The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly - The WSL title race bursts into life – Women’s Football Weekly

Episode Date: October 7, 2025

Faye Carruthers is joined by Suzy Wrack, Freddie Cardy and Marva Kreel to discuss the weekend’s WSL action. Plus debate over taking the knee, early kick‑offs and a Women’s Champions League preview

This is The Guardian. Hello, I'm Faker others and welcome to the Guardian Women's Football Weekly, two blockbuster games at the top of the Barclays WSL table. And I think it's fair to say the title race is well and truly underway. Manchester City beat Arsenal, while Chelsea's winning star is ended. by Manchester United and Spurs who to thunk it a third

life not looking quite so rosy at the bottom of the table with Liverpool and West Ham still pointless we'll take a look at the weekend's action

and as the UEFA Women's Champions League returns we look ahead to what we can expect from the competition this season all of that plus we'll take your questions

and that's today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly what's a panel we have today Susie Rack, welcome back. How are you? Good, good. Happy-ish. I mean, the men's team helped. The women's didn't do so great, did they? No, no. We'll discuss that in a sec, don't you worry. One of the first things that we're going to ask you about. The men's team, yeah, let's stick to the men's team, yeah. Great.

This is Women's Football Weekly. Head over to Max and Barry, if you'd like to talk and talk about Arsenal men at top of the Premier League. Freddie Cardi, how are you? Yeah, same boat as Susie. To be fair, even my five a side. team lost last night. So, you know, mixed-footballing results in the last few days. Marva, producer Soff did say, just as you came on, if we were going to wait for a win for Everton, we'd be waiting for ages to get you on. A draw, though. That's okay. How are you? A draw is okay. And like the other two, also the Everton men result helped as well. So maybe we should stick to men's football this week. No, let's not, because Luton Town are not helping

me out at all. So let's not, please. Right. Mansion. City Arsenal always delivers, doesn't it? We were excited about it and we weren't disappointed. Another thriller. 3-2, it finished in the end to Andre Jurglertz's side. It was an 88th minute winner as well, dramatic fashion, Imam Benet. I mean, look, we talked about how high the stakes were coming into this one. Susie, last week, we posed a question that was a little bit naughty

along the lines of our Arsenal out of the title race if they lose this game. But, I mean, it's that tight this season that, you know, dropping points against your, your rivals can do that. Do you think that is the case? And what did you make of the game? I mean, you have to play like it's not. But, I mean, given Chelsea, like, dropped six points all of last season and Arsenal have dropped seven in three games, it's not a great look, is it? But also the fact that Chelsea haven't actually been playing that well so far this season and are still winning, right? Like it's just what they do. And I actually, I think I said it to someone in the press box the other day last weekend or the weekend before who was like bemoaning Chelsea playing really, really badly.

And I was like, I actually find this Chelsea more frustrating than a Chelsea that like, from a fan point of view, that sweeps everything aside and is winning like by huge margins and stuff. Because why can't my team do that? Like that's, you know, it's that winning regardless thing. And it's like hugely admirable. Like I'm so impressed of it. And I've asked Sonia previously. I've asked Emma Hayes previously. I don't know how you build that mentality that means that regardless of how you're playing,

you're still winning, or whether it's personnel, or whatever it's a bit of everything. But the fact that Chelsea do that so consistently is incredible. So in that sense, I think, yeah, like Arsenal are out of the title race, but they can't play like that. They've got to play as if they're going to be in it. to steal from the men's, like when Arsenal men lost to Liverpool, it was over, right? Like, everyone, obviously it's different. Premier League is a much bigger league.

There's much more games. Points are dropped far, you know, kind of far more regularly, potentially than in WSL, given how sure it is. But, you know, a couple of weeks later and things have changed. So, like, things can change. It is possible and they've got to play like it's going to be possible. But, yeah, it's not great. And just need to say that I've been bigging up, Imambeni,

from the first game I saw her in the Euro's and said, this kid's a superstar and, yeah, annoyingly I was accurate. But that never happens on this pod. You should know that. I know, right. My predictions aren't good. What's going on? Well, and also it's a prediction for another team.

So you've got to try and switch that somehow. Loads of question marks over Arsenal this season, it feels, Freddie. The goals have dried up as well. a bit of a criticism for René Slager's for not rotating in some positions. Where are these problems stemming from, do you think? I think there's definitely questions over René Slager's last season where we thought, you know, the rotation question is going to be our biggest challenge. This is the biggest squad she's worked with.

This is the most players of this level that she's worked with. And, you know, she was an interim manager for so long where you could forgive her, just playing her best team every week, just trying to steer Arsenal through and get results on the board. and now she's very much got a different challenge. But I put a piece up about sort of the lack of rotation and a lot of the comments of people saying, no, actually there's too much.

And there's really a mix in different areas of the pitch and the number 10 roles not being consistent at all. Wingers have sort of played well, but then being chopped in change, which I think never helps. Alessia Russo starts a lot of games up front, finishes them in the 10, and then Stina Black Stenius doesn't often justify that.

