Gameweek 5 of the Barclays WSL delivered another cracking weekend of action. Chelsea’s perfect start finally came to an end as they were held to a 1–1 draw by Manchester United. Arsenal’s difficult run continued with a dramatic late defeat to Manchester City. 19-year-old Iman Beney stole the show with an 88th-minute winner.
Tottenham’s impressive start continued as they climbed to third, making that 5–1 home defeat to City in GW3 feel like a distant memory. Aston Villa finally registered their first win of the season with two second-half stunners to sink West Ham.
London City Lionesses claimed their second win of the season, beating Liverpool with a last-minute penalty. It’s now five defeats from five for both Liverpool and West Ham. They remain cut adrift at the bottom with zero points and growing concerns.
Here’s your complete round-up of everything from Gameweek 5: every goal, big moment, and story that mattered.
VERTA’s WSL GW5 Favourites
⚽️ Goal of the week: Kirsty Hanson (West Ham 0-2 Aston Villa)
🚀 Game of the week: Man City 3-2 Arsenal
⭐️ Star of the week: 19yr old Iman Benny for 88th minute winning goal (Man City 3-2 Arsenal)
Fri 3rd Oct 25 | Leigh Sports Village
Chelsea’s perfect start to the season came to an end at Leigh Sports Village, where Manchester United battled to a well-earned point in a top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides maintain their unbeaten starts to the campaign.
Heading into the game, the two teams had scored 21 goals and conceded just three between them – but it was the defences that came out on top in a breathless 1–1 draw.
The visitors struck early, with Wieke Kaptein continuing her fine form by rifling into the bottom corner from close range after a clever backheel assist from Catarina Macario inside 10 minutes. But United responded in style. Just ten minutes later, full-back Anna Sandberg unleashed a thunderous strike from distance – another for the goal-of-the-season showreel.
Despite end-to-end action and a total of 38 attempts on goal, the sides had to settle for a point apiece. On balance, United may feel the more satisfied of the two sides based on the quality of chances created.
Chelsea remain top, but their lead is now down to a single point over Manchester City. United stay unbeaten and sit just two points off the summit – well and truly in the early title mix.
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Sat 4th Oct 25 | Joie Academy Stadium
A match that truly lived up to its billing. Manchester City and Arsenal went toe-to-toe in a five-goal thriller that swung back and forth until the final whistle.
City took the lead on 36 minutes through Khadija Shaw, who powered home a bullet header from Kerstin Casparij’s pinpoint cross – after a sustained spell of pressure. The hosts thought they had doubled their lead just minutes later, but Casparij’s finish was ruled out for offside after Shaw stuttered when clear through on goal.
Arsenal came out flying after the break, equalising less than a minute into the second half. Mariona Caldentey was quickest to react, smashing home from 12 yards after a well-placed cut-back from Emily Fox.
But the goals didn’t stop there. City retook the lead (61′) when Casparij converted from close range following a poorly cleared corner. Stina Blackstenius should have brought Arsenal level on 71 minutes, but her one-on-one was denied brilliantly by Khiara Keating. The Gunners eventually got their equaliser through Chloe Kelly (83′), who unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner from the edge of the box with just seven minutes to play.
However, the final word belonged to 19-year-old Iman Beney, who arrived late in the box to slot home the winner in the 88th minute after a devastating City counter-attack – sealing a huge three points.
It’s a vital win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side, who leapfrog Arsenal into second and close the gap on leaders Chelsea to just one point. For Arsenal, it’s now three games without a win – and they sit five points off the pace.
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Sun 5th Oct 25 | King Power Stadium
Points were shared at the King Power Stadium as Leicester City and Everton played out a competitive 1–1 draw. A result that ends both sides’ run of successive defeats.
After a cagey first half where clear chances were limited, it was Everton who struck first. Just five minutes after the restart, Ornella Vignola picked up a loose ball nearly 30 yards from goal and, through sheer persistence and some sloppy Leicester defending, managed to drive deep into the box before finishing smartly. Her fourth goal of the season following an opening weekend hat-trick.
Leicester responded well, growing into the game as the second half progressed. Their pressure was eventually rewarded in the 81st minute when substitute Noémie Mouchon levelled the score with a near-post effort that slipped under Emily Ramsey – a moment the Everton keeper will want to forget.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither could find the breakthrough.
Leicester will take confidence from the fightback. Everton, meanwhile, will be relieved to stop the rot and collect their first point since the opening weekend victory over Liverpool. Both teams remain near the foot of the table, separated only by goal difference
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Sun 5th Oct 25 | Hayes Lane
London City Lionesses bounced back from their heavy 4–1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City to claim their second win of the season.
The first half was a cautious affair, largely devoid of clear-cut chances as both sides struggled to find rhythm in the final third. Liverpool saw more of the ball early on, but lacked the attacking edge needed to make it count.
As the second half wore on, London City began to assert themselves. Godwin struck the post in the 54th minute with a low drive, and Geyoro squandered a golden chance on 67 minutes when gifted possession by Borggrafe in the Liverpool goal. Goodwin then went close again, glancing a header narrowly over the bar in the 72nd, while Kosovare Asllani opted for finesse over power in the 75th, attempting a chipped finish that drifted wide.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 89th minute. A long ball forward found Nikita Parris, who was clattered by Borggrafe as she raced through on goal. Elena Linari stepped up and fired her penalty off the underside of the bar and in – sparking wild celebrations.
It was a gutting blow for Liverpool, who now sit bottom of the table with five defeats from five. For London City, it’s a crucial victory that lifts them clear of the drop zone. After a rocky start, they’ve now taken six points from their last two home matches.
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Sun 5th Oct 25 | Brisbane Road
Tottenham Hotspur made it back-to-back wins in the WSL with a narrow but deserved 1–0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Continuing their impressive start to the season under Martin Ho.
After a cagey opening, the decisive moment came in the 26th minute. A neat move down the left saw Jessica Naz slide a well-weighted ball across the Brighton box into the path of Cathinka Tandberg, who timed her run perfectly and slotted low past Chiamaka Nnadozie at the near post – her second goal in as many games.
Tottenham remained the more composed side after the interval but found Nnadozie in excellent form. The Brighton keeper produced a fine save from Eveliina Summanen’s long-range pile-driver, before reacting sharply again to deny Beth England from close range.
Spurs saw out the closing stages with maturity, showing improved game control and defensive organisation – both areas that in previous campaigns have cost them points. They now climb to third in the table and look increasingly assured near the summit.
Brighton, meanwhile, will be frustrated with their performance after coming into the match high on confidence after two successive league wins.
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Sun 5th Oct 25 | Chigwell Construction Stadium
Aston Villa produced a composed and clinical second-half performance to leave West Ham United rooted to the bottom of the WSL table.
The first half was largely uneventful, with both sides struggling to find fluency in the final third. The best chance of the half fell to Kirsty Hanson, who somehow failed to convert after finding herself in front of an empty net.
Villa came out after the break with renewed purpose and broke the deadlock on the hour mark. After collecting a short corner, Hanson drove to the edge of the box and rifled an unstoppable strike into the top corner – a sensational solo effort and her first of the campaign.
Seven minutes later, Villa doubled their advantage. This time it was Lynn Wilms, stepping up to smash a direct free-kick into the top corner – leaving the keeper with absolutely no chance.
West Ham offered little in response. Their only shot on target came in the final minutes when Katrina Gorry fired a powerful effort on goal, well saved by Sabrina D’Angelo
The Hammers’ nightmare start continues with no points and -14 goal difference after five games.
For Aston Villa, it’s a first win of the season and a deserved reward following their encouraging display against Arsenal last weekend.
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