WSL round-up: Man City stutter as Arsenal win and Liverpool pile pressure on Leicester

Manchester City’s march toward the Women’s Super League title hit another unexpected speed bump as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, leaving the runaway leaders nine points clear but having now dropped points in two of their last three outings. Returning from the international break, Andree Jeglertz’s side appeared disjointed throughout and were second-best for long stretches, with Villa fashioning the clearer chances in a dominant first-half display.

While City stalled, fourth-placed Arsenal tightened their grip on the Champions League chase. Olivia Smith’s opener just before the interval and Stina Blackstenius’s second-half strike sealed a 2-0 victory at London City Lionesses. The Gunners now sit two points behind second-placed Manchester United with a game in hand, keeping the pressure on both United and third-placed Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Everton edged a five-goal thriller at Tottenham. Nicole Momiki’s early strike gave the Toffees the advantage, and although Signe Gaupset levelled for Spurs with 14 minutes remaining, substitute Kelly Gago struck seven minutes from time to secure only Everton’s fifth league win of the campaign.

At the opposite end of the table, Liverpool boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 home triumph over bottom club Leicester. Beatta Olsson tapped home after ten minutes and Ceri Holland converted a late penalty to move Gareth Taylor’s side four points clear of the relegation zone, heaping further pressure on the Foxes.