Sportblog | The Guardian — Manchester United Women RSS



Sam Kerr waits and masters the moment as Chelsea’s striker supreme | Jonathan Liew

Kerr was up against the outstanding Maya Le Tissier but the United defender was left licking her wounds Sam Kerr waits. Maya Le Tissier waits. There is a throw-in to be taken and a Chelsea player down injured on the turf and everyone else is just sort of milling about trying to look busy. Le Tissier puts a hand on Kerr’s shoulder to let her know she’s there. Kerr shuffles her feet and feints both ways to let Le Tissier know she could disappear at any moment. But mostly, they wait.And when you think about it, waiting is perhaps the defining sensation of this job. Waiting on the back row of the bus before it leaves. Waiting for the team...

Continue reading



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

Vivianne Miedema eyes the prize, Chelsea’s defence impress as much as their potent attack, plus a Mancunian scrap for third Who knows where Vivianne Miedema will play next season but for now she is Arsenal’s, and so important to Jonas Eidevall’s team. The Dutch striker has revealed that several clubs are interested in signing her for next season – she is out of contract in the summer – but there are no signs that her mind is elsewhere. When Arsenal thrashed Leicester City 5-0 on Sunday to briefly go top of the WSL the Netherlands international was in sparkling form. Miedema had two close efforts before half-time, one saved by goalkeeper Demi Lambourne and another smacked against the woodwork. Then...

Continue reading



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

Forward pairing keeps Arsenal top but Kerr’s late strike means champion Chelsea still have title destiny in their own handsArsenal cruised to victory over Brighton on Sunday night, inspired by the attacking flair of the duo now fondly known as Viv-stenius. The arrival of Stina Blackstenius in the winter transfer window has allowed the prolific Vivianne Miedema to drop into a traditional No 10 role. Having a focal point to aim at has allowed the Dutch star to show off her array of playmaking attributes. It would not work, however, without Blackstenius up front. The partnership they have built in such a short time is remarkable and the Swedish goalscorer added two to her tally on Sunday. Arsenal are now...

Continue reading



WSL and League Cup final: talking points from the weekend’s action

Miedema hits incredible mark, Zelem does the unthinkable – twice – and Manchester City continue upwards trajectoryJust one goal Vivianne? A mere 25% of your team’s total production this weekend? Yes, the Dutch forward only scored once in the 4-2 win against Birmingham on Sunday, making the most of a loose ball in Birmingham’s pinball penalty box. She made it look simple and Miedema most likely puts dozens of those away in training, probably without looking. It is sometimes difficult to put in context just how good she is but one way to illustrate it is that the goal made her the first player in WSL history to reach 100 goal involvements What if we were to also say that...

Continue reading



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

The two Manchester clubs are on the rise while Arsenal have made signings in an attempt to stop the rotWest Ham battled well to claim a 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Sunday night after Hawa Cissoko put her team in the worst possible position. The Hammers were 1-0 down after 54 minutes and Cissoko, who was responsible for the tackle that led to Spurs’ penalty, was sent off two minutes later for a second yellow card. But West Ham managed to claw back a point in the dying moments through a Kate Longhurst header in the 92nd minute. The comeback highlights the team’s progression as last season they could well have sunk being a goal and a player down. But...

Continue reading