Women's Super League

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Everton interim boss Scott Phelan has demanded more from his side despite becoming the first Toffees boss to win back-to-back Women's Super League fixtures.

Phelan has taken maximum points from his first two matches in the dugout against London City Lionesses and West Ham United respectively but does not want his team to stop there.

The result means Everton have now won three straight games to climb away from trouble - and is their second victory at Goodison Park after losing their first six WSL matches there since relocating permanently last summer.

"We spoke about Goodison Park and how happy we are to use it as our home stadium - but we want to make the most of it," he said.

"We want opposition teams to come here and feel the difference and go away knowing they've been in a real tough game. Hopefully, West Ham have felt a little bit of that today in certain moments.

"We want more, but as a start, we couldn't ask for much more."

Phelan will face his biggest test yet as interim boss when the Toffees travel to Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, 22 February (16:30 GMT) but the 37-year-old is relishing the challenge.

"We live in a football city and there are certain games throughout the calendar that we look for and Liverpool are one of them," he explained.

"It's definitely exciting and we wanted to use the cup to add some excitement to the season as well. The fact that it's Liverpool as well makes it extra exciting."

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

England international Ella Toone is likely to miss the Women's League Cup final in March because of a hip injury, Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has confirmed.

Earlier this month Skinner gave Toone a timeline of about six weeks to return - at that time there were still slim hopes she might return to the squad in time for the final, but that now looks extremely unlikely.

Toone, 26, last played in the 2-1 win over Tottenham in the quarter-finals in December and is yet to feature for United in 2026.

She missed their Champions League knockout stages play-off first-leg win over Atletico Madrid this week and their cup semi-final victory over Arsenal last month.

Asked if she was a doubt for the final against Chelsea on 15 March, Skinner said: "Potentially, yes. It probably comes a bit too soon.

"I would imagine we're aiming for around the Manchester City game [on 29 March]. Hopefully we can welcome her back then."

United face London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League this Sunday (12:00 GMT) and will be without several players because of injury.

Winger Fridolina Rolfo, who missed Thursday's 3-0 win at Atletico Madrid, is hoping to return for next week's second leg at Leigh Sports Village.

Defender Anna Sandberg went off at half-time on Thursday with a calf injury which Skinner says United will assess over the next few days.

There is still no timeframe on a potential return for winger Leah Galton, who has been absent this year with a back injury.

United currently sit second in the WSL table, 11 points adrift of leaders Manchester City who beat Leicester City 6-0 on Friday night.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City boss Rick Passmoor was candid in his post match assessment after the Women's Super League's bottom club suffered a brutal 6-0 loss against leaders Manchester City on Friday evening.

"It's a real tough one - it shows you the gulf between top and bottom," he said. "You can see why they are doing well, they only recently put five past Chelsea and also six against Aston Villa, so they are flying all across the park."

The league leaders flexed the full extent of their attacking muscles to put the Foxes to the sword, most ruthlessly so when they took their advantage from 1-0 to 4-0 in the space of a dizzying 10 minutes in the first half.

"You have to come into these games and compete," he said. "You have to stay in the games when momentum is swinging against you.

"Potentially it is the most disappointing performance this season."

Despite the heavy defeat, 12th-placed Leicester did have their chances in the early stages, with Alisha Lehmann hitting the post at 0-0, and Shannon O'Brien crashing a shot off the crossbar at 2-0.

Asked if the game may have turned out differently had one of those chances gone in Passmoor replied: "100%. You've got to take those chances because against the top teams you're not going to get many.

"We had some good play, created some good opportunities and in terms of recent games, we are thinking if we can be ruthless in those little moments. Because it changes the narrative."

We asked you for your thoughts on the four-week break after this weekend until the next bank of Women's Super League games.

Here is a selection of your views:

Cathy: There are too many breaks in WSL - there aren't actually that many games anyway because the league is so small. Understand need for international break but shouldn't one have so soon after winter break (which is too long).

Niamh: Hopefully with the expansion of the league it means that more games will happen so less breaks!

Dan: Football is a winter sport! Saturday at 3pm, Tuesday at 7:45pm (Sunday and Wednesday for women's games if need be). Why do they need to keep changing everything? The game isn't broken.

Tom: I was guessing that with two more teams in the league next season these breaks might have to shrink a bit anyway. Let's build slowly we don't want to exhaust the players.

Malcolm: The governing body is trying its best to protect the players from injury and over-playing.

Mary: When there are comments about the packed WSL schedule, along with other competitions, it's a double-edged sword. More games to fit in, but a rest from the pressure. It does disrupt the flow in the league contributing to inconsistent performances and results.

After this weekend's Women's Super League fixtures, there will not be any more matches in the competition until the weekend of 14-15 March.

The WSL has already had a winter break from December 14 until January 10 but there will effectively be another one although Champions League knockout round play-offs, the FA Cup and World Cup Qualifiers will occur during the league's hiatus.

