WCL and WSL talking points: Arsenal show super strength but Manchester pair stumble

Lyonnes goalkeeper Christiane Endler and Ingrid Syrstad Engen try to fend off Arsenal’s Olivia Smith. Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Manchester City’s stumble tightens title race

Brighton’s surprise 3-2 victory over Manchester City illustrated a slight vulnerability in the league leaders. This game was a clear example of how, if you leave the door ajar, any team in this league can take advantage. Andrée Jeglertz’s side should have been out of sight in the first half but registered just two of their nine shots on target. Buoyed up by the opposition’s wastefulness, Brighton pounced. The timing of the hosts’ first two goals was crucial – Madison Haley’s leveller coming deep into first-half injury time and Kiko Seike giving Brighton the lead two minutes after the restart – and before the visitors knew it, the momentum had swung away from them. This stumble means that if Arsenal beat Leicester in midweek, City will not be able to lift the trophy at home next Sunday. Sophie Downey

Lowly Foxes outwitted by Lionesses

There is no denying that Leicester are in a bit of a hole and quickly running out of chances to dig themselves out. A second-half capitulation to London City Lionesses in Bromley will, therefore, have done little to help the dwindling confidence of Rick Passmoor’s side. The Foxes manager was clearly frustrated with how the game fell away from his team after a bright start. Four of the hosts’ five goals in the 5-1 win came from deliveries from wide areas, exposing a clear frailty in Leicester’s defensive setup. With results around them not going their way, they are seven points behind West Ham, meaning defeat to Arsenal in midweek will guarantee a 12th-place finish and a spot in the playoff with their WSL survival at stake. At the very least, Passmoor will need to find some sort of spark to boost the morale of his team. SD

London City’s Jana Fernandez competes with Leicester’s Ashleigh Neville at Copperjax Community Stadium. Photograph: Yaroslav Dunka/SPP/Shutterstock

Bompastor calls for goalline technology

Sam Kerr’s timely return to her best form not only helped Chelsea take a giant step towards Champions League qualification but also served as a reminder of her star qualities as she approaches the final two months of her contract. The Australia striker, who has scored in four games in a row for club and country, has been widely linked with a summer move away from London on a free transfer, most heavily to the NWSL, and Chelsea were shown exactly what they might be missing as she scored twice with instinctive, low finishes in a 4-1 win at Goodison Park. Kerr should have scored a “perfect hat-trick” but her header – which replays showed had clearly crossed the line – was not given as a goal by the officials, prompting the Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor to call for goalline technology in the WSL. Tom Garry

West Ham take decisive step towards safety

West Ham boosted their hopes of WSL survival with a vital 1-0 win over Liverpool, moving seven points clear of the relegation playoff place. In a contest between two sides hovering above Leicester at the bottom of the table, the result gave the visitors valuable breathing space. An early own goal credited to Cornelia Kapocs proved enough to separate the sides, although the Reds continued pushing for an equaliser until the final minute. West Ham, however, held on to secure only their second away win of the season and a first victory over Liverpool since February 2020. The Hammers are not safe yet, and manager Rita Guarino acknowledged that reality: “Mathematically it doesn’t show but of course it is three important points especially with just three games left for Leicester, it’s big. We will have to wait for Wednesday and see.” Réshma Rao

Another setback for United in race for Europe

Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are now in the hands of their rivals after a goalless draw at Tottenham. United were lucky to leave north London with a point after conceding 22 shots and having less possession than their opponents. They now have to rely on Chelsea to drop pointsat Leicester to have any chance of qualifying for Europe. “We weren’t at the speed of the game we needed to be – the pressing wasn’t good enough,” said the United head coach, Marc Skinner. “Tottenham edged it in the first half, second half it ebbed and flowed. It was back and forth. It’s obviously in Chelsea’s hands but we play them [on the final day]. We still have to beat Brighton and Chelsea. We’re disappointed about dropping points today but in reality we needed to do more to get the three points.” Emillia Hawkins