Manchester City delivered a devastating blow to Chelsea's Women's Super League title defence with a spectacular 5-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, moving a significant step closer to claiming the championship themselves. The emphatic win sees City extend their lead at the top of the table to a commanding 11 points, leaving the reigning champions a distant 12 points adrift in what appears to be a decisive shift in the WSL power dynamic.
Kerolin's Masterclass Seals Statement Victory
The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Brazilian forward Kerolin, who netted a magnificent hat-trick to dismantle Chelsea's resistance. Her most memorable goal came after a breathtaking solo run from the halfway line, culminating in a sublime chip over England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to make the score 4-0. This moment of individual brilliance encapsulated City's dominance on the day.
Further goals from Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema compounded Chelsea's misery, with the visitors managing only a solitary reply through Alyssa Thompson's strike from the edge of the box. The comprehensive nature of this victory for Andree Jeglertz's side sends a clear message to the rest of the league about their title credentials.
Elsewhere in the Women's Super League
The weekend's action produced several other notable results across the division. Manchester United continued their impressive form with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool, thanks largely to a second-half double from Norwegian midfielder Lisa Naalsund. Her two goals, including one just 97 seconds after Liverpool's equaliser, helped extend United's unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions, while leaving Liverpool rooted to the foot of the table.
Tottenham Hotspur staged a comeback to beat West Ham United 2-1, moving to within a single point of the top three. After Shekiera Martinez had given the Hammers an early lead, Matilda Vinberg's superb long-range effort into the top corner levelled the score, before Olivia Holdt secured the win with a fantastic first-time finish. However, Spurs finished the match with ten players after Drew Spence was dismissed in stoppage-time.
In other fixtures, London City Lionesses snatched a 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Freya Godfrey's winner just before half-time lifting them above their opponents in the table. Meanwhile, Everton secured their first WSL win at Goodison Park this season, coming from behind to defeat Aston Villa 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Martina Fernandez.
This round of matches has significantly reshaped the WSL landscape, with Manchester City now appearing as overwhelming favourites to dethrone Chelsea and claim the league title.
