A top of the table clash between Man City and London City saw the reigning champions maintain their 100% win rate. Despite Arsenal's derby win last week, it was Spurs who claimed 3 points this weekend while Arsenal suffered another draw at home to Aston Villa. Brighton have found form, and are close behind Man United who ended their winning streak. Chelsea, however, breezed by another matchday with 6 goals against Charlton who are yet to claim a point this season.
But who made the difference this week?
Photo Credit: @astonvillawomen
Akane Okuma starts off this GIRLACTICO XI, with her MVP performance away at the Emirates. The Gunners were firing shots, but Okuma was there to save the day (and the game), ensuring Villa kept a precious point in the race for mid-table spots. Aston Villa are now tied on points with Arsenal, with it being only goal difference between 7th and 9th place!
Photo Credit: @elliecarpenterr
Another MVP performance for Ellie Carpenter, whose shift at rightback has her racking up goals like a striker. 4 goals in 8 WSL games this season, and a goal this weekend in Chelsea's 6-0 against Charlton. Carpenter's becoming a regular in our TOTW, with her clutch goals, defensive stoicism, and her ability to consistently curve dangerous balls into the box, making her one of Chelsea's most threatening assets this season.
Photo Credit: @chelseafcw
The blues are dominating the TOTW so far, a reflection of their form right now. Another top performance from Katie McCabe and a consecutive week where she's created the most chances for her team. An assist came from one of her 5 chances, and another 3 points sees McCabe flying with her new team who are yet to lose a game this season!
Photo Credit: @mancitywomen
Rebecca Knaak's first start this season in the WSL - and her performance was crucial in Man City sustaining their winning streak. Making 17 defensive contributions, she kept the London City attack at bay, while also taking a shot on goal that required a Mary Earps super-save! While London City had over triple the shots than Man City, the defensive blocks and ability to keep composure out of possession was a task Knaak thrived on in her first start this season!
Photo Credit: @marisaolislagers
To complete the backline, Brighton's Marisa Olislagers kept Crystal palace quiet in their 2-1 victory which sees Brighton climb to 6th in the table! Creating 4 chances and completely locking off palace's right flank, Olislagers and the seagulls successfully completed their comeback to claim the win.
Photo Credit: @westhamwomen
Viviane Asseyi fired 2 past Liverpool this weekend in their 4-1 victory. 5 goals in 8 games for the midfielder, she won the penalty that opened up the score sheet, scored the penalty, while also taking the most shots which gave her a second goal after halftime. Her second goal was flawless, a free-kick over the wall, across goal to put it in the top right corner. A deserved MVP performance which sees West Ham go above Liverpool in the table. A crucial 3 points which Asseyi ensured her team collected through her valiant performance.
Photo Credit: @spurswomen
Victoria Pelova has been having a generational season for Spurs with 9g/a in 8 games, and this weekend was no different. Spurs are back to winning ways in the league, and Pelova's goal and assist sealed the 3 points to keep them in competition for Champions League spots! A game that saw Spurs hit the post more times than goals they scored is surprising since they managed to fire 4 past Birmingam City! Pelova's goal was the last of the game, beating the keeper at her near post from range, and signalling to the other teams that Spurs are still in the running for a top spot this season.
Photo Credit: @spurswomen
Olivia Holdt also got her name on the scoresheet for Spurs, an incredible free-kick that dipped over the wall and into the right corner. Alongside her goal, Holdt was adamant on her side smothering Birmingham City's backline, taking the most shots and having the most touches in the box, Holdt's tireless threat infront of goal proved too intense for the opposition to keep out.
Photo Credit: @chelseafcw
Back-to-back braces for Melvine Malard in the WSL, who is now averaging a goal per game for the blues in the league! Both goals came from intelligent positioning and perseverance, first a header in the box, then a tap-in after two attempts were blocked by Charlton's defence, Malard was clinical. If she keeps up with this form, perhaps Bunny Shaw will have competition for the golden boot?!
Photo Credit: @mancitywomen
But not at this rate with Bunny Shaw's inability to miss the target! Just 7 shots for Man City, but Shaw took her chance and coolly rolled it passed the keeper, outrageously firing it into the top netting. Now with 9 goals in 8 games, Shaw has scored in her last 6 consecutive matches and, like this weekend, when given the chance, will ensure her team have something to cheer about!
Photo Credit: @mancitywomen
To complete the GIRLACTICO TOTW is another Lauren Hemp appreciation paragraph, that came with another MVP performance! An outside the boot pass to Shaw for the first goal, and then a perfectly timed run at the far post to slide in the winner and give City 8 wins out of 8 in the WSL! City's front 3 were quiet in the first half and barely got a chance on the ball, but once a chance was granted, Hemp's composure and clinicality secured the reigning champs the victory.
Another TOTW complete where Chelsea and Man City have made their mark. Can London City challenge for top 2, or will Spurs and United continue creep up to claim 3rd place?
Roll on MW9!