WSL roundup - gameweek 16
The WSL returned this weekend for its first action since mid-February, with the league programme on a lengthy pause for the international break and then FA Cup fifth round fixtures.
Not everyone has been playing WSL games over the course of Saturday and Sunday, with Manchester City and Chelsea contesting the Continental Cup final instead. That also meant that Everton and West Ham were only spectators this weekend.
- Chelsea 1-3 Man City: Player ratings - Continental Cup final
- Man City win 2022 Continental Cup to end Chelsea's domestic dominance
But four fixtures did still go ahead. Here's your weekly recap of what happened...
Aston Villa 0-1 Brighton
Brighton condemned Aston Villa to a second successive 1-0 home defeat, with Carla Ward's side having already been beaten on their own turf this month by Everton. For the Seagulls, it marks something of a revival because it is back-to-back wins for the first time since November.
Full-back Maya Le Tissier scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half. Brighton goalkeeper Megan Walsh also deserves major credit for making several saves throughout the match to preserve the clean sheet and, ultimately, the win.
Manchester United 4-0 Leicester
Manchester United were able to put last weekend's FA Cup collapse against Manchester City behind them and pick up their first WSL victory since January, with a comprehensive win over a recently resurgent Leicester side.
United were in control from the early stages, playing at a fast tempo with and without the ball. Goals from Martha Thomas and Alessia Russo effectively killed the contest by half-time, before Katie Zelem remarkably scored twice directly from corners after the break.
- Man Utd 4-0 Leicester: Player ratings
- The 'genius' of Katie Zelem - three goals direct from corners in two games
Arsenal 4-2 Birmingham
Arsenal survived a late scare against a Birmingham side that had already stunned them once this season, but were eventually able to secure a 4-2 win. The result extends their lead at the top of the table over Chelsea to eight points and puts pressure on the Blues to win their games in hand.
January signing Rafaelle Souza opened the scoring from a corner for the Gunners, before Vivianne Miedema's landmark 100th WSL goal involvement doubled the lead. Beth Mead made it 3-0, only for Libby Smith and Lucy Quinn to pull goals back. Caitlin Foord settled it in stoppage time.
Reading 0-0 Tottenham
There was nothing to separate Reading and Tottenham in the final WSL game of the weekend, with neither side able to find a breakthrough moment in 90 minutes at the Madejski Stadium. It was the visitors who had more of the ball and the better chances, but couldn't take them.
Spurs will see this as a blow in their pursuit of Champions League football, especially with Manchester United winning 24 hours earlier. For Reading, it ended an alarming recent slump after losing their previous two games and conceding eight goals in the process.
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