Goals were in short supply by WSL standards this week, with just 10 scored across six games – the lowest return of the season as pressure builds at both ends of the table.
Manchester City’s title charge hit a rare blip, with the Sky Blues dropping points for just the third time this season.
Chelsea’s return to form continued with a third straight win, leapfrogging Manchester United into second place and closing the gap on City to seven points with 15 still to play for. United, meanwhile, slipped to third after a frustrating 0–0 draw at West Ham, where an inspired Kinga Szemik display denied them a fifth straight league win.
Arsenal continued their strong form with a controlled 2–0 win over London City Lionesses, extending their unbeaten run and keeping themselves firmly in the race with two games in hand on second-placed Chelsea.
Elsewhere, Everton’s resurgence gathered pace as they left it late to beat Tottenham 2–1, making it four wins in a row and climbing to sixth, while Liverpool boosted their survival hopes with a vital win over Leicester in a crucial relegation clash.
Here’s your full Gameweek 17 round-up: every result, stat and key moment.
VERTA’s WSL GW17 Picks
⚽️ Goal of the week: Yuka Momiki – a lovely turn and composed finish from the edge of the box to put Everton in front. (Tottenham 1-2 Everton)
🚀 Game of the week: A crucial relegation six-pointer as Liverpool secured a vital third win of the season.(Liverpool 2-0 Leicester)
⭐️ Star of the week: Alexia Potter – the 19-year-old first start for the club, first goal and an assured all-round performance. (Chelsea 2-1 Brighton)
Sun 15 Mar 26 | Bescot Stadium | Att: 3,388
Manchester City were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a resurgent Aston Villa side, dropping points for only the third time this season. City entered the match knowing that 11 points from their final six fixtures would secure the title, while Villa sought to end a four-game losing run.
The hosts dominated the first half and should have led at the interval. Goalkeeper Khiara Keating proved decisive, first denying Noelle Maritz in a one-on-one before producing another fine save from Chasity Grant following the resulting corner. Villa maintained their momentum, with Kirsty Hanson striking the post as they pressed for an opener.
City improved after the break and applied greater pressure. Their best opportunity came from an Alex Greenwood corner, which was turned goalwards but cleared off the line by Grant.
Despite their second-half response, City delivered an uncharacteristically subdued display. Villa, meanwhile, will feel they missed the chance to secure all three points after one of their strongest performances in recent weeks.
Up Next
- Man City vs Tottenham – Sat 21 Mar 26
- Leicester City vs Aston Villa – Sun 22 Mar 26
Match Highlights
Match Stats
Lineups & Player Ratings
Sun 15 Mar 26 | St Helens | Att: 2,478
Liverpool secured a vital 2–0 victory over Leicester City in a crucial relegation six-pointer, marking their third win of the season – all coming within their last five matches. The result moves Liverpool four points clear of bottom-placed Leicester, who still have a game in hand.
The hosts came out of the blocks fast, taking the lead after just 10 minutes through a free flowing counter-attack. Beata Olsson, making her first start since returning from injury, finished confidently from Mia Enderby’s low cross to register her sixth league goal of the season.
Leicester offered little in response, with Liverpool maintaining control throughout.
The result was confirmed late on when Liverpool were awarded a penalty (88′) following a clumsy foul on Csillag by Asmita Ale. Ceri Holland converted from the spot with composure to seal the victory.
Liverpool’s resurgence has come at a critical stage of the season, while Leicester’s 14-match winless run leaves them looking increasingly likely to finish in the relegation play-off position.
Up Next
- Brighton vs Liverpool – Sun 22 Mar 26
- Leicester City vs Aston Villa – Sun 22 Mar 26
Match Highlights
Match Stats
Lineups & Player Ratings
Sun 15 Mar 26 | Hayes Lane | Att: 5,414
Arsenal secured a routine 2–0 win over London City Lionesses to strengthen their push for a Champions League place, extending their unbeaten run to 10 league games.
London City should have taken the lead in the 11th minute, but Godfrey somehow blazed over from just four yards out after latching onto a Franssi cross.
