WSL Matchweek 9 Recap: Man City Go Top as Chelsea Stumble and Arsenal Win

Manchester City reclaimed first place in the Women’s Super League after a dramatic Matchweek 9 weekend, with Khadija Shaw scoring a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory over West Ham while Chelsea were held 1-1 by Everton.

Sunday’s action brought five more matches, including Arsenal’s victory at Liverpool, Manchester United’s narrow win at Aston Villa and a remarkable comeback by Crystal Palace against Charlton Athletic.

London City Lionesses strengthened their position in third place, while Tottenham continued their climb up the table. Here is our complete WSL Matchweek 9 recap, covering all seven fixtures played on 7 and 8 November 2026.

Manchester City 5-0 West Ham: Shaw hat-trick sends City top

Manchester City delivered a commanding performance at the Joie Stadium, with Khadija Shaw scoring her ninth career WSL hat-trick. Shaw opened the scoring following a passing move initiated by Lauren Hemp winning possession high up the pitch.

City accelerated after half-time. Shaw headed in Hemp’s cross for her second before Aoba Fujino scored an impressive individual goal, winning possession inside her own half and finishing from the edge of the penalty area.

Substitute Iman Beney added a fourth with a deflected effort following another Hemp assist. Shaw completed her hat-trick from a Grace Clinton pass, taking her league tally to 12 goals this season.

The victory also brought City’s second WSL clean sheet of the campaign, despite captain Alex Greenwood missing the match through injury. With Chelsea dropping points, Andrée Jeglertz’s side moved two points clear at the summit.

Chelsea 1-1 Everton: Bronze own goal costs Blues top spot

Chelsea surrendered their position at the top after Everton secured a hard-earned point at Stamford Bridge. Sandy Baltimore opened the scoring, heading home after Lucy Bronze cushioned a corner delivery across goal.

However, Everton equalised when Yuka Momiki’s cross struck the back of Bronze’s heel and flew past Hannah Hampton. The own goal came on Bronze’s 150th WSL appearance.

The England defender nearly restored Chelsea’s advantage before half-time, but her header struck the crossbar. Chelsea dominated possession and continued pressing for a winner, with Ellie Carpenter particularly influential down the flank.

However, Everton’s organised defence frustrated the hosts, who struggled to create decisive opportunities without injured playmaker Lauren James. Everton registered just three shots and none on target, but their resilience earned them a valuable point. The draw ended Chelsea’s seven-match winning streak and left Sonia Bompastor’s team second.

Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal: Russo double secures important victory

Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal claimed a hard-fought victory at Anfield. The England striker opened the scoring after nine minutes, finishing from close range following a bright start by the visitors. Liverpool responded six minutes later when Beata Olsson controlled Natalia Ramos’ long pass, evaded Leah Williamson and equalised.

The hosts then had a Jenna Clark goal controversially disallowed for offside. Vivien Endemann was judged to have touched the ball, although replays indicated Steph Catley had provided the final touch before Clark scored.

Russo restored Arsenal’s lead before half-time, heading Lisa Baum’s cross into the bottom corner. Liverpool continued to threaten, but Arsenal defended their advantage, with Clark also denying Russo a potential hat-trick in the second half.

Russo has now scored seven goals in her last four appearances across all competitions. The victory lifted Renée Slegers’ side to sixth with 13 points, while Liverpool remained 11th.

Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United: Zigiotti Olme delivers off the bench

Manchester United extended their unbeaten WSL run to seven matches with a narrow victory at Villa Park. Eva Olid’s side dominated the opening half but failed to convert their opportunities.

Villa goalkeeper Akane Okuma made five saves before the interval, while Hinata Miyazawa struck the crossbar with a long-range effort. The hosts improved after half-time, forcing Phallon Tullis-Joyce into important saves against Amalie Vangsgaard and Oriane Jean-François.

United eventually found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute. Andrea Medina carried the ball forward before releasing Hanna Lundkvist, whose cross was headed home by fellow substitute Julia Zigiotti Olme.

Both Medina and Zigiotti Olme had started on the bench, with Olid rotating her squad and Medina recovering from illness. The defeat was Brian Sørensen’s first in the league since becoming Aston Villa head coach in September. United’s victory kept them fifth in the standings, one point behind Tottenham.

Crystal Palace 3-2 Charlton: Bethany England completes dramatic comeback

Crystal Palace produced one of the weekend’s most dramatic victories, recovering from 2-1 down to defeat Charlton in the south London derby. Palace took the lead in the 57th minute when Charlton goalkeeper Sophie Whitehouse inadvertently turned Lexi Lloyd-Smith’s cross into her own net.

Charlton equalised after Keira Flannery’s penalty struck the crossbar, with Elisha N’Dow heading in the rebound. Just a minute later, Leah Davidson put the visitors ahead, finishing after Pauline Peyraud-Magnin had parried Jodie Hutton’s effort.

Charlton appeared set to claim their first top-flight points of the season. However, Aimee Everett headed Palace level before Bethany England scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner. The result lifted Crystal Palace to tenth, while Charlton remained bottom without a point after nine matches.

Tottenham 2-1 Brighton: Quick-fire comeback lifts Spurs to fourth

Tottenham overturned an early deficit to secure consecutive WSL victories. Brighton made an excellent start when Fran Kirby converted Olaug Tvedten’s cross after just three minutes. However, Tottenham responded emphatically after half-time.

Signe Gaupset equalised after receiving a pass from Olivia Holdt, before Holdt scored herself moments later with a precise finish into the bottom corner. The two goals arrived within two minutes, completely changing the direction of the match.

Holdt subsequently threatened again, but Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie produced an important save at her near post. The result moved Martin Ho’s Tottenham into fourth place, while Brighton dropped to seventh with 11 points.

London City Lionesses 4-1 Birmingham City: Four-goal display keeps pressure on leaders

London City Lionesses maintained their position among the WSL’s leading teams with an impressive victory over Birmingham City. Poppy Pattinson opened the scoring with a spectacular effort into the top corner, registering her first WSL goal on her 129th appearance.

Delphine Cascarino doubled the advantage minutes later, beating Marie Levasseur before finishing from a tight angle. Birmingham responded shortly after half-time through Océane Hurtré, whose long-range strike reduced the deficit.

However, London City regained control. Grace Geyoro scored her first league goal of the season with a powerful half-volley from outside the penalty area.

Substitute Kadidiatou Diani completed the scoring in stoppage time following a pass from Freya Godfrey. The result moved Eder Maestre’s team to 19 points, four behind Chelsea and six behind Manchester City.

WSL title race: Manchester City lead ahead of Chelsea showdown

Matchweek 9 has reshaped the top of the Women’s Super League table. Manchester City lead with 25 points, followed by Chelsea on 23 and London City Lionesses on 19.

Tottenham occupy fourth place with 16 points, while Manchester United follow on 15. Arsenal’s victory at Liverpool lifted them to sixth on 13 points, with Brighton seventh on 11.

At the bottom, Charlton’s heartbreaking defeat leaves them searching for their first point of the campaign. The standout fixture next weekend is Chelsea against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 14 November, kicking off at 13:30 GMT.

A Chelsea victory would send the Blues back above City, while a win for Jeglertz’s team would extend their lead to five points. London City also face a significant test when they visit Arsenal on Sunday.

With the title race tightening and several clubs battling for European qualification places, Matchweek 9 has provided another reminder of the competitive nature of the 2026/27 WSL season.

WSL Matchweek 9 Recap