Graphic: Michael Alesich

Our Australians and New Zealanders abroad kept busy in the FA WSL this week, with goals and assists across the table. Stand out moments include Hayley Raso, put simply, killing it; Ella Mastrantonio’s cheeky assist; and Caitlin Foord’s second goal for the season. Keep reading for the details!

Aston Villa 0 – 6 Everton

It was an exciting start to the weekend’s football for Aussie fans, with Hayley Raso getting an assist, a secondary and the brace for Everton – all in the first half!

Everton had several early chances, including two shots from Raso which were body-blocked and tipped over the bar respectively by Lisa Weiß. 

It wasn’t long before Raso saw reward for her efforts. In the 21st minute, Claire Emslie broke away and fed the ball behind the Villa’s line of defence for Raso to volley in. 

A mere three minutes later, Weiß clumsily passed the ball out to Raso’s feet. She coolly passed it in to make it 2-0. Another mere three minutes later, Raso went on to play a hand in Claire Emslie‘s first goal. She claimed a fast through ball, cutting inside and passing to Izzy Christiansen. The midfielder found Emslie who scored with a fantastic clip into the top corner. 

Raso made one final impact play in the 40th minute, whipping the ball in for Valerie Gauvin to close out the half 0-4. 

While Raso’s game ended at half time, Everton were not finished. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, substituted on for Raso, scored with an incredible long-range effort in the 50th minute. Emslie was the second Toffee of the day to get a brace, rounding the keeper in the 53rd.  

Everton have made it three for three so far this season and haven’t conceded a goal. Aston Villa are yet to get a point. 

Manchester United 3 – 0 Brighton & Hove Albion

Rebekah Stott’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded their first goals this season, following Round 2’s promising 0-0 draw against City. 

Ella Toone converted from the spot in the 9th minute, and Alessio Russo passed the ball into the goal an hour later on the end of a breakaway run. Tobin Heath and Christen Press made their much anticipated debuts in the second half with Heath assisting Jane Ross‘ late goal.  

Manchester City 4 – 1 Tottenham

Alanna Kennedy and Ria Percival both played a full 90 minutes against a prolific City on Sunday. 

Chloe Kelly opened the account just after the half hour mark, smashing it into the top corner from the 18 yard. She went on to double the lead in the 50th minute, converting from the spot after a contentious foul. 

Sam Mewis score her first FA WSL goal, combining in a smart one-two with Janine Beckie shortly thereafter, before Ellen White bobbed in a fourth.

The consolation prize for the Spurs came from Anna Filbey in the 80th minute – the first to be scored by their own player. 

 

Arsenal 3 – 1 Bristol City

Caitlin Foord made her first WSL start for the Gunners, Ella Mastrantonio made the team-sheet once again, and Chloe Logarzo came off the bench in the 80th minute. Lydia Williams and Steph Catley were still out with injuries. 

While the current league leaders took the goodies, they trailed for the first time this season following a 6th minute upset from Bristol. Ella Mastrantonio muscled Leah Williamson off the ball, feeding to the feet of Abi Harrison who opened Bristol’s season account with a low shot.

https://twitter.com/bristolcitywfc/status/1313143156750262273

Bristol kept this lead for nearly the entire half. Arsenal’s equaliser – a lightening quick shot from Jordan Nobbs – was assisted by Foord.  

The role’s were reversed shortly into the second half. Nobbs sent in a dangerous ball in to an unmarked Foord, who smacked it into the netting. Finally, Vivianne Miedema consolidated with a calm and collected effort in the final minutes. 

The result is not reflective of the peppering Arsenal put on goal in the second half thanks to a strong performance from Sophie Baggaley between the posts.

Birmingham 0 – 1 Chelsea

Chelsea came into the game looking to assert their dominance following a shock loss against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final. 

However, a disciplined performance from Birmingham resulted in a drastically different scoreline compared to to Chelsea’s last 9-0 FA WSL win. It was a single early goal that secured Chelsea the three points: a header from Fran Kirby off a set-piece. 

Sam Kerr came off the bench in the 65th, but it was her run that saw Beth England’s goal in the 72nd minute called offside.

The two combined well later on, with Kerr holding up the ball and timing the cross in to England, but Hannah Hampton blocked the shot. 

Chelsea weren’t without their chances. It was the Hampton’s razor-sharp reflexes that kept the loss modest, as well as Harriet Scott heroically throwing herself on goal-line in the 75th minute to stop England cleaning up a spill. 

West Ham 0 – 1 Reading

Emily Van Egmond made her first start of the season, with Mackenzie Arnold playing another 90.

It was an even contest between with possession and shots. However, some crucial missed chances and a lapse in concentration from West Ham saw Reading grab the slim lead. 

Lauren Bruton scored the sole goal in the 26th minute, slotting it underneath Arnold as the keeper tried to smother Natasha Harding‘s cross. 

Close moments thereafter included Adriana Leon hitting the post off a Grace Fisk cross, and Kenza Dali‘s penalty being saved by Grace Maloney. 

Hammers are left searching for their first FA WSL win, while Reading sit comfortably on six points. 

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Arsenal 3 3 – – 18 3 +15 9
2 Everton 3 3 – – 11 – +11 9
3 Chelsea 3 2 1 – 11 1 +10 7
4 Manchester United 3 2 1 – 8 3 +5 7
5 Manchester City 3 2 1 – 6 1 -1 7
6 Reading 3 2 – 1 5 7 -2 6
7 Brighton & Hove Albion 3 1 1 1 2 3 -2 4
8 Tottenham 3 – 1 2 2 6 -4 1
9 West Ham 3 – 1 2 2 11 −9 1
10 Aston Villa 3 – – 3 1 7 −6 –
11 Birmingham City 3 – – 3 2 7 −5 –
12 Bristol City 3 – – 3 1 17 −16 –
 

 

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