Derby controversy highlights the need for VAR in WSL
“It's about people's livelihoods, these are people's jobs that are now at stake. The whole world is watching,” former Aston Villa boss Carla Ward told Sky Sports as she responded to the penalty decision that gave Everton a 1 -0 victory over Liverpool claimed.
“[The officiating] let the league down, we don't want to have to keep talking about the decisions the referees make on the pitch,” added former Liverpool and Everton defender Fern Whelan.
There is no VAR in the Women's Super League and this causes a problem. Despite it being the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park and regardless of Everton's formidable performance, the implications of the match are dominated by the controversial nature of the victory.
Referee Abigail Byrne awarded a penalty after Fuka Nagano tripped Honoka Hayashi outside the area, leading to what was ultimately the winning goal. According to Liverpool boss Matt Beard, it cost them the result.
There were a few more calls from the Liverpool camp for their own penalties. Olivia Smith, Ceri Holland and Cornelia Kapcos were involved in possible incidents. While by no means decisive, the official may have benefited from an additional perspective on the challenges.
VAR in its current form isn't perfect, but it would go a long way to mitigating some of the costly human errors that naturally occur during a football match.William Bitibiri
Chelsea is the standard – that's not a 'fantasy'
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor was reluctant to talk about the possibility of Chelsea going five points clear after beating his side 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and moving above them into top spot. He refused to indulge in what he described as 'fantasy'.
But the harsh reality for City, unbeaten and top of the table before Saturday's defeat, is that Sonia Bompastor's side, who won all seven of their opening games in the competition, only need to win their match against Manchester United to clinch that leading position reaches.
Certainly, it's too early to consider City's title prospects over, but the outcome of the match – and Chelsea's relative comfort throughout – has once again made the champions the side to beat in the WSL, in which was predicted by some as a transition phase. season.
Bompastor's arrival following the departure of Emma Hayes should open up an opportunity for City. This was the season that saw Chelsea's hegemony in the WSL broken after five titles ahead. But as it stands, City are still a long way from that.
Lauren Hemp's absence was painfully felt by City, as was that of Laia Alexandri, and they looked to be running out of steam just as Chelsea clicked into gear, with goals from Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten four minutes apart determined the match in the final. quarter.
Conversely, it was almost an afterthought that Chelsea were without Kadeisha Buchanan, Sam Kerr, Lauren James, Mia Fishel and Niamh Charles due to injury. Such is their depth that Chelsea seem to have answers to any problems that come their way.
City's expected qualification for the Champions League is likely to only further expose this disparity in resources. They made one change from their midweek win against Hammarby compared to Chelsea's six. No wonder the Blues were fresher later.
Saturday's victory will by no means decide the title, but it was a crushing reminder for City of exactly who they have to play and a statement that Chelsea are the same side that has helped everyone to the title for the past five years in a row. Zinny Boswell
Did Eidevall stop Arsenal?
It may be a harsh assessment, but we now see the old Arsenal.
When Jonas Eidevall started his reign, the team was very strong in large areas – and it is as if they have gone back to basics. They have taken the risk out of their game and it brings out the best in Leah Williamson. The steps are longer, making them less vulnerable to high turnovers.
The intensity and speed of their play was a standout feature and balance was key, typified by Steph Catley being moved to left centre-back. At Tottenham they only needed 63 seconds to break the deadlock through Alessia Russo.
Robert Vilahamn's game plan blew through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This proved to be a team effort, with player of the match Frida Maanum unhappy with scoring the second but leading the press to the end.
Tottenham were passive during the opening 22 minutes as Arsenal dominated and doubled their lead, but the players have had more time to link the attack under interim boss Renee Slegers, who has now seen her team score 12 goals in three games.
Eidevall laid the foundation, but since his departure confidence has returned to this Arsenal team.
Such a clear identity does not yet exist at Tottenham, whose mistakes against Manchester City resurfaced last week and they have not yet quite found the right positions for certain individuals. Having conceded at least three goals in five of their last six games, defense is a problem.
There are a number of winnable games on the agenda – against Aston Villa, Everton and Brighton – which could potentially take them higher up the table, but it's a worrying time for their supporters.Ben Grounds
The relegation battle will go to the extreme
Aston Villa and Everton are active and the WSL relegation battle is in full swing.
The pair were the last two sides to get their first wins of the season, with both coming out dramatic at the eighth attempt.
Villa were heading towards the foot of the table until Ebony Salmon scored the winner in the 94th minute, while Everton climbed off the bottom thanks to Katja Snoeijs' controversial penalty.
Instead, Crystal Palace remain in the relegation spot, although just two points separate them from seventh-placed Tottenham.
The tight bottom half is a testament to the WSL's competitiveness, which new Villa boss Robert de Pauw has experienced first-hand since joining the club this summer.
Bristol City finished nine points behind last season, but this time the relegation battle is on the rocks.David Richardson
Kirby's class adds quality to Brighton
It's not over for Fran Kirby after she completed a century of WSL goal involvement in Brighton's 3-2 win over West Ham. Both her assist and the decisive goal demonstrated her enduring class.
In a first half of little quality and few incidents, it was Kirby's superb flick with her back heel to save Rachel McLauchlan that got Brighton back in action.
Later, when West Ham had fought back to 2-2 through some long-range strikes from Katrina Gorry, Kirby kept her cool in the penalty area by shifting the ball from one foot to the other, unbalancing her marker and using the time and space she has earned to fire a shot from the upright layer to gain the maximum number of points.
Brighton's fast start to the season continues, with their win over the Amex maintaining third place in the WSL. With the quality of 31-year-old Kirby at their disposal, they can dream of a big season ahead…Peter Smith
Man Utd win, but still have to prove themselves
Manchester United are back in contention for a Champions League place after curbing a three-match winless run with a comfortable victory over struggling Leicester, but questions remain over their ability to to claim points against the top teams.
Marc Skinner's side are just one point behind third-placed Brighton and have a game in hand, although that comes next Sunday before leaders Chelsea – the only other unbeaten side in the competition – as Sonia Bompastor's side aim to keep their perfect start to the competition to continue. season.
United's expectations were low at the start of the season after a summer of discontent, but four wins from the first four games challenged that narrative. However, all those wins came against teams below them, and they subsequently struggled in tougher matches.
Draws against Brighton and Arsenal, their rivals for European qualification, have so far prevented them from rising above the pack in the chase of Chelsea and City. The journey to the champions will be a good test to gauge what we can expect from United in the future.
They are still waiting for a first win against one of the teams they are battling towards the top of the table. Zinny Boswell
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