WSL round-up: Russo lifts Arsenal as Crystal Palace win late thriller

Alessia Russo scored twice to give Arsenal a much-needed victory at Liverpool, while Bethany England struck late as Crystal Palace denied Charlton their first point of the Women’s Super League season.

London City Lionesses hit four against Birmingham, Tottenham recovered to beat Brighton and a substitute settled Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa.

Manchester City finish the weekend top after Saturday’s emphatic win over West Ham, with Chelsea two points behind following their draw with Everton.

WSL round-up: All seven weekend results

Date	Fixture	Result
Saturday 7 November	Chelsea vs Everton	1-1
Saturday 7 November	Man City vs West Ham	5-0
Sunday 8 November	Liverpool vs Arsenal	1-2
Sunday 8 November	Aston Villa vs Man Utd	0-1
Sunday 8 November	Tottenham vs Brighton	2-1
Sunday 8 November	Crystal Palace vs Charlton	3-2
Sunday 8 November	London City Lionesses vs Birmingham	4-1

Russo delivers as Arsenal hold off Liverpool

Arsenal needed a response to their difficult league campaign and Russo supplied it, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Anfield.

She met Emily Fox’s low cross to put the visitors ahead, but Beata Olsson brought Liverpool level after running on to Natalia Ramos’s pass.

Russo restored Arsenal’s advantage before half-time, heading in Lisa Baum’s delivery. Liverpool had earlier seen a Jenna Clark effort disallowed for offside.

The second half offered little comfort for Renée Slegers. Liverpool continued to threaten, with Cornelia Kapocs sending a late opportunity wide, but Arsenal protected their lead.

It was a result of greater value than the performance alone might suggest. Arsenal remain sixth on 13 points, with ground still to recover in the race for European qualification.

Crystal Palace leave Charlton empty-handed again

Charlton’s wait for a first point continues after a dramatic 3-2 defeat at Palace.

Lexi Lloyd-Smith opened the scoring before Elisha N’Dow and Leah Davidson turned the match around. Charlton were closing in on a breakthrough victory, only for Aimee Everett to equalise and England to deliver the late winner.

Palace ended their seven-game winless league run. For Charlton, a position of real promise became another painful defeat.

London City Lionesses put four past Birmingham

London City maintained their hold on third place with a convincing 4-1 home win.

Poppy Pattinson opened the scoring with a powerful finish before Delphine Cascarino struck from a tight angle to establish a two-goal half-time advantage.

Océane Hurtré gave Birmingham hope shortly after the restart, but Grace Geyoro restored the cushion with a strike from outside the penalty area.

Substitute Kadidiatou Diani added the fourth, completing a productive afternoon for the hosts. London City now have 19 points, four fewer than Chelsea.

Tottenham turn Brighton game around in two minutes

Tottenham recovered from a poor start to beat Brighton 2-1 and retain fourth place.

Fran Kirby gave Brighton the lead after just two minutes, leaving Spurs with work to do following an unconvincing first half.

The response came swiftly after the interval. Signe Gaupset equalised in the 51st minute and Olivia Holdt scored two minutes later, transforming the match before Brighton could regain their footing.

According to Tottenham’s official report, the hosts were largely untroubled thereafter as they secured their fifth league win of the season.

Zigiotti makes the difference for Man Utd

Julia Zigiotti Olme marked her 50th Manchester United appearance with the winner in a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

The midfielder came off the bench to head in Hanna Lundkvist’s cross in the 72nd minute, settling a contest in which both goalkeepers had important work to do.

Hinata Miyazawa had struck the crossbar for United before the break. Villa grew into the match after half-time, with Phallon Tullis-Joyce denying Amalie Vangsgaard and Oriane Jean-François while the score remained level.

Zigiotti’s intervention rewarded those saves. United are now unbeaten in seven WSL matches and 11 across all competitions, as detailed in the club’s match report.

Shaw treble puts Man City above Chelsea

Saturday belonged to Bunny Shaw, who scored a hat-trick on her 150th Manchester City appearance in a 5-0 victory over West Ham.

Aoba Fujino and Iman Beney also scored as City pulled away after the interval. Read our full Man City Women 5-0 West Ham report.

Chelsea were held 1-1 by Everton at Stamford Bridge. Sandy Baltimore put the hosts ahead, but Lucy Bronze’s own goal brought Everton level.

The visitors did not register a shot on target, yet their defensive organisation frustrated Chelsea throughout the second half. Our Chelsea Women vs Everton report covers the draw.

How the WSL table stands

Position	Team	Points
1	Man City	25
2	Chelsea	23
3	London City Lionesses	19
4	Tottenham	16
5	Man Utd	15
6	Arsenal	13

The leaders meet next: Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 14 November, with kick-off at 1.30pm UK time.