FA Women's Super League play is back with matchday 12 featuring games that you cannot miss and news that can influence the title race.
Last weekend, Chelsea showed off their super signing in Sam Kerr who delivered a delightful back-heel assist to her new teammate Bethany England. Arsenal and Manchester City won their respected matches keeping the title race alive with Chelsea lurking behind them. Manchester United could not cope with the pressure as they lost at home to Bristol City giving them its first win of the season. Lastly, Everton and West Ham will play their first matches of 2019 against Manchester City and Tottenham respectively. Let's see what matchday 12 has in store for us.
Match of the Week – Manchester City vs Everton
Manchester City continues its quest for FA WSL glory despite a scheduled managerial change in the near future as they take on Everton on Saturday, January 11.
City flew by Tottenham last week while Everton Ladies have not played an FA WSL match since their Matchday 10 home loss to Arsenal on December 15. This is partly due to the holiday season and a postponed match last week against West Ham United because of a flu virus outbreak within the Hammers locker room. That is nearly a month without football for The Toffees. But it's not the end of the world for them.
Blues fans have something to be excited about as two signings have arrived at the club in England U-21 international Sandy Maclver and English midfielder Izzy Christiansen, both on 18-month deals. Maclver, 21, rejoins the Blues after three seasons with the Clemson Tigers in the U.S. while Christiansen returns to the Everton after 10 years playing for Birmingham City, Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais. Head coach Willie Kirk explained in his weekly column for evertonfc.com that Christiansen will inspire her team and that her experience is priceless.
Defender Esme Morgan, who has featured in eight matches for the Toffees this season, will sit out for the game since City is her parent club.
As for Manchester City, uncertainty lies ahead in their season as head coach Nick Cushing is set to leave after his final match against Arsenal on February 2. The Englishman will take his talents to Major League Soccer where New York City FC waits for him with open arms. He will sit next to newly appointed head coach Ronny Deila as his assistant manager.
Nevertheless, City will look to win by a large margin of goals as they trail league leaders Arsenal, which are just three points ahead with a two-goal differential. The Citizens were able to make that happen last time out against Tottenham demolishing the London club 4-1 at their turf.
Manchester City vs Everton Broadcast Information
Kick-off time: Saturday, January 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. BST / 6:30 p.m. CET
Stadium: Academy Stadium (Manchester)
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Talk of the Weekend – Manchester City's future and Goodison Park WSL Merseyside Derby
Once again, Talk of the Weekend will cover two topics that have surfaced in the past week as we head into Matchday 12.
It was announced on January 9 that Manchester City's boss Nick Cushing will be joining New York City FC as assistant manager after City's match against Arsenal on February 2. This strange move comes at a pivotal time in the season for Manchester City whose board has three weeks to find a viable replacement that could keep the team on its tracks. The departure itself is not unexpected given Cushing's resume filled with success, but the timing of it is. Nevertheless, a win against Arsenal in his final match will possibly leave the Manchester club at the top of the FA NWSL table with eight matches left to play.
On other news, Goodison Park will host its first FA WSL Merseyside derby next month. Bottom of the table Liverpool will attempt to upset its crosstown rivals Everton that sits in fifth place with two games in hand. The match will be played on Sunday, February 9.
Everton came out on top of Liverpool when they played at Anfield, the first time this matchup was hosted at a first-team stadium, in front of a record-breaking crowd of 23,500 in November.
Major Absences, returns, transfers and other news
Absences
Brighton & Hove Albion: Ellie Brazil (ACL), Laura Rafferty (ACL)
Bristol City: Abi Harrison (ACL), Carla Humphreys (foot)
Everton: Esme Morgan (parent club)
Liverpool: Jemma Purfield (knee), Jess Clarke (knee)
West Ham: Alisha Lehmann (ankle)
Returns
Arsenal: Beth Mead (leg), Jennifer Beattie (back)
Transfers
Birmingham City: Georgia Brougham (Everton)
Everton: Izzy Christiansen (Lyon), Sandy Maclver (Clemson Tigers)
West Ham: Filippa Wallen (IF Brommapojkarna), Grace Fisk (University of South Carolina Gamecocks)
Other News
Brighton & Hove Albion: SnickersUK.com to become first women's team sleeve sponsor
Chelsea: Sunday's match against Bristol will be dedicated to the Chelsea Foundation
West Ham: Women's team announce partnership with Aqua Brittish
Kick-off time, date and broadcast channels of other FA WSL Matchday 12 fixtures
Liverpool vs Manchester United Broadcast Information
Kick-off time: Sunday, January 12 at 7:00 a.m. ET / 12:00 noon BST / 1:00 p.m. CET
Stadium: Prenton Park (Birkeanhead, Merseyside)
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal Broadcast Information
Kick-off time: Sunday, January 12 at 7:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. BST / 1:30 p.m. CET
Stadium: The People's Pension Stadium (Crawley, West Sussex)
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Brighton & Hove Albion 0 - 4 Arsenal
January 12, 2020 7:30amThe People's Pension Stadium (Crawley, West Sussex)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Chelsea vs Bristol City Broadcast Information
Kick-off time: Sunday, January 12 at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. BST / 3:00 p.m. CET
Stadium: The Cherry Red Records Stadium (Kingston upon Thames, Surrey)
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Chelsea FC 6 - 1 Bristol City
January 12, 2020 9:00amThe Cherry Red Records Stadium (Kingston upon Thames, Surrey)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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Reading vs Birmingham City Broadcast Information
Kick-off time: Sunday, January 12 at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. BST / 3:00 p.m. CET
Stadium: Adams Park (High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire)
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Tottenham vs West Ham Broadcast Information
Kick-off time: Sunday, January 12 at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. BST / 3:00 p.m. CET
Stadium: The Hive Stadium (London)
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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