Women's Super League Key Highlights: London City Lionesses Show Promise and Liverpool FC Vow to Fight On

London City Lionesses Showcase Improvement In Defeat

If the London City coach needed an example of the progress his team have come in the past few weeks, Saturday's encounter against Chelsea offered just that. The game concluded in a two-goal loss to the champions, but his side performed admirably at their opponent's ground and raised multiple challenges for their opponents. London City commanded nearly half the ball – perhaps above expectations – and registered the same number of attempts on goal (3), with a key attacker offering a significant danger with her forward runs. “Compared to earlier in the season when we played other top-four opposition, it was really good,” the coach said. “The encouraging aspect is that we are beginning to witness a team – this was the primary objective. We observed a team that protected and attacked together. We still need to improve.”

Liverpool ‘Will Keep Fighting’

Liverpool’s head coach, Gareth Taylor, issued a motivational message to his side as the wait for their first points persists. After another defeat, on this occasion 2-1 at the hands of Tottenham, he said: “We must battle through it. Our focus is evident. The team is striving tirelessly to transform this into a better situation but it requires a bit of time and a bit of support. Sadly, at the moment, we’re suffering setbacks, but we will keep fighting.” On the face of it, it was an even encounter at the venue – with comparable ball control, expected goals and scoring chances – but after taking an advantage, the visitors played lacking intensity as Spurs mounted a recovery. It was a further concerning example of the Reds’ propensity to fall away in games, certainly the priority for the coach to address if he is to turn their fortunes around.

Kirby and Kiko Seike Fill Agyemang Void

Brighton & Hove Albion proved they can cope in the absence of their on-loan striker Michelle Agyemang, even after suffering a defeat to Manchester United. The forward was declared unavailable for the campaign recently after suffering a serious knee injury while playing for the national team. Existed some concern about the team's response, but the experienced forward and the Japanese international proved they are more than capable of compensating for the scoring output by finding the net in the narrow loss. “The team reacted quite well to start,” the Seagulls' manager, the boss, said. “We improved as the match progressed, we applied our pressing better. Increasingly optimistic, once more. We might have scored a few additional goals in the second half. Against a very good defensive team, to have all the opportunities we did in the match was encouraging, but we need to be much better.”

Rehanne Skinner Finds Positives Following Loss at City

Rehanne Skinner found positives from West Ham’s display against Manchester City, even with a single-goal loss. While her team, at the foot on goal differential, have yet to earn a point, they adopted a attacking mindset and were not hesitant from attacking their opponents. A inefficiency in front of goal proved to be the team's undoing at the City's home ground but it is only a question of time before they achieve a positive result. “It's frustrating we’ve not taken something out of it, and after all the minutes the players have had over the international break the mindset and determination from the players [was excellent], and the resilience as well,” the manager said. “We’ve got to turn things around.”

Everton Escape Self-Sabotage with Kelly Gago Brace

A 94th-minute leveller by Kelly Gago rescued the team's reputation as they shared the points in a high-scoring encounter at Aston Villa. The attacker opened the scoring with her first goal of the campaign after a impressive Toffees start. Aston Villa drew level just before half-time. The remaining period was end-to-end, as each side capitalized of the opponent's porous defence. An unfortunate deflection by Ruby Mace tilted the pendulum Villa’s way, putting them in the lead, but Gago came to Everton’s aid after Brian Sørenson’s side had failed to capitalise on multiple openings. The team's run without a league victory now stands at six matches.

Partnership's Spark Aids Arsenal Find Spark

The North London side secured their third consecutive win in every tournament as Stina Blackstenius netted a brace and the England forward added one more in a 4-1 thumping of the Foxes. It was a another beginning of the season for the attacker, who assisted Russo to put Arsenal the lead, then, following a the defender inadvertent strike, broke her five-game drought with two goals of her own. Arsenal have appeared far from championship challengers but a first-half rampage by the forward and her teammate caused havoc and revealed the slick and audacious style that most people anticipate given the team’s calibre. “We had fresh combinations on the pitch in this match as well, so that needs to click,” said manager, Renée Slegers, “but in my view it did really well, especially in the first half.”

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