Team of the Week: Matchday 7

A week of derby's and comebacks, matchday 7 saw Chelsea take top spot in the table, a familiar position for the Blues...

The Manchester derby saw United clinch a point in the dying minutes of the game, giving City their first drop in points this season. Similarly, Liverpool's deserved late goal against London City, an unfortunate mistake by London City's fullback, gave the lionesses their first loss in 8 games. The gunners secured their first win since MD1, and it was in Spurs' back garden, with Spurs suffering their 3rd loss in 3 games.

But who shone the brightest this week?

Photo Credit: @bcfcwomen

Birmingam City secured their first win this season, 1-0 against Charlton, and it was Sophie Baggaley's sharp keeping that secured her team the clean sheet. Making three saves and 14 recoveries, Baggaley kept her team in the game and held off Charlton's threat. Birmingham City now sit in 11th, with their only being 3 points between 6th and 13th in the league currently!

Photo Credit: @bcfcwomen

Another week, another Neve Herron shout. Her impact for Birmingham City is undisputed, having the most touches in the game, winning 9 out of 11 ground duels, and placing 10 passes into the final third. Herron silenced another attack this weekend, with her spot in GIRLACTICO'S TOTW becoming an expectation now rather than a mere possibility!

Photo Credit: @bhafcwomen

Another player holding down the fort for their team is Brighton's Caitlin Hayes, making 14 defensive contributions during their 3-0 victory against West Ham. Brighton were in need of those points to help challenge for the mid-table, and Hayes' passing accuracy, physicality (not getting dispossessed once), and her crucial tackles, kept West Ham at bay, securing the Seagulls a crucial win.

Photo Credit: @chelseafcw

Chelsea's 3-1 comeback was a classic performance from the Blues, with Katie McCabe being a catalyst in the magic. Heavily involved in the attacking outlet in the 2nd half, McCabe created the most chances (4), and registered an assist, a throw-in to Malard who scored a screamer from outside the box. The blues are in cruise control right now, and McCabe's relentless physicality and desire to get forward makes this Chelsea team feel unstoppable, even when coming from behind.

Photo Credit: @astonvillawomen

Nöelle Maritz put on a heroic performance in Aston Villa's 3-2 victory over Everton. A wingback who opened the scoring in the 4th minute of the game. Winning the ball in midfield, passing it out and then making the run into the box, dragging the ball away from three players and completing the finish, Maritz not only scored, but gave herself the pre-assist - a move of intelligence and beautiful link-up play. 45 minutes later she's crossing the ball in to assist Villa's 3rd goal. A dominant and versatile performance from Maritz who was completely smothering Everton's midfield.

                                                        Photo Credit: @bhafcwomen

Maisie Symonds was another key player for the Seagulls this weekend, scoring their first goal of the game, and it was no ordinary goal. An attempted clearance from the West Ham backline landed at Symonds feet from well outside the box. On the volley, top bins, a puskas-worthy nomination to get Brighton ahead before half time. After the final whistle she said that the team had planned to do belly slides when they scored, but with the rain being so heavy, Symonds took the opportunity to cooly knee-slide to the corner flag.

                                                        Photo Credit: @arsenalwfc

In similar fashion, Georgia Stanway scored for the Gunners against their London rivals with an astounding shot, her first WSL goal for Arsenal arriving at the perfect moment. A rocket from the edge of the box, bouncing off the top bar and into the net to get Arsenal level again. Spurs' midfield were unable to dominate the game with Stanway running the show. She was everywhere, creating chances, winning arial duels, taking shots, Stanway ensured the Gunners left with the 3 points.

                                                          Photo Credit: @chelseafcw

Sandy Baltimore came on at halftime for Chelsea, and 45 minutes later had herself a goal and assist. Her silky footwork, dancing past two Crystal Palace defenders, dragging the ball away from a third defender as she crossed it off the line to Malard, got Chelsea their 2nd. Her 90th-minute penalty, too powerful for the keeper to save, secured Chelsea a dominant win, with her direct and clinical play being too much for the Eagles to contain.

                                                         Photo Credit: @arsenalwfc

Russo really loves scoring against Spurs! Her 7th goal against her London rival since joining the Gunners, and with 3 goals for England on international break, securing the win this weekend with a clinical penalty and assist, Russo is back to being Arsenal's stargirl. An MVP performance, playing in the 10, Russo created the most chances, took the most shots, and ultimately decided the game with her goal in the 56th minute. Despite a slower start to the season, Russo's pick up in form will most surely help Arsenal get back to winning ways.

                                                         Photo Credit: @chelseafcw

Melvine Malard's performance this weekend was standout: a brace, 2 chances created, most shots taken (8), and most touches in the oppositions box (15), her best game in a Chelsea shirt so far. The first goal was pure magic, recieving the ball centrally, then turning to create space, bringing the ball onto her right foot and striking from range to put it in the top right corner. The second goal was an instinctive header from inside the box, a crucial goal to give Chelsea a cushion in the game. Whether it was her right foot or her head, whatever Malard touched this weekend turned to...GOALS!

                                                      Photo Credit: @astonvillawomen

To top off GIRLACTICO'S TOTW is Aston Villa's Amalie Vangsgaard, who hadn't scored since MD2 but this weekend pulled out a brace and an assist to secure Villa the victory. The first goal came from silky link-up play with Maritz who blitzed past three defenders. Vangsgaard''s first goal is of similar brilliance, making a run on the counterattack, cutting back onto her left foot to fend off the defender, and then curling the ball into the net from range, seeing the keeper off her line. Her second goal came from making an instinctive run into the box to get on the end of Maritz's cross. Vangsgaard's clinicality and instinct have given Villa a boost in the mid-table battle.

The table is so close, and with the season only just beginnning, each point right now seems crucial. Liverpool drawing, Villa holding off Everton, Arsenal securing the win, no team can get comfortable just yet!

Who will be the standout's next week?