Beattie keeps City’s title dream alive

A 95th-minute winner from Jen Beattie against Liverpool keeps Manchester City’s title hopes alive, even if they are now hanging by a thread. They remain a point behind Arsenal with just two games to play – the last of them against the leaders – but crucially have played a game more than their rivals. So they need the Gunners to falter in one of their next two games – against 10th-placed Everton and ninth-placed Brighton – and then to beat them on the last day of the season. City dominated possession but a hard-working Liverpool team repeatedly thwarted their attacks. The Scotland international Claire Emslie’s deflected shot put City ahead only for Liverpool to equalise from the penalty spot after a handball by the England captain, Steph Houghton, and a nailbiting finish ensued. In the dying seconds Beattie rose highest in the area to nod home Caroline Weir’s free-kick and with the WSL now going on another international break they remain in the hunt for the title for at least four more weeks.

The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) Another important moment in the title race...



😮 A late winner from @jbeattie91 for @ManCityWomen!#FAWSL pic.twitter.com/qChDgrS2nG

McCabe rises to the occasion for Arsenal

An excellent performance from young Hannah Hampton in the Birmingham goal and a typically steely and well-organised display from those in front of her frustrated Arsenal for nearly 80 minutes, until Ireland’s Katie McCabe came to their rescue with the only goal of the game. Marta Tejedor, the Birmingham coach, was probably helped by the international break. With relatively few senior internationals this gave her a real chunk of time to put her philosophy across and do some intense tactical work, a luxury she hadn’t had since her appointment in January. The results were there for all to see: there had clearly been a lot of work done on set pieces, which they defended excellently and at the other end used to occasionally open Arsenal up. Chloe Arthur had their best chance, but her header from a set piece missed the target from close range. Still, Arsenal found a way to win and this machine seems unstoppable. These three points guaranteed that they will finish no lower than second place, so will return to the Champions League next season.

More embarrassment for Everton against Yeovil

Just 230 people watched as Yeovil completed the double over Everton at Haig Avenue in Southport, just over half the next lowest attendance of the day (Chelsea, with 2,864, had the weekend’s highest gate). It was a positive end to a difficult week for Yeovil, who were deducted 10 points as a result of their ongoing financial difficulties. Already bottom of the league – they have only beaten Everton this season – this left them on -6 points with relegation on a single defeat away. This win, while welcome, only delays the inevitable. Everton need an overhaul ahead of next season otherwise they will be favourites to follow Yeovil into the second tier. With the resources they have, and the brand they have, Everton should not be in this position, with safety secured not by their own achievements but by Yeovil’s points deduction. I remember playing for the club at Marine with more than 1,000 people there, in an exciting atmosphere, and they need to find their way back to Merseyside. Willie Kirk was appointed coach at the start of December and has had time to recruit, but has not done so. Something is not quite right at the club, and they need to find some answers before it’s too late.

Midweek drama leaves Chelsea looking fatigued

Last Wednesday Chelsea progressed past Paris Saint-Germain and into the Champions League semi-finals in dramatic fashion, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Maren Mjelde. It was an extraordinary game, in which the 2-0 advantage Chelsea held from the first leg quickly disappeared and it looked inevitable that PSG would go on and win it. The character Chelsea showed in that second half, and some of the tactical changes made by Emma Hayes, were outstanding. It was a brilliant result and a really professional performance, but I think it took a lot out of the players. The physical and emotional effort took its toll, and in their final home league game of the season they could only draw against a much fresher-looking West Ham team. The Hammers have grown over the course of the season, will make more additions in the summer and could become a force in this division. Chelsea now know that the only way they can get into next season’s Champions League is by winning this one, which will be their priority from here. With Lyon to face in the semis it is a monumental task, but one which now has their full focus.

The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) ON YA HEAD @Gilly_flaherty @westhamwomen #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/oVnJHr0gnN

Reading plotting an upwards trajectory

A first win in seven league games for Reading, and Brooke Chaplen was again their matchwinner. She has been performing at a high level for a long time, starts every game, scores regularly – seven in the WSL this season, eight last year – but she has never had a senior international cap and at 29,perhaps her chance will never come. Reading dominated the game and might have won more convincingly, but Fara Williams had a penalty saved. This has been an unconvincing year for them – last season they would have stamped their authority on a team like Bristol City – and I am sure Kelly Chambers will be planning to revamp things next year. They are still four points behind Bristol in the league but with two games in hand against sides below them in the table will hope to finish above them when the campaign draws to a close next month.

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