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WSL1 Team of the Season (2017/18)

I’ve been running a ‘Team of the Week’ for WSL1 all season and I really wanted to finish off this series by producing a team for the season.  What’s more, I was really curious to see who would be in it!

But how do I work out who is in the final team?  Methodically. Each time a player features in a Team of the Week, they earn 1 point.  If they are also the Player of the Week for a particular week, they earn an extra point. Finally, I take the players with the most points and put them into a formation that would make sense in real life (so for example, no more than 5 defender and no fewer than 3.)

And the results are in…

Overall results: The Teams of the Week included 93 players. 14 were from Arsenal and Chelsea 13 from Reading 12 were from Birmingham 10 from Man City 8 from Bristol City 7 from Liverpool 6 from Everton and Sunderland 3 from Yeovil Town

Goalkeeper: Megan Walsh was incredible for Yeovil Town.  She made my Team of the Week four times and also gained a Player of the Week when Yeovil stopped Birmingham from scoring against them.

Subs: Lizzie Durack (Everton) was the goalkeeper in Team of the Week three times.  Ann-Katrin Berger (Birmingham), Grace Moloney (Reading) and Hedvig Lindahl (Chelsea) each featured twice.

Defence: Steph Houghton (Man City) was the outstanding defender of the season marshalling her team on, making the Team of the Week six times and Player of the Week once. Kirsty Pearce (Reading) was also exceptional as captain and defender, making the Team of the Week five times and Player of the Week once. Maren Mjelde (Chelsea) has talent and toughness in abundance, can play in either Midfield or Defence and featured in the Team of the Week four times plus was Player of the Week once.

Subs:  Birmingham’s Aoife Mannion and Kerys Harrop both featured in four Team of the Weeks.  Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Abbie McManus (Man City) and Laren Dykes (Bristol City) featured in three.

Midfield: Ji So-Yun (Chelsea) makes football look like an artform.  She was the outstanding midfielder of the year having made the Team of the Week five teams and Player of the Week once. Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal) was unstoppable when on song.  She made the Team of the Week three times and Player of the Week twice. Jill Scott (Man City) has incredible stamina and shooting.  She made the Team of the Week four times and was Player of the Week once. Alex Greenwood (Liverpool) is consistently excellent and was by far Liverpool’s most regular player in the Team of Week (six times). Gemma Davison (Chelsea) had an amazing start to the season.  She featured in the Team of the Week four times and was Player of the Week once.

Subs:  Danielle van de Donk is the quintessential box-to-box midfielder and featured in the Team of the Week four times.   Ever-creative Laura Coombs (Liverpool) was in the Team of the Week twice and was Player of the Week once.  The very talented Reading midfielders Lauren Bruton, Farah Williams, Jade Moore and Remi Allen each featured in the Team of the Week three times.

Attack: Ellen White (Birmingham) had an incredible season and was goalscorer supreme.  She featured in the Team of the Week five times and was the Player of the Week three times. Nikita Parris (Man City) is such a talented player and terrorises defenders with skill and timing of her runs.  She featured in the Team of the Week five teams and was Player of the Week twice. Subs:  Beth Mead (Arsenal) was consistently excellent for Arsenal and was in the Team of the Week four times.  Bethany England (Liverpool) had some sensational weeks and was in the Team of the Week three times and was Player of the Week once.

Player of the Season: Tallying up the points, there is a clear winner... Ellen White has 8 points and had a sensational season.  Runners up, the magnificent Man City pair Steph Houghton and Nikita Parris who both finished up with 7 points each.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 20 May 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence: Grace Maloney had to be on form as Birmingham attempted to break the deadlock.  As time ticked on, she earned Reading a point with vital save from Lucy Quinn’s close-range shot. Lisa Evans put in an incredible amount of effort and her link play for Arsenal against Bristol City was outstanding.  I’m convinced she covered more ground than any other player. Leah Williamson was as ever as assured on the ball as any forward player. She also became a goal-scoring centre-back for free-scoring Arsenal. Kerys Harrop, Birmingham’s Captain, was assured at the back and involved in several moves down the left channel, heavily influencing the game. Steph Houghton made sure that Man City didn’t go off the boil and concede potentially dangerous early on.  They went on to dominate the match against Everton and claimed a clean sheet.

Midfield: Danielle van de Donk was part of the Arsenal midfield that passed the ball around so fluently, creating multiple chances against Bristol.  She also scored a brace to top off an excellent performance. So Yun Ji stepped up when the team had to produce goals to prevent a final game defeat against Liverpool.  As substitute she came on to score two goals including the winner. Jill Scott was opportunist supreme for Man City against Everton, intercepting opposition passes and getting on the end of crosses.  She scored a brace, her first was an exquisite shot from distance.