Arsenal made the hosts pay five minutes later. Olivia Smith capitalised on a defensive lapse, latching onto Chloe Kelly’s scuffed cross to fire home her fifth league goal of the season.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with London City struggling to build any real momentum. They missed another clear opportunity on 56 minutes, Godfrey again failing to test the goalkeeper from close range.
Arsenal put the result beyond any doubt in the 76th minute. Substitute Stina Blackstenius finished well from close range after a lovely Russo cross.
While not at their fluent best, Arsenal remained in control throughout. London City, meanwhile, drop to seventh after a third consecutive defeat.
Up Next
- Arsenal vs West Ham – Sat 21 Mar 26
- London City vs Chelsea – Sat 21 Mar 26
Match Highlights
Match Stats
Lineups & Player Ratings
Sun 15 Mar 26 | Brisbane Road | Att: 4,816
Everton left it late to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2–1, making it four wins in a row after an impressive mid-season turnaround. The win sees the Toffees climb to sixth, their highest league position of the season. Spurs’ inconsistent form continues as their faint Champions League hopes fade.
Everton made the stronger start and took a deserved lead after 11 minutes. Yuka Momiki finished a swift counter-attack, driving a precise effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Tottenham struggled to respond, with Everton creating the better chances throughout. Payne twice had opportunities to extend the lead but failed to make them count.
Spurs levelled against the run of play with 15 minutes remaining, Gaupset’s effort somehow squeezing through a crowded penalty area and into the net.
Everton responded quickly. Seven minutes later, after another flowing move down the left, Gaborro delivered a low cross which substitute Kelly Gago finished from close range, just three minutes after coming on.
Everton could have added more late on, but Kop denied them with two excellent saves.
Up Next
- Man City vs Tottenham – Sat 21 Mar 26
- Man United vs Everton – Sat 21 Mar 26
Match Highlights
Match Stats
Lineups & Player Ratings
Wed 18 Mar 26 | Kingsmeadow | Att: N/A
Chelsea overcame a stubborn Brighton side to win 2–1 at Kingsmeadow, leapfrogging Manchester United into second place. Brighton arrived looking to end a run of two straight defeats but ultimately fell short.
Recent League Cup winners Chelsea made a strong start and took the lead after 13 minutes, Alyssa Thompson heading home at the near post following a well-worked move and a pinpoint cross from Sandy Baltimore.
Brighton responded quickly, with Carla Camacho equalising four minutes later, her deflected drive from distance sneaking in at the near post past a helpless Hannah Hampton.
Brighton continued to look lively and this was far from the routine Chelsea performance many expected. However, the hosts restored their lead on 39 minutes, Alexia Potter finishing from close range after another Baltimore cross was not dealt with. It marked Potter’s first start for the club.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Brighton, who never really looked like finding another equaliser. Beever-Jones did find the net late on, but was offside by some distance.
The win strengthens Chelsea’s position in the race for Champions League qualification, although Arsenal remain firmly in contention with two games in hand, while Brighton’s focus now shifts to securing a top-six finish.
Up Next
- London City Lionesses vs Chelsea – Sat 21 Mar 26
- Brighton vs Liverpool – Sun 22 Mar 26
Match Highlights
Match Stats
Lineups & Player Ratings
Wed 18 Mar 26 | Chigwell Construction Stadium | Att: N/A
West Ham picked up a valuable point in a goalless draw against Manchester United as they continue their fight to avoid relegation. The result ends United’s four-game winning run and sees them slip to third, capping a difficult few days following their League Cup final defeat.
Despite dominating possession and creating the better chances, United failed to find a breakthrough. Kinga Szemik was in inspired form and proved the difference, producing fine saves to deny Zigiotti, Terland and Schuller.
West Ham, meanwhile, will be the happier of the two sides, with every point crucial at this stage of the season. While they offered limited threat going forward, their defensive resilience ensured they came away with a valuable result that could prove decisive come the end of the season.
United leave frustrated as the race for a top-three finish tightens, having spent much of the season in second, with both Chelsea and Arsenal finding form at a crucial stage.
Up Next
- Arsenal vs West Ham – Sat 21 Mar 26
- Man United vs Everton – Sat 21 Mar 26
Match Highlights
Match Stats
Lineups & Player Ratings
