Welcome to another edition of Goalside Gossip! ⚽️ This week in the WSL, Chelsea edged out Brighton in a thrilling 4-2 match, Arsenal cruised past Aston Villa with a commanding 4-0 win, and Manchester United crushed Liverpool by the same margin. Meanwhile, NWSL and USWNT stars made waves in the 2024 player rankings, and Rangers turned heads with an unbelievable Scottish Cup scoreline. Don’t miss our ad collab with Nike 👀 or our breakdown of the top NWSL signings of the season. There’s so much to unpack, so let’s dive in!

What's in store this week:

• 🇬🇧 WSL: Chelsea vs Brighton (4-2)

• 🇬🇧 WSL: Arsenal vs Aston Villa (4-0)

• 🇬🇧 WSL: Manchester United vs Liverpool (4-0)

• 🌟 News: NWSL and USWNT Stars Shine in 2024 Rankings

• 📹 Ad: Goalside Gossip x Nike

• 🚀 Int’l: Rangers Scored How Many?!

• 🏅 News: How We Rank the Top 2024 NWSL Contracts

Chelsea vs
Brighton (4-2)

Chelsea Women secured a 4-2 win against a strong Brighton side at Kingsmeadow. Sjoeke Nüsken opened the scoring, and Aggie Beever-Jones quickly doubled Chelsea’s lead. However, Brighton responded with a goal before halftime, as Jelena Cankovic capitalized on a Nikita Parris assist. In the second half, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd extended Chelsea’s lead to 3-1, but a defensive error allowed Kiko Seike to pull one back for Brighton, keeping the match tightly contested.

Despite Brighton’s resilience and Chelsea’s nervy moments in defense, Nüsken’s second goal, a header from a Catarina Macario corner, sealed the victory. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made several crucial saves, but defensive lapses remain a concern for Chelsea, who relied heavily on their attacking players to deliver the win. As Brighton continues to improve and challenge top teams, Chelsea will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities ahead of their Women’s Champions League clash with FC Twente.

Arsenal vs
Aston Villa (4-0)

Aston Villa endured a tough afternoon at the Emirates, falling to a 4-0 defeat against Arsenal. Alessia Russo opened the scoring in the 18th minute, expertly flicking a Kyra Cooney-Cross free kick into the net. Beth Mead doubled the lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a rebound from Frida Maanum's strike. Villa’s Sabrina D’Angelo worked hard to keep her side in contention, making several impressive saves, but Arsenal’s relentless pressure proved too much.

In the second half, Villa showed brief moments of promise, including a chance for Chasity Grant, but Arsenal’s defense held firm. Substitute Stina Blackstenius made an immediate impact, adding Arsenal’s third goal with a clever finish from Katie McCabe’s cross. Russo capped off the dominant performance in stoppage time with her second goal, a stunning strike into the top corner. Villa will need to regroup after this challenging match, while Arsenal continues to assert their dominance in the league.

Manchester United vs Liverpool (4-0)

Liverpool suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, marking their third consecutive league loss. Despite missing several key players due to injuries, the Reds struggled to establish any rhythm, leaving them exposed defensively. Goals from Elisabeth Terland and Leah Galton in quick succession during the first half put United in control. Dominique Janssen added a third with a composed strike from the edge of the box, and substitute Melvine Malard sealed the dominant victory with a late volley. Liverpool’s attempts at attacking were sporadic, with standout moments from Fuka Nagano and Olivia Smith, but their lack of cohesion and defensive frailty proved costly.

Matt Beard’s side appeared disorganized, often resorting to hopeful crosses instead of building sustained attacking moves. Defensively, they were repeatedly carved open by United’s fluid play. While individual efforts, such as Gemma Bonner's critical block and Teagan Micah’s saves, kept the scoreline from worsening, Liverpool's lack of a clear strategy was evident. The team now faces a short turnaround with a midweek cup match against Everton before closing out the calendar year against Arsenal, where they’ll need to regroup and rediscover their identity.

NWSL and USWNT Stars Shine in 2024:
A Global Powerhouse in Women’s Soccer

The 2024 global women's soccer rankings, led by Aitana Bonmatí for a second consecutive year, highlighted the growing influence of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) players on the world stage. The Guardian’s esteemed list underscored the dominance of American athletes like Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Naomi Girma, who shone both domestically and internationally, particularly in the USWNT's Olympic gold medal triumph. The NWSL's emergence as a top-tier league is evident, showcasing a blend of rising stars and seasoned talent, solidifying its position as a global hub for women's soccer excellence.

