Chloe Kelly's 10th-minute strike sent Manchester City to the top of the WSL table. Photo: Getty Images/Cameron Smith < iframe id="47bcd4fe-ce23-42da-82b6-029a7334a208" src="https://cf-particle-html.eip.telegraph.co.uk/47bcd4fe-ce23-42da-82b6 -029a7334a208.html?direct=true&id =47bcd4fe-ce23-42da-82b6-029a7334a208&truncated=false&expandable=false" class="tmg-particle sport-widget wrp-47bcd4fe-ce23-42da-82b6-029a7334a20 8" name="Match Summary: Leicester City vs Manchester City" data- truncated="false" data-business-type="editorial" loading="eager" scroll="no" Frameborder="0" style="width: 100%; min-width: 100 %; border: none; position: static; display: block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
Manchester City have shown they have the staying power to compete for the title well Women's Super League this season after they made a deep effort to win a tight contest against an improving Leicester City.
Gareth Taylor's side, who finished fourth last season, remain unbeaten and top the early-season table thanks to a Chloe Kelly strike that Leicester's Janina Leizig failed to convert, although the German stopper made several good saves to prevent their lead from increasing.
Leicester, the surprise of this season, took until 12 March last season to reach the same number of points – seven – that they had already collected this season, and their development was evident despite the defeat as they bravely held the ball and caused Manchester are in significantly more trouble than in their previous four WSL meetings, all of which Manchester City won by an aggregate score of 14-1.
Great teamwork from @ManCityWomen which ended with a goal! 🙌#BarclaysWSL @chloekelly pic.twitter.com/Z6QaFbfv8w
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 21, 2023
Only Hiara Keating's reaction and Alanna Kennedy's late strike kept Willie Kirk's fighting side at bay, but it was Manchester City inspired by the class of their only summer signing, Netherlands midfielder Jill Roord, and the prowess of a deep strike. Lying midfielder Yui Hasegawa sets the pace.
Taylor praised his 19-year-old goalkeeper Hiara Keating, saying: “She made more saves than we would have liked but she is very calm, so calm in possession and so calm in terms of her possession when going to the sheds. She was exceptional.”
Kirk, who praised his team for using a “high-risk” pressing tactic, said: “Seven points from four games is acceptable. In four games we have, in a way, declared that this is no longer “little Leicester”. We want to be taken seriously and that will cause problems for teams.”
Martha Thomas scores a hat-trick in WSL thriller
Tottenham also got off to a very impressive start, with their third win in a row under new coach Robert Vilahamn Thanks to a hat-trick from new striker Martha Thomas, the score was 4–2.
The Scotland international is currently the top scorer in the WSL with six goals, already matching her league total from two seasons at her previous club Manchester United, who she left to join Tottenham on a two-year deal on deadline day in September.
Martha Thomas… Unstoppable 🔥#BarclaysWSL @SpursWomen pic.twitter.com/C95IBBsJtB
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 21, 2023
Her first goal was a bit of a fluke after Rachel Corsi's error, but Thomas struck superbly nonetheless, capitalizing to equalize after Rachel Daly's early penalty for Villa. Ashley Neville gave Tottenham the lead, Thomas scored her second to make it 3-1 and then completed her hat-trick with a truly sublime strike into the top corner, showing the confidence of a striker in fine form.
“I guess I'm just playing under someone who I know believes in me. That's important, that's when I play my best football,” Thomas said when asked the secret to her improved form since joining Tottenham. “[I'm] just on a roll and hope I can keep it up.”
Villa, who received late consolation thanks to Lucy Parker, have lost four matches in a row and are left pointless. Manager Carla Ward said: “It’s a bad day for us. It wasn't Aston Villa today.
Recent Comments