I really thought she'd start against Man City simply because she always does and she always scores against them and this felt like one of her games but for René you then make that decision you throw her on and she misses a golden opportunity so from there that's out of your hands a little bit as the manager but I'm just surprised

that some of the areas in which she has rotated and some of them in which she's you know which she's really kept at the same and it's hard it's hard when you got Mariana Caldente and Kim Little as your midfield duo because it's really difficult to turn around to one of them and say we're going to try a younger midfield like Cairo Cooney Cross, like Victoria,

pull over. But the issue is when you do it, you know, when you don't do it for four games, the longer you leave them out, when they come back in that they can then come in cold. And I think we really saw that with Lott of Wibben Moy. You know, fair enough, give Katie Reid this run of games. But there's now this risk of

every time they do make a change, if they bring a Kyra in, if they bring Polova in, she didn't look quite ready in that first half. And I think that's the issue now for Arsenal is every time that, you know, if they do make these selection and gambles now. They're even bigger gambled. Yeah, I know what you mean.

We'll talk about Chloe Kelly being on the substitutes bench and then coming on and doing what Chloe Kelly does in a second. But bearing in mind, we haven't even mentioned the team that actually won the game yet, as is the importance of the title race and dropping points within it, Marva. But my goodness me, Manchester City's attacking dynamism was on full flow, wasn't it? Full display this weekend. and Andre Yuggler, it's full of praise for his side's belief throughout the game.

This is what he had to say. I can be in front of the team and say, I believe we can win the league and we can beat all the teams. But if we don't do it, it can then become empty words. For the group to have that feeling that we can challenge and we can beat them, it is really important. And that's a really good point, isn't it? Because they just kept pushing Arsenal. What does it tell you about this team?

Are they title contenders? I think they are. And I think a lot of us said, you know, the fact that they're not in Europe will definitely help chances this season. I think he's actually been quite humble there to say it's kind of about their mentality on the pitch because I think his tactics and his system are largely, well, in a positive way at fault, for how good they were in this game. When you look at what their fallbacks are doing now, and you've seen it over the last few games, but I think in this game particularly, you really showed against, you know, top quality opposition as well. The role

that Kasparai plays, the role that Wahhabi plays, I just think it was such direct but exciting football. And it's not that they're only, you know, playing direct balls over the top or anything like that. They play it around the back, but it's with purpose. It's to make space for that fallback to get forward. And then once that fallback is in space, driving forward, linking up. And that's what we saw with that first goal. Yes, we can ask questions of the Arsenal defence. But I think how City played as a whole is just starting to click in a way that I think last season for them, they had the personnel, but there were issues in midfields. There were issues and connecting with the wingers and the fallbacks, whereas this team are really, really

exciting. You look at Fagino and what she's bringing to the game. You look at the fact that she can push so wide, but then when she slightly comes in, you've got Casparai running, rings around her on the side, can play into her, and then Boney Shore, just doing what Boney Shore does. I think there are very few number nines or even just strikers and attackers in the world that not only can put in that performance in terms of running forward with the ball, in terms of scoring, but that assist, well, sort of assist at the end, because also you got kind of slightly stuck between defenders' legs, but that assist to flick it over Catley's head and then calmly play it through, I can't think of many other strikers in the worlds

that can do that. I just think it was a complete, complete performance from her, even though she could have had, you know, another sort of two goals. They're such fun to watch again, aren't they? And I think we missed how fun they were to watch last season. And of course, Chloe Kelly was part of their squad last season and didn't have the best of times came to Arsenal and it was almost inevitable Susie that she was going to get

on the score sheet wasn't it but the celebration cupping her ear to the fans and it's fair to say it annoyed a few people she stoked the fire on social media later replying to a post saying what's the score Chloe

from a Manchester City fan account with a picture of her and the Champions League trophy what do you make of it all should she stay out of this kind of stuff or is it quite fun? It's fun. Like, we need more of this. Like, it's just a little bit of banter. It's just fun. I'd be happy if it was the other way around as well. This isn't like, you know, oh, it's awesome. Like, I love it. I love it when players and teams

are a little bit feisty with each other and, like, mess around like that. And if someone being playful on social media, there's so much horribleness on social media. And I imagine players can feel pretty inundated with abuse a lot of the time. So even jokes, jokey stuff like what's to score Chloe Kelly, et cetera. Treat it in what you hope the spirit of that is meant to be, which is playful. And be playful back. Why not? I love it all. I want more of it. I want to see Jess Park, knee sliding, giving the finger to Man City fans. Maybe that's a big stream. And Grace Clinton, mooning, Mark Skinner, like, let's go Fall Hogg. I'm here for, I'm here for chaos. Playful chaos. I am going to call you Keith.

