Goodbye international break, because the WSL is back, and it feels like we never left. The podium places remain unchanged, Charlton are still yet to pick up their first point, and Everton remain the surprise teams thus far. However, where fans had fears of Man United's decline, it seems we were all looking at the wrong reds, as while Olid's side picked up a 3rd consecutive 3 points, Arsenal haven't since MD1.
But which players are doing the most to bag their team the 3 points?
Photo Credit: @astonvillawomen
Aston Villa's keeper Akane Okuma was a standout in their 2-1 victory against Liverpool. However, her impact was unconventional for a GK, not only making an incredible 8 saves and 22 recoveries, but she actually assisted Villa's first goal to put them level in the 62nd minute. Her ball across the pitch which dropped in front of Chastity Grant left Liverpool's defence scrambling to recover. Not only were Villa in safe hands with Okuma, but her right foot wasn't too bad either!
Photo Credit: @lucybronze
Lucy Bronze makes another TOTW, assisting in Chelsea's 6-2 win against Spurs. Alongside her assist, she created a chance, and her defensive contributions were impeccable. Her ability to drive the ball forward as well as cover the defensive ground is what makes her such an asset to the blues, and i'm sure this won't be Bronze's last feature in TOTW!
Photo Credit: @neveh06
Neve Herron made her mark at the Emirates this weekend. Her clearances and interceptions silenced Arsenal's right side, and her assist gave Birmingham City a crucial point, now only 2 behind Brighton. Her through ball, splitting the Arsenal midfield gave Hurté the space to be 1v1 with the keeper, and this was the LB's 2nd assist of the season!
Photo Credit: @westhamwomen
West Ham's defensive stoicism to hold off Crystal Palace away from home was crucial to get out of the bottom places in the league. Inès Belloumou was pivotal in achieving that. She dominated that left flank, helping with linkup play while having the most touches and completing the most dribbles in the game. The fullback's versatility resulted in her both completing the most dribbles while also preventing herself from being dribbled past once! A multifacted MVP performance from the LB.
Photo Credit: @chelseafcw
3 goals in 6 games for Ellie Carpenter, bagging a brace against Spurs this weekend with the most touches in the opposition box, made her an undisputed standout. Spinning to strike the ball on her left foot, top bins was unnecessary from Carpenter. Her control on the ball, her reading of the game, crashing into the box to get on the end of Alyssa Thompson's cross, and her blistering pace make her the perfect fullback.
Photo Credit: @manutdwomen
Jess Park's shift against Charlton to put Man United level in 4th is a perfect representation of Eva Olid's attacking mindset. Park not only assisted, but created 6 chances, 1/3rd of them being big chances while also making 7 recoveries. Olid's attacking, high-press style means players like Park must be switched on at all times for a change in the game's direction, and this weekend she delivered.
Photo Credit: @keirawalsh
Keira Walsh's season couldn't be going any better, with 5g/a in 6 games this WSL season. Against Spurs she got 2 assists and had a 94% passing accuracy rate which, given the season she's having, is becoming the standard week in week out. Chelsea's goalscoring dominance looks primarily to the front 3, but their creators in the midfield are what really make the team tick.
Photo Credit: @alyssthomp
Another player from Chelsea's front 3 that must make the GIRLACTICO TOTW is Alyssa Thompson. Dropping deeper against Spurs and she still got 2 assists to help see the blues cruise to another 3 points. Thompson loves playing her London rivals, with her last goal involvement coming from Chelsea's 1-0 victory over the gunners, she showed up again today to declare Chelsea the best London club this season.
Photo Credit: @chelseafcw
Lauren James rounds up the plethora of blues in this week's lineup! A brace couldn't look more nonchalant, first beating the keeper at her near post in angles I never thought possible, then driving the ball from the halfway line, through midfield and curling it in the bottom right corner. LJ in my fantasy team has been nothing short of W's.
Photo Credit: @mancitywomen
Bunny Shaw's brace against Brighton came in the first 20 minutes of the game, a statement that took the seagulls by storm. 7 goals in 6 games for the City striker, who leads the race for the golden boot, just a goal ahead of Birmingham City's Océane Hurtré. Shaw's output is ensuring that City keep on track to retaining the WSL title.
Photo Credit: @mancitywomen
Another City player completes the GIRLACTICO TOTW after their win against Brighton. Lauren Hemp's been having an incredible season, and it feels like no one's talking about it! 8g/a in 5 games, 2 assists yesterday to set up her teammates for their 3-2 victory. The WSL title race is steady growing, but with Hemp's pace, her team can outrun all outside comptetitors!
It feels like the top 3 teams are playing another sport right now, putting up alien numbers against top sides and having no mercy for their opposition. But heroes like Akane Okuma and Neve Herron are a reminder that nothing is guaranteed in football...perhaps the GIRLACTICO TOTW will look very different after MD7!