Travelling Arsenal fans showed no animosity towards the head coach, Renée Slegers, despite their side’s run of one win in six games in all competitions and slipping 10 points behind Manchester City. Slegers walked over to applaud the 2,000 away fans after the 4-2 defeat at Etihad Stadium, on Sunday and they applauded her back. Slegers said: “I mostly went there to thank them, connect with them and show them I care for them and appreciate them coming to Manchester.
And also to show them that I feel – not sorry for them because I’m a big part of it and things are within my control – but they’re coming here and they’re not getting the rewards, just like the team. I wanted to connect with them instead of walking away and hiding.” Tom Garry Chelsea’s midfield came to the fore again in their 3-0 win over West Ham. Keira Walsh was the heartbeat of the team, collecting her third straight player of the match award with the 29-year-old enjoying a more attacking role this season.
With the introduction of Lexi Potter at half-time, Walsh was able to push forward fruitfully again. She scored her second WSL goal of 2026-27 – the same as she managed last season – and took more shots (five) and completed more dribbles (three) than anyone else. They were at their fluid and clinical best against a team many believe will rival them as challengers to the traditional top three, with 47.6% of shots on target compared with Tottenham’s 11%.
Superstar signings Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scored twice, but most impressive was the muscle the squad showed. They looked more robust and hungrier than Tottenham, their physical presence combined with an aggressive press making the home team look pedestrian and lightweight despite an unbeaten start to the season. With lots of summer changes it can take time for players to gel and that physical presence can make a difference when things aren’t clicking.
When things are clicking, though, it appears anything is possible. Suzanne Wrack The Charlton manager, Karen Hills, did not mince her words after her side conceded five despite taking the lead at Brighton. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that today.
We found ourselves on the end of the scoreline which isn’t very flattering for us. We need to be more accountable for some individual stuff, but at the same time I take full responsibility because that’s my team out there.” The international break comes at a critical time for the team, who are yet to pick up a point. Even with some time to work on their unacceptable handling of the basics, it is hard to where Charlton’s first point is coming from.
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