Flint, you are now going to have, so producer Silas, from now on we are going to have intro music for every guest and Susie's is going to be Firestarter by the Prodigy. I'm here for it. I'm here for it. The game certainly lit up between Manchester United and Chelsea. I was really excited to see how this game went, both goals coming in the first half. It was a fascinating battle because Manchester United, it feels a kind of coming into their own in terms of title contenders now. And Mark Skinner was really disappointed that his side only came away with a point in the end. How impressed were you with the way that United approached the game? Yeah, very. I almost worry with United that the Champions League might be

an issue for them this season. It's actually one of them campaigns were if they didn't have European football, I think they could have a decent crack at the title. I think there's a lot to like about sort of the football they're playing this season. The fact that, you know, Sonia was very much saying actually that was a fair result and that's massive credit to Manchester United and that they've had Chelsea and Arsenal both go there and probably leave feeling frustrated but actually holding the hands up and going

this is a good United team. There's a clear identity there. They're hard to break down. I think you look at the goalkeeper and the different she's made, Falunthalice Joyce. I think she's just taking them to a bit of a new level and you mentioned Jess Park.

I think that deal has worked out really, really well for them. I think sort of the counter-attacking football they try to play. Her and Ella Toon sort of have partnered really well and they do have options just to an extent and that's where I worry for them. I think they're a side that I'm not surprised to see them start the season well, but how they then balance sort of European football, WSL football, the other domestic competitions. I just fear that could be where they're undone. Definitely. I think last season what Money Night has struggled with was who they were playing in what position.

And I think that Clinton tune kind of debate, not the. But either of them were bad, but they were really struggling to fit both of them into that team. Whereas I think what Jess Park brings, and this isn't an offence to Clinton at all, she's a brilliant player in her own right. But I think what Park brings to this team is that she can play more as an out-and-out winger. You know, we saw it when she played on Lona Everton. She can play in a front three, and that's kind of more comfortable for her in a way that she's happy to go fully out wide. She's happy to stay in that position. And it felt like Clinton and Toom were kind of making quite similar runs to each other.

whereas I think with Park and Tune what you're seeing is Park goes out wide but then when she does come in it's a nice balance in that Tune then knows where to go and there's this switching of positions between all of them between Riviere

it was just a it was a handful for the defenders and it was like such an exciting game to watch there were parts of it they felt like a basketball game like it was just so you know one into the other but yeah Man United's attacking just not only their confidence

but I just think their movement was something that I haven't seen from them before especially against teams like Chelsea other than obviously that FA Cup's semi-final but generally they've looked like a decent team and then when they've come up against a team like Chelsea it's almost like their heads drop a bit they feel like they can't actually win the game

they try and play too defensively and then they ultimately get done for it whereas this is the first time I've seen them really go up against the top opposition in the league and go we can match you and when we get the ball we're not going to play it safe we're going to keep going

and there were chances for Chelsea to win at the end but there were also chances for Man United to win it at the end and I think both teams actually put in a really, really good performance I don't think you can even sort of look at criticisms for either of them I just think it was a really exciting and great game for both teams

but I think it's a great sign that Man United are going away from that game saying actually we disappointed we didn't win that because they're more than well in their rights to think that. I know exactly what you mean in terms of not You know, but we have to critique in a way. So we've got to find some negatives somewhere.

And I suppose from a Chelsea fan point of view, the negative is that it's the first time this season that they've dropped points. That for me, as a neutral observer, makes everything way more exciting because I don't want another steamroller in Chelsea season because I'm afraid it just gets a little bit boring. So what are the struggles that Sonia Bonpastora's had, Susie? she has tinkered quite a lot

which she would, I mean look at their squad she has to tinker quite a lot to keep everybody happy but she tinkered her tactics as well why didn't they come out of this game with three points? I mean, good question because we know they can be brilliant I really like that she's stuck with Aggie Beaver Jones up top I said it at the start of the season

I wrote a piece on it like if she gets a chance if like she's given a chance to start ahead of some of those players she'll do really well she'll deliver for them and she deserves to be given that shot so that's really great but something isn't quite working for them and I can't pinpoint what it is maybe it's the midfield but there's just a real lack of fluidity to their play at the moment um I don't know if they've

managed to find a way to get the best out of kira walsh I think that's a little bit of an issue it was the issue all last season I think it's still an issue now I do think they maybe need a little more in midfield in January to kind of help find that fluidity through the middle because I don't think they've quite got that at the moment. Interesting. So Chelsea, top of the table on 13 points. Manchester City, a point behind them,

just that first defeat to Arsenal on the first game of the season. Tottenham are in third. We're going to talk about them in a second. Manchester United 4th, by the way, Spurs level on points with Man City 12. Man United, 11 points, Arsenal in fifth on eight points. They haven't won since the second game of the season, two draws and a defeat in their last three games.

