WSL news

Khadija Shaw's record-breaking hat-trick fired Manchester City to a dominant 5-2 win over Tottenham on Saturday, allowing the Women's Super League leaders to maintain their seven-point cushion at the top with just four games to go. It took Shaw just 21 minutes from kick-off, and 13 minutes between goals, to net her treble, setting two new competition records, and that was added to by Kerolin's strike and an own goal from Amanda Nilden as City bounced back from last week's disappointing draw at Aston Villa.

When Emma Hayes' time at Chelsea was coming to a well-publicised end in the final few months of the 2023-24 season, ahead of her move to the United States to take over its iconic national team, the revered manager took a moment in one of her final press conferences to ponder what the Blues' team might look like in the future, given the progress being made in the women's youth set-up and the work being done to try bridge the gap between the academy and the first team.

Alisha Lehmann is only a matter of weeks into her spell at Leicester City, but the WSL outfit have been warned that on-field struggles could lead to the “commercial titan” beating a hasty retreat. Switzerland international Lehmann returned to English football in January following stints in Italy with Juventus and Como Women. Emile Heskey has told GOAL what she offers to the Foxes.

Alyssa Thompson's brilliant header and Lexi Potter's first Women's Super League goal allowed Chelsea to open up a four-point cushion inside the Champions League spots on Wednesday with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton. Amid growing injury concerns, Sonia Bompastor could only name two senior outfield players on her bench and the Seagulls gave her side plenty to worry about as they coped with a short turnaround from Sunday's League Cup final victory. But as was the case at the weekend, Chelsea showed all their experience to get a vital win.

Less than two years ago, Khiara Keating appeared to have the world at her feet. Aged 19, she emerged as Manchester City's starting goalkeeper, won her first senior England call-up and, at the end of the 2023-24 season, became the youngest player ever to win the Women's Super League Golden Glove. And yet, on Sunday, she made just her third league appearance of the current season, having been left out of the Lionesses senior squad last month due to a lack of game time.

Catarina Macario is set to make history by leaving Chelsea to join the San Diego Wave in the National Women's Soccer League. This groundbreaking transfer is reported to be the most lucrative contract ever signed in women's professional football, signalling a massive shift in the sport's financial landscape and bringing the American international back to where her career began.

Ex-Love Island contestant Montel McKenzie, who remains an ambitious semi-professional footballer, has revealed when his romance with WSL star and former Baller League coach Alisha Lehmann blossomed. The happy couple went Instagram official with their relationship in January having both spent time working alongside Ruben Dias’ television presenter partner, Maya Jama.

Winners win trophies. That was the simple message that Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor gave her players before Sunday’s League Cup final. It clearly got through, too, because her Blues put on a performance of champions to beat Manchester United and win the first silverware of the season, while sending a message to the rest of England - and Europe - that, despite a disappointing campaign so far, they are still a huge threat.

Olivia Smith and Stina Blackstenius got the goals as Arsenal beat London City Lionesses 2-0 on Sunday, a result which allowed the Gunners to move within one point of the Women's Super League's European places. With Chelsea playing in the League Cup final on Sunday, Arsenal knew the short journey across the capital presented an opportunity to close the gap and put some pressure on the third-placed Blues, and they took it, winning their seventh game in a row in comfortable fashion.

Manchester City's march towards the Women's Super League title was stalled somewhat on Sunday as the runaway leaders were held to a 0-0 draw by Aston Villa. Andree Jeglertz's side struggled to create chances against the most porous defence in the division, and if not for some excellent Khiara Keating saves, they may well have fallen to just a third defeat of the campaign.

USWNT sensation Alyssa Thompson has lifted the lid on her daunting transition from Angel City FC to the relentless spotlight of the Women's Super League. Trading the sunny comforts of her Los Angeles hometown for a blockbuster move to Chelsea, the 20-year-old forward revealed the leap was so intimidating that she braced herself to go four months without finding the back of the net in a star-studded Blues squad.

Chelsea have been handed a massive boost by Lauren James extending her stay until 2030, hours after her brother and men's team captain Reece signed a new long-term deal until 2032. This historic double commitment ensures the James siblings remain central to the club’s ambitions, marking a monumental day for the Blues' present and future success.

Chelsea’s season hasn’t gone to plan so far. After romping to a sixth successive Women’s Super League crown last year, going unbeaten through all 22 games to set multiple records, the Blues’ title defence has fallen incredibly flat. Sat nine points behind leaders Manchester City with six games to go, it’s simply not been good enough for a club with such high standards.

Chelsea Women's hero Guro Reiten has completed a transfer to NWSL side Gotham FC, bringing her legendary seven-year stay in west London to a close. The 31-year-old Norwegian joins Gotham on an initial loan that will be made permanent after her contract at Chelsea expires this summer. She has a pre-contract agreement in place with Gotham that will keep her at the club until 2029.

Chelsea will be without captain Millie Bright for Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester United, dealing the Blues a big blow in their bid to retain the trophy. However, head coach Sonia Bompastor will be able to welcome back another key player this weekend, giving her side a necessary boost amid a flurry of injuries.

Manchester City are reportedly 'close' to agreeing a new deal with star striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, just a day after the Women's Super League's leading goal-scorer was linked with a move to rivals Chelsea. Shaw's contract expires this summer but it appears she will be staying in Manchester, despite interest from the Blues in London.

Manchester City are on the brink of a first Women's Super League title since 2016, and a big reason for their incredible performances this season has been the midfield duo of Yui Hasegawa and Laura Blindkilde Brown. And yet, in January, the Cityzens got even stronger in that position when they added another truly world-class midfielder in United States star Sam Coffey, making a move that can have so many short- and long-term benefits.