It was a day full of action and goals in WSL 1. Title rivals Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all picked up wins but relegation battlers Sunderland and Doncaster are still struggling. Here’s all the action from a football filled Sunday.

Chelsea 4-0 Doncaster

Chelsea managed to get back to winning ways with a convincing victory, whilst Doncaster still struggle to get their season going and are still languishing in last place. It took 13 minutes for Chelsea to score with Eni Aluko getting the Blues up and running. Doncaster didn’t make it easy for Chelsea and pressed forward with some chances of their own. They managed to keep themselves in the game at half time with the score only being 1-0.

There was a fairly early substitution for Chelsea when Claire Rafferty was subbed off for Hannah Blundell after a knock. Later on, Gemma Davison came on for Jade Bailey and helped Chelsea start to put the game beyond the reach of the Belles when she assisted Ji’s goal after opening up Doncaster’s defence.

Eni Aluko doubled her tally with a spectacular goal a few minutes from time. Beth England finally got a goal that her performance deserved after many near misses and against her former club. There was also a debut for 16-year-old Miri Taylor who came on for Karen Carney in the 82nd minute.

Sunderland 0-4 Arsenal

After their win against Chelsea last Sunday, Arsenal kept themselves in the title race with a dominant win against relegation fighters Sunderland. It took only 10 minutes before Arsenal took the lead. Fara Williams’ penalty was saved but the rebound was put away by Vicky LosadaJordan Nobbs went on to double Arsenal’s lead in the first half. Danielle Carter scored not long after the restart and then Fara Williams finally converted from the spot to secure the crucial three points.

Arsenal are only two points behind Chelsea but have already played them twice in the league. Sunderland are in 7th place with six points but Doncaster have five games in hand.

Carney in the thick of it. | Image credit: Chloe Leadbeater
Carney in the thick of it. | Image credit: Chloe Leadbeater

Reading 1-1 Birmingham

Reading and Birmingham may be opposite ends of the table but they shared a point in a tough match. It took until the early minutes of the second half until the deadlock was broken by Melissa Fletcher for Reading. Isabelle Linden’s goal rescued a point for Birmingham in a game where both teams had their chances.

Birmingham are current outsiders for the title but they are doing well to keep themselves in it. Reading are second bottom with five points but they have two games in hand over Doncaster.

Notts County 1-5 Manchester City

City showed just why they are title favourites with a 5-1 thrashing of Notts County. Jane Ross kicked off the scoring in the fifth minute and added to it later on in the first half. Jill Scott and Georgia Stanway also scored to put the game beyond doubt. Notts County managed to get a goal back through Jess Clarke, but then Izzy Christiansen scored in the 73rd minute to more than ensure a City win and dominance at the top of the table.

There were unfortunate injuries for both teams, however. Abbie McManus had to be taken off and Fern Whelan was reported to have suffered with whiplash.

VAVEL Logo
About the author