Attack:  Mel Lawley created several chances from Man City and used her skill and pace to get the better of the Everton full back throughout the game. Lauren Bruton was Reading’s most dangerous player for the 90 minutes creating plenty of chances from the wide position and drawing fouls from the Birmingham defence. Bridget Galloway never let Yeovil Town’s defence dwell on the ball, winning her side possession and carving out opportunities.  Her goal was a brilliant reaction to deflect Wyne’s shot into the net.

Player of the Match: Jill Scott. In this form, it’s like having a midfielder and a striker in one.  A superb performance!

That’s the end of the season.  Team of the Season is coming soon... (!)

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Match Review

Bristol City Women 1-6 Arsenal Women (Sunday, May 20th 2018)

I arrived late for this match and so had to work out what the score was, and who was playing for Bristol City with an unnamed number 24 shirt on and with a white bandage tied around her head.  It turned out to be 3-0 to Arsenal Women and the determined Millie Farrow who had been in the wars for the Vixens.   Within the last 15 minutes of the first half Arsenal scored 2 more to complete the first-half rout.

Katie McCabe gets Arsenal’s 5th goal just before half time.

At the start of the second half, Bristol seemed determined to improve and went at Arsenal from the get-go, with high-energy pressing.  This resulted in a well-taken goal by Chloe Arthur who capitalised on a poor defensive pass and lobbed the keeper.  That shook Arsenal into a higher gear and a now-tiring Bristol team conceded from a cross, which was slotted home by Danielle van de Donk.  Still, the second half showing was much improved for Bristol. The result was always likely to be a win for a team who were league title contenders at the beginning of the season.

For Arsenal Women, this season is very much a question of ‘What If?’.  What if they hadn’t started the season poorly?  What if they had the same manager and the same plan throughout? The second half of the season went well, as shown by winning the League Cup and reaching the final of the FA Cup. But a better start could have been enough to keep up with Chelsea or even beat their points tally.

As for Bristol City, it’s a question of ‘What Next?’.  In Lauren Hemp they have the best young female in the country, and whilst it would be nice to think she will continue her footballing education in Bristol, the chances are another team will come calling.  Will they be able to keep the rest of the team together?  It is a good group with a fantastic team spirit.  The fans will hope they can improve and get to the next level, but that is not going to be easy.

Captain, Millie Turner signing autographs after the game.

Positives: The way Bristol came out in the second half was much improved.  The team play with fluency and determination and Millie Farrow has really been impressive upfront for Bristol since returning from her injury.

Negatives: The gap between the top six teams and the rest is going to be hard to close. Without high quality players the team will have to put it exceptional performances to repeat the 1-1 draw they achieve against Arsenal earlier in the season.

POTM:  Lisa Evans. The amount of running and good link play she contributed to for Arsenal was outstanding.  I’m convinced she covered more ground than any other player.

Bristol’s POTM:  Millie Farrow.  Despite getting a head injury early on, Millie gave everything she had in this performance and pressed the Arsenal defence, making their jobs very uncomfortable at times.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 15-16 May 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence: Hedvig Lidahl had an excellent game in goal for Chelsea saving from close range when needed and earning her side another clean sheet. Loren Dykes’ efforts for Bristol City were crucial is keeping Fran Kirby and Chelsea’s left-flank quiet for much of the game. Hannah Blundell had another solid game for Chelsea defensively and in creating opportunities along the right-hand-side of the pitch. Katie McCabe had a solid game for Arsenal and created the assist for Beth Mead’s goal. Steph Houghton and her defence had a good day at the office and a deserved clean sheet. Houghton was ever-involved in play and almost scored two goals to add to her team’s efforts.

Midfield: So Yun Ji had an effective game for Chelsea, competing high up the field and creating chances. She made an assist for Drew Spence’s goal and almost scored from distance near the end. Kim Little gave a captain’s performance for Arsenal, controlling the middle of the park and scoring the game’s opening goal. Georgia Stanway’s skill and determination was effective in creating attacking opportunities for Man City and she had good chances of her own in the second half.  One such opportunity fell to Parris who was able to flick it into the net for her second goal.

