What happened in Gameweek 12 in the BWSL & BWSL2

The long-awaited return of football finally arrived this weekend. While freezing conditions delayed the restart for several WSL2 fixtures, the BWSL schedule went ahead in full. Despite the cold weather, there was no shortage of drama on the pitch, as the battles for European places and survival both intensified in emphatic fashion.

With victories for the top two sides, three teams separated by just a single point in the race for third, and Liverpool now only one point away from safety, the league table tightened at both ends. Here’s a look back at the key moments and results from Gameweek 12 in the BWSL.

Arsenal v Manchester United

It was a familiar frustration for Arsenal, who dominated large spells of the match and created enough chances to secure victory, but once again struggled to turn control into goals.

Manchester United were reduced to ten players midway through the second half when Jayde Riviere received a second yellow card for bringing down Caitlin Foord. Despite the numerical disadvantage, United held firm, with their defensive structure proving too resilient for Arsenal to break down.

January signing Smilla Holmberg, who joined from Hammarby, made her WSL debut and offered plenty of encouragement down the right-hand side. She came close to setting up a late winner for Stina Blackstenius, only to be denied by an outstanding block from Dominique Janssen. The Dutch defender delivered a commanding display and was deservedly named Player of the Match.

The draw leaves both sides ending the weekend five points behind Chelsea and now ten points adrift of league leaders Manchester City.

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City

While the stalemate at the Emirates suited neither Arsenal nor Manchester United, the weekend proved far more rewarding for Martin Ho’s Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City, with the decisive moment coming in unfortunate fashion for former Tottenham defender Ashleigh Neville, who scored an own goal on her first appearance for the Foxes.

Those three points see Tottenham leapfrog Manchester United in the table and move level on points with Arsenal in third place. However, they remain fourth due to a significantly inferior goal difference compared to their North London rivals.

Manchester City v Everton

Manchester City showed no signs of rust following the winter break, producing a controlled and convincing 2-0 victory over Everton.

Goals from Kerolin in the 26th minute and Vivianne Miedema just after the hour mark were enough to secure the win. There was a brief scare for City in the first half when Everton found the back of the net, but celebrations were cut short as the officials ruled out the goal for a foul on goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was one of the standout performers on the day. Despite conceding twice, she delivered an exceptional display, keeping the scoreline respectable as Manchester City generated an expected goals figure of 4.27 and fired off 32 shots. Her performance underlined just how dominant City were throughout the contest.

Chelsea v West Ham United

Like Manchester City, Chelsea wasted no time in reasserting themselves following the break.

Fresh from a ruthless 9-1 victory over Liverpool in the Subway League Cup quarter-final, Chelsea produced another blistering start at Kingsmeadow. They were ahead inside the opening minute thanks to an own goal from Yu Endo. Three more goals followed before half-time, with Lauren James (28’), Alyssa Thompson (40’) and Sandy Baltimore (44’) all getting on the scoresheet. Baltimore later doubled her tally with a calmly taken penalty, completing a dominant five-goal performance and ensuring Chelsea kept pace with City at the top.

For West Ham, the defeat leaves them just one point above Liverpool in the table. Attention now turns to a crucial away fixture against Leicester City on 25 January, a match that could have significant implications near the bottom of the table.

Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion

A meeting between two mid-table sides delivered an entertaining contest, with Aston Villa staging an impressive second-half comeback to claim all three points.

Brighton took the lead before the break when Fuka Tsunoda capitalised on a mistake as Villa attempted to play out from the back, giving the visitors control heading into half-time.

However, the momentum quickly swung after the restart. Villa turned the game on its head with two goals in quick succession. Rachel Daly flicked on a free-kick to the far post to level the score, before Kirsty Hanson produced a moment of brilliance, unleashing a powerful strike from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner.

The victory lifts Aston Villa up to sixth place in the table, now sitting two points clear of Brighton.

Liverpool v London City Lionesses

The final fixture of the weekend saw Gareth Taylor’s Liverpool host a new-look London City Lionesses side, but neither team was able to find a decisive breakthrough.

Chances were limited throughout, with both sides struggling to create clear opportunities and failing to register a shot on target in a match that ultimately ended in a goalless stalemate.

The point, however, is significant at the bottom of the table. Liverpool move to within one point of safety ahead of their next league match at home to Tottenham Hotspur. For London City Lionesses, attention now turns to a daunting home encounter against Manchester City.

BWSL2

With four fixtures postponed due to frozen pitches and rearranged dates set to be confirmed in due course, only two matches were able to take place across WSL2 this weekend.

Southampton v Portsmouth

It was a perfect Saturday evening for Southampton, who swept aside South Coast rivals Portsmouth with a commanding 4-0 victory in front of a record crowd of over 7,500 supporters.

Jessica Simpson opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, continuing her excellent form in front of goal to make it three goals in four matches. Ellie Brazil doubled the lead nine minutes later, registering her second goal of the season. Southampton then put the game beyond doubt late in the second half with quickfire strikes from Mary Bashford (78’) and Aimee Palmer (80’).

The result moves the Saints closer to the promotion play-off positions, leaving them just four points behind Bristol City. For Portsmouth, a second consecutive defeat keeps them in 11th place, although they remain five points clear of Ipswich.

Nottingham Forest v Bristol City

The only other WSL2 fixture of the weekend delivered a six-goal thriller, as Bristol City ran out 4-2 winners away at Nottingham Forest.

The visitors made a blistering start, racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening ten minutes. An early own goal from Ebba Hed (2’) was followed swiftly by a strike from defender Mari Ward (9’). Forest responded before