It is a down year for Liverpool, but they held on for their first away win of the season, across Stanley Park at Goodison. Ceri Holland marked her 101st game for the Reds with a double, only her ninth and tenth goals in her century of appearances for the club. In her three years as a Kansas Jayhawk, she registered 12 in 73. The visitors threatened to sacrifice the advantage through a late red card to their captain, Grace Fisk, but held on to secure a 3-2 win.
Down the East Lancs road, and it was Manchester City who finished on top of their own derby, with two goals from Viviane Miedema in the space of three first-half minutes making the difference at Old Trafford. The result puts City 11 points clear of United at the top of the league and makes a late season rally by United mathematically impossible. It was also the first defeat in the league for the home side since the reverse fixture at Joie Stadium back in November.
Further south, the third derby of the WSL's bumper schedule saw Arsenal host Spurs. A 22 minute first half hat trick by Alessia Russo meant that the hosts were never threatened as they outperformed their guests in xG, overall shots, shots on target and touches in the opposition box according to FutMob.
Sunday saw the Black Cats of Sunderland attempt to get their first ever professional win against their regional rivals Newcastle United, with the visitors trying to keep up the pace for possible promotion. The match itself was dominated by Newcastle, though a lack of attacking efficiency kept it 1-0 to Sunderland until the 81st minute. Despite one-way Toon traffic, a side-foot volley from Katy Watson in the 17th minute was the difference before Oona Sevenius's equalizer, and neither side will have finished satisfied. The game also saw a brief appearance for Orlando Pride-loanee Morgan Gautrat.
Elsewhere in the pros:
Chelsea 4-3 Aston Villa
West Ham United 1-1 London City Lionesses
Leicester City 0-1 Brighton
Bristol City 0-1 Birmingham City
Crystal Palace 3-2 Charlton Athletic
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Durham
Palace's win at Charlton lifted the visitors up into the promotion/relegation playoff and leaves the hosts only three points ahead of Birmingham City, who have a game in hand. The wins for Manchester City and Chelsea have reshuffled the WSL pack, with United dropping out of the Champions League on goal difference. Arsenal sit third, with two games in hand on both the Red Devils and Chelsea on either side of them.
In the non-leagues
AFC Bournemouth (local population 500,000) versus Plymouth Argyle (local population 275,000) met in the FA Women's National League Cup Final, the major showpiece of the semi-pro divisions in England and despite a lop-sided half of Pilgrim pressure, it was the Cherries from Dorset who emerged victorious - courtesy of an Olimpico, in at the far post by Bermudan international Kenni Thompson in the first half. Both sides remain in contention for promotion to the WSL2, although the Devon team is currently in position for the playoff with the second-place team from the North, currently Leeds United, for one more spot in the full-time divisions.
Outside of the Cup final, derby wins for Burnley at Halifax and Wolves at West Brom have maintained the two clubs in the promotion spots from the WNL Premier North. Watford remain top of the WNL Premier South, courtesy of a 5-0 win down in Exeter, with the second and third place teams facing each other in the WNL Cup Final.
In WNL Division 1, Cheadle Town Stingers won the WNL Plate on penalties and lurk third in the North West with games in hand on Huddersfield Town and Leeds United in the promotion spots. In the Midlands, it is Leafield Athletic who are hovering close to the promotion spots in third. Fulham have secured back-to-back promotions in the South East and are currently being joined by Norwich City, although Cup trailblazers Chatham Town (who made it all the way to the fifth round of the tournament) have two games in hand. Swindon and Moneyfields are in the promotion and playoff spots from the South West.
Coming Up:
There is no WSL action until April 25th as teams navigate the Champions League and FA Cup Quarterfinals. Arsenal are 3-1 up against Chelsea going into their second leg in the UWCL tomorrow. This Sunday sees Arsenal face Brighton and WSL2's Charlton hosting Liverpool in the Cup. Then on Monday, Chelsea face Spurs and WSL2 contenders Birmingham City host WSL leaders Manchester City.
There is a shorter break in the WSL2 schedule, meaning the Brummie Blues are in league action before their Cup game against Sunderland. Non-Cup teams are also in league action next weekend, with Durham v Bristol City, Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town and Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest taking place on Sunday.
There is no break for the semi-pros. WNL Southern Premier sees Gwalia United host Watford, Bournemouth host Wimbledon, Cheltenham Town play Hashtag United and Plymouth Argyle play Oxford United. The slate is lighter in the Northern Premier, Wolves play Rugby Borough on Thursday and West Bromwich Albion play Liverpool Feds on Sunday.
