GIRLACTICO Team Of The Week: Matchweek 5

Matchweek 5 of the WSL saw title defenders Man City claim their 5th consecutive win, sustaining top spot at the expense of Arsenal who haven't achieved a win since matchday 1! Spurs' unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of London City Lionesses who savagely put 6 goals past them on home turf! Everton and Liverpool are running middle of the table, yet with Man United's win over Liverpool, and their second consecutive in the league, perhaps Eva Olid's side has gained confidence to challenge for top of the table spots. Some unexpected results and some massive wins came with some great individual performances - here is our Team of the Week!

Photo Credit: @manutdwomen

Phallon Tullis Joyce secured Man United the clean sheet against Liverpool, making that 10 wins out of 14 against the reds. Tullis Joyce ended up making 9 saves during the game, one being a fantastic double save when Liverpool were on the counter attack. They are now tied with Liverpool on 7 points, and it was Tullis Joyce's MVP performance that prevented any potential glory for Liverpool.

    Photo Credit: @caitlinhayes5

Brighton's slower start to the season majorly picked up the pace yesterday when they scored 5 past newly promoted Charlton at home. Despite many players getting on the scoresheet, Caitlin Hayes' assist is only a glimmer of her outstanding performance on Sunday. Her assist for the final goal came from pure instinct inside the box, but her passes into the final third, together with her defensive shift made her one of the most volatile and crucial players on the pitch. Winning 100% of her arial duels and making crucial clearances and recoveries, Brighton's backline kept Charlton quiet.

    Photo Credit: @bhafcwomen

Brighton started with an early scare, then decided 5 goals was an appropriate response. Gabby George wasn't just there to keep goals out of the 6 yard box, but she became one of the 5, getting her head on the end of the ball to fly home Brighton's final goal in the 99th minute. That on top of her having achieved a 98% passing accuracy, George hasn't needed much time to get comfortable in her new club.

    Photo Credit: lucybronze

Whether it's against Arsenal and Lyon last week, or West Ham away this week, Lucy Bronze has been one of the most consistent players under Bompastor this season. Whether it's RB or CB, Bronze thrives on the pressure. Her 10 defensive contributions, covering the ground for Carpenter when she makes the dangerous runs up the flank makes her a massive asset for Chelsea, allowing them to push higher up the field without fearing they could lose the ball and concede. Her solidity allowed Chelsea the intensity to score three past the Hammers.

    Photo Credit: @lauren_hemp

The Man City-Arsenal showdown was anticipated to be a close game with extremely high stakes, but after Arsenal's title charge at the end of last season, Lauren Hemp said - not on my watch. Her equaliser came just minutes after Lisa Baum fired one past Yamashita and gave City the confident edge going into the second half. She then assisted Casparij, who curled her shot from outside the box, but topped off her performance by scoring the third goal to give them the lead, a composed finish through the keepers legs. Hemp bleeds Man City, and her 3 goal involvements yesterday showed just how much she intends to keep the WSL title in Manchester for a second consecutive year.

    Photo Credit: @londoncitylionesses

The skeptics asked how or if Alexia Putellas could transport her brilliance in Spain to the WSL. Two weeks, two MVP awards, and two goals this weekend against Spurs has completely silenced that query. Putellas isn't the captain merely through vocal encouragement, because with the ball at her feet she commands the entire team. She opened the scoring inside 3 minutes, then doubled down with a sublime first touch outside the box. When London City wanted a 5th it was her long-range pass to Diani that propelled that play. Putellas has come to the WSL to bring that Spanish flair and technical excellence to the English game.

    Photo Credit: @chelseafcw

My prediction for WSL Player of the Season was Keira Walsh, and so far she's not disappointed! After Sunday's game she's now recieved 3 MVP awards, and yesterdays rocket in the 80th minute, along with her creativity to help set up the other two goals made her the standout. Walsh's composure on the ball as well as her passing vision often goes under the radar, but the consistency of her quality makes Chelsea tick, and this season's performances so far cannot go unnoticed.

    Photo Credit: @evertonwomen

I'm extremely happy for Ruby Mace, although sad for myself as I'd benched her on my fantasy team...but her brace against her former club Birmingham City solidified Everton 5th in the table going into international break! Coming into her 2nd season at the club she'd never scored until this weekend's game, so what better way then to win the game and be the sole-scorer for your team. The 3 points were crucial especially after their derby loss last week, and it was Mace who made the difference.

  Photo Credit: @bhafcwomen

Brighton needed a win, and Kiko Seike secured it. Not only did she score a brace to give Brighton the 3-1 cushion, but she made 6 ball recoveries, tracking back as well as progressing the ball forward, ultimately earning her MVP. A 5-1 win...did Charlton get pecked by the seagulls?

  Photo Credit: @londoncitylionesses

Daniëlle Van de Donk has already doubled her goal tally from last season. She's come back from injury sharper and more lethal than ever, partnering up with Putellas and Diani to create the most lethal attack in the WSL right now! Her 3 goal involvements were a result of the fluid football London City displayed, it looked so effortless you would have thought they were on the training ground! Van de Donk even joked that they could of scored more, exclaiming "maybe next time". If you've not got her in your fantasy team yet, the time to invest would be now! Unfortunately for everyone else, this attack shows no signs of slowing.

  Photo Credit: @kady944

That's why the GIRLACTICO Team of the Week has to wrap up with another London City baller. Kadidiatou Diani made her move from the French giants to gamble her luck in the English league, and so far she's been a major asset, getting 5g/a in her first four league games. Her 2 goals and assist outclassed a Spurs side who have looked so lethal in attack this season. With a team so stacked with talent, Diani is ensuring that her chances to shine don't go to waste.

A weekend with loads of goals. Man City are still going strong, Spurs got mauled by the Lionesses, and Arsenal enter the break staring up at the rest of the table...

Cue the dramatic pause until after the international break!