Squad depth big asset for Man Metropolis
Man Metropolis proved, of their 2-0 win over West Ham, that they don’t have to subject their strongest XI to eke out wins within the WSL – squad depth can see them by when wanted. Gareth Taylor won’t be able to make 5 modifications each week and anticipate the result to be beneficial every time, however Metropolis need to steadiness calls for.
A primary look within the Champions League correct since 2021-21 awaits on Wednesday, and opening-night opponents Barcelona – the reigning champions – are unlikely to play good. It’s the cause Bunny Shaw and Viv Miedema had been stationed on the bench at kick-off on Sunday. They had been to not be risked.
Apart from, Metropolis’s huge high quality is such that squad depth may be one in all their most helpful weapons this season. Metropolis’s XI was nonetheless full of recognisable faces – Lauren Hemp turned the youngest participant in WSL historical past to succeed in 50 targets – however Taylor is aware of inroads in Europe must be a key precedence if funding within the squad is to be totally realised.
Laura Hunter
Stalemate not the best Bayern warm-up for Arsenal
Arsenal had been held to a irritating goalless draw by Everton
You need to go all the way in which again to March 29, 2009 to seek out the final time Everton stored a clear sheet in opposition to Arsenal. Purpose-machine Julie Fleeting and Lionesses icon Rachel Yankey had been within the Gunners’ squad; Gordon Brown was nonetheless Prime Minister.
Numerous soccer has been performed since then. Between that day and the assembly on the Emirates, the groups had met 32 occasions in all competitions, with 29 of these ending both with a draw or an Arsenal win. On Sunday, the wait lastly got here to an finish as they earned a 0-0 draw.
Was it all the way down to strong defending from Everton or lacklustre assault from the Gunners? In all probability a mixture of the 2, in all honesty. Arsenal nonetheless managed to get 21 photographs away, however the high quality was low; they completed the sport with 0.74 xG. They’ve created 4.42 xG throughout their three video games to this point, however scored solely three targets.
Both manner, on paper not less than, it doesn’t appear to be the best preparation for Wednesday’s Champions League opener away at Bayern Munich and Jonas Eidevall recognised the problem in his post-match press convention.
“We’re here at home at Emirates – I think we should have much higher demands and standards on ourselves in our attacking game,” he mentioned. “With the intent and creating the momentum, we do that in the second half, but we leave it too late today to be happy with it.”
A few of life’s greatest classes are discovered when errors are made. Enchancment will likely be anticipated consequently right here.
Dan Lengthy
Liverpool will likely be freed by first win
Liverpool obtained their first WSL win of the season after drawing opening two video games
Matt Beard breathed an enormous sigh of aid at full-time. Liverpool have their first WSL win of the season after beating Tottenham 3-2.
The Reds had gone in entrance thrice in opposition to Spurs, and at last held on to their lead after Marie Hobinger’s stoppage-time penalty. A second of solace for Beard, and his gamers, after squandering leads in opposition to West Ham and Leicester already this season.
Sunday thirteenth October 2:45pm
Kick off 3:00pm
That’s the downside with heightened expectation – the by product is strain. Liverpool’s fourth-placed end final time period was exceptionally spectacular for a facet that solely returned to the WSL in 2022, however now followers are expectant.
“We showed immense character today and I’m really proud,” mentioned Beard afterwards. “We were always ahead but I think when they peg you back, to get back in front again was important.”
And on the again of successive attracts, the outcome was clearly what mattered most. Liverpool at the moment are undefeated of their previous seven WSL video games – their greatest run since 2013.
Laura Hunter
New children on the block Palace will likely be stuffed with confidence after first win
Annabel Blanchard scored Palace’s first two WSL targets
Some feared the worst when Crystal Palace opened up their first season within the WSL with a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham having did not hit a shot heading in the right direction. Extra turned nervous once they had been crushed 7-0 by champions Chelsea the next week.
The losses had been chastening and the fears had been justified. However, as cliche because it sounds, Palace usually are not right here to simply make up the numbers this season.
In Leicester, they got here up in opposition to a crew at an analogous degree – and a way more civilised battle ensued. The Eagles regarded well-coached by Laura Kaminski, who has performed the laborious yards to get to the highest. They rode their luck at occasions, however in addition they took the possibilities that had been offered to them, with Annabel Blanchard scoring their first two targets within the division in a 2-0 victory.
There are robust checks on the horizon – Brighton, Man Metropolis and Liverpool are up subsequent. However to get that first win so early on will fill Kaminski and co with confidence they’re heading in the right direction.
Dan Lengthy
