Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Miedema’s warm return

It was shared spoils at the Emirates, with Arsenal leading then coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Manchester City – a fair reflection of the game with both sides profligate. The only story that mattered, though, was the return of Vivianne Miedema to her stomping ground of seven years. Gareth Taylor indicated how much the fixture had affected the forward after the game, in which she scored to level things at 1-1. “I could tell this was one [fixture] she just wasn’t comfortable with and I can understand all the reasons why,” City’s head coach said. “It’s really difficult when you go back to your former club, particularly one where you’ve been so long at.” She didn’t want to go, Arsenal fans didn’t want her to leave and that made for the warmest of receptions from the 41,818 crowd. Subbed off midway through the second half, Miedema received a standing ovation at the club where she is the record goalscorer, despite the scoreline being in City’s favour at that point. Come the final whistle she was applauded again. Suzanne Wrack

• Match report: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City

Toone shows bravery in United win

Travelling to face Manchester United in the WSL has never been a happy experience for West Ham. In five away fixtures against them in this division, they have lost five, scored none and conceded 17 times after their 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a solid start for the home side, who had the Brazil forward Geyse on good form and whose debutant midfielder Grace Clinton thrived, but it was also a particularly poignant afternoon for Clinton’s England and Manchester United teammate Ella Toone. With Toone playing for the first time since the death of her father, Nick, this month, there was a moving moment’s applause to celebrate his life before kick-off and United’s head coach, Marc Skinner, said there had been “no question of anything else” other than Toone playing. “I thought she was brave beyond belief today,” he said. “Everyone’s here to support her. It’s a horrible thing to happen but we’re here to show love, care and support for an iconic player for Manchester United.” Tom Garry

• Match report: Manchester United 3-0 West Ham

Seike’s history-making display

Brighton’s Kiko Seike made history on Saturday when she became the first player to score a hat-trick on her Women’s Super League debut. The Japan international produced a stunning player-of-the-match performance to help the Seagulls to a 4-0 victory over Everton. She was a constant threat down the right and there were clear signs of a flourishing relationship with Fran Kirby, another new face in Dario Vidosic’s side. Brighton’s victory will have caught the eye of many, with the attacking threat they have at their disposal evident – their starting lineup didn’t even feature the deadline-day signings Nikita Parris and Michelle Agyemang, who made appearances as second-half substitutes. For Everton, troubles mount, even at this early stage. Their misery was compounded when the stalwart Aurora Galli fell to the turf in the final minutes with a knee injury that Brian Sørensen said could be “one of the bad ones”. Sophie Downey

Beard frustrated with ‘sloppy’ Reds

Matt Beard cut a frustrated figure after Liverpool dropped points in a scrappy 1-1 draw with Leicester. Sophie Román Haug broke the deadlock with a header close to half-time before Jutta Rantala equalised in the 53rd minute. Beard gave a brutally honest assessment of the display at full-time, branding his team’s performance as “sloppy” and claiming they put themselves under pressure. “We should have been out of sight in the first half, we’ve missed some really clearcut chances,” the manager said. “We could have had the game put to bed. And all the time they’re still in it, it gives them a little bit of confidence to try to get something out of the game. I think it’s definitely two points dropped because we were in complete control of it, great chances we created.” Emillia Hawkins

Villa look ready to test the best

Sonia Bompastor made very clear that getting the job done was the most important thing after Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat of Aston Villa. “It is always important to start with a win, especially in the first game at Kingsmeadow, with the fans,” she said. “It will bring confidence for the players and the team. We know we could have been better in some parts of the game. I think we need to give some credit to Aston Villa.” That credit was well earned by Robert de Pauw’s side, who impressed, particularly in the second half against an attack-laden Chelsea who had looked at times as if they might steamroller Villa. “If you can force the champions in this way, it says something about the power we have this season,” De Pauw said. What did we learn? That the champions, Chelsea, can be tested but also that Villa could provide a real test for the top three. SW

• Match report: Chelsea 1-0 Aston Villa

Raso marks return in style

Hayley Raso marked her return to the WSL with a debut goal for Tottenham against Crystal Palace. It only took 20 minutes for the former Manchester City star to make her mark with a skilful run and composed strike into the bottom-left corner. It was Raso’’s first league goal in 693 days, the last coming against Liverpool in October 2022. “I think she was so good,” said Spurs manager Robert Vilahamn at full time. “From minute one, in her touch, in the goal she scored. But also how she was a threat all game, so it was really nice to see her play.” EH