WSL roundup: Everything that happened on matchday five

It was a drama filled weekend in the WSL with plenty of late goals, tense moments and several surprise wins as the 2023/24 season continued apace.

Bristol City earned their first WSL points of the season, claiming a 3-2 win over West Ham whilst Arsenal continued to find form by beating a previously unbeaten Manchester City.

Chelsea thoroughly dominated against a struggling Aston Villa, who are yet to take a point this season, while a wasteful Manchester United left it until the eighth minute of stoppage time for Rachel Williams to salvage a point for the Red Devils against Brighton.

Aston Villa 0 - 6 Chelsea

League leaders Chelsea continued their unbeaten start, proving just how ruthless they can be, putting six past a point-less Aston Villa to top the WSL table.

Whilst Villa looked vastly more adventurous compared to their last outing against Tottenham, Chelsea's Millie Bright marked her 250th appearance for the club by netting her first goal of the season. Fran Kirby then doubled the Blues' lead to end a controlled first half at Bescot Stadium.

A miserable afternoon ensued for Carla Ward's Villa as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Ashley Lawrence, Niamh Charles and Aggie Beever-Jones took the tally to six.

However, the stellar Chelsea victory was quickly overshadowed by the news that boss Emma Hayes, the longest serving manager in the WSL, would be departing the club at the end of the season. 90min understands she will take up post with the United States Women's National Team.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Man City

Stina Blackstenius' 85th minute winner at Meadow Park claimed all three points for the Gunners to end Manchester City's unbeaten streak this season.

Steph Catley opened the scoring for the hosts, capitalising on some mismatched defending from City as leading defender Alex Greewood was ruled out of the tie following a head injury last week.

City had squandered many chances, unable to convert their goal-bound but were rewarded for their efforts as Chloe Kelly netted an equaliser in the 72nd minute.

Blackstenius pounced on an error by 19-year-old goalkeeper Khiara Keating who, far off her line, tipped Katie McCabe's long ball further into the Swede's path, leaving an open goal for the striker.

Tottenham 1 - 1 Everton

Aurora Galli's 85th minute penalty salvaged a point for struggling Everton after a dominant performance from in-form Tottenham at Brisbane Road.

Spurs took the lead via Grace Clinton's stunning header as the young Lioness continued her great form.

It was Courtney Brosnan's heroics between the sticks that kept the Toffees in the game, keeping Clinton and Martha Thomas at bay until Galli struck from the spot to lock the sides level.

Liverpool 2 - 1 Leicester

Marie Hobinger's late winner for Liverpool epitimosed their current form after dominating and defeating Leicester to cement their high position five games into the season.

Melissa Lawley got Liverpool off to a flying start at Prenton Park, hammering her impressive strike into the roof of the net, before Missy Goodwin, out of nowhere, levelled for the visitors.

It was a scintillating effort from Liverpool who had squandered many chances, but Hobinger came to the rescue once again to claim all three points for the hosts.

West Ham 2 - 3 Bristol City

Bristol City claimed their first win - and their first points - since returning to the WSL in a dramatic five-goal thriller at Chigwell Construction Stadium.

West Ham took the early lead after Viviane Asseyi converted from the spot after Megan Connolly handled the ball. This galvanised Bristol who took the lead through Ella Powell five minutes after Amalie Thestrup drew the sides level.

Riko Ueki ensured that the hosts went into half time level, netting a powerful strike just before half-time but Brooke Aspin's controlled header in the 55th minute claimed all three points for the Robins.

Brighton 2 - 2 Man Utd

Rachel Williams' dramatic stoppage time header earned a point for Manchester United at Broadfield Stadium, with the Red Devils still unbeaten in the WSL despite three draws out of five.

Former United goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley was required to keep Brighton's footing in the game after Elisabeth Terland earned an early lead for the hosts. Ella Toone's wonder strike levelled in the 78th minute before Guro Bergsvand headed the Seagulls back into the lead late on.

United had been wasteful in front of goal but it was the introduction of super sub Williams that salvaged a point after she poked home from close range, leaving the sides to share the points.

2023/24 WSL table after matchday five

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