Women's Super League round-up: Manchester United held by stubborn West Ham, Liverpool beat Brighton in battle for fifth
Published 19/04/2025 at 15:44 GMT+1
There were significant results at the top of the Women's Super League table on Saturday as Manchester United failed to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea with a 0-0 draw against West Ham United. Liverpool got back on track and moved up to fifth with an impressive win over Brighton on the south coast, with Olivia Smith and Leanne Kiernan on the scoresheet.
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Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by a stubborn West Ham United side at Chigwell Construction Stadium in the Women's Super League.
In a game of little quality and few notable chances, Marc Skinner's side missed the chance to go level on points with second-placed Arsenal and keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea.
West Ham began in the ascendancy, putting some early pressure on the United goal. Eva Nystrom sent a header off target with the first effort of the match as the hosts looked to take a surprise early lead.
The visitors gradually grew into the contest, beginning to assert themselves after a slow start. But chances were at a premium, with the only notable effort from United in the opening stages a Grace Clinton volley which flew over the bar.
United came close just before the 20-minute mark when Celin Bizet struck the post with a well-struck shot. That was followed by some sustained possession from the away side, who struggled to really cut through an organised West Ham side.
Elisabeth Terland guided a header wide just after the half-hour mark, and Leah Galton saw an effort saved by Kinga Szemik shortly before half-time as United headed down the tunnel frustrated.
A similar pattern was established after the break. Szemik did well to deny Terland from close range early in the half, while at the other end, Katrina Gorry tested Phallon Tullis-Joyce with a long-range effort.
Clinton went close with a long shot of her own shortly after, but the clock was ticking down, and West Ham maintained their impressive defensive discipline. Melvine Malard found space in the box on a couple of occasions but was unable to hit the target.
West Ham's Riko Ueki let fly with an audacious effort in an attempt to secure a memorable victory, but the ball whistled over the bar, and a hard-fought goalless draw looked like an inevitability.
There was still time for Terland to see a shot deflect off target, and for the Hammers to draw another save from Tullis-Joyce through Seraina Piubel. But on a day of few chances, defence prevailed over attack.
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Liverpool win to leapfrog Brighton
Liverpool climbed above Brighton in the WSL table with a 2-1 victory at American Express Stadium.
Olivia Smith and Leanne Kiernan gave the away side the lead in a convincing first-half display, but they were made to work for the victory after the break when Michelle Agyemang netted for Brighton.
Liverpool were in front inside two minutes when Smith was picked out by Ceri Holland and fired a low shot past Melina Loeck.
The visitors came into the game off the back of two straight losses, but there was no lack of confidence in the early stages as they played some stylish, intricate football.
Kiernan was heavily involved, forcing Loeck to save at full stretch with a shot from range.
Brighton slowly improved, having looked dangerously exposed in the opening stages, but Liverpool continued to dominate possession and look the more threatening side.
Grace Fisk had a header comfortably saved, before Brighton went close through Nadine Noordam.
The second goal came just before half-time, and it was the lively Kiernan who got it, slotting home having been picked out unmarked in the box by Holland following a defensive error.
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Leanne Kiernan
Image credit: Getty Images
There was a blow to Liverpool before the break, though, with goalscorer Smith forced off with an injury.
Brighton boss Dario Vidosic, clearly unhappy with what he had seen, made three changes before the second half began, introducing Kiko Seike, Dejana Stefanovic and Marisa Olislagers.
And there was an immediate improvement from the home side. Agyemang met Seike's cross at the back post to convert and bring Brighton back into the contest.
The Seagulls were sharper and more confident having cut the deficit, though Liverpool remained a threat and Marie Hobinger only narrowly missed the target with a header.
Fran Kirby, who was becoming increasingly influential, hit a volley wide at the other end as Brighton pushed for a leveller. Brighton's Loeck was later called into action, making a smart save to deny Holland.
Liverpool, so comfortable in the first half, had to hold on to their lead in eight minutes of added time, keeping Brighton at bay to secure a welcome three points.
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