WSL round-up: Arsenal fans back Slegers after City rout as Keira Walsh and Ruby Mace star

A 4-2 defeat at Manchester City kept the heat cranked up on Arsenal, Keira Walsh underlined her importance to Chelsea and Ruby Mace finally got Everton scoring — plus plenty more from the weekend's Women's Super League action.

Fans stay connected to Slegers

Travelling Arsenal fans showed no animosity towards 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 the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, and they applauded her back.

"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," Slegers said.

Pre-match analysis by FotMob on 2 October had flagged the scale of the problem: Arsenal, last season's closest challengers to City, had taken five points and scored only twice across their opening four league games. After five rounds they sit 10th, five points adrift of the top four.

Forward-thinking Walsh lifts Chelsea

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 a 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 in the whole of last season — and took more shots (five) and completed more dribbles (three) than anyone else on the pitch.

"It helps us a lot in terms of creating opportunities," said her coach, Sonia Bompastor. "We know how good she is at the edge of the box … It's good to have a player who is confident and brings us the solution to scoring goals."

Pointless Charlton neglect the basics

The Charlton manager, Karen Hills, did not mince her words after her side conceded five despite taking the lead at Brighton. "It's unacceptable if we can't deal with one v ones," she said. "The game is about one v one duels, about tackling, doing the basics and doing them really well. 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 a team yet to pick up a point and rooted to the foot of the table — and even with time to work on the basics, it is hard to see where Charlton's first point is coming from.

Liverpool copy United — unsuccessfully

Gareth Taylor admitted surprise at Manchester United's directness after his Liverpool side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Leigh Sports Village. Possession was split almost evenly, with 51% for Liverpool, but the hosts created more goalmouth opportunities and took the points.

"We ended up becoming what they are, very direct. We have got to be braver – and do what we do," Taylor told the BBC.

Familiar problems for Sørensen at Villa

Brian Sørensen's first WSL game as Aston Villa's interim manager ended in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. The Dane took over on Tuesday after Natalia Arroyo's dismissal, with Villa having won two points from their opening four league matches.

Villa took the lead through Noelle Maritz in the 55th minute, but Abbie Larkin's equaliser 19 minutes later ensured they remain without a league win. Villa were fortunate not to concede again as Palace's confidence grew and several chances were created late on, and the draw leaves them 12th. Villa and Sørensen have work to do, whether his appointment remains temporary or becomes permanent.

Mace ends Everton's goal wait

It was quite a feat for Everton to be in the top five having registered nothing other than an own goal, and their luck continued in a 2-1 victory against Birmingham — with both goals from Ruby Mace, whose previous WSL goal came playing for the visitors back in 2021. The first was a stunning left-foot strike into the far corner; the second a deflected shot from the edge of the area.

"I'm really happy. I have [been working on my shooting], putting in the extra work, and luckily today I managed to score," Mace said.

How the table looks after five rounds

Manchester City lead the way on a perfect 15 points, two clear of Chelsea, with London City third on 12. Arsenal languish 10th, Aston Villa are 12th, Birmingham 13th and pointless Charlton prop up the table.