Sunday 17th July
FA WSL 1
Birmingham City 1-0 Sunderland (Att: 1,014)
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal (Att: 1,891)
FA WSL 2
Aston Villa 3-1 Millwall Lionesses
Durham 0-0 Bristol City (Att: 351)
Everton 3-0 Yeovil Town (Att: 333)
London Bees 0-5 Sheffield FC (Att: 579)
Watford 3-2 Oxford United (Att: 309)
Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal
Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the league, even though Arsenal gave them a one goal start thanks to a misplaced backpass, as Alex Scott’s return ball caught out keeper Sari van Veenendaal.
Eni Aluko picked out Drew Spence for a one-on-one with the Gunners’ keeper, who pulled off a fine save, before her side levelled on half time with Vicky Losada heading home a corner kick.
Losada was denied from range by Hedvig Lindahl and Arsenal failed to force in he rebound, afterwhich good work from Ji So-Yun led to a great stop by van Veenendaal.
Both sides then hit the woodwork, with Aluko hitting the angle of post and bar, before a cross from the visitors’ Asisat Oshoala was similarly close.
Claire Rafferty could not quite convert at the back post for Chelsea and then Danielle van de Donk rounded the Blues’ keeper to slide home from a tight angle (pictured above).
Chelsea went close to rescuing a point but Aluko was denied by another brilliant save.
Charlie Wellings scores for Birmingham.
Birmingham City 1-0 Sunderland
Birmingham made in nine games unbeaten and league and cup after a late goal sent Sunderland to defeat in front of over 1,000 fans.
Chances were at premium in the first half, with City’s Chloe Peplow and Mel Lawley firing over the bar when well placed.
Crosses from the home side after the break caused concern for Sunderland, as Lawley nearly forced an own-goal and there were strong appeals for handball in the box when Linden’s delivery struck Abbie Holmes.
With just 2 minutes of normal time left, a long throw caused panic in the Black Cats’ box and Rachel Laws could only parry the ball onto the bar, with Charlie Wellings turning in the rebound.
Everton 3-0 Yeovil Town
Everton went third in WSL 2 after striking three times in the first half against leaders Yeovil Town.
The hosts took an early lead when the Glovers only managed to half clear a cross and Chloe Kelly finished low into the bottom corner.
Yeovil were punished again when keeper Beth Howard failed to deal with a corner and Rosella Ayane was on hand to fire home.
With under half an hour played, Everton were awarded a penalty and Kelly slotted the spot-kick into the corner.
Howard then pulled off a double save to deny Kelly and Claudia Walker.
Everton’s Chloe Kelly celebrates.
Durham 0-0 Bristol City
Second-placed WSL 2 side Bristol City stayed four points ahead of Durham from two games more following a goalless draw at New Ferens Park.
Millie Farrow threatened to score for City after Helen Alderson couldn’t hold Chloe Arthur’s delivery but Sarah Wilson cleared. The same player later made a vital interception to thwart Farrow again.
Caitlin Leach was at her best to tip Emily Roberts’ curler from the edge of the area over the bar.
After the break, Roberts and substitute Nat Gutteridge combined well before the former fired straight at Leach.
Beth Hepple struck a half-volley which Leach held at full-stretch and the visiting goalkeeper then denied the same player moments later, tipping a powerful effort around the post.
Aston Villa 3-1 Millwall Lionesses
Aston Villa climbed into the top half of the table with a 3-1 victory over Millwall, despite the Lionesses taking a 2nd-minute lead.
An Ashlee Hincks corner was half cleared and returned into the danger area, where Grace Fisk headed home.
Beth Merrick turned the game in Villa’s favour in an eight-minute spell, her ball into the box on 28 minutes going straight in before driving into the area and shooting high into the net.
Grace Maloney made a fine stop to maintain the lead but the home side also needed a favour from the woodwork, as Merrick’s attempted clearance rattled the crossbar.
With 20 minutes to go, Grace Smith got a debut goal as she guided the ball home from range.
London Bees 0-5 Sheffield FC
Sheffield FC bagged their biggest WSL win to date with an impressive five goals at mid-table London Bees, who had been enjoying an unbeaten spell.
Emma Johnson lashed home the opener from close-range after keeper Imogen Riches had denied Jodie Michalska.
Jo Wilson wasted two good chances for London Bees either side of the break; first dragging wide of the far post when released by Deanna Cooper, then slashing over from an acute angle.
Sheffield FC doubled their lead after 55 minutes, Chelsea Flanagan crossing for the unmarked Michalska, who stooped to head home.
The visitors added a third with 19 minutes remaining. Kirsty Hanson provided the cross this time and it was Hannah Dale on hand to steer home low.
The fourth was all too simple, Flanagan crossing for substitute Ellie Gilliatt to volley in and Flanagan then capped the win with a shot which slipped through the unfortunate Riches’ gloves.
Watford 3-2 Oxford United
Basement side Watford fought back from 2-0 down to defeat Oxford 3-2 and go level on points with their visitors, as well as Millwall.
The visitors were two goals up in 20 minutes, Ella Franklin-Fraiture lobbing home and then Ini Umotong beat her marker to finish past Lucy Gillett.
The Hornets pulled one back just before the break as Anne-Laure Davy got goal-side of her defender and powerfully finished past Hannah Cox.
Giulia Ferrandi levelled 3 minutes after the restart when beating the offside trap.
The scoring was complete on 56 minutes, Ellie Mason’s corner headed home by Davy.
All photo – The FA via Getty Images
