Women's Super League: Big three extend their lead with powerful displays

Clinical performances from the Women's Super League’s top three clubs this weekend saw Manchester City Women, Arsenal Ladies and Chelsea Ladies extend their lead over the competition and let the rest of the league know they mean business.

They managed to scored 13 goals between them, only one goal was conceded and it paints an interesting and intriguing picture as we pass the half way point.

Arsenal kicked off Sunday's games first, playing Sunderland Ladies at the Hetton Centre. Fara Williams saw her 13th minute penalty saved, but Vicky Losada converted the rebound. It was made 2-0 after Jordan Nobbs combined well with Danielle van de Donk before curling a neat right foot shot beyond Rachael Laws.

"It was probably one of my best goals of the season but also for the team, the passing and movement, and it wouldn't have come off but for Dan's play,” Nobbs told reporters after the match.

"I'm glad to have got a goal but I was proud of the girls today for the way we played.

"Every game counts for us and we're creeping around the back door. We need the other teams to drop points but at the moment, we're putting in great team performances."

Arsenal quickly finished the game off in the second half. Dan Carter getting on the end of Dominique Janssen's cross just four minutes after the restart. Two minutes later it was four when Williams made sure to score her second attempt at a penalty after Van de Donk was brought down in the 51st minute.

That win took the Gunners level on points with City and provisionally above Chelsea. However, that wouldn't last long, with Emma Hayes champions firing four past Donny Belles at Wheatsheaf Park in Staines.

It took the home side just 13 minutes to open the scoring. Eni Aluko is in great goal-scoring form this season and she combined well with former Belle, Beth England, before showing great composure for the finish.

The away side battled well though, although their goal lived somewhat of a charmed life. That would end in the second half when South Korean international Ji So-yun found space inside the box to turn the ball in after superb work from Ana Borges down the right flank.

Aluko got her second and fifth of the season with just seven minutes to go, unleashing a rocket of a shot from outside the area. Then, England was rewarded for her excellent performance, finally finding the net after substitute Gemma Davison found her free with a neat cut back.

“Me and Eniola (Aluko) are starting to click a bit more,” she said.

“I’ve been here six months now and things are starting to gel a little bit. So hopefully we can continue this run and keep scoring goals.

“All week in training we’ve been doing a lot of pairings, so trying to find what works and what system is best for us. It’s just about getting the goals and Gemma (Davison) coming on obviously had a massive impact for us."

That put Chelsea back on top, but Manchester City had just kicked off their Sunday afternoon clash with Notts County Ladies and Meadow Lane and they would come on the blocks flying.

Nick Cushing's side hadn't played a competitive fixture since the 2^nd of July, but they didn’t show any signs of rustiness on Sunday.

Scottish international Jane Ross found the net after just five minutes, finishing with the outside of her right boot after great determined play from Izzy Christiansen.

Jill Scott would add a second, heading in Meghan Campbell's vicious left-foot cross, then Ross would add her second, adding an exquisite finish to the end of a flowing Man City attack.

“We’re very happy, it’s always difficult to come here but getting that early goal really settled us and we were able to go on from there,” she said.

“We performed really well in the first half, we were clinical with the chances we created and we worked on that. We went out with a game plan and executed it well.

“I’m really enjoying being here, to score goals is great, to create them is what we do and we’re pleased we’re getting the job done."

Teenager Georgia Stanway made it four on the stroke of half-time, with a wonderful long range effort. It took a slight touch of Ellen White before flying into the top corner, Megan Walsh had no chance.

After the break, County lifted the home fans spirits when Jess Clarke converted a spot kick after being brought down by England captain Steph Houghton in the box, but that was to be the last moment of note for the Ladypies.

The game was all but over, but Christiansen saved the best goal for last, converting a stunning half-volley with the outside of her right foot. It flew into the top corner, firing Manchester City back to the top of the table.

They are now one point above Chelsea and three above Arsenal, but most importantly, they have a game in hand over both their rivals.

The other WSL1 result from the weekend saw Reading and Birmingham play out a 1-1 draw. Neither side will be happy with that, especially with Birmingham losing group to the top three.

Due to the WSL's unique fixture list, Chelsea don't play again in the league until the 28th of August. City play Sunderland on Sunday and Arsenal will have the chance to leap frog the champions when they play Liverpool at the weekend.