Aston Villa's Jordan Nobbs has become the Women's Super League's all-time leading appearance maker, reaching her 193rd WSL match in a thrilling 4-2 defeat at Brighton. Villa manager Robert de Pauw praised Nobbs, saying: "The energy and experience she brings to the pitch is invaluable. Although she's one of the older players, her skill and maturity are akin to a young Luka Modric in midfield. If I had to compare her to any player, it would be him. I have immense respect for her contributions and the level she maintains." The 71-times capped England international is now playing in a deeper, holding role under De Pauw, rather than her earlier No 10 position. De Pauw commented on the 31-year-old former Arsenal player: "If you read the game well like Jordan, you can excel in both roles."
Crystal Palace head coach Laura Kaminski was cautious after her team secured their first WSL win. Her promoted side deservedly beat Leicester, having previously conceded 11 goals without scoring against Tottenham and Chelsea. Kaminski told the Guardian: "This win is historic for the club, and I'm incredibly proud. The players earned the points through their hard work. We've had a tough start in the WSL, but maintaining focus and learning through our challenges has paid off. We must stay grounded, not getting too high or too low. I won't ask the players to celebrate too hard; it's just one game, but we need to build on the positives and keep improving."
Arsenal's inability to break down a deep, compact Everton defense resulted in a goalless draw at the Emirates. This recurring issue under Jonas Eidevall has cost them more points. The stats highlight the problem: 21 chances created but only five on target. Such ineffectiveness in front of goal rarely supports a title challenge. In contrast, Everton's performance provided a much-needed boost after a difficult start. Manager Brian Sørensen praised his team's resilience and togetherness, saying: "I'm extremely proud of their fight and composure."
Manchester City moved to the top of the table with a comfortable 2-0 win over West Ham. Gareth Taylor made five changes to his lineup, including Jill Roord's first start since her ACL injury. Chloe Kelly, Laura Blindkilde Brown, and Mary Fowler made their first league starts of the season, while Vivianne Miedema and Khadija Shaw were benched. City struggled to extend their lead after Lauren Hemp's early goal but found their rhythm when Shaw assisted Fowler. Taylor said: "I'm pleased with the changes. We needed patience to let the new players find their rhythm. The second half saw an injection of energy from the bench, which helped us secure the win. We have improved options this season, which will benefit the team."
Liverpool's first WSL win of the season was overshadowed by a potential serious injury to midfielder Sofie Lundgaard. The 22-year-old was forced off after her left knee buckled during a challenge with Tottenham's Amanda Nildén. Lundgaard left the pitch in tears, supported by two physios. Liverpool manager Matt Beard suggested the injury might be related to her ACL. "I'm devastated for Sofie," he said. "The team was visibly upset at halftime. Marie Höbinger felt the pressure to win the game for Sofie."
