Women's Super League Takeaways: Manchester City and London City Dominate
BBC Homepage
Accessibility Help
Your account
Home
News
Sport
Earth
Reel
Worklife
Travel
Culture
Future
Music
TV
Weather
Sounds
More menu
More menu
Search BBC
BBC Sport
Menu
Home
Football
Cricket
Formula 1
Rugby U
Tennis
Golf
Cycling
Athletics
More
A-Z Sports
American Football
Athletics
Basketball
Boxing
Cricket
Cycling
Darts
Disability Sport
Football
Formula 1
Gaelic Games
Golf
Gymnastics
Horse Racing
Mixed Martial Arts
Motorsport
Netball
Rugby League
Rugby Union
Snooker
Swimming
Tennis
Full Sports A-Z
More from Sport
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Quizzes
News Feeds
Help & FAQs
Women's Football
Scores & Fixtures
Table
Top Scorers
WSL Fan Chat
London City gelling, Man City flying - key takeaways from WSL start
By Sam Drury, BBC Sport journalist and Joe Rindl, BBC Sport journalist
Published 2 hours ago
After five frantic weeks, the Women's Super League takes a two-week break, offering the perfect chance to take stock of a thrilling start to the season. Here are five key takeaways:
London City back up pre-season ambitions
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Alexia Putellas (right) already has three WSL goals since joining London City from Barcelona
For the first time this decade, the established order of the WSL looks under threat. London City Lionesses and Tottenham have been bullish about climbing the table, while Liverpool also sought to kick on this season. After five games, London City look the most convincing, with Sunday's statement 6-1 win at Spurs a dazzling example of the talent and depth manager Eder Maestre has at his disposal. Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas headlined some eye-catching summer signings and she scored twice against Tottenham. But it was the manner in which the whole team dismantled their previously impressive opponents that was so spectacular, with fellow forwards Kadidiatou Diani and Danielle van de Donk also looking a class above.
"This kind of win can be a game-changer," Maestre said. For sure. It is the kind of display that can lead to talk of a title charge. For Spurs, a humiliating home loss is a reality check after promising early results. Liverpool acquitted themselves well in narrow losses away to both Manchester clubs but, with key attacking players such as Vivien Endemann missing against United, they lacked creativity. That points to perhaps the biggest thing both Liverpool and Spurs lack in comparison with London City: squad depth.
Man City remain team to beat
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
This video can not be played
Figure caption: Man City fight back to beat struggling Arsenal
Five wins from five with 16 goals scored, defending champions Manchester City have picked up where they left off. Sunday's comeback victory over Arsenal made it City's best start to a season since opening the 2017-18 campaign with seven straight victories, cementing their status as the team to beat. In so doing, City also likely ended the Gunners' title aspirations even this early on. It helps when their best players are performing. Khadija Shaw's contract renewal in the summer was key and the striker has five league goals already. England winger Lauren Hemp is also in fine form, contributing four goals and two assists. After some quietly shrewd additions in Beth Mead, Carlotta Wamser and Niamh Charles, City look well set once again. Their closest rivals are Chelsea, who have responded to an opening-day draw against Aston Villa by winning four straight games without conceding a goal. While boss Sonia Bompastor wants them to be more clinical, they look well-placed for another title challenge.