Here are five players who impressed us on matchday 3 of the Women’s Super League.
Katie McCabe – Arsenal
With Arsenal heading towards a third straight defeat in the WSL, Katie McCabe made a clever overlapping run in Aston Villa’s box, which was packed with defenders. The cut-back wasn’t on, so the Irishwoman hit the ball with all of the venom she could muster – it’s a wonder she didn’t puncture the roof of the net when it went in.
The 28-year-old geed up the crowd but wasted no time celebrating her equaliser. There was still a game to be won, and that’s exactly what the Gunners did in the dying embers of the contest.
That elite mentality, combined with her ability and never-say-die attitude, is exactly why the fans and Arsenal legend Ian Wright adore her.
See Katie McCabe. You want her on your team. Doesn’t matter if it’s going badly or you winning comfortably. You want her alongside you. Another brilliant strike 🚀💪🏾
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) October 15, 2023
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Sam Kerr – Chelsea
After suffering a calf injury in the summer that kept her sidelined for much of the World Cup, Sam Kerr made her first start of the season for Chelsea on Saturday – and she hasn’t lost a step.
The Australian forward, who has scored 89 goals over the past three seasons, was raring to go against West Ham, glancing two crosses from Lauren James just wide and having a goal ruled offside.
Unperturbed, Kerr kept going back to the well and got her just rewards in the 37th minute, heading home a cross from Niamh Charles after being left totally unmarked.
Sam Kerr scoring goals in the #BarclaysWSL! @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/EWKAiEnueC
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 14, 2023
Jill Roord – Man City
There are several players we could highlight following Man City’s 5-0 win over Bristol City, but Jill Roord deserves to be talked about following her transfer from Wolfsburg in the summer.
The Dutch international scored twice on Sunday, bringing her tally to three in three games. She’s already shown that she will bring a lot of class to City’s midfield, which might just be what they need to challenge for the title.
Having previously lined out for Arsenal, Roord doesn’t need an adjustment period in the WSL, clearly.
Fox in the box 🦊@JillRoordNL only had eyes for one thing! ⚽️#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/j60iXr3f3i
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 15, 2023
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Grace Clinton – Spurs
We have an early contender for goal of the season following Grace Clinton’s stunning strike against Brighton. The 20-year-old midfielder let loose from around 30 yards out to help Tottenham to a 3-1 come-from-behind win on Sunday.
OUTRAGEOUS 🤯
Grace Clinton unleashes a wand of a right foot to create a moment of pure magic 🪄#BarclaysWSL @SpursWomen pic.twitter.com/jiknpVCTUD
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 15, 2023
It’s the first time in two years that the team have won a game from a losing position, going back 19 games.
Beth Mead – Arsenal
Following 11 months out of action with an ACL injury, Beth Mead made her Arsenal return in spectacular fashion after playing a key role in the Gunners’ late show against Villa.
The England forward came on with just two minutes left on the clock, before the fourth official signalled there would be an additional 12 minutes, and everything changed utterly from there.
Arsenal had bluntly attacked the Villa goalmouth until then, but she provided the catalyst for their comeback, and even set up Alessia Russo’s dramatic winner.
Scoring her first #BarclaysWSL goal for @ArsenalWFC!
Russo is up and running 🙌 pic.twitter.com/TXP0NbylIj
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 15, 2023
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