Tune into the final edition for the 2023 Women’s Super League newsletter from Goalside Gossip. Chelsea & Arsenal have big wins, and City win the Manchester Darby. Meanwhile Tottenham, Leicester, Bristol and Everton each salvage a point and Aston Villa looks to turn things around with an important win over West Ham.

Chelsea vs Liverpool (5-1)

Chelsea bounced back from their midweek European disappointment with a dominant 5-1 win over Liverpool in the Women's Super League. Lauren James shined with a hat-trick, supported by goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Sjoeke Nüsken. Despite a lone own goal from Jess Carter, Chelsea controlled the game in front of an enthusiastic Stamford Bridge crowd.

The match saw Chelsea making strategic changes, and Sophie Ingle marked a milestone with a record-breaking appearance in the WSL. Despite Liverpool briefly leveling the score, Chelsea's cohesive play and James' brilliance secured a convincing victory, extending their unbeaten WSL home streak to 30 matches and temporarily placing them six points ahead of their rivals.

Everton vs Bristol City (2-2)

Everton Women twice took the lead against bottom-placed Bristol City at Walton Hall Park but ended up with a draw. Martina Piemonte and Megan Finnigan scored for Everton, responding to Amy Rodgers and Amalie Thestrup's goals for Bristol City. Despite Everton's dominance, particularly down the left side with Sara Holmgaard impressing, they couldn't convert many chances. Katja Snoeijs was a constant threat, setting up opportunities, but Olivia Clarke's outstanding saves denied Everton the win as Bristol City fought back twice to secure a point, leaving Everton frustrated with missed opportunities.

Brighton vs Arsenal (0-3)

Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius, back in the starting lineup, scored the opener 12 minutes into the first half, followed by Caitlin Foord securing three points with a fantastic long-range finish in the 81st minute. Frida Maanum added a third goal in added time. Arsenal displayed early energy, with Blackstenius and Lotte Wubben-Moy creating chances. Brighton had attempts through Vicky Losada and Julia Zigiotti, but Manuela Zinsberger's saves kept Arsenal ahead at halftime. Brighton started the second half strongly, but Arsenal's defense held firm. Despite some near misses, Arsenal managed to maintain control, with Foord eventually doubling the lead with a precise strike. Maanum sealed the win with a goal in stoppage time, securing Arsenal's first clean sheet in the league this season.

West Ham vs Aston Villa (2-3)

In a thrilling Women's Super League match, Aston Villa secured a dramatic win over West Ham with Rachel Daly scoring a stunning late goal. Despite West Ham's early lead from Viviane Asseyi's penalty, Villa fought back with goals from Anna Patten and Adriana Leon. Lisa Evans' impressive strike seemed to secure a point for West Ham, but Daly's spectacular effort sealed the victory for Villa. West Ham, struggling defensively and experiencing a challenging WSL season, showed resilience under new manager Rehanne Skinner but still face difficulties, especially in their home games and defensive stability, which might impact their league standing unless addressed.

Leicester vs Tottenham (1-1)

Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn remains optimistic despite his team securing a third consecutive Women's Super League draw against Leicester. Celin Bizet's equalizer canceled out Janice Cayman's early lead for Leicester, with Spurs' Janina Leitzig making crucial saves. Vilahamn highlighted the squad's progress despite missed chances, praising their second-half performance and offensive style. While acknowledging their unbeaten streak since the opening match against Chelsea, Vilahamn expressed disappointment at not converting more chances into goals, emphasizing the need for improvement in finishing. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, Spurs' inability to capitalize on chances, exemplified by Leitzig's remarkable saves, left them frustrated, especially regarding their forward Martha Thomas's limited dangerous positions during the game.

Man Utd vs Man City (1-3)

Manchester City's comeback against Manchester United at Old Trafford rejuvenated their Women's Super League title chase after back-to-back defeats. Despite a record-breaking crowd, City rallied to win 3-1 despite playing with 10 players for the final 15 minutes. United initially led through a Katie Zelem penalty, but City's Jill Roord and Lauren Hemp swiftly turned the game around with two quick goals, securing a crucial victory that puts them third in the league, six points behind leaders Chelsea. The loss for United, amid an expectant Old Trafford crowd, highlighted their struggle to respond and closed the gap between them and the league leaders.

What’s the Tea?

Emma Hayes, a name synonymous with success in women’s soccer, has recently been appointed as the head coach of the United States women's national team. This groundbreaking announcement, made on November 14, 2023, heralds a new era for the team. Hayes brings with her a remarkable track record from her tenure at Chelsea, where she led the team to multiple league titles and European competitions, establishing herself as one of the most respected figures in the sport.

What makes Hayes’ appointment particularly noteworthy is the milestone it represents in the realm of coaching. Not only is she taking the reins of one of the most prestigious teams in women's soccer, but she also becomes the highest-paid coach in the history of women's football. This landmark achievement underscores the growing recognition and value of women coaches in the sport, setting a new standard for future appointments.

Apart from her impressive coaching credentials, Emma Hayes is known for her dynamic leadership style and her ability to nurture talent. Her approach to coaching is often described as innovative and inspiring, qualities that have earned her respect and admiration from players and peers alike. As she prepares to lead the U.S. team towards the Paris Olympics, the soccer world eagerly anticipates the impact of her visionary leadership on the international stage.

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