WSL: Manchester United come back against Manchester City to secure top-three finish as Chelsea win again and Liverpool beaten by Everton
Updated 04/05/2025 at 21:56 GMT+1
Manchester United came from two goals down against Manchester City to secure a top-three finish in the Women's Super League and Champions League football next season. City took the lead through goals from Laia Aleixandri and Rebecca Knaak, but Marc Skinner's side drew level thanks to Grace Clinton and Melvine Malard. Elsewhere, champions Chelsea won at Tottenham and Everton beat Liverpool.
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Manchester United secured UEFA Women's Champions League qualification as they came from two goals behind to draw with Manchester City.
Marc Skinner's side came into the penultimate game of their Women's Super League campaign knowing a point would be enough to secure a top-three finish above their local rivals.
However, they found themselves behind when Laia Aleixandri curled in a sensational opener before Rebecca Knaak's header doubled City's lead just four minutes later.
The hosts' deficit was quickly reduced to one, though, as Grace Clinton nodded home on the stroke of half-time to conclude a frantic end to the opening period.
United were able to draw level through Melvine Malard's slotted finish and, despite Aoife Mannion picking up a second yellow card just a minute later, they held on to the point that ensured they will finish above their neighbours.
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Melvine Malard scored for Manchester United five minutes after coming on as a substitute
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The draw saw Skinner's side maintain their four-point lead over City, who are now guaranteed to finish fourth, with just one game to go this season.
United still have hopes of a top-two finish given their one-point deficit to Arsenal and the two sides facing off next weekend, but if The Gunners beat Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, United will have to settle for third.
Nick Cushing's team, meanwhile, will conclude their trophy-less campaign with a home clash against Crystal Palace.
It was the fourth time the sides had met this season, and United came out on top overall, winning two of the clashes, including the reverse fixture in the WSL and the FA Cup semi-final three weeks ago.
Champions Chelsea on brink of unbeaten season
Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory at Tottenham that put the champions on the verge of an unbeaten season in the Women's Super League.
A first-half penalty from Catarina Macario was enough for victory for a Chelsea side that weren't at their fluent best for much of the game.
Manager Sonia Bompastor made nine changes to the side that clinched another WSL title with their midweek victory over Manchester United.
The decisive moment came after 35 minutes of the game, when Macario was sandwiched by Spurs defenders Molly Bartrip and Ashleigh Neville. Macario scored from the penalty spot.
Charli Grant had a golden chance to level for Spurs soon after, but fired straight at Hannah Hampton.
Eveliina Summanen went close with a free-kick for Tottenham after the break, but Chelsea did enough for victory. They will need to avoid defeat against Liverpool next Saturday for an unbeaten season.
Everton do the double over Merseyside rivals
Goals from Katja Snoeijs and Karen Holmgaard earned Everton victory in the Merseyside derby as they completed a WSL double over local rivals Liverpool.
Snoeijs opened the scoring for Brian Sorensen's side at Anfield inside seven minutes with a first-time finish after being set up by strike partner Kelly Gago.
Liverpool applied pressure on Everton as they searched for the equaliser, but the visitors were able to double their advantage against the run of play as Holmgaard poked home at the back post with just over 20 minutes remaining.
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It was not the perfect afternoon for the Holmgaard siblings, though, as Karen's sister and team-mate Sara received a second yellow card nine minutes from time.
Despite thumping their neighbours 4-0 in the FA Cup in December, Liverpool have now been beaten in both WSL meetings this season, failing to score a goal in either.
Their wait for a league derby win goes on, with their last victory over Everton in the WSL coming in May 2019.
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Everton's players celebrate at full time
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The defeat means Amber Whiteley's side remain in sixth spot, trailing Brighton on goal difference, and with just one win in their last five league outings.
As for Everton, despite staying in eighth, the victory sees them go within just two points of their local rivals and level on points with West Ham United, ahead of The Hammers' encounter with Aston Villa on Sunday.
With both teams still able to finish fifth - barring a home win when Brighton host Arsenal on Monday evening - they will look to finish the season strongly next weekend with Everton welcoming Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool visiting champions Chelsea.
Villa extend run with victory over West Ham
Aston Villa extended their winning run to four games with a fine battling performance and 3-2 victory at West Ham.
Ebony Salmon opened the scoring for Villa inside five minutes with a composed low finish.
Shekiera Martinez equalised for the hosts, heading in Verena Hanshaw's cross.
Riko Ueki then put West Ham ahead, tapping in from close range, before Rachel Daly slotted in to make it 2-2 at half-time.
Chasity Grant scored Villa's winner after 54 minutes, picking the ball up from Lucy Parker's pass and firing into the net.
Relegated Palace fight back for a point
Crystal Palace produced a gusty performance as they twice came back against Leicester to earn a point in a 2-2 draw.
Hannah Cain swept the ball home to put Leicester in front on the stroke of half-time.
But The Eagles were level when Courtney Nevin made a lunging tackle on Josie Green and Annabel Blanchard scored from the penalty spot.
The real drama then came in stoppage time. Shannon O'Brien's superb curling shot looked to have secured victory for Leicester but Abbie Larkin scored a 98th-minute goal to earn already relegated Palace a point.
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