Women’s Super League: Five Key Talking Points as Leicester Take on Man City

This weekend in the Women’s Super League, there’s a top-of-the-table clash that promises to be a cracker as Leicester City squares off against Manchester City, and it’s all set to be televised live on BBC Two. But that’s not all; Saturday will also see Aston Villa trying to bounce back from three consecutive defeats as they welcome Tottenham to the Bescot Stadium.

Meanwhile, Bristol City plays host to Arsenal, Chelsea opens its doors to Brighton, Manchester United hits the road to Everton, and Liverpool makes the journey to West Ham. Here are five key talking points to get you revved up for the weekend’s WSL action.

1. Man City ‘Enjoying’ Their Time at the Top

• Manchester City, Leicester City, and Chelsea are the last teams standing in the WSL with unbeaten records. Manchester City has started the season on a high note, securing two wins and a draw against Chelsea in their first three matches. Gareth Taylor, the City manager, is savoring the experience of being at the top of the table, even if it’s by goal difference. He’s hoping this feeling will last until May, but he knows that Saturday’s clash with Leicester will be a major test.

Taylor shared his thoughts, saying, “Leicester are a force to be reckoned with at the moment, but we are looking forward to it. We’re really pleased to be top of the league and we’re enjoying that moment, but we don’t see it as a short-term thing. We want to be there [in the end]. We know how tough it is to stay at the top, but we’re taking it game by game.”

2. More Added Time: Is It a Win for the WSL?

• One noticeable change in the WSL this season has been the increased amount of added time allowed by officials. This has led to some dramatic late goals, like Aston Villa conceding two in stoppage-time against Arsenal and Chelsea’s dramatic equalizer against Manchester City in the sixth added minute. While some have voiced their frustrations about this, Leicester’s Willie Kirk is all for it.

Kirk expressed his support, stating, “I’m OK with it. If teams are wasting time, it’s being added on. That’s nothing new. The referees are just now doing exact timings. We played games last season where it was a disgrace how little the ball was in play. That’s not what the fans want either. They want value for money. I don’t see why we think a 55-minute game is acceptable.”

3. Jonas Eidevall’s Unique Team Motivation

• Arsenal got their first win of the season with a late comeback against Villa last weekend. Beth Mead’s return from injury gave them a boost, and they’re still waiting for the likes of Laura Wienroither and Leah Williamson to come back. But what’s really interesting is the team’s off-field motivation.

Leah Williamson brought a karaoke machine to the training ground, and manager Jonas Eidevall revealed that they’ve been belting out tunes. However, Eidevall made it clear that he’s not an ABBA fan and leans more towards Johnny Cash.

Eidevall joked, “I have not had a go! It tried to come into the medical room a couple of times, but they have been doing some strong defense to try and get it out so it doesn’t disturb the treatments. But we get to spread joy in other rooms in the building. Sometimes you need a spark in something. You need to start with a laugh. That’s why Leah Williamson is a great leader.”

4. Ownership Uncertainty for Manchester United

• Everton will be eager to continue their momentum after defeating Liverpool last weekend, but all eyes are on Manchester United. They faced Champions League disappointment and are dealing with increased speculation about the club’s ownership. Businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to secure a minority stake in the club, but what does this mean for the women’s team?

Manager Skinner seems unfazed, stating, “I have no doubts about that. We don’t really know anything right now. I don’t think the clarification of those points has been made yet, and it takes time. We’ve just invested in a new training facility, and we’re continuing to invest. We’re already discussing the next three to four transfer windows. It’s business as usual, and I think the women will be at the forefront of it.”

5. Spurs’ Impressive Start Under Robert Vilahamn

• Tottenham has had an excellent start to the season under their new boss Robert Vilahamn. They’ve won their last two WSL games, equaling their total from the previous 18. Now, they’re eyeing a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2021. Summer signing Martha Thomas has been on fire, scoring in all three of Spurs’ games this season.

Vilahamn expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I’m very happy with six points from three games because you need that in the table, but it’s actually the way we have performed. There will come times when we don’t succeed and we lose games, so we need to continue to develop. This season is all about that. I’m very happy with the start, but I know there will be tough times as well.”

So, gear up for a weekend of thrilling Women’s Super League action, and keep an eye on these intriguing storylines. Whether you’re a fan of Manchester City’s rise, the extended added time, Arsenal’s karaoke sessions, ownership matters at Manchester United, or Tottenham’s resurgence, there’s plenty to look forward to in the world of women’s football.

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• Women’s Super League
• Manchester City WFC
• Leicester City Women
• Arsenal Women
• BBC Sport Women’s Football
• Manchester United Women
• Tottenham Hotspur Women
• Jonas Eidevall
• Sir Jim Ratcliffe Manchester United ownership
• Robert Vilahamn