Attack:  Claire Emslie was a threat throughout against Yeovil Town and earned Man City a stunning goal and assist. Nikita Parris was the focal point for City’s attacks and was involved in all 4 of their 5 goals scoring a hat trick and creating the foul for Izzy Christiansen to slot away the resulting penalty. Beth Mead made a memorable return to her former club, finishing Arsenal’s second goal to put the game beyond Sunderland.

POTW:  Nikita Parris.  An exceptional performance and clinical finishing.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 12-13 May 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence: Siobhan Chamberlain made some crucial saves for Reading to stop Liverpool from getting onto the score sheet. Loren Dykes not only helped to get a clean sheet for her side, she was instrumental in creating moves through Bristol’s left channel. Jo Potter had a exemplary game for Reading as they claimed a clean sheet. Jonna Andersson was kept busy at the back for Chelsea but still had the energy to make runs forward including the cross and assist for Eni Aluko’s winner. Kerys Harrop gave a captain’s performance for Birmingham.  Not satisfied with a clean sheet, she was involved in the plays further upfield as well and almost scored a goal. Gemma Davison was back in the Chelsea line-up and showed her trademark wizardry on the wing, getting an assist in the process.

Midfield: Rachel Furness lived up to her name, constantly working and creating opportunities for Reading. Jordan Nobbs was back to her best linking intelligently with her Arsenal teammates and getting an assist.

Attack:   Lauren Hemp provided Bristol with focus and drive with her runs at the opposition defence.  Her goal, direct from a corner started things off for Bristol in the second half. Brooke Chaplen is an excellent finisher and added 2 goals for Reading against Liverpool to add to to her season tally. Charlie Wellings was the player of the moment for Birmingham, scoring a brace and could have bagged a hat trick.  Her first was a 30-yard screamer.

POTW:  Jordan Nobbs.  A vintage performance from the international star.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 06-09 May 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence:  Despite eventually losing to Everton, Megan Walsh had another superb game for Yeovil Town and saved a penalty to keep her side in the game.  Bristol City’s Millie Turner commanded her defensive area against Everton’s attacks.  In Everton’s other game (vs Yeovil Town), Gabby George had an excellent game both defensively and providing offensive options. Maren Mjelde was full of determination in Chelsea’s win over Birmingham and linked up well in the attacks.  Alex Greenwood had another solid game for Liverpool and along with getting a hard-earned clean sheet against Arsenal, made the assist for Bethany England’s winner.

Midfield:  Bristol’s Julie Biesmans capped off her solid midfield work with a well struck free kick to win the game against Everton.  Flo Allen had an excellent game linking play and providing defensive support.  Laura Coombs had an excellent game as the midfield linchpin in Liverpool’s excellent win over Arsenal.

Attack:  Lauren Hemp was ever-active and dangerous against Everton and scored the equalizer. Mollie Green scored 2 for Everton to put the game beyond Yeovil Town.  Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert may have only come on in the second half as a substitute but her engine and drive down the right flank was a major factor in Chelsea staying in the game at that crucial stage.  She also scored the winning goal.

POTW:  Laura Coombs was brilliantly effective in the biggest result of the week, creating and carving up one of the best defences in the land. (Liverpool 1-0 Man City)

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WSL1 Team of the Week

I only started running the Team of the Week for the Women’s Super League at the end of October 2017, so I wanted to complete a TOTW for the early games I had missed.  I did this, by going through Match Reports by all the WSL1 clubs.  Here then, are is the TOTW for the first 3 games of 2017/18 season:

22-24 September 2017 (Week 1):

Remember when Jodie Taylor played for Arsenal?  Gemma Davison was also on incredible form for Chelsea.

Defence – Everton’s goalkeeper Durack did everything she could to keep her team in the game in an excellent performance.  Chelsea got a clean sheet with defenders Eriksson and Flaherty adding goals to their defensive work.  Greenwood managed an assist and created several chances against rivals Everton.

Midfield – Chelsea’s Mjelde was clinical against Bristol scoring a brace and Davison terrorised the Bristol defence from the left wing all game.  Sunderland Captain, Staniforth lead her team to a superb away win against Reading.

Attack – Yeovil couldn’t cope with the wide threats of Parris and Emslie as they both added assists to Man City’s 4-0 victory.  In an epic game between Arsenal and Birmingham, strikers Taylor and White bagged a brace each. Player of the Week = Maren Mjelde (Chelsea)

29 Sep-01 Oct 2017 (Week 2):

Defence – Stenson was the 16 year old substitute keeper for Birmingham who had to perform last minutes saves to give her team all 3 points against Everton. Man City’s Houghton and McManus may have conceded against rivals Arsenal but they both contributed to the offence in a big victory for the sky blues. Turner captained Bristol City as they held firm against local rivals Yeovil Town.

