Shaw chases Miedema’s scoring file
Bunny Shaw may now not prevent scoring and she or he added to her tally towards Reading on Sunday. The purpose was once the Manchester City striker’s 18th of the season and the query now could be can she smash the file for many targets scored through a participant in a WSL marketing campaign. Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema recently holds the file with 22, accomplished through the Dutch striker all through the 2018–19 season. Shaw is 4 targets shy of matching Miedema’s tally and with City having 3 fits ultimate this season, it’s imaginable to look the 26-year-old doing simply that. It must even be famous that Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly is on 17 targets, only one in the back of Shaw, and so, come the tip of the season, it’s imaginable two gamers can have surpassed Miedema’s mark. Sarah Rendell
Daly stakes England declare to begin up entrance
Carla Ward believes Rachel Daly has confirmed she is a “world class” ahead and will spearhead the Lionesses’ assault at this summer time’s World Cup. The Aston Villa striker, who performs left-back for England, scored her sixteenth and seventeenth targets of the season in Friday’s 3-2 defeat through Manchester United. “She’s world class,” mentioned Ward. “Everything about her: her motion, her targets. She’s most likely dissatisfied she did not get her hat-trick, however she’s been fantastic.” United’s Alessia Russo is England’s first-choice striker while the ACL injury that has ruled Leah Williamson out of the World Cup means Alex Greenwood is likely to play in the center of defense rather than at left-back. But Ward believes Daly should be considered up front first and foremost. “If Sarina [Wiegman] is looking tonight, you can see her movement is different level,” she mentioned. “Superb.” Peter Lansley
United nonetheless in hunt for the double
Marc Skinner had to take a seat down together with his circle of relatives within the stands on the Bescot Stadium on Friday night with the intention to let his middle price come down after Manchester United’s last-gasp win towards Aston Villa, however he’s totally embracing what may well be probably the most thrilling denouement to a WSL name race but. United even have an FA Cup ultimate towards Chelsea to navigate however, after Manchester City lowered their result in 3 issues on Sunday with victory over Reading, their supervisor is focusing best at the controllables on this four-way contest. “I see it with us trying to beat Tottenham next week,” mentioned Skinner. “That’s all we have now were given to do. We cannot keep an eye on anyone else’s destiny, so we have now simply were given to concentrate on us.” PL
Leicester on course to beat the drop
If you had asked WSL observers in December how they rated Leicester’s chances of survival, many would not have been positive. The Foxes have, however, emphatically turned a corner since the winter break. Under Willie Kirk’s stewardship, performances have improved, results have followed, and the belief around the squad is palpable. That was all epitomised by Saturday’s display against Liverpool, which saw them score four with no reply. Their energy and high press caught the visitors by surprise, with the intelligence of young players like Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones integral to the hosts’ success. Jubilant scenes greeted the final whistle, with chants of “We are staying up!” reverberating around the King Power. The battle is not yet won but with these kinds of performances, Leicester will be confident of retaining their WSL status. Sophie Downey
England for England? Spurs striker on song
Bethany England scores goals and when you are struggling for creativity, as Tottenham have done all season, having a striker of her quality is crucial. With a goal in either half of Spurs’s 2-2 draw with Brighton on Saturday, England again rescued their side, showing, as ever, an alertness in the box to nod home inside two minutes of Elisabeth Terland’s opening goal for the visitors. England’s second, resulting from a one-on-one with Lydia Williams after a pinpoint through pass, saw her cancel out Lee Geum-min’s 65th-minute strike for the Seagulls. The 28-year-old’s tally for the season now stands at 10, putting her third in the goalscoring charts behind Bunny Shaw and Rachel Daly. With these kinds of numbers, it is hard to see how an international call-up is not on the cards in the near future. SD
Robins return with renewed optimism.
Bristol City finished their Championship season with a 2–0 loss to Birmingham but were still able to celebrate promotion to the WSL by a single point. They are back in a division they haven’t played in since 2021, where they were relegated after winning only two out of 22 fixtures. So how will they fare in the top tier next season? The transfer window will, of course, play a part; City will want to retain the likes of Shania Hayles, top scorer in the Championship this season, and a few shrewd deals, like Liverpool did when they came up last season, could lead to them securing a mid-table finish. City’s manager, Lauren Smith, is certainly feeling positive about her team’s prospects next season. “I’m happy for everyone and in point of fact excited for what comes subsequent,” she advised BBC Radio Bristol. SR