So question marks to ask, and they haven't even started the Champions League yet. So fascinating, isn't it? But the problem that we've seen, season after season, is that the challenges in the WSL get close to Chelsea, but never quite close enough. Is this the year this is going to change? Well, from an Arsenal perspective, I'm not quite sure. And Susie made a good point in the fact that if Chelsea realized they want to strengthen their midfield in January,

they just go out and do it. And that's sort of, they're so accustomed to doing that. And I think that's almost the difference here is that Arsenal, I think, come January, could easily be looking at certain positions and thinking we need to get someone in. But I think they need to have a little look at their recruitment at some point in terms of have we capitalised well enough on winning the Champions League and why is there such a history of Arsenal after this stage

in the season or come Christmas of Arsenal having to chase Chelsea because that's just not sustainable as a team trying to win the WSL when you're falling behind season after season and I think that's why we've seen the fans' frustration I think, you know, Rennie Slager's credit in the bank the Lisbon memories were fun

but everybody wants to see Arsenal you know from the fan perspective to win the WSL and they know this club should be capable of it. So I like the look of Manchester City, certainly, but I think Chelsea will just be in a position where they'll probably get to January and around top of the table and just be able to go on and push from there. And for Arsenal, I think it's next month they host Chelsea.

I mean, if they lose that, then that could well just be it. I think they're going to have to beat Chelsea home in a way to have any chance, you know, what United can sustain, what Totman can sustain maybe, you know, we'll have to see. but it's quite hard to look past Chelsea even though they're not blowing teams away and that'll be the frustrating thing for these other sides. We shall see. That's it for Part 1 in Part 2.

We'll continue to look back at the weekend's action and we'll look ahead to the Champions League. Welcome back to Part 2 of the Guardian Women's Football Weekly. up to third in the table, securing a second win on the bounce against Brighton, Katinka Tamberg's first half goal proving the winner at Brisbane Road in the end. Before we talk about the game, though, in a pre-match statement, Captain Bethany England said Spurs wouldn't be taking the knee before the match because it no longer feels meaningful in the wake of racist abuse received by Jess Nas on social media.

Head coach Martin Ho wore a t-shirt reading Spurs Against Racism. this is what Bethany said we're still seeing prejudice and racism and there's so much more everyone should be doing this isn't a tick box this is people's lives people's feelings

and it needs to change Susie we had this debate during the Euros when the lionesses chose not to take the knee in support of Jess Carter how else can the message get through?

I think it's fine to not do it if you're doing something else like I feel like that was the problem at the Euros is that you couldn't tell that anything was being done. So it was like it went from a statement being made on something to no statement being made on something. And yes, they spoke about it beforehand, but

you know, for someone who just switched on the game and isn't like in tune with like sort of the build up and what players are speaking out on, you would not have noticed that there was any protest or support for their black players or support for Jess Carter in that horrific time for her. It wasn't visible at all for kids watching it, for newer people watching it, people who, you know, don't particularly care, like, would they even notice the need being taken anymore? It's been done so much. So, like, I understand shifting it up, but you've got to do something else. So it's good that they wore shirts in the warm up and things like that, but that's not at the match itself. And I kind of feel like there still needs to be something there

not doing anything, like feels a bit of a step back overall, even though the intentions are good. What did you make of it, Marva? I think for me it's that I agree with Susie in the sense of you know, how can we expect football to solve a problem in a society where, you know, we see rise of racism and violent racism on the streets in a way that we haven't seen in a little while. But I think when you look at the power that football has, especially in terms of money, and not just the football teams themselves, but all the brands around it, this is a, you know, multi-billion pound industry. And I just think actually if a lot of these clubs and brands said to these social media platforms,

we're going to come off these platforms until you sort of something. something about this until you do some concrete action. Where would that leave us? And I just feel like bigger statements like that in terms of actions. And that's not to say that, you know, Bethany England is responsible for that or that spurs women themselves are responsible that at all. But I'm looking bigger and I'm looking at the wider football structures and the brands involved. And I do think that if they were to make more of a statement like that to the social media platforms where a lot of this racism is happening, I think that would make a much bigger stand than just saying we need to do something about it. Of course we need to do something

about it. So let's do something about it. Yeah, very good point. Jess Nas got specific praise Freddie from her manager after the game saying it was one of her best performances for the club, player of the match performance. And really impressive actually after a difficult couple of weeks for her facing that racist abuse on social media. She was brilliant. Yeah, I was sort of flicking between the games because none really stood out unfortunately on that Sunday after and I was really pleased, you know, when they came across to the Spurs game and it was that brilliant ball in from Jess Naz because she can blow hot and cold.

I feel like she's been in and around the England squad and never really been someone in contention to start when you look at the quality of the wingers and the forwards England have there. But she's a key player, and Kittinka Tamberg has just taken them to a bit of a new level as well. I think she's taking a lot of pressure off Bethany England, allowing her to drop a little bit deeper. You know, Martha Thomas hasn't really scored the goals. they'd have wanted over the last couple of years.

And to have this number nine in, I think, is really helping them sort of unlock a bit of potential now. And I feared for them after that defeat to Man City because defensively, they really didn't look great. But to see them sort of put that to one side and win the games that they need to be winning has been really impressive. Yeah, I think Chris Poweros, friend of the pod, is going to be incredibly excited. We're used to talking to her about relegation battles, aren't we? I'll tell you what, though, Brighton's Dario Vidazich cut quite a frustrated figure on the touchline after the game. He was particularly unhappy, Susie, with the referee's performance. This is what he had to say.