So what do you think?

Are you happy about another break?

Is it a good thing for the women's game - or would you prefer the schedule to look different?

Tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

Everton interim head coach Scott Phelan says recent performances have given him hope that the end of the season can be positive.

"Change brings fresh opportunity, and that's something we've been keen to stress to the players," said Phelan before the visit of West Ham to Goodison Park on Sunday (12:00 GMT)

"The start that the players have made has been really encouraging and that's given me more hope that things can be really bright and positive between now and the end of the season."

Phelan led the side to a battling 1-0 win at London City Lionesses in his first game in charge last weekend, a win that stretched the gap to the relegation play-off zone to five points.

He feels the back-to-back victories have lifted the atmosphere at Everton.

"If training is anything to go by, [the players] are definitely in a good mood," he said. "The noise and enthusiasm around the sessions has been really, really notable, and that was something we asked them to bring."

Upcoming opponents West Ham travel to Merseyside on the back of two wins in their past three games, including a remarkable comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 against Brighton last time out.

If Rita Guarino's side can win at Goodison Park, it would move them level on points with Everton in ninth.

"It's that time of the season where people are desperate to collect three points and Sunday will be no different," added Phelan. "We expect opposition teams to come and compete, especially at a fantastic stadium like Goodison.

"We're desperate to come and play a Goodison because we expect a similar noise, similar encouragement [to last weekend].

"We want to make our ground a tough place to come."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton assistant head coach Chris Roberts accepts his side are underdogs against Arsenal on Sunday (14:30 GMT) but insists Albion hold no fear and is challenging his players to compete with the reigning European champions.

"I don't think the word fear is right, but in this league every single game brings pressure," said Roberts. "It's very unique here that from top to bottom anyone can take points off anybody else.

"Of course, the teams at the top are consistently winning more, but on any day, any team can take points off another - it's one of the biggest selling points of the WSL."

The Seagulls won this fixture 4-2 last season and Roberts wants his side to see Sunday's game at Broadfield Stadium as another opportunity to pull off an upset.

"When you play teams like Arsenal, you have to be at your absolute best," he said. "You need to ride the storm at times in the game and deal with big spells of pressure.

"Ultimately the pressure is on them, but the internal expectation here is that we perform and we play and we compete.

"We're certainly not turning up to park the bus and to pray for a draw."

Brighton have struggled for consistency since the turn of the year, winning two and losing three of their five games across all competitions, including throwing away a two-goal lead to lose against West Ham last time out.

"We've got an amazing bunch, a great mentality, great team spirit and a real togetherness in the group," he added.

"When another game is coming, you get over what's happened, and you start to focus on the next one."

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham manager Rita Guarino says her side have taken "a lot of energy" from their remarkable comeback win against Brighton in the Women's Super League on Sunday.

The Hammers trailed 2-0 with eight minutes of normal time remaining and looked set to finish the day bottom of the table.

However, late goals from Ffion Morgan, Shekeira Martinez and Vivianne Asseyi secured victory to push them up to 10th.

"We keep a lot of energy from this weekend," Guarino said before her side's WSL match against Everton on Sunday (15 February, 12:00 GMT).

"From the first minute until the end of the game, the performance was very high. In the last 10 minutes I was surprised about the energy, effort and resilience of my players.

"But we refocus on the next game, it's very important to prepare well and not to be too excited. For sure, we got a lot of energy from that game."

Two of West Ham's three WSL wins this season have come in Guarino's four league games in charge, after she replaced Rehanne Skinner as manager in December.

Despite the upturn in fortunes, Guarino is still demanding more consistency in West Ham's performance levels.

"It's something we need to work on every day," she said. "Consistency is something I want to see in my team not only during one game but also across [several] games."

Martinez's equaliser against Brighton was her third goal in as many games, but Guarino stressed that West Ham must not solely rely on the in-form striker.

"Shekeira is a fantastic striker. When she has confidence, she can score any goals and performs very well. We work for her to be confident on the ball and confident scoring.

"But it's also very important that the whole team performs. You can't score if you don't defend well [and] create opportunities to progress.

"It's very important the team performs well so that individuals can show their strength."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal captain Kim Little has been named Women's Super League player of the month for January.

The former Scotland midfielder was instrumental for the Gunners as they beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, their first win against the Blues since December 2023.

She also played the full 90 minutes in their draw with Champions League qualification rivals Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

It has been a week of milestones for the 35-year-old after making her 400th Arsenal appearance off the bench against OH Leuven in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Manchester United's Jess Park has been awarded the goal of the month prize for her solo run and strike in the side's 4-1 win at Aston Villa.

Finally, Liverpool boss Gareth Taylor has picked up the manager of the month award after guiding the Reds to four points from a possible six against Tottenham and London City Lionesses to help them off the foot of the table.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz says Sam Coffey has added leadership and physicality to his squad, but has challenged the January signing to play an unfamiliar advanced role in midfield.

