FA Women's Super League: Five things we learned this weekend

As the FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship tick down to their final few fixtures, each game has added impetus as sides look to finish the season on a high.

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the FA WSL to four points with a win against Everton, while Liverpool put five past Bristol City.

Meanwhile, Casey Stoney’s Manchester United sealed the title with a huge victory at home to Crystal Palace.

Here’s five things we’ve learned across another interesting weekend of women’s football:

Arsenal hold their nerve

Joe Montemurro’s team moved within a single win of claiming the Women’s Super League title with a nervy 2-1 win over Everton.

The league leaders raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Louise Quinn and Vivianne Miedema – the Dutch international has now scored 30 in all competitions.

But Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah scored from an indirect free-kick to set up a nervy final half-hour for the Gunners.

They held strong, however, and extended their lead lead at the top of the Women’s Super League to four points from Manchester City.

Stoney’s United a force to be reckoned with

Manchester United have been impeccable in the FA Women’s Championship this season – and they secured title in style.

Having already clinched promotion, Casey Stoney’s outfit put away Crystal Palace with ease to wrap up the league in impressive fashion.

Lauren James was unquestionably the star of the show, scoring the opener on nine minutes, before adding three goals in the last seven minutes for a fine personal haul.

With just two games to go, United will want to lay down a marker for next season with another couple of emphatic wins.

Rood helps Lewes turn things around

With a dominant Aston Villa 2-0 up in the first half, you could have been forgiven for thinking Lewes were out of the Championship clash.

But the battling side – ninth in the Championship – fought back thanks to inspirational winger Katie Rood.

She scored her first with a precise finish across the keeper before the half-time break, but the best was yet to come.

The player latched onto a cutback from Rosie Paye to slot home and delight the travelling fans.

The result leaves Lewes in ninth place, while Villa sit in sixth.

Birmingham continue recovery under Tejedor

Having been appointed in January, it may come as a surprise that Birmingham City have never earned two victories on the bounce under boss Marta Tejedor.

But the Spanish boss masterminded a 2-1 victory on the road at FA Cup finalists West Ham.

The hosts opened the scoring at a buoyant Rush Green with Adriana Leon, but Hayley Ladd equalised from the spot as Hammers keeper Anna Moorhouse was sent off.

It was then left to Chloe Arthur to win it – the forward’s debut goal leaves her side just two points behind third-placed Chelsea.

Sheffield United carry on stellar form

If any side are enjoying a strong end to the season that can match Manchester United, it’s their counterparts in Sheffield.

Goals from Danielle Cox, Veatriki Sarri, Bex Rayner and Jade Pennock earned Sheffield United their fifth win in a row as they tightened their grip on fifth place in the FA Women’s Championship.

Ruesha Littlejohn had equalised for London Bees after Cox opened the scoring with a powerful header.

But United hit back instantly, with Sarri tucking in a rebound before Rayner’s corner kick managed to find the net.

And Pennock put the icing on the cake for Carla Ward’s side with a typically poached finish to wrap up a 4-1 win.

To follow all of the action during the season and to buy tickets visit www.ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/