Sophia Smith, with her stellar performances for the Portland Thorns and the USWNT, and Trinity Rodman, who led the Washington Spirit to the NWSL final, exemplify the league's offensive prowess. Naomi Girma, the San Diego Wave's defensive anchor, broke into the top rankings, proving defenders can also command global attention. Additionally, Brazilian stars Marta and Debinha highlighted the NWSL’s international appeal, with Marta returning to form at age 38 and Debinha making crucial contributions for Kansas City despite injuries.

The rankings also celebrated USWNT veterans like Lindsey Horan, whose leadership and goals for Lyon and the USWNT stood out, and Mallory Swanson, whose comeback from injury saw her shine for the Chicago Red Stars and score the Olympic-winning goal. The influx of international stars further cements the NWSL as a platform for elite talent, affirming its role in shaping the future of women's soccer.

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Rangers FC Score 24
in Scottish Cup

Rangers Women stormed into the fourth round of the Scottish Cup with a commanding 24-1 victory over Westdyke. Returning from the final international break of 2024, the Light Blues showcased their dominance by netting nine first-half goals and adding 15 more after the break. Kirsty Howat and Jane Ross led the charge with five goals each, while Mia McAulay scored a hat-trick, and Sarah Ewens marked her season debut with a brace. A special moment for Westdyke came when Bethany Cochrane scored a spectacular goal, but it was a lone bright spot against a relentless Rangers offense.

Jo Potter’s side made quick work of the game, demonstrating fluid teamwork and clinical finishing. Key moments included a Megan Bell free kick, a debut for Lily Boyce, and Ewens’ triumphant return from injury. Contributions came from all over the pitch, including goals from Brogan Hay, Lizzie Arnot, and Chelsea Cornet. With this emphatic win, Rangers shift their focus to league action midweek against Motherwell, aiming to carry their momentum forward.

Key Performers:

1. Kirsty Howat – 5 goals, including the opener and a pivotal attacking presence.

2. Jane Ross – 5 goals, consistent finishing throughout the match.

3. Mia McAulay – Hat-trick, including a long-range strike.

4. Sarah Ewens – 2 goals and an assist in her first game of the season.

5. Megan Bell – Scored a stunning free kick.

6. Lizzie Arnot – 2 goals and solid contributions in attack.

7. Chelsea Cornet – Long-range goal and midfield dominance.

8. Bethany Cochrane (Westdyke) – Scored Westdyke’s lone, spectacular goal.

Top NWSL Contracts of 2024:
Game-Changers and Record-Breakers

The 2024 NWSL season was shaped by a series of transformative signings that elevated team performances and brought fresh excitement to the league. From record-breaking contracts to game-changing international additions, these moves delivered significant impact on and off the pitch. Malawian striker Temwa Chawinga led the charge as the standout signing, breaking the all-time single-season goal record (20) and earning both the Golden Boot and MVP awards while propelling the Kansas City Current back into playoff contention. Another notable name was Zambian forward Barbra Banda, whose electrifying performances with Orlando Pride solidified her as a crucial piece in the team’s resurgence.

Expansion team Bay FC also made waves, with Racheal Kundananji spearheading their attack as part of a historic transfer class. Additionally, Chicago’s decision to lock in Mallory Swanson on a record breaking long-term deal positioned them ahead in their rebuilding phase. Each of these signings demonstrated the league’s ability to attract and retain world-class talent, reinforcing the NWSL’s status as a top-tier destination for women’s soccer.

Rankings of the Top 2024 NWSL Contracts:

1. Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current) – NWSL Golden Boot & MVP winner; league-record 20 goals in a season. Signed through 2025 season.

2. Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) – MVP finalist; 13 goals and six assists in the regular season. Signed through 2027 season.

3. Ann-Katrin Berger (NJ/NY Gotham FC) – Goalkeeper of the Year; league-best goals-against average (0.727). Signed through 2026 season.

4. Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars) – Key player in Chicago’s playoff push; signed to a record-breaking contract extension. Signed through 2026 season, with a fifth year option.

5. Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC) – Top performer for the expansion team; led in assists (4) and chances created (34). Signed through 2027 season, with a fourth year option.

Honorable Mentions 

• Leicy Santos (Washington Spirit) – Vital creative force during a playoff push.

• Rosemonde Kouassi (Washington Spirit) – Strong attacking presence with high pass accuracy in the final third.

• Almuth Schult (Kansas City Current) – Solidified the goalkeeper position with six clean sheets in 11 games.