Mild boos for Skinner before Man United clinch draw with Arsenal and Brighton go third
THE WSL’s return to action saw Brighton go two points behind title-holders Chelsea following Manchester United’s draw with Arsenal.
Below are four takeaways from some of the results of six top-flight games played yesterday.
Man United stay unbeaten as boos greet Marc Skinner before his 100th game
Whilst United have hired their third Prem team boss in two years, Marc Skinner reached his one hundredth game in charge of their women’s side.
His team are unbeaten in seven matches across all contests this term after a solid start and including keeping five clean sheets.
However some fans in the stands, during their 1-1 draw with Arsenal yesterday, seemed disgruntled.
Mild boos could be heard from a section of the home crowd as Skinner was presented with a framed shirt by United sporting director Dan Ashworth before kick-off.
His team went 1-0 down at Leigh Sport Village with ex-Red Devils star Alessia Russo scoring Arsenal’s opener, before battling back with Melvine Malard’s late equaliser.
The result left them fourth and two points behind Brighton ahead of hosting Aston Villa this Sunday.
Skinner, whose current contract runs until May next year with an option to extend, has faced ire from some supporters in the past.
The Red Devils chiefs insists he is proud “to represent the fans” as well the players and the club.
Guiding his side to first-ever WSL title win is a target for the head coach who led his team to an FA Cup triumph in May.
It may take another major trophy win to silence some of the doubters within United’s fanbase.
Brighton’s bright start continues
Under Dario Vidosic Brighton have had one of their strongest starts to a WSL season since joining the top-flight in 2018.
Only Manchester City have beaten the Seagulls so far this term with the team winning four of their first six WSL games
Summer signings Nikita Parris, Fran Kirby and Michelle Agyemang, who is on loan from Arsenal, have been among Albion’s standout performers along with skipper Vicky Losada.
Together the trio have netted six goals across Brighton’s last four games.
And Parris’ three goals this term has pushed the forward to third in the WSL scorers’ chart.
An evening trip to the Emirates for a league clash with Arsenal this Friday is up next for Vidosic’s side.
Albion harbour ambitions of one day competing in the Women’s Champions League.
Six of the last seven seasons have seen Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal claim the WSL’s top three qualifying spots for the contest.
West Ham stretch winless run
Out of the four London clubs competing in the WSL, West Ham have so far notched up the longest winless streak in the league.
For 51 minutes yesterday they held a lead away from home against Tottenham in their first outing since the October international break
But two second-half finishes, including Camilla Saez’ injury-time own-goal, saw them go 15 games without a win in the league.
Bethany England bagged Tottenham’s leveller before Saez’s attempted clearance landed in the back of her own net.
Everton are also enduring a tough start and have scored just once in their first six WSL games this year ahead of their 5-0 loss to Chelsea yesterday evening.
Despite their losses, both teams may fancy their chances of picking up points in their next league outings this Sunday
West Ham will host Leicester while Everton will visit Crystal Palace.
However both their opponents have picked up at least one win in their last four games.
Alessia Russo says Arsenal “can’t take foot off gas”
Whilst a set-piece undid Arsenal’s chance of beating Man United yesterday, the team remains undefeated under interim boss Renee Slegers.
The Dutch head coach has helped to steady things results-wise with two wins and a draw across all competitions following the resignation of former boss Jonas Eidevall.
And Russo, Lia Walti and Emily Fox were among the standout performers in an Arsenal side that looked sharp against United.
Gunners striker Russo getting off mark with her first WSL goal this term has come at a crucial time.
Her team will host Brighton at the Emirates on November 8 before a Champions League clash with Juventus eight days later.
A game which could see ex-Villa forward Alisha Lehmann start against the Gunners.
Russo said: “We know the talent we’ve got in the changing room. We know that we’ve got the style to match.
“It’s really about pushing on now. We’ve got a massive block ahead of us and we can’t take our foot off the gas at all.