WSL roundup - Gameweek 6

Arsenal continued their blistering start to the WSL season, making it six wins from six to maintain their 100% record and a three-point cushion ahead of reigning champions Chelsea.

The WSL returned to action from the October international break but Arsenal showed no signs of slowing down as they romped to another big win, this time over West Ham.

Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners scored at least four goals in a WSL game for the fourth time this season, thrashing the Hammers 4-0 at Meadow Park. They still haven’t conceded any goals in the league since their 3-2 win over Chelsea on the opening weekend of the season nine weeks ago.

Kim Little got the ball rolling for Arsenal with two more goals to her tally for the season, netting once either side of half-time. Beat Mead, who assisted the opener, then got her fourth in the WSL this season, taking her total goal involvements to eight in six games.

A late own goal from West Ham’s Grace Fisk eventually capped off the one-sided result.

All Chelsea can do is keep the pressure on Arsenal and they did that with a 1-0 away victory over Aston Villa. The champions dominated and prevented Villa from registering a single shot in target over the 90 minutes, while Hannah Hampton kept the score-line down at the other end.

Ultimately, Ballon d’Or nominee Jessie Fleming’s 22nd minute strike proved to be decisive.

Manchester City returned to action from the international a few days ago in the Continental Cup by beating Durham 3-0 and finally broke their win-less streak in the WSL with a big win over Leicester.

Plagued by injuries, City hadn’t won a league match since the opening day of the season until a welcome 4-1 victory against the Foxes at the King Power Stadium. It didn’t start well, however, with ex-Manchester United forward Jess Sigsworth giving the hosts the lead inside the first minute.

Despite still being patched up, City’s quality eventually showed as Caroline Weir and Keira Walsh scored in the first half to turn the scoreline around, while Lauren Hemp and Laura Coombs made extra sure of the much needed points later on. Leicester, meanwhile, still have no points.

Manchester United were denied a win against Tottenham thanks to a 95th minute equaliser from New Zealand international Ria Percival in north London.

Marc Skinner’s team took the lead through in-form forward Alessia Russo but couldn’t take other chances. But Spurs, who had never taken a single point in games against United before this one, also called Mary Earps into action on more than one occasion.

Percival’s stoppage time goal was a free-kick almost on the halfway line, lofting the ball into the penalty area but avoiding everyone and finding the top corner after it bounced.

Everton couldn’t give new manager Jean-Luc Vasseur a win in his first taste of a WSL match. The ambitious Toffees, who had been eyeing a potential Champions League place ahead of the campaign, fell to a 1-0 home defeat to the increasingly impressive Brighton.

The Seagulls perhaps edged the best of the chances and secured the win when Aileen Whelan netted with a header just after the hour mark. That is now a fourth WSL win this season for Hope Powell’s side and they have climbed into the top three as a result.

Having waited until gameweek five for their first win and first points of the season, Reading made it successive victories as they faced Birmingham on the road.

The Royals had to wait until the second half for their breakthrough, but quick-fire goals soon after the intervals from summer signings Natasha Dowie and Deanne Rose put the game beyond Birmingham. Canada international Rose made extra sure with her second goal to make it 3-0.

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