Graphic: Michael Alesich

It’s December? Already? Who let that happen? Either way, the FA Women’s Super League rolls on, as players return from international duty to do battle at home once more. Join Beyond90 as we take a look back at the best of Blighty from the week just gone!

Match of the Round: Chelsea 3 – 2 West Ham United

Matildas skipper Sam Kerr scored her first hat-trick in English competition, netting all three of Chelsea’s goals as the Blues defeated West Ham United 3-2 at Kingsmeadow.

Kerr opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark before adding two more in the second half, only to be substituted immediately after completing her treble, appearing to injure her hip in a collision with Hammers right-back Cecilie Kvamme.

Facing off against the Champions for the first time since being crushed 8-0 in February, West Ham opted to deploy energetic striker Martha Thomas at the point of attack instead of Alisha Lehmann, while Emily van Egmond resumed her usual position among a three-pronged midfield, both having scored against Charlton in mid-week. 

Despite those tweaks it was Chelsea that took the lead early on, Kerr sliding in perfectly to capitalise on a brilliant low cross from the right by Fran Kirby and side-foot her shot past a diving Mackenzie Arnold.

West Ham pulled a goal back through Rachel Daly, who made up for an awful missed opportunity in the first half to square the ledger two minutes into the second half, tapping in at the back post after a driving run down the left flank from Adriana Leon.

Chelsea retook the lead eight minutes later, Kerr once again on hand to tap in after Arnold could only parry Pernille Harder‘s cross into her compatriots path inside the six-yard box.

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Kerr completed her hat-trick with just over 20 minutes to play in what would be her final involvement in the match, tiki-taking her way through the West Ham defence with Kirby and Harder before again slotting from close range to double her side’s advantage.

West Ham again reduced the deficit with two minutes of the 90 remaining, and despite van Egmond vigorously claiming the goal, it was the shoulder of Chelsea defender Magdalena Eriksson that in fact sent Lehmann’s cross goalwards.

Aston Villa 0 – 2 Manchester United

League leader Manchester United continued its undefeated start to the season, defeating Aston Villa 0-2 at Bescot Stadium.

Despite striker Christen Press missing the match through illness and midfielder Jackie Groenen being substituted early on with concussion, United eased past their hosts with a goal in each half; the first from left winger Leah Galton on 25 minutes, the second from influential midfielder Ella Toone as the second half wound down.

Arsenal 3 – 0 Birmingham City

Caitlin Foord notched her fifth goal of the season and Steph Catley made her long-awaited return from injury off the bench in Arsenal’s three-goal win over Birmingham City at Meadow Park.

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Scottish midfielder Kim Little had a penalty well saved by Hannah Hampton after 20 minutes, but the Gunners slowly constricted Brum into submission, racking up almost 80% possession and scoring three unanswered goals in the second half.

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Foord opened the scoring with a back-post header, nodding in a pinpoint cross from the left by Katie McCabe. Five minutes later Arsenal added a second after some brilliant tight passing allowed Jill Roord the chance to pick her spot and loop a delicate chip into the top corner.

The Blues were unable to really test Lydia Williams in the Arsenal goal, and when Little tucked her second penalty of the afternoon into the opposite corner with three minutes of the 90 remaining, it was game-set-bingo for the Gunners, who remain one point off top spot.

Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 1 Brighton & Hove Albion

American striker Alex Morgan scored her first goal in English football on Sunday, coolly slotting a late penalty to seal Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion at The Hive.

A brilliant free kick from Kerys Harrop gave the home side the lead early on, the Spurs wingback curling her shot inside the far post from an acute angle near the right touchline.

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Albion midfielder Inessa Kaagman equalised just after the half-hour with a well-taken penalty, but her good work was undone midway through the second half, with Angela Addison capitalising on a lighting back-to-front attack – including a brilliant raking pass from midfielder Alanna Kennedy – to score her first goal in 10 months, rounding the keeper after a 30-metre run to pass the ball into an empty net.

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Morgan added the cherry on top for Tottenham, sending the keeper the wrong way for Spurs’ third of the evening shortly before being substituted alongside Kennedy with five minutes to play.

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New Zealand defender Rebekah Stott made an appearance off the bench for the Seagulls, coming on in the 77th minute, while countrywoman Ria Percival played the full 90, picking up a booking in the final minute of stoppage time.

Reading 1 – 1 Bristol City 

Bottom-placed Bristol City picked up just its second point of the season, holding Reading to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

With manager Tanya Oxtoby returning from isolation following a positive COVID-19 test, the Robins hit the front just before the break, cutting the Reading defence wide open to streak the length of the pitch in just 18 seconds, allowing teenage striker Emma Bissell to score her first goal in senior league football.

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Royals midfielder Fara Williams pulled her side level with just five minutes of the second half played, pouncing on a loose ball in the Bristol area to lash a shot past the diving Sophie Baggaley. 

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Midfielder Ella Mastrantonio played the full 90 minutes for City, with Chloe Logarzo unavailable due to an injury suffered last time out against Tottenham.

Everton 0 – 3 Manchester City

Everton remains without a win in the league since October after being trounced 0-3 by Manchester City at Walton Hall Park.

First-half goals from Ellen White, Gemma Bonner, and Janine Beckie snuffed out the match as a contest before the break, and with Everton still missing French striker Valérie Gauvin through injury, Willie Kirk’s side could only manage three shots on target for the match.

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Hayley Raso started for the home side and picked up a booking in the first half, before being substituted with 12 minuted of the second to play.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Manchester United 8 6 2 0 19 7 12 20
2 Arsenal 8 6 1 1 33 6 27 19
3 Chelsea 7 5 2 0 22 5 17 17
4 Manchester City 8 4 3 1 21 8 13 15
5 Everton 8 4 2 2 17 11 6 14
6 Reading 8 2 4 2 9 12 -3 10
7 Birmingham City 8 3 0 5 9 13 -4 9
8 Brighton & Hove Albion 8 2 2 4 6 15 -9 8
9 Tottenham Hotspur 8 1 3 4 9 17 -8 6
10 West Ham United 8 1 1 6 9 23 -14 4
11 Aston Villa 6 1 0 5 3 14 -11 3
12 Bristol City 7 0 2 5 5 31 -26 2

 

Round 9 Fixtures:

Bristol City vs Aston Villa at Twerton Park – 6.30am Thursday 10/12
Reading vs Manchester United at Madejski Stadium – 11.30pm Sunday 13/12
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Chelsea at Broadfield Stadium – 1am Monday 14/12
Birmingham City vs Everton at Damson Park – 1am Monday 14/12
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa at The Hive – 1am Monday 14/12
Bristol City vs West Ham United at Twerton Park – 1am Monday 14/12
Manchester City vs Arsenal at City Academy Stadium – 1.30am Monday 14/12
(All times in AEDT)

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