City signed United States midfielder Coffey from Portland Thorns last month for a club record fee of £600,000.

Yui Hasegawa and Laura Blindkilde-Brown have formed a strong midfield partnership for the Women's Super League leaders this season, but Jeglertz believes the addition of Coffey has improved the dynamic of the team.

"She is a little different from the other [midfielders]. She is a more physical player than the other ones in that position, speaking a bit more, taking leadership on the field," Jeglertz said before City's WSL match against Leicester on Friday [13 February, 19:00 GMT].

"She is a little bit different and that is good for us because that makes the dynamic of the team even better."

Coffey is widely regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the world, but Jeglertz wants the 27-year-old to develop her offensive game.

"To not be too predictable as a team, we need those playing in central positions to be playing both attacking and defending, to be both a higher six and lower six," he said.

"I want her [Coffey] to be able to play higher up if needed because that will make it more unpredictable for opponents. Players can't just play in one position, they must play in different areas of the field."

Coffey's three WSL appearances since joining City have all come from the bench, but she will likely become a regular starter when Hasegawa goes to the Asian Cup with Japan next month.

Jeglertz expects to have a full squad to choose from on Friday, with forwards Mary Fowler (knee) and Aoba Fujino (concussion) fit and available.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Kim Little made history on Wednesday as she became only the third player in Arsenal history to reach 400 appearances for the club.

Arsenal's club captain replaced Olivia Smith from the bench in the 82nd minute of her side's 4-0 victory over OH Leuven in the first leg of their Champions League play-off round tie.

The 35-year-old Scott made her Gunners debut in 2008, and is behind only Ciara Grant (403) and Emma Byrne (459) in the club's all-time appearance list.

"You obviously don't count when you're playing but it's so special. I have loved every minute of those 400 games," Little told Disney+.

"Leah [Williamson] said some nice words in the huddle that made me a bit emotional. I have played with Leah for a long time, she is a close friend and she just spoke about how we've been playing, how we are as a club, our humility and our respect. That's all I want."

Arsenal were cheered on by a strong travelling contingent of fans who are hoping to see the Champions League holders defend their title.

"We've got an incredible fanbase and its growing and growing," said Little, who after the final whistle was hoisted into the air by her team-mates.

"They follow us far and beyond. Makes us on the pitch feel special. It is special to be a part of this club."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner says his players are "in game mode" as they prepare for the return of the Champions League on Thursday.

United have travelled to Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their knockout round play-off with the Spanish giants (20:00 GMT).

It will be the second time the two sides have met this season after Skinner's team won with 10 players in October after Dominique Jansson was sent off.

"We are prepared for the huge challenge ahead," Skinner said. "We are in game mode because the matches are coming thick and fast.

"We are in really good form and playing with really good quality. We know how tough it was last time but we are looking forward to it."

The Red Devils have won their past five games in all competitions and face Atletico knowing Bayern Munich await the winners in the quarter-finals.

"I have seen us fight, I have seen us play beautiful football and I have seen us find a way to win," said Skinner of United's journey in the Champions League.

"The growth of the team has been great. We aim to win both legs as we don't think we can sit back and try to draw either of them. We have not travelled over to not try to do that."

The United boss also reserved special praise for full-back Anna Sandberg, who joined him for the pre-match news conference.

"She will be one of the best left-backs in the world - I firmly believe that," he said.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City boss Andree Jeglertz has called for the introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology in the Women's Super League

WSL leaders City saw their 13-game winning streak ended by a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday, but remain eight points clear at the top of the table.

City felt Gunners midfielder Mariona Caldentey should have been sent off in the second half for bringing down Lauren Hemp just outside the penalty area with only goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to beat.

Referee Abigail Byrne judged Caldentey won the ball and waved play on.

"I've seen pictures from different angles and for me, it's very clear it is the wrong decision," Jeglertz said before his side's WSL match against Leicester City on Friday (13 February, 19:00 GMT).

"We can't do anything about it now. As long as the players are working to develop, I'm pretty sure the referees are working to develop. I'm sure in the future we will develop the game in that way.

"I think VAR should be [introduced]. I know there are some challenges with that, but it should be in our league because it's the most fair way for these situations."

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers called for the introduction of VAR in November after her side had an equaliser against Chelsea incorrectly disallowed for handball.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Tottenham FC

Tottenham midfielder Eveliina Summanen has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The Finland international joined from Swedish side Kristianstads DFF in January 2022 and has become a regular starter for Tottenham.

The 27-year-old made her 100th appearance this month and is the club’s all-time leading assist provider in the Women’s Super League.

She was part of the Spurs squad that reached the Women’s FA Cup final in 2024 and represented her country at Euro 2022 and Euro 2025.

"I'm happy here. I've found my place at Spurs and I think it was natural to keep going on that journey," said Summanen.

"That's why I'm excited to stay here, to see what we can build on. Hopefully [we can] achieve big things."