The Women's Super League is taking a two-week break after five weeks of the season. The best impression so far has been made by the title holders, Manchester City, who have five wins from five matches with 16 goals scored.
Manchester City on Sunday overcame Arsenal with a comeback. Such a start is their best since the 2017-18 season, when they opened the campaign with seven consecutive wins. Khadija Shaw, who extended her contract in the summer, has scored five league goals, while Lauren Hemp has contributed with four goals and two assists. The club has brought in Beth Mead, Carlotta Wamser, and Niamh Charles.
Arsenal trail the leading Manchester City by 10 points, having last won the title in the 2018-19 season. Head coach Renee Slegers said: "We are not in the mix at the moment."
London City beat Tottenham 6-1 on Sunday. Manager Eder Maestre said: "This victory can be a turning point." Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas scored two goals against Tottenham, while Kadidiatou Diani and Danielle van de Donk are in the squad.
Chelsea drew with Aston Villa in the opening round, then secured four consecutive victories without conceding a goal. Head coach Sonia Bompastor has the team in good rhythm.
Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0 on Saturday, which is their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions, scoring 18 goals in the process. Eva Olde said: "I am so happy for the players - they deserve it. We have clicked in many areas and are fighting for each other. But there is still a lot to improve. We created chances, but our final pass and finish need to be better." The summer signings include Andrea Medina, who plays on the left wing. United play against bottom-placed Charlton after the break, with the next match against Manchester City next weekend.
The league has expanded from 12 to 14 teams this season, with three clubs entering from the WSL 2. Crystal Palace have six points from five matches and moved up to eighth place with a draw against Aston Villa on Sunday. At the bottom are Birmingham and Charlton - Birmingham have two points, one of which was earned against Crystal Palace, while Charlton have zero points with two goals scored and 15 conceded. Charlton lost 5-1 to Brighton on Sunday, with goalkeeper and captain Sophie Whitehouse saying: "It was simply not good enough. It's a big jump. You can't make any mistakes."
The French forward, with five goals from five matches, shares the top of the scoring list, scoring against Everton on Sunday. The player said after the match that the Blues were "second in everything".
Attendance is also a topic. Chelsea hosted Arsenal on 27 September to 36 percent fewer spectators than in January this year, while the Liverpool derby against Everton recorded 19 percent fewer spectators than last season. Arsenal played against Manchester United three weeks ago in 17:30 in front of 29,853 spectators, while last season that match in the afternoon slot attracted 37,627 people.
