the issue for me. As long as there's a strategy in place, I think, you know, happy days, we're moving in the right direction. And as long as it's not a ridiculously long-term strategy to get to that point, then I think it's okay.

Let's give you a quick update on the FA Women's National League that returned this weekend. Nottingham Forest took advantage of Wolves not being in action. They go top of the Northern Premier after a 4-0 win over Stoke City. Ipswich Towns 4-2 win over Oxford United in the Southern Premier. Saw them leapfrog hashtag United, who were beaten by Watford.

Leeds United's victory over York City in front of over 4,000 at Ellum Road. Saw them remain tied on points at the top of the Division 1 North with Cheadle Town's Stingers. Things equally tight in the Division 1 Midlands with Northampton Town and Leefield Athletic neck and neck. Actonians continue to lead the way in the Division 1 South East while AFC Bournemouth sit one point ahead of Swindon Town in the South West Division.

By the way, we've also got an NWSL special coming up for you after the conclusion of the championship next weekend. But we couldn't leave without giving a quick update on this weekend's semifinals. Washington Spirit booked their place in the showpiece event, knocking out last year's champions, Gotham FC, on penalties. Goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury had a standout performance, saving all three of Gotham's spot kicks to send them through

they're going to face Orlando Pride who beat Kansas City Current 3-2 in Florida on Sunday a 38-year-old martyr rolling back the years to score a trademark goal that proved to be the eventual winner for the NWSL Shield winners so the NWSL Championship taking place in Kansas City next Sunday, which we'll discuss next Tuesday. Also with the next international break around the corner, Serena

Wiegmann's announced her latest England squad to take on the USA and Switzerland. Sophie has her reaction to it. So there is some change in the England squad announced by Serena Wiegmann this afternoon for the final international break of 2024. The Lionesses will be without Niamh Charles, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Lucy Parker and Ella Toon, who've all suffered injuries in recent weeks. There is also no place for Arsenal's Lotto Wibamoi, who is still returning from concussion. It does, however, mean that there is room for some fresh faces in the 24 player squad. There are first senior call-ups for Manchester City's Laura Blink-Hill-Brown and Leicester's Ruby Mace. They are both making the step up from the under-23s and the next fortnight will be superb experience for them and their development. There is also a familiar face in the form of Gabby

George who returns for the first time since November 2022. She has returned from an ACL injury in flying form for Manchester United this season, and a call-up is certainly deserved. Millie Turner is also returning to the back line. It will be a challenging fortnight for England as they look to close out 2024 on a high. They will face Emma Hayes' USA in a showpiece game at Wembley on Saturday 30th November, for which 80,000 tickets have already been sold. They will then face Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland three days later at Bramall Lane. Lovely stuff. We'll of course dissect the games across the pods in the next couple of weeks.

Finally, we've had an email in from Caroline from Australia, who wanted to tell us about her recent experience watching Japan's WE League. Hi there, my name's Caroline. I'm a gooner and a fan of the pod, listening weekly from Brisbane in Australia. Hi there. Firstly, I wanted to start by saying thank you for creating such a fantastic show. Thank you for listening, Caroline. The pod really helped me understand the women's game as a new fan last year, and it always gives the depth of analysis that I love. I'm writing today to share my recent experience going to a W.E. League Women's Empowerment League match in Japan in the hopes of making it more accessible for others. As a visitor who doesn't speak Japanese, it was quite confusing to figure out and I couldn't find much info online.

Turns out the tickets are free. So you don't have to book anything online. They just have a donation system at the stadium. All you have to do is show up to the stadium the day of the match, fill out a form provided with your details, then donate on the way out. They're asking for 500 yen, which is around £2.50. The match was fantastic. The atmosphere from the home supporters was amazing and very different from Australian crowds. She puts in brackets, they're far politer than us. So on one hand, I wanted to share this with the wider women's football community and hopefully break down the language barrier that

might make it difficult for visiting fans to enjoy the amazing WE League. On the other hand, it made me wonder, is this a cause for concern? The WE League is the top professional women's league in the nation and the Japan national teams had a strong track record of success in both the youth and senior teams. So why the lack of financial backing for their top club league? I'm sure it's not a simple answer, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this

and generally the state of the WE League. And if anyone finds themselves in Japan, I couldn't recommend going to a WE game enough. It was a lot of fun. Brilliant email. Thank you very much, Caroline. Who wants to take that? I can give it. Well, I yes, I don't I won't profess to know a lot about the W.E. league and the kind of financial systems behind it. But I do think that we've seen in recent years, you know, the amount of talent that are coming out of there. You know, the amount of Japanese players that have come to the W.S.L. from the W.E. league as well is a real like hotbed of there. You know, the amount of Japanese players that have come to the WSL from the WE League as well is a real, like, hotbed of talent.

In terms of them developing a domestic league, it's great that they have one. It's been going for quite a long time. There has been quite a lot of promotion, I think, around it within country. But I think for a lot of countries who are trying to, you know, develop domestic leagues, it does take time and it takes, you know, sort along the way we've seen it in England now we've got you know

one of the strongest leagues in the world because of the kind of investment that's gone into it so that's absolutely needed but other countries are kind of maybe different levels on that journey towards making their domestic leagues success so I think it's a work in progress from what I know about the league. But I mean, I just see the amount of talent coming out of there and you can only be excited by it. Yeah, absolutely. Japan's on my bucket list.

So when I finally make it out there, I will certainly make it to a WE game. Right, brilliant stuff, Jenna. It was so lovely to see you. I hope you're now over the defeat at the weekend and got good a good week planned ahead yeah a new week try and put that aside now thanks for reminding me again sorry mate I'm sorry I'm sorry I'll see you soon so take care have a good one thanks very much thanks for having me Suszy superstar always bye keep having your say by

sending in your questions via x you can email us as well at women's football weekly at the guardian.com and as ever a reminder to sign up for our bi-weekly women's football newsletter all you need to do is search moving the goalposts sign up the guardian women's football weekly is produced by sophie downey and silas gray Music composition was by Laura Iredale. Our executive producer is Salamat. This is The Guardian. Do you have business insurance? If not, how would you pay to recover from a cyber attack, fire damage, theft, or a lawsuit?

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