The 15 best games of the 2022/23 WSL season

The 2022/23 Women's Super League campaign had it all.

A thrilling title race involving Chelsea, serial trophy winners under Emma Hayes, and Manchester United, a battle for Champions League qualification between Arsenal and Manchester City, and a relegation battle that went down to the wire.

And after 132 games, there were 15 thrillers to make the cut for 90min's best games of the season.

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea (18 September 2022)

On an opening weekend packed full of drama, it was a brace of penalties from Liverpool's Katie Stengel that got the WSL ball rolling in a shock win over Chelsea.

The former WSL winners had dropped into the Championship for several seasons but were back in the top-flight looking to a prove a point under Matt Beard. They more than did that in a hugely impressive performance display against the all-conquering Blues, who would eventually dust themselves down to hit back in a style that only they can.

Aston Villa 4-3 Manchester City (18 September 2022)

In a drama-filled opening weekend, Alisha Lehmann and Rachel Daly gave Aston Villa an early lead before Manchester City hit back to level through Laura Coombs and Bunny Shaw.

Coombs' second goal gave the visitors the lead at Villa Park but a last-minute flurry of goals from Kenza Dali and Daly gave Carla Ward's side a stunning win over City - who had come into the game hoping to prove their title credentials.

City would get back on track in the coming weeks and months but came away from the game knowing Villa would be a force to be reckoned with during 2022/23.

Arsenal 4-0 Tottenham (24 September 2022)

With a record-breaking crowd jammed in at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal painted north London with a thumping 4-0 win over rivals Tottenham.

A brace from Vivianne Miedema was supplemented by goals from Ballon d'Or runner-up Beth Mead and Rafaelle, allowing the Gunners to climb to the top of the table after two games played.

But the big takeaway from the afternoon was the rapid growth of women's football translating into the domestic game, as Arsenal and Spurs supporters came out in force to show that the huge crowds seen at Euro 2022 are here to stay.

Brighton 0-8 Tottenham (30 October 2022)

One of the season's most ruthless performances arrived when Tottenham stunned Brighton & Hove Albion 8-0 on their own patc - a game that would end Hope Powell's spell in charge of the Seagulls.

Brighton had been in poor form heading into the game but were put to the sword by goals from Molly Bartrip, Nikola Karczewska, Ashleigh Neville (two), Drew Spence (two) and Jessica Naz (two) - the result a real high point for Rehanne Skinner, who would also leave her job before the end of the season.

West Ham United 4-5 Brighton (6 November 2022)

This nine-goal thriller, which went the way of Brighton, would prove to be a vital result in the battle to avoid relegation to the Women's Championship.

The Seagulls were 3-1 inside the first 20 minutes - Danielle Carter scoring a brace - before moving 5-2 with just 20 minutes remaining. Viviane Asseyi scored two goals in a minute to give Paul Konchesky and West Ham hope, but the visitors clung on to clinch a huge three points.

Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United (19 November 2022)

In one of the most exciting games of the season, an injury-depleted Arsenal faced off against an in-form Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Frida Maanum cancelled out Ella Toone's goal just a minute after half-time before Laura Wienroither, who would go on to suffer an ACL injury later in the season, gave the Gunners the initiative with just over 15 minutes remaining.

But with their title challenge on the line, United hit back in sensational style to take all three points home to Manchester. Millie Turner levelled things up before one of England's Euro 2022 heroes, Alessia Russo, scored a dramatic late winner to keep United challenging Chelsea at the top of the table.

Chelsea 3-2 Reading (11 December 2022)

Chelsea's WSL title charge continued against Reading in freezing cold conditions at Kingsmeadow, but on the on-field action was red-hot as the home side were given an almighty fright.

Fran Kirby and a Jelena Cankovic double had Chelsea 3-0 up and cruising but they were soon brought crashing back down to earth by strikes from Sanne Troelsgaard and Amalie Eikeland. The goals broke the home side's stride but ultimately not their spirit, with the full 90 minutes more than enjoyable for the neutral despite the weather.

Manchester United 6-0 Liverpool (15 January 2023)

Manchester United showed just how far they've come with a spanking 6-0 win over Liverpool; one that showed they were real deal title contenders under Marc Skinner.

There were six different goalscorers on the day as Ona Batlle showed why she's regarded as one of the most talented and versatile full-backs in the women's game. The margin of victory also showed how up for the title fight United were, casting aside the doubters who continued to suggest that they would falter under the relentless pressure of Chelsea wins.

Brighton 2-6 Aston Villa (12 February 2023)

In an eight-goal thriller, Brighton were once again taken apart on their own patch as Jordan Nobbs' hat-trick delivered Aston Villa a spanking 6-2 win.

Nobbs, who made the move to earn more minutes ahead of the Women's World Cup, showed all of her quality just weeks after bringing her 13-year stay at Arsenal to a close, while the game was the beginning of the end for Brighton boss Jens Scheuer.

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester City (2 April 2023)

In one of the most pivotal games of Arsenal's season, the Gunners came from a goal down to beat top-three rivals Manchester City.

Frida Maanum drew Arsenal level before Katie McCabe's stunner raised the roof to earn all three points - days after she limped off against Bayern Munich in the Women's Champions League. Her strike was eventually voted as the WSL's Goal of the Season, not only because of the technical excellence on display but also the significance of the goal for Jonas Eidevall's side.

Manchester City 6-2 West Ham United (23 April 2023)

With Manchester City still vying for a Champions League spot, they needed to pick up maximum points when West Ham came to the Academy Stadium.

Not only did City do that, they emerged from the game as romping 6-2 winners, inspired by a superb performance from Chloe Kelly. The result perhaps played a role in West Ham's eventual decision to part ways with manager Paul Konchesky at the end of the season.

Chelsea 7-0 Everton (7 May 2023)

Chelsea were in seventh heaven when they showed Manchester United and the world that they were in no mood to surrender their WSL title.

Pernille Harder's first goals back after injury were a particular bright spot, but it was smiles all around as Emma Hayes' charges showed their superiority against Chelsea. It was a hugely significant result in terms of goal difference at the top of the table - Manchester United's title hopes taking another dent thanks to the wide margin of victory.

Aston Villa 3-3 Liverpool (21 May 2023)

In a real back and forth game, Aston Villa and Liverpool served up a six-goal treat despite both teams having little to play for late on in the season.

Kirsty Hanson scored a snorter for Villa before the home side lost control of the game to allow Katie Stengel to equalise. The two sides exchanged goals as the electrifying action continued, with nothing to separate them at the sound of the final whistle.

Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City (21 May 2023)

Hayley Ladd's marvellous strike from distance handed Manchester United the lead in a game Marc Skinner's side had to win to keep their WSL title dreams alive.

There was further despair for City when Ellie Roebuck saw red three minutes before half-time, yet they dramatically levelled the scores when Filippa Angeldahl stunned Leigh Sports Village. With time running out and the pressure building, United dug out the result they needed in stoppage time - a real nod to Sir Alex Ferguson - when Lucia Garcia showed tremendous composure in the box.

The result also sealed United's place in the Champions League for the first time ever.

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa (27 May 2023)

Aston Villa's superb season ended in style when they rocked up at Arsenal to seal not only three points but a record-breaking Golden Boot win for Rachel Daly.

The Gunners will feel they should have won the game, truth be told, but Carla Ward's side showed tremendous fight, resilliency and quality when it really mattered. Daly ended the season with 22 goals in 22 WSL appearances, finishing as the division's top scorer ahead of the equally prolific Bunny Shaw.