Above: Beth Mead returns after a long absence. Photo: Ian Middlebrook
By Emmanuel Faith.
If the WSL season was a 90-minute match, the half-time whistle would have been blown in the last minute of the seven-goal thriller between West Ham United and Tottenham. What a way to end the first half!
The 2023/2024 season has been an exhilarating journey. From 5-star performances like Lauren James scoring three goals and an assist to last-minute winners and equalizers like Melvine Malard and, Katie McCabe and unexpected blows like Sam Kerr’s ACL, our correspondent, I wanted to bring you my personal highlights of the season and predicts what you should expect in the second half.
It isn’t exactly surprising that Chelsea currently leads the log. They are also leading the pack in other fascinating stats like; the most goals scored (35), the highest Goal Difference (21), the highest attempts, the highest shots on target and of course, the highest points (28).
The blue side of Manchester has been unsurprisingly steady as they follow Chelsea closely with twenty-five points while holding the record of the least conceded number of goals (8), a record Chelsea often boasts of.
At the bottom of the log is the newly promoted side, Bristol City with five points, and surprisingly, West Ham United who are also on five points but rank higher on goal difference. With the new signings West Ham made over the January Transfer window, they would be looking to change the course of their path in the second half of the season.
Memorable Moments
The first big-4 match of the season was between Arsenal and Manchester United. Arsenal who had experienced a shocking home loss to Liverpool in their opening match were looking to pick up their first points while Manchester United who finished second last season were hoping to continue on that stride.
The game opened up in the first few minutes, as the Swedish striker, Stina Blackstenius took the lead for Arsenal in the 13th minute. Marc Skinner’s team mounted a lot of pressure and it finally paid off with Leah Galton’s equalizer in the 27th minute.
The first half ended in a draw, and the second half was quite balanced until the Olympic Lyon loanee and French striker, Melvine Malard opened her WSL account with a striker’s finish. It looked like Arsenal was heading to a consecutive defeat until the Canadian attacker, Cloe Lacasse scored one of the best goals you’d witness this season to ensure the spoils was shared.
On the same weekend, there was another “big four” match which was more pulsating at the blue side of Manchester as cards flew left and right in a game marked with a lot of controversy. From Alex Greenwood getting a second yellow for wasting time to take a free-kick to Guro Reiten snatching a last-minute equalizer, these are matches you probably want to rewatch if you love epics like me.
We could also talk about Manchester City scoring seven goals without reply against Tottenham or Chelsea pummeling Aston Villa 6- 0. This season has been more than the matches and goals.
There are other moments worth celebrating. Like seeing Beth Mead who returned after being out for ten months and made an assist almost immediately and Vivianne Miedema returning to the pitch after eleven months. There were also some major blows, we would rather not remember.
Major Blows
The first major blow of the season was losing Gabriel George to ACL, her second in four seasons. The Manchester United defender suffered the injury during the match against her former club, Leicester City in October after a really brilliant start to the season.
ACL knocked again when Chelsea announced that the young Dutch defender Aniek Nouwen had suffered an ACL rupture during her U-21 call-up in November. The heartbreaking was yet to come.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, while the world was calm, and every Chelsea fan anticipated a piece of positive news like a contract renewal, ACL brought its fiery dagger to puncture the fan’s hearts as Chelsea announced that their star striker, Samantha Kerr had suffered an ACL tear during a warm-up in Morocco, keeping her out for the rest of the season. The WSL community was sombre as it looked like Sam Kerr was finally getting her groove after missing the World Cup and some part of her season due to calf injuries.
Seasons Surprises
In a season filled with departures, returns and galore of goals, the most surprising news was probably the departure of Emma Hayes. The Chelsea head coach who had been with the team for twelve years announced her departure after her team recorded their biggest win of the season so far against Aston Villa.
Emma joined the reigning double winners in 2012 and during her tenure with the club won six FA WSL titles, five Women’s FA Cups, two FA Women’s League Cups, one FA Women’s Spring Series trophy and one FA Women’s Community Shield.No one would have predicted this to happen at the beginning of the season, but everyone wants change sometimes, right?
Another shocking surprise of the season was Aston Villa who didn’t pick up their first win until the sixth match of the season. For a club that had been tipped to upset the “big four”, it was a woeful start to the season. They currently sit in the seventh position with twelfth points, seven above the relegation zone and they would hope they are closer to the top four than the bottom two in the second half of the season.
At this point, it is worthy to spotlight two amazing finishers who have hugged the spotlight in some way. With nine goals in eleven appearances for a mid-table team, the 22-year-old Norwegian striker, Elisabeth Terland, has made a statement for herself this season. She is also in the top five of any attacking stats from xG to xG overperformance and goal per 90 according to Stattorinoreports on Twitter.
The second finisher is a familiar name; Lauren James. Known for her ability to glide through defenders seamlessly while scoring occasional wonder goals, the English whiz has added clinical finishing to her game and currently occupies the second spot in the race for the WSL Golden Boot thanks to her consecutive hat-tricks. With Chelsea’s major striker Sam Kerrout for the rest of the season, there is no limit to what James can achieve this season.
Above: Lauren James celebrates after scoring against her former side. Photo: @ChelseaFCW
An honourable mention is another Chelsea wonder, Aggie BeeverJones who has taken the WSL by storm. From scoring in five consecutive appearances to leading the ranks of xGs and goals per 90 minutes, we can’t wait to see what the second half of the season has in store for the young English attacker.
Signings of the Season
To be very honest, while this is too early to decide, SjoekeNusken, Martha Thomas and Melvine Malard have made great accounts of themselves. Aside from the fact that Nusken has scored a surprising hat-trick, becoming the fifth Chelsea player to do so, she has also played almost everywhere for Emma Hayes’ team. Thomas was the first WSL player to reach 5 goals thanks to her brilliant start to the season and Malard has been a great addition to Manchester United’s attack either as a starter or a substitute.
A worthy mention is probably Grace Clinton who has been a great addition to Tottenham Hotspur despite being on loan from Manchester United.
Second half of the Season
The second half of the season will be enthralling. Arsenal will be looking to pounce on Chelsea and Manchester City now that they have a fully fit squad although everyone will be curious about how Jonas Eidevall will manage the rotation of her star players. Manchester City doesn’t look like they are relenting soon, with their attackers firing from all cylinders and Khadija Shaw finding her goal-scoring boots.
While Chelsea’s star, Sam Kerr has been injured, they have a lot of attackers who can provide the goals from different angles in different ways and if there is something the league leaders know how to do, it is to win.
More drama will happen in the mid-table and much more in the relegation zone as West Ham will hope that their major signings (Katrina Gorry and Kristie Mewis) can save them from the relegation battle.
Wonder goals will be scored, records will be broken, and we can’t wait to witness the second half of the season, and the last lap with the legendary coach, Emma Hayes.
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