I love it when a manager starts it with, I don't want to get in trouble, but. I think there are two clear penalties. First half and 100% one in the second half with Kiko Seiki. She clearly gets taken out from my view. Contact is there, clear contact. What did you make of both the do? decisions and you know can you understand his annoyance i actually think particularly the first one that when toga sort of like froze herself like it's on the floor and froze herself in front of the

legs of whichever attacker was i've forgotten um and basically like completely bundles are over it doesn't get much more obvious than that i thought that was a really really poor decision the second one yeah given but like i think that first one for me was the big one right like that is what puts the game in a completely different position, poor decision-making from the referee. Let's talk Everton, Marva. I know you've been itching too. Got your Toffy's hoodie on this morning. It's been noted. Actually, I have to say, leading into this game, Lester and Everton is a fixture that historically has actually delivered the least amount of goals. So I wasn't particularly excited by this. Two goals is pretty good. That's fine. King Power Stadium. Moushon's late strike, seeing Lester salvage a point after Ornella Vignola,

fired Everton ahead, nearly the win. But ultimately, Marva, did you do enough to deserve three points? Or was it a fair result between these two teams? I mean, it was a fair result in the sense that they equalised and they took their chance. So we can't complain in that sense. And I'm very frustrated for us as a team because I think it was actually the best performance we've put in all season. I think we showed a lot of really good signs throughout that game.

We dominated for the majority of the game. I think once it hit the sort of 60 minute mark, Lester started to come into it a bit more. And then also once they got their goal, then it was looking like, oh, we could lose this now, although we still had chances to win it ourselves. So it was a really frustrating game, actually, because I think not to be too pessimistic already about the season, but we know how short WSL season is. And if you don't, if you only get one point against Leicester, London City, Brighton and Spurs combined, what are you kind of hoping for for the season?

And I think that's something that the club really need to look at. And it's going to be, I think it will be a bit of pressure on Brian Sorensen because he has got a lot of the players that he's wanted. I will say, however, that we were without Gago and Brosnan. And I think Brosnan saves that goal, actually. I think Ramsey usually saves that goal. She played well, but that goal should have been saved. And I think Gago scores a lot of those chances we had.

in the first half and beginning of the second half so yeah there were signs I thought Katie Robinson was actually really really good for us just that clinical edge she kind of lacked that confidence so hopefully playing her a little bit more bringing on pain a little bit earlier for that kind of direct football there's some hope there in terms of moving forward but it's kind of I don't want to say too late because you never know

but it does feel like well what are we then hoping to achieve now because we've played a good majority of the sort of mid to lower table teams we haven't even played the top four yet. So, yeah, good thing that I was on this week because I'm not sure you would have seen me on in the next few weeks if you were waiting for an Everton win. Well, we did mention you on the first pod

that you'd be gutted that you weren't on for that one. That's so typical. Lester is such an interesting side, Freddie. I don't think I've ever worked them out since they've been in the WSL. I'm not 100% sure, you know, what kind of team they are, but what I can say is they've got this kind of

never-say-dive-dive. attitude that they've developed and they were always in this game as well and Naomi Mouchon's first goal since coming back from that ACL injury that she suffered last October so a year ago and

of course scoring within a minute of coming onto the field you could tell she was absolutely desperate to get her boots back on that was quite a special moment for her yeah and a really nicely taken goal actually sort of the strength and in the run because she picked it up quite far out from goal as well.

And in a Leicester side that struggles to score goals, doesn't have loads of options up front. I know sort of Yuta Rantala was really missed for large parts of the last season, and they'll be really pleased to see that, so to sort of have a player who can come on. But yeah, I'd like to sort of know what, I mean,

Amand D. McCell's made of this because it doesn't really feel like they've had a start to the season that's justified. Parting company with her, you know, she only had one season with fairly limited investment, and I just struggled to see sort of where they feel that

decision's paid dividends so far. It doesn't quite feel like that vision's there and I think unfortunately Leicester are caught in the sport of having a men's side that are bouncing between the Premier League and the championship and almost unfortunately that can come into the lack of investment. I know on the men's side

they've been pretty unhappy of a lot of the poor transfer windows as well and it just doesn't quite feel like that vision is there and I'm sure we'll come on to Liverpool but looking at them West Ham sort of Leicester, I know they've got four points, whereas Liverpool and West Ham are yet to get anything, but almost this season feels like a very good advert

for having some kind of relegation, because I feel like if we didn't have that this season, there would be some sort of some drab games, I think, because there's a few teams who are just really lacking that creativity. One of them is West Ham, I'm afraid. You were in Dagenham, Susie, for their two-nil defeat to Aston Villa.

How frustrated will they be that they didn't come away with anything or were villagers too good for them? They are winless currently, along with Liverpool. When do we say, in fact, pointless, not just winless, pointless. When do we start to worry for Rianne Skinner and West Ham? Stats, like, and the table doesn't lie, but, like, I don't actually think they're playing that badly.

