Russo scores again for Arsenal as Everton stun Man City

Arsenal kept the pressure on the Women's Super League's top two with an important 1-0 win over Liverpool ahead of the winter break.

The Gunners moved within a point of Manchester City, but still trail leaders Chelsea by seven points, as Renee Slegers' unbeaten run as interim boss stretched to ten games, with Arsenal winning nine of those.

Alessia Russo scored the only goal of Sunday's game in the 20th minute, turning home from close range following Gemma Bonner's poor clearance from Katie McCabe's low corner.

Russo, who has now netted in five successive WSL matches, then won her side a penalty after she drew a foul from Bonner in the box, but Mariona Caldentey could only strike the upright from 12 yards.

Liverpool went close to scoring an equaliser just before half-time when McCabe headed Ceri Holland's cross against her own post.

Arsenal hit the woodwork once again after the interval through a deflected Beth Mead effort, with Frida Maanum unable to convert on the follow-up, though the Gunners were not made to pay as they came away with a deserved three points, based on their dominance of the match.

They accumulated 2.14 expected goals (xG) and had 12 shots to Liverpool's six.

The Gunners' attention now turns to the Women's Champions League, with Bayern Munich up next in a contest that will decide the winner of Group C.

Man City, meanwhile, failed to close the gap on leaders Chelsea as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Everton.

The Toffees' second win of the season moved them up to ninth in the table, while Gareth Taylor's side stay six points behind Chelsea, who drew with Leicester City on Saturday.

Lucy Hope headed the Toffees into a 31st-minute lead after being picked out by Sara Holmgaard, with Honoka Hayashi doubling Everton's advantage.

City improved after the break, amassing an expected goals (xG) total of 1.96 from their 10 shots, but were only able to halve the deficit right at the death.

Karoline Olesen brought down Yui Hasegawa inside the box, with Mary Fowler converting from the spot, but it was too little too late for City as Everton won back-to-back home matches in the WSL for the first time since January 2023.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are one point behind City after seeing off lowly Crystal Palace 1-0.

Grace Clinton struck the decisive blow in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, capitalising on a mistake by Palace goalkeeper Shae Yanez to finish into an unguarded net.

The Red Devils were good value for their victory, with Leah Galton hitting the post in the first half before Geyse was superbly denied by Yanez after the break.

Substitute Celin Bizet could have put the result beyond all doubt late on but screwed wide after another error at the back by the Eagles.

Marc Skinner's side continued their impressive record against newly promoted teams, claiming their 11th successive win against such opponents in the WSL.

Finishing the calendar year with three points! #MUWomen

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) December 15, 2024

Aston Villa earned a much-needed victory as they beat West Ham 3-1 to make it two wins in two games in all competitions for interim head coach Shaun Goater.

Two first-half goals from Adriana Leon and a late effort from Kenza Dali were enough for Villa to win consecutive home WSL matches for the first time this term, with Viviane Asseyi scoring for the Hammers.

Villa won just one of their opening nine league games under previous manager Robert de Pauw, who left his role at the club earlier this week.