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Just like that, the Women’s Super League (WSL) season is almost halfway through as the players go on a much-needed winter break.
It was an exciting start to the campaign at both ends of the table Chelsea they lead the title race and many clubs are on the brink of an unwanted relegation battle. By the way, two clubs have already parted ways with their manager and have yet to make permanent appointments.
Beige WSL action until the end of January, 90 min assessed the first half of the campaign and picked the five biggest talking points from around the league…
New season, same story. Chelsea lead the race for the WSL title and have already established themselves as firm favorites to win the coveted trophy at the end of the campaign.
Sonia Bompastor’s side are well on their way to a sixth straight win for the club as they boast a comfortable six-point lead at the top of the table with 10 games played. It is the biggest lead any club has had at the winter break since the league was reformed a few years ago.
It would take quite a slump in the second half of the season for Chelsea to falter in the title race, so those hot on their heels will need to be in top form in January to keep the race going.
Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal all advanced comfortably to the knockout rounds UEFA Women’s Champions League because the group stage ended in mid-December. The Gunners, who arguably had one of the toughest groups to compete in, got the better of Italian giants Juventus to reach the round of 16.
With all three English clubs battling it out in Europe in the second half of the season, this could have a significant impact on the WSL title race. Chelsea certainly have the squad depth to compete on all fronts, but the same cannot be said for their opponents, especially with injuries mounting.
Outside of the usual top four, Brighton have been the best player in the WSL so far this season. They have caused numerous problems against the best teams and are currently only four points away from fourth place.
The appointment of Dario Vidošić proved to be a masterstroke by the south coast club, while their summer recruitment, which included Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby, was extremely fruitful.
It remains to be seen whether they can maintain such high levels for another four and a half months, but as far as the start goes, things couldn’t have gone much better for the Seagulls.
The season of sackings has arrived much earlier than expected this season as former Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall was the first managerial casualty of the campaign. Although the north London club didn’t exactly give him the boot, a poor run of results prompted the Swede to step down from his duties in October.
Renee Slegers has turned Arsenal into a transformed team since taking over as interim manager, but it is not yet known what direction the club will take in the long term. Meanwhile, Aston Villa parted ways with Dutchman Robert de Pauw before the winter break, less than six months after appointing him to replace Carl Ward.
The Midlands club won their first game 3-1 under interim Shaun Goater, demolishing West Ham at Villa Park. It is crucial that Villa get this next meeting right as they risk uprooting the foundations laid by Ward and her staff.
While the title race seems somewhat predictable, the same cannot be said for the relegation battle at the other end of the table. Typically, newly promoted sides emerge as firm favorites to return, but Crystal Palace have managed to keep up with the teams in and around them in the table.
Just four points separate 12th and seventh place after 10 games, which realistically puts at least six teams in the relegation conversation. Table positions change almost every game, and things could get even tighter depending on each club’s January recruitment.
Unless one team is completely relegated and endures a terrible run of form, the battle for survival could extend to the last game of the season and create a nail-biting end to the campaign.