Genuinely think they're actually playing really well. I thought really well, maybe an exaggeration, but, like, across 90 minutes, they're not. But, like, for periods of games, they are playing well. the second half against Chelsea despite going like in a 15 minute spell three goals down

and you're thinking it's going to be out to collapse first half against Arsenal second half against Brighton first half against Villa like they were good there's a real lack of clinical edge and part of that responsibility

has to go on the players because like there's only so much you can do to like prepare a team for a match and they're not set up particularly badly like they're playing some nice football If Vivian Assayi's header is connected with slightly better and is on target, it's a different game. Two minutes later, Kirsty Hansen scores that absolutely fantastic goal.

Seven minutes after that, Lynn Wilms scores the second. And it's frustrating to watch them because they deserve to be doing better than they are based on the way they're playing. I said this to Skinner afterwards. Like the fact that you score five against Charlton, which obviously a WSL2 side, five different goals scores. shows that they can score. So what is the difference between that game and these WSL games? And is it a case of them just struggling with that decision making in the final third and just hesitating a little bit too much?

And she said she definitely thinks there is a hesitancy there. Rian Skinner is a good manager. I think she's a very good manager. And I think that changing her isn't necessarily the answer. They've got bigger fish to fry. They need players. They need the club to start like kind of stepping up and taking a bit more seriously. I think that is the bigger issue.

It's not like the men's game. like they're not getting all of this money and you know they've not got sort of a little bit of a free reign to kind of build the squad they want in the way they want and stuff like give them a chance that was a proper long rant it was she is a fire starter

West Ham have got Brighton and Hove Albion in the Women's League Cup next and in London City Lionesses in the league at the weekend and actually when you talk about turning things around little bit of confidence etc first win for Natalia, Arroyo and Aston Villa this season. They've had a really difficult start in terms of opposition,

but maybe this is going to help them get up and running, Marva. Yeah, definitely. And I think while I agree that actually West Ham got the better of them, especially in the first of 25 minutes of that game, got in behind quite a lot, especially on the left-hand side. But then what they did do was sort of give it right back in terms of their fullback. So I thought Grant was brilliant.

And Denton, I think it was at left back where Sam really struggled with her. And what you start to see is even though West Ham getting the better of them, but good parts of the game, their decisiveness when it got into the box, I think even the chances that they missed in the first half, Villa, the XG on them, I would love to see it. It must have been very close to one because the chances that they were creating when they did get the ball were brilliant. And then two, like, just actually world-class goals. Like that first one from Hansen, I think that's up there of goal of the season.

I kind of felt for West Ham because it's like, what can you actually do with that? There's nothing you can do with that. When you score two goals of that quality, the game's gone. But I think that's indicative of what Aston Villa do bring to these games, is that they do have this bit of quality that they can really shine through and get those points. And a lot of these games between sort of mid-table sides are one on that. And they're one on these sort of really small, just quality decisive moments.

And Aston Villa squads, while when you look at the bench, they maybe aren't competing in the way that some of the teams above them are. but I think in terms of their starting 11 and some of the quality they've got to actually score goals, I think they can be excited by that and take a lot of confidence from that game. Yeah, without a doubt.

And London City Lionesses can take some confidence from this as well, their second winner of the season. Controversial circumstances, mind you, an 89th minute penalty from Elena Lanari beating Liverpool by a goal to nil. The penalty came when Nikita Paris broke into the box, connected with the Liverpool keeper Raphaela Borgrath.

Many think it maybe should have been a foul in a yellow card the other way. What did you make of the decision, Freddie? Yeah, it was one of them where I think both the sky commentators were sort of adamant that it was. And almost watching, you just sort of blindly nod along a little bit. And then you watch it again, if you hang on a minute. I think this could have easily gone the other way.

But I thought London City deserved to win one way or another. They hit the post. Izzy Goodwin's good again up front. And they just have players to come on and bring, you know, off the bench. I think even as much as Alana Kennedy coming on to head. help see it out. I think there's, you know, what a player for them to have coming off the bench and sort of getting them over the line. And they were the only team who really created anything. So I think Liverpool will be hard done by there. But I think when you go to

London City and only try and really play for a goalless draw, which I think, unfortunately, they set up quite negatively, didn't really create a lot. I just think they invited too much pressure on them, particularly in the second half and just didn't deserve anything out of the game. But I think they'll have a right to feel hard done by. the WSL wrapped up. We're not going to preview games specifically in the Champions League, but we are going to look ahead to the league phase of the UA for Champions League, which kicks off this week.

