Manchester United will stir things up at the top, although Birmingham and Yeovil have their work cut out to stay upThe Women’s Super League starts this weekend in explosive style, with a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, a London derby at Stamford Bridge and clear ambition to carry on the momentum from the World Cup. Scheduling big games in big stadiums shows it is not just words – everything is being put in place to help the domestic game capitalise on the extraordinary interest attracted over the summer. The FA Player, which will broadcast every game of the WSL season for free, and deals to show matches on TV in Mexico and Scandinavia, show a more professional, commercial outlook...
Arsenal’s triumph and Chelsea’s demise are proof of the unpredictability of women’s football and the excitement will surely rise with United and SpursA lot has been written about the battle at the top of the Premier League and the likelihood of Liverpool finishing in second place with more than 90 points. That two teams have kept pace and driven each other to the limit is hugely impressive. And as a result many a comment piece has lamented the misfortune of the Merseysiders’ bid for a first league title in 29 years. But when we are discussing teams that have run out of luck, spare a thought for Manchester City women.Nick Cushing’s team are one game from an unbeaten Women’s Super...
Despite new commercial deals being struck, Women’s Super League clubs are struggling to be profitableWomen’s football has a feelgood glow to it. There is a buzz as the World Cup approaches, record league attendances are being set across Europe, and, from Barclays to Boots, brands are throwing their weight behind the sport sensing the potential for rapid growth.But what about the foundations? What is this growth, at domestic level, being built on? What does rapid commercial growth and an acceleration of professionalism mean to the balance books? And, crucially, is it sustainable and, if not, how do we get it there? Related: Manchester City reach Women’s FA Cup final after horror own goal by Chelsea Related: Women’s Super League teams...
Jen Beattie’s late winner against Liverpool means City stay one point behind Arsenal while Yeovil completed a doubleA 95th-minute winner from Jen Beattie against Liverpool keeps Manchester City’s title hopes alive, even if they are now hanging by a thread. They remain a point behind Arsenal with just two games to play – the last of them against the leaders – but crucially have played a game more than their rivals. So they need the Gunners to falter in one of their next two games – against 10th-placed Everton and ninth-placed Brighton – and then to beat them on the last day of the season. City dominated possession but a hard-working Liverpool team repeatedly thwarted their attacks. The Scotland international...
Hot on the heels of more than 60,000 attending a game in Spain, Barclays announced its £10m sponsorship of WSLWith record attendances, multimillion-pound sponsorship deals and global brand announcements, this has been a monumental week for women’s football and I’m excited to be involved in the next historic moment when Juventus face Fiorentina in the first Women’s Serie A match to be held at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday. Related: Wanda Metropolitano’s record crowd shows English football the way | Suzanne Wrack Twitter: follow us at @guardian_sport Related: Barclays deal shows women’s game now big-bucks business | Suzanne Wrack Continue reading...