ARSENAL CELEBRATED RENEE Slegers’ permanent appointment as head coach by recording a comprehensive 5-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League.
Captain Leah Williamson grabbed her first Gunners goal since March 2023 with a sixth-minute opener – assisted by Katie McCabe – but it failed to open the floodgates.
That was the case after Alessia Russo doubled the hosts’ advantage at Meadow Park after 63 minutes, with Beth Mead on target before Mariona Caldentey registered a late brace to secure an emphatic victory.
McCabe’s Republic of Ireland teammate, Abbie Larkin, was an 84th-minute substitute for Palace as new boss Carla Ward begins to get to grips in charge of the Girls in Green.
Chelsea also returned to winning ways in the WSL with a resounding 5-0 thrashing of West Ham.
Sonia Bompastor had boasted a perfect record in the division after nine fixtures until the Blues dropped points in a surprise 1-1 draw at Leicester on December 14.
A short story...⚽️😁 pic.twitter.com/sWjv5chh9o
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) January 19, 2025
A winter break followed but the visitors scored three times in the first half at Chigwell Construction Stadium, in their first league match for more than a month, to keep hold of their healthy lead at the summit.
Catarina Macario, Erin Cuthbert and Aggie Beever-Jones struck before half-time for Chelsea and Sandy Baltimore added a fourth after the break, with the scoring wrapped up when Amber Tysiak put through her own net late on.
A fourth-minute own goal by Janina Leitzig earned Tottenham a hard-fought 1-0 win over Leicester to move them up to sixth in the table.
In the Championship, Ireland international Megan Campbell scored the only goal of the game as London City Lionesses beat Chloe Mustaki’s Bristol City to move within one point of leaders Birmingham City.
They ensured they stayed top of the pile with a 3-1 win over Portsmouth. Lucy Quinn was an injury-time sub for Birmingham although they confirmed earlier this weekend that Ireland teammate Lily Agg suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury.
A hat-trick by Ella Toone helped Manchester United stun Manchester City by a 4-2 score to leapfrog their rivals in the Women’s Super League.
Toone had never found the net against United’s arch nemeses but changed that in a barnstorming derby at Etihad Stadium.
Two first-half strikes by England midfielder Toone alongside Leah Galton’s 21st-minute tap-in put the visitors in control after an error-strewn City display.
Gareth Taylor’s side fought back before the break, however, through Vivianne Miedema and Rebecca Knaak.
It set up an intriguing second period but Toone completed her treble a matter of seconds after half-time when City goalkeeper Khiara Keating had her clearance closed down in a moment to forget for the Lionesses ace.
Marc Skinner’s United never looked back afterwards to claim a memorable win, which means Chelsea hold a seven-point advantage at the summit.
Great to see Rhys Ruddock in the team and in brilliant form. A massively strong lad, with a thunderous run, very hard to stop. I remember seeing him in the u20′s Irish team and he really impressed. Long may it continue!
Gopperth just isnt up to it,his tactical kicking is awful and it’s interesting to see that Madigan has been doing the place kicking in the last few games even with Gopperth on the field. O’Connor really doesnt seem to know what he is doing as regards his number 10.
I’d say Madigan kicking is an IRFU call… Johnny injured and most likely out of autumn games…
Toner is a giant
Until he addresses the two old men at halfbacks and changes this kick the ball away and hope the other team make a mistake attitude he’ll not get it right.
His away tactics are really poor and hand the home team all the advantages by allowing them constantly to have to ball.
MOC OUT
Why do you want a man who helped Leinster win a trophy in convincing fashion out? he’s proved he can do it for ye, just with picking a quality 10 and 12 as an exception.
Winning the pro12 really isn’t enough and we were awful in the Heineken. Also just the general style in which Leinster played was not exciting to watch. It feels like the team is regressing under O’Connor.
LOL Chris don’t hold back now, say what you think. No point sitting on the fence.
Andrew look what happened to Munster when they accepted mediocre coaches.
I’m sorry I’m too big of a Leinster fan to not say anything.
I tend to agree with you but the blunt honesty of your message made me laugh. There is quality in that Leinster squad but poor passing, aimless kicking and a general lack of clarity in selection and game management is not doing them any favours.
The style of quick, fast, skill-full rugby suits Leinster rugby and has allowed us to seriously compete with anybody. Departing from that general rugby philosophy will not help Leinster.
If Reid is now fit, Madigan can start at 10 which gives Leinster their kicker and game maker in a pivotal role. Hopefully a new partnership in the centre will then emerge.