It's the first edition in the new format that mirrors the men's game. 18 teams involved, to each team play six matches against six different opponents. It does make it more exciting, by the way, and puts up some really interesting matchups early on. This is how the qualification part of it works. So if you finish in the top four, you automatically qualify for the quarterfinals and then the next eight sides go into the playoffs

so six sides will be kicked out of the league phase if they don't perform. Chelsea are heading to the Netherlands, kicking off their challenge against FC20 on Wednesday. I mean, obviously Marva, they go into it as favourites. What can Chelsea do in the Champions League this season? I mean, that's the big question, isn't it? I do think part of why they maybe haven't been

playing as well in the league is that we're seeing Sonia kind of experiment with creating a team that then can play against the Barcelona's in the latest stages of the competition. So I am excited to see sort of obviously this game against Suente, no disrespect to them, but obviously Chelsea are the favourites in that game. So it'll be interesting to see the kind of rotation that she does bring to the squad. But I'm excited to see what they do in the Champions League in these stages, particularly when you're only playing against, when you're not playing against one team twice you're playing against lots of different teams so we're going to have to see how they adapt

and I think that is where we're going to see hopefully from a Chelsea point of view then really improve in that way and start to see why she's playing a back five against Villa and Lester and the problems that Chelsea fans are having because I do think it's probably to set up for the late stages of this very competition

Arsenal, we've got a tough game to kick off their campaign Tuesday night, eight-time champions Leon, I mean obviously they beat them in that infamous semi-final last season. But what are you expecting, Freddie? Can they kick off their defensive campaign with a win? And can they retain the trophy?

I remember landing in Leon for the second leg last season. And I was speaking to Arsenal fans, and nobody was nervous because they just thought this is a free hit. If we lose, it's been a good run. And if we win, it's been amazing. And I'm almost getting those sort of vibes with tonight's game in that they're really, particularly looking at how well Leon have done in the transfer window over the summer.

I think they are probably expected to come out on top due to the start of the season they've had and then Arsenal have had internally on Frash PSG. They will be, of course, amongst the favourites. Arsenal, I think playing these home games at Meadow Park is going to be interesting. It sort of worked with that in Munich game. They got moved there last season in the pouring rain

and they made it a bit of a fortress. But tickets actually haven't sold out, which when fans want the club to be playing these games at the Emirates, It's a, I sort of sympathise of the club because they can then turn around and say, well, if we can't sell out Meadow Park on a Tuesday night, then is there really that, you know, that drive to play these games in the Emirates? And then I think there's another discussion about midweek, you know, games in terms of the demographic of fans who go to watch them. But I do hope Meadow Park can sort of become a little bit of a fortress for Arsenal and really those being at top of the players. But it's one of those where if Arsenal lose tonight, I don't think it's really going to change anything over. Overall, I think the pressure is all about the WSL and overall, it's quite a nice set of fixtures, to be honest, for Arsenal. Leon and Bayern Munich, once you get those out the way nice and early, you know, Real, of course, caused Arsenal problems and then a bit of the unknown in sort of Benfica, Twenther, and Lurven. I think, you know, they'll be aiming for the top four. They want to avoid those two extra fixtures, but I think Arsenal sort of will be okay in this Champions League.

Yeah. How will Manchester United Fair, though, Susie? They've got Valeranga at Lee's Sports Village, their first ever game in the Champions League proper. A decent start for them, but what do you think they can achieve in the competition this season? Valeranga is a kind start for them. After that, it gets very, very tricky. So I think it's going to be really, really tough for them to do a huge amount in this competition, particularly with it being their first time playing in all four competitions,

reaching this stage of the Champions League, and having to maintain that momentum in the league in particular. I'm particularly worried about, you know, kind of centreback without Millie Turner for the foreseeable. So, yeah, whilst the Valeranga fixture is kinder, like after that it gets really, really tricky in that they've got Aletico Madrid, Paris Saint-German, Wolfsburg, Leon and Juventus.

Like, none of those are easy. Juventus may be the weak link of them. when you've got, you know, kind of eight-time champions, Leon, as we've already said, Wolfsburg have won it twice, PSG have reached the latter stages in recent years, fairly consistently, Aletico Madrid's, one of the teams that did well in, you know, kind of qualifying for this tournament and also have, like, got experience in the Champions League as well. So, like, I don't think they have to do incredible this season, but they could. They've got the capacity to do well, very little pressure.

I find it really interesting and I'm sure you know Manchester United fans will be annoyed with me for saying this but I almost don't want them to do well

to tell the owners and the hierarchy see you get yourself into a position like this in the Wayfield Min's Champions League but because you've not invested

you haven't done very well do you know what I mean and I feel really awful saying that because the football should be different and should be able to rise above that but I feel that

that's the only way that it would make a, you know, them being humiliated on the European stage would be one of the few ways to get some attention, you know, put into the women's team. The club don't deserve it. They don't deserve it. But Skinner and the players do and the fans do, right? Like, and that's the frustrating thing. They're the big problem, as we can see across the men's side as well. A hundred percent. Right, we've had an email from Scott. He messaged us on women's Football Weekly at The Guardian.com. Hi, Fay and team, long-time listener, first-time emailer.

I love that. I wanted to get your thoughts on the growing trend of WSL games being moved to 12 o'clock kickoffs. Feels like a strange decision when there's such a big push to grow the women's game, especially through grassroots and community support. A lot of girls who play at grassroots level have their own matches at the same time, so families end up having to choose between playing or supporting their team. I've got two daughters, one plays, and I help coach her team. and the others just getting started,

and already this season we've had to make that choice three times. With more early kick-offs being announced with TV, it looks like that's only going to carry on. We're Leicester fans, and while the official attendance numbers might not look too bad, the stands tell a different story, and they're getting emptier. Brilliant having more games on Sky, BBC and YouTube. The visibility is great,

but if that comes at the expense of actual supporters being able to attend, it doesn't feel sustainable. Honestly, if things stay the same, we might not renew our season tickets next year, and I can't imagine we're the only ones in that position. Love to hear your thoughts on it. Maybe help bring a bit more attention to the issue. Absolutely, Scott.

