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Arsenal firing on all cylinders
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 who is in her prime, not just in her buildup play but also her finishing. She will rightly take the headlines but Arsenal’s attacking dominance – they have scored 18 in their last five – is down to the fact that many of their attacking players are in form. Stina Blackstenius has three in her last four 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 kind of goals her side produces and the need to be ruthless in both boxes. 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 at some point, Slegers’ side still boast the meanest defence in the league, a quality that has been a foundation for their current vein of form. Sophie Downey
Match report: Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham
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Skinner puts derby display down to fatigue
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 twice this season. His team faced Bayern Munich last Wednesday, whereas City are not in Europe this term, and asked about the quick turnaround time for this defeat and for November’s 3-0 away loss at the Etihad, which also followed a Champions League game for United, Skinner replied: “Honestly, 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 honestly, 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 gave them [City] a huge advantage. It’s a factor, going into these huge games.” Tom Garry
Match report: Manchester United 0-3 Manchester City
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Liverpool banish derby woes
Liverpool exemplified their recent improvements by ending their six-year wait for a league victory in a Merseyside derby as they won 3-2 at Goodison Park and ended their own extensive winless run of away WSL fixtures this season. Having been winless against Everton in WSL fixtures since May 2019, and having recorded just one away WSL win against their neighbours in nearly 13 years, they survived a late Everton rally with just 10 players to collect their first away win since Gareth Taylor took over. It also lifted them eight points clear of danger at the bottom and Taylor’s team are now surely all but safe, after their successful transfer window. TG
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Will Siren’s first Hammers goal prove crucial in survival fight?
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 the bottom side Leicester City, with a game in hand. West Ham had started brightly but were punished when Jana Fernández converted London City 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 and no win in four, this could yet prove decisive. Mitul Samji
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Chelsea go second but lack control against Villa
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 ahead of a crucial Champions League tie against Arsenal this week. After conceding within two minutes, an end-to-end, almost tennis-like first half saw six goals scored, with Villa converting all three of their shots on target. The Chelsea manager, Sonia Bompastor, expressed her frustration at her side’s 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 on Wednesday in order for Chelsea to overturn a first-leg deficit. Réshma Rao
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Brighton happy to have Seike back
Kiko Seike picked up straight where she left off with Brighton prior to the Asian Cup and scored for a fourth game in a row for her club to give them a 1-0 win at struggling Leicester City. The Japan forward, who also scored four goals for her country to help them win their continental title in Australia, is now 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 throughout the game showed that she is full of confidence amid such a prolific goalscoring run. TG
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