Midfield – Allen’s persistence was crucial in Reading’s victory over Liverpool and she earned her team a goal.  Man City’s Jill Scott scored and got an assist against Arsenal.  Ji was at her creative best as Chelsea routed Sunderland and also scored for her efforts.

Attack – Davison is on brilliant form for Chelsea and scored another brace. Kirby showed more touches of class and scored a brilliant curler into the far corner.  White added another goal to her season tally as Birmingham did enough to beat Everton 2-1.

Player of the Week = Gemma Davison (Chelsea)

07-08 Oct 2017 (Week 3):

Defence – Houghton lead her team through another tough test against Everton and scored the opener. Baggaley’s heroics were crucial in Bristol City earning an away draw against Arsenal.  Dkyes was kept busy both defensively and offensive at full back. Mannion scored Birmingham’s first goal from the penalty spot in a 2-2 draw with Reading.  Flaherty and Chelsea recorded another clean sheet.

Midfield – Van de Donk was on form and scored the equalizer against Bristol City.  Moore had an excellent game and scored an incredible goal for Reading. Mjelde’s exceptional form for Chelsea continues and she added a 3rd goal for the season.

Attack – Parris and Davison are proving to be potent threats for Man City and Chelsea respectively. Parris added a well-taken headed goal and Davison got her team an assist.  Joice was a goal threat for Sunderland against Yeovil Town and got the assist for the winning goal.

Player of the Week = Steph Houghton (Man City)

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Match Review

Bristol City Women 1-6 Man City Women (Thursday, May 3rd 2018)

Man City Women celebrating after Jill Scott’s header makes it 1-0.

This was a very entertaining game, and despite the one-sided score-line, a game with many positives for Bristol City Women.  At the beginning of the game it was easy to see which team had won their previous match. The hosts started very brightly and Man City had to defend well to keep the score at 0-0.  Lauren Hemp was providing touches of class and the team looked organised and determined.  At the other end, Jasmine Matthews was playing well against the dangerous attacking play of Nikita Parris.  Willie Kirk gave Parris and his former player Claire Emslie a great complement with Bristol doubling up against Man City’s wide players.  Man City improved as the half progressed and found the breakthrough from a corner, Jill Scott finishing with a close-range header.

The second half saw a scrappier, more determined Man City team who had found their higher gears.  Man City’s aggressive pressing was starting to open up more opportunities for their attackers.  Within the space of 10 minutes the score had increased to 4-0.  Claire Emslie’s freekick was quickly followed by Jane Ross taking advantage of a defensive error before Nikita Parris finished an attacking move well.  I’ve seen the Vixens lose to Reading Women and to Man City Women in the Spring Series, but this was different.  Even in a losing position, the Vixens didn’t go into damage-limitation mode, they kept on creating chances.  The players, especially Yana Daniels and Lauren Hemp, continued to pass the ball well. Substitutes Aimee Palmer and Charlie Estcourt worked hard and help create more opportunities.  From such a move, team captain Millie Turner finished brilliantly to give the hosts a goal.  This positive play also meant that Bristol were also more open at the back.  Nadia Nadim finished with a brilliant lob over the keeper and Georgia Stanway finished the night with a freakish shot/cross from the left flank.  A night of goals and of two very positive, attacking teams. 

Positives: The team started with great confidence and their organisation and togetherness remained throughout the match.  Charlie Estcourt was very bright when she came on in the second half.

Negatives: Poppy Wilson had an excellent first half but was injured just before the interval.  The other negative is the extra attention being given to Lauren Hemp, which prevented her having space to run into.  Man City (men and women) are pressing experts so this was to be expected.

POTM – Jill Scott. She was the quintessential box-to-box midfield player, breaking up plays and contributing to dangerous on-the-break attacks.  She also scored Man City’s first goal with a header from a corner.

Bristol’s POTM – Yana Daniels.  Both on the left and right flank, Yana linked well and created some excellent chances for the team.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 29 April-03 May 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence:  Another clean sheet from Reading’s defence ably skippered by Kirsty Pearce, and that despite finishing with 10 players.  Birmingham were in top form against Arsenal keeping a clean sheet in the process. Ann-Katrin Berger was excellent in goal and penalty miss aside, Aoife Mannion was a stalwart at the back.  She was alongside the explosive talent of Jessica Carter, who had another great game.  Emma Follis was exceptional on the right flank assisting for the first goal and creating the penalty opportunity.  For Man City, Steph Houghton was faultless and courageous all game, not letting up even when it was beyond Bristol’s reach.  Abbie McManus was one of the more determined Man City players who snapped at their opponent’s heals so effectively.

Midfield:  Reading controlled the game in the centre of the pitch thanks to the defensive qualities of Jade Moore and the forward pay of Fara Williams who also scored a brilliant solo effort, gliding through the Sunderland defence before slotting the ball in the corner of the goal.  Man City’s Jill Scott was the quintessential box-to-box midfield player against Bristol, breaking up plays and contributing to dangerous on-the-break attacks.  She also scored Man City’s first goal with a header from a corner.

Attack:  Only one striker this week with another scintillating display.  Ellen White’s hard work and clinical finishing was rewarded with a hat-trick against their WSL1 competitors Arsenal.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 21st, 22nd and 24th of April 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence:  It seems that Ellen White’s red hot form has been transferred to Yeovil Town goalkeeper Megan Walsh as she added a second consecutive clean sheet, this time against Arsenal Women.  Clean sheets also for Rowe and Pearce (Reading) as well as Williamson and Mitchell (Arsenal).  Rowe and Mitchell were also dangerous going forward on either flank whilst Kirsty Pearce also managed to grab a goal and an assist against Everton Ladies.

Midfield:  With Man City Women and Chelsea Ladies both in European action, the standout performances were from Arsenal’s Kim Little who controlled the midfield against Liverpool Ladies and Bristol City’s Biesmans was in good form as her team did enough to get all three points at Sunderland Ladies.  On the flanks, Yeovil’s Jessie Jones and Reading’s Lauren Bruton had excellent games including a goal from Bruton.

Attack:  Nobbs was constantly creating and linking play for Arsenal Women against Liverpool Ladies and grabbed a goal (her 50th for Arsenal) as well as an assist (an OG by Liverpool’s goalkeeper).    Newly crowned Young Player of the Year, Lauren Kemp was Bristol City’s most potent weapon against Sunderland Ladies and added a goal after her initial penalty was saved.

POTW:  Reading Captain Kirsty Pearce not only oversaw another clean sheet for Reading Women, her drive gave her team an assist and a goal.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the round of games played on 18th April 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defence:  All four defenders and the goalkeeper managed to keep clean sheets this week.  Alex Greenwood added a goal from the penalty spot whilst Magdalena Eriksson scored the winning goal for Chelsea.  Man City’s Jen Beattie was industrious her side both in defence and going forward.  Most notably though, Megan Walsh in goal and her defence including debutant Thierry-Jo Gauvain kept Birmingham’s hot-streak strikers from scoring and earned Yeovil Town their first point of the season.

Midfield:  Man City were back to their dominant early-season form thanks largely to the solid midfield work of Keira Walsh and the brace of goals by Georgia Stanway.  Danielle van de Donk continued her fine season with combative challenges and another goal for Arsenal.  Reading’s Fara Williams scored another brilliant goal and was a standout for Reading in their loss to Arsenal.

 Attack:  Vivianne Miedema didn’t score, but she was part of most of Arsenal’s attacking play thanks to her brilliant hold-up play and passing.  Bethany England scored another goal, her 13th of the campaign, as Liverpool did enough to put the game out of Bristol City’s reach.

POTW: The heroics of Megan Walsh for Yeovil has to be the outstanding performance of this round of games.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

There is no time for the top two teams to rest between European ties, as the likes of Arsenal, Reading and Birmingham are in tremendous form.  Add to that Liverpool, who have rediscovered winning ways once more in a fascinating day in WSL1.  Here’s my team of the week:

Defence:  In a closely-fought contest, Arsenal and Chelsea both had to be on top of their game to earn a point each.  Chelsea’s goalkeeper Lindahl and Arsenal’s Quinn both saved their side on several occasions.  Blundell was Chelsea’s most energetic player, bombing up and down the right flank, whilst Paige Williams provided defensive cover and attacking options for Birmingham.  Pearce and Bonner – Reading and Liverpool captain’s respectively – both scored as their teams managed to get clean sheets.

Midfield:  Coombs enjoyed a productive game for Liverpool, and both scored and assisted against Yeovil. Allen worked effectively in Reading’s midfield and also scored a tremendously improvised overhead kick.  Ladd linked play brilliantly for Birmingham whilst also providing cover in defence.  Mead was a constant threat down the right-hand-side for Arsenal and her efforts were rewarded with a well-taken solo goal.

Attack:  Birmingham continues to score with Ellen White’s tenacity and Rachel William’s creativity.  This week I would say R. Williams was the outstanding striker, scoring Birmingham’s second goal and constantly finding new attacking opportunities.

POTW: Louise Quinn.  She didn’t put a foot wrong all game for Arsenal.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website. They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m running this one. So for the week of 24-28 March 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defense:  Yeovil haven’t had an easy season, but Walsh put in an excellent performance in goal including saving a penalty.  Birmingham earned two clean sheets; job well and truly done!

Midfield:  Staniforth and Turner stood out in a hard-fought draw between Sunderland and Everton.  Meanwhile Allen and Bruton provided attacking threats for Reading and contributed greatly to 4 points won this week.

Attack:  Birmingham’s front two continue to wreck havoc as Birmingham increasing their winning streak to three in a row. Rachel Williams proved too much for Liverpool’s defense, and White almost scored a hat trick against Bristol City. As it is, she had to settle for three goals from the two games.  Fran Kirby is proving unstoppable at the moment, both in the domestic league and in Europe.  She made the difference as Chelsea came from behind to earn a draw against a confident Reading side.

POTW: Ellen White.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website. They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m running this one. So for the week of 21-24 February 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defense:  Good defense days for Birmingham, Arsenal and Liverpool saw Carter and Harrop perform heroics in their victory over Man City.  Durack’s Everton may have lost to Arsenal, but she was in superb form.

Midfield:  Ji was in fine form again as Chelsea rose to the top of the table, whilst Farah was scoring ‘3-pointers’ for fun.  Mannion had a commanding day in midfield for Birmingham.

Attack:  Mead made the difference against a stubborn Everton side.  Clarke and Greenwood combined brilliantly and scored 2 goals for Liverpool.  White put in an immense performance - her energy and pressing was relentless against an unsure Man City defense and her efforts were rewarded with 2 goals.

Player of the Week: Ellen White

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m running this one. So for the weekend of 08-11 February 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defense:  Everton defended brilliantly to keep their early lead intact against Reading and Durack was kept busy in goal.  Blundell, Williams and Beatie all performed well during their teams’ wins.

Midfield:  Turner was always making runs and linking play for Everton down the left flank.  Van de Dank and Janssen had an excellent week, particularly on Thursday against Liverpool.  Van de Dank never stopped working hard and Janssen gave a very controlled performance and scored a superb long shot goal.  Ji’s passing, control and finish for Chelsea against Birmingham were superb.

Attack:  Mead and Carter combined brilliantly in attack for Arsenal directly resulting in 4 goals against Yeovil.  Parris is having a great season and scored two more goals here.  She also gave her side a penalty, which I don’t believe should have stood, but her skill and persistence made the difference in the game against Liverpool.

Player of the week: Ji.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m running this one. So for the weekend of 027-28 January 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defense:  In goal, both Moloney and van Veenendaal were outstanding as their teams fought out a 0-0.  Houghton crowned her 100th appearance for Man City with a superb performance, whilst Sergent also added a goal to her side’s clean-sheet.

Midfield:  There were lots of battles and scrappy performances this week, and Janssen fought her way into the team of the week.  Dunn and Clarke provided skill, whilst Christiansen and England provided end-product to their football.  Christiansen scored and got two assists whilst the prolific England scored another two goals in what is an incredible season for her so far.

Attack:  Things didn’t go Everton or Sweetman-Kirk’s way this week including missing a penalty, but her energy and intelligence to create chances was one of the reasons Everton were so close to getting a result against Chelsea.  Nikita Parris was simply sensational, scoring two and assisting for Man City’s third goal.  A definitive Player of the Week.

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WSL1 Team of the Week

As part of a weekly review I enjoy Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week on the BBC website.  They don’t do the same feature for women’s football; at least not yet. Until they do, I’m going to run one. So for the weekend of 06-07 January 2018, here’s my Team of the Week:

Defense:  It was not a great week for defenses, although Sunderland and Liverpool can be pleased with their clean sheets.  Fullback Hayley Sharp also scored, and Alex Greenwood notched up another assist for the season.

Midfield:  Mjelde provided midfield dynamism for Chelsea in their win over Arsenal.  Daniels, England and Scott all provided attacking excellence, especially England with 4 goals to her name.

Attack:  There were a few options here, but I went with the pace and creativity of Emslie who scored and got an assist, and for Bachmann who gave Arsenal a hard time throughout the game.