And if possible, could I get a quick shout out for my daughter's team? Of course you can. Go on Hinkley RFC under eights. Come on the Galaxies. Good luck at the weekend. Brilliant email, Scott. Susie, you are nodding along during that. It's becoming a bit of a problem, isn't it?

Hate the 12 o'clock kickoffs so much. I mean, like, all of those things are very valid. kids playing on Sundays early and things like that. I think it's hard to avoid kids play on Saturdays as well, blah, blah, blah. Like, can you play your game and then get to a match? It's very difficult. Like, I think that's a little bit of much of a muchness. It's the travel.

Like, the travel for those early kickoffs is just absolutely brutal. You know, if you've got an early kickoff in Lee Sports Village, you basically have to stay up in Manchester overnight or, like, kind of leave at ridiculous a clock to get there. The trains aren't reliable. on Sundays they like it's it's just a nightmare basically like I I can't stand them and sky have paid a lot of money for those rights and they have that slot available and that's the slot they want to go with and to a certain extent you have to go well if that's what they want

that's what they get but is it that good for viewing figures even midday on a Sunday like I'm just not convinced that's good in any circumstance really other than a well it fits here you know like I don't think it's like actually beneficial to viewing figures or to travelling fans or to kids playing football on a Sunday. So like, yeah, I just think it is literally like a, where's the gap that men's teams don't play because of all these problems? Let's stick the women's in there. I think as well, you know, the men's game is just so vast as well in terms of what's on TV. Like all the games run at 5 to 12. At 12, it was Norwich versus Ipswich. And that wasn't just on

Skype, it was on ITV as well. So you're never just going to get this exclusive window. You know, even looking from a TV perspective, you've got European men's football all day on the Sunday, and the women's games as well. I think there was NWSL on in the evening. People are going to pick and choose anyway because there's so many options. So let's focus again on, you know, getting these people in the stands. And, you know, it's just so frustrated because it feels like a missed opportunity. England have won the Euros again. We've got this massive increase in girls playing football. But if the visibility is not there, then that's a real issue. Yeah, I always just think, don't assume that women's football is going to lose out in the viewing battle. Don't automatically assume that. They can go head to head.

By the way, next Sunday, producer's sofa has just flagged. There are four games at 12 o'clock, one at 2.30 and one at 4.45. So they're all on the same day. It's the men's international break. You know, could be spread across. Anyway, we will keep talking about it because it is becoming a problem, a scheduling headache, if you like. Just want to end on one little piece of news to let you know about. The Confederation of African Football has announced that the 2026 edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is going to expand to 16 teams. It was previously 12.

The tournament will be held in Morocco from the 17th of March to the 3rd of April. It was Morocco this year as well, wasn't it? FIFA have also named London as the location for the semi-finals and finals of the inaugural Women's Champions Cup, which is going to be played between the 28th of January and the 1st of February next year. The tournament kicks off this week, and Wuhan-Giangda face Auckland United in a two-legged tie. The winner of that is going to progress to face the winners of the 2025 CAF Women's Champions League, which is going to be confirmed on the 23rd of November. Arsenal are also going to face the winner of that encounter in the semi-finals,

while the Conquer Calf Champions Gotham FC will take on the winner of the Copper Libertadores Feminina, which is going to be decided this month. That will feel like it makes way more sense when I actually read the teams out that have won. It feels, just feels like a lot of competitions, all thrown in just there. Anyway, that was much fun this morning. Freddie, lovely to see you. Yeah, you too. Sorry, I always seem to be ill on these. It's just a coincidence.

I didn't even notice you were ill. Couldn't tell that. Good to hear. Everybody is ill at the moment. It's October is what happens. Marva, fingers crossed. Next time you're on, it's an Everton win. Yeah, see you next season then.

Yeah. Please come back before that. Susie Rack, lovely to see you as always. Have a good week. Back at you. I really want us to like, like the man United fan growing his hair. have Marva on every single week until an Everton win

and then see how many episodes it is. I feel like that would be really, really funny. That would be absolutely amazing and I will now intro you as Fire Starter from now on as well. Keep having your say, sending your questions via X. In fact, Fire Starter and Falani,

how about we do that? There you go, I've got two nicknames. Freddie, I'll think of one were you, but you can maybe just say Freddy because then that's 3F. Freddie Firestarter, Falani. Right, keep having you say. And Faye. Oh my God, I've forgot my own name.

How ridiculous. Keep having your say. Send in your questions via X. Email us at Women's Football Weekly at The Guardian.com. And as ever, a reminder to sign up to 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 Iodale.

Our executive producer is Danielle Stevens. This is The Guardian.