WSL talking points: goals galore as Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool find derby delight

With her hat-trick in Arsenal’s 5-2 win over Tottenham, Alessia Russo took her tally to 25 goal contributions in 31 games this campaign. It is a notable return from a player in her prime, not just in her buildup play, but also her finishing. Arsenal’s attacking dominance – they have scored 18 goals in their past five games – is down to the fact that many of their attacking players are in form. Stina Blackstenius has three goals in her past four games while Caitlin Foord also scored on Saturday, her first appearance since returning from the Asian Cup. Renée Slegers has spoken about the versatility in the type of goals her side produces and the need to be ruthless in both penalty areas. Spurs’ two goals meant an end to Arsenal’s 106-day streak of not conceding in the WSL. While all runs must come to an end, Arsenal still boast the meanest defence in the league. Sophie Downey

Match report: Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham

Marc Skinner repeatedly said fatigue was Manchester United’s downfall after they were comfortably beaten by Manchester City and expressed his frustration at playing their neighbours on Saturdays straight after midweek Champions League fixtures. His team faced Bayern Munich last Wednesday, whereas City are not in Europe. Asked about the quick turnaround time for this defeat and for November’s 3-0 loss at the Etihad, which also followed a Champions League game for United, Skinner said: “It’s a hard one for me because if I say ‘yes’, which is what I really do feel, then people say it’s an excuse, but it is a factor. I think Man City have had an advantage from that twice this year. That’s [all] the energy they have got; the girls are giving everything. It’s a factor, going into these huge games.” Tom Garry

Match report: Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City

Manchester United’s Jess Park and Marc Skinner look dejected at half-time after Vivianne Miedema’s first-half double. Photograph: Molly Darlington/WSL Football/Getty Images

Liverpool exemplified their recent improvements by ending their six-year wait for a league victory in a Merseyside derby and a winless run of away WSL fixtures this season with 3-2 win at Goodison Park. Having been winless against Everton in WSL fixtures since May 2019, and having recorded one away WSL win against their neighbours in nearly 13 years, they survived a late Everton rally with 10 players to collect their first away win since Gareth Taylor took over. It lifted them eight points clear of danger at the bottom and they are now surely all but safe, after their successful transfer window. TG

One instant of brilliance, one swing of the boot that may yet define West Ham’s season. Oona Siren’s first goal for the club, a thunderous volley that left the London City Lionesses goalkeeper, Elene Lete, with no chance, earned a point that could be significant with the Hammers four points clear of Leicester at the bottom with a game in hand. West Ham started brightly, but were punished when Jana Fernández converted the Lionesses’ only shot on target. The response after the break was more purposeful. When Saki Kumagai’s clearance fell invitingly, Siren reacted quickly to drive past Lete. “Every point is important,” she said. With three games remaining this could prove decisive. Mitul Samji

In arguably the most entertaining match of the season, Chelsea’s 4-3 win over Aston Villa was a compelling reminder of their attacking firepower and defensive vulnerability before their Champions League tie against Arsenal on Wednesday. After conceding within two minutes, an end-to-end, almost tennis-like first half ended with six goals scored, Villa converting all three of their shots on target. The Chelsea manager, Sonia Bompastor, expressed her frustration at the loss of control after going 3-1 up, but remained confident her side would respond in the second half. With the Kingsmeadow crowd driving them on, Sam Kerr’s late assist for Sjoeke Nüsken secured a vital victory that moves Chelsea back into second place in the table. Bompastor admitted the winning goal was “a relief for everyone”, but a greater level of control will be required against Arsenall in order to overturn the 3-1 first-leg deficit. Réshma Rao

Chelsea lacked control, but Sjoeke Nüsken’s late winner against Aston Villa moved them into second. Photograph: John Walton/PA

Kiko Seike picked up straight where she left off with Brighton and scored for the fourth game in a row for her club to give them a 1-0 win at struggling Leicester. The Japan forward, who scored four goals for her country to help them win the Asia Cup in Australia, is Brighton’s top scorer this term with seven league goals. Her latest owed much to the vision of Fran Kirby, whose defence-splitting pass found Rosa Kafaji who, in turn, set up Seike for the winner, but Seike’s all-round forward play showed she is full of confidence in such a prolific goalscoring run. TG