Man United finally broke their early‑season slump in the Women's Super League by edging West Ham United 2-1 at Leigh Sports Village, earning the club its first victory of the 2026/27 season. Coach Eva Olid, whose side had managed only a solitary point from three opening fixtures, saw her team take the initiative from the outset. Within the first ten minutes, a well‑timed cross from Anna Sandberg found Elisabeth Terland, whose unchallenged header looped past the West Ham defence and into the net, putting United ahead.
The lead could have been doubled before the interval. Hanna Lundkvist rose to meet a cross and directed a powerful header toward goal, only for West Ham goalkeeper Constance Picaud to make a spectacular fingertip save, pushing the ball over the bar in the dying moments of the first half.
United emerged from the break with renewed vigor, creating three chances in a rapid three‑minute spell. Andrea Medina struck the side‑post, Jess Park sent a shot wide of the post, and Terland forced another reflex save from Picaud, underscoring United’s growing confidence.
West Ham struggled to find a foothold in the game. Their first shot on target arrived only after the hour mark when Estelle Cascarino burst down the centre, unmarked, and unleashed a dipping drive that forced United keeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce to stretch and tip the ball over the cross‑bar. The pressure finally paid off in the 72nd minute when Medina, after receiving a perfectly weighted pass from Park, slotted home a low‑driven finish that had been blocked on the initial attempt. The goal restored United’s two‑goal cushion.
However, the victory was not without drama. In the 78th minute, Arsenal forward Viviane Asseyi was brought down inside the penalty area by Anna Sandberg. The referee pointed to the spot, and Asseyi calmly converted, sending the ball into the bottom left corner and trimming United’s lead to a single goal.
Despite the concession, United held on for the win, marking a crucial turnaround in their season and providing a morale boost after a difficult start. In other league action, Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a narrow 1-0 triumph over Arsenal in the London derby at Stamford Bridge.
The streak, which comprises ten wins and two draws, dates back to early February and effectively ended Arsenal’s own 23‑game unbeaten run that spanned almost a full year. Arsenal dominated much of the first half, with Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey both seeing their efforts rebound off the woodwork, yet they failed to produce a shot on target before the break.
Chelsea took the lead late in the first half when Keira Walsh’s 20‑yard effort was parried by Arsenal keeper Anneke Borbé, and the rebound was hammered home by Alyssa Thompson. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers responded by introducing attacking options Chloe Kelly, Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius, but the changes could not alter the outcome.
The defeat marked Arsenal’s third consecutive league loss, leaving them seven points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Further north, Liverpool secured a historic 2-0 victory over Everton at Anfield, delivering the club’s first WSL Merseyside derby win at the stadium. Liverpool had previously suffered eight defeats in nine Anfield WSL fixtures, five of which were at the hands of Everton.
The breakthrough came early, with Beata Olsson heading in from a set‑piece in the fourth minute. Liverpool continued to press, but Everton’s midfield anchor Ruby Mace thwarted several chances, notably clearing a shot from Natalia Ramos and denying a goal‑bound effort from Cornelia Kapocs. Kapocs eventually broke the deadlock in the 85th minute, sweeping home to seal the win. Tottenham Hotspur also enjoyed a convincing 4-0 victory, this time against Aston Villa, after a dominant second‑half display that kept them within striking distance of Manchester City at the top of the table.
The win moved Spurs to ten points from four games, just two points behind the league leaders. Villa, sitting 13th, managed to keep Tottenham at bay in the first half, but the floodgates opened after Victoria Pelova opened the scoring in the 54th minute.
Pelova doubled the lead shortly thereafter, followed by a back‑post header from Caitlin Dijkstra and a rebound finish by Cathinka Tandberg that sealed the rout. Newly promoted Birmingham City continued their search for a maiden WSL win, salvaging a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace at St Andrew’s. Suzu Amano, introduced off the bench, netted a deflected equaliser in the 87th minute, ensuring Birmingham left with a point.
Birmingham had appeared poised for a first victory, leading 2-1 at halftime thanks to a brace from Oceane Hurtre. Hurtre scored early, after just 40 seconds, but Palace equalised when a goalkeeper error allowed Shanade Hopcroft’s free‑kick to slip through.
Hurtre restored Birmingham’s lead three minutes later with a powerful strike from a tight angle. Palace responded in the second half, with Bethany England equalising in the 70th minute, and Lexi Lloyd‑Smith completing the comeback with a one‑on‑one finish. Amano’s late goal preserved Birmingham’s second point of the campaign and denied Palace a second win.
These results illustrate a shifting landscape in the WSL, with traditional powerhouses like Manchester City and Chelsea maintaining momentum, while clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool strive to climb back into contention after uneven starts. The league’s competitive balance continues to evolve, promising an exciting remainder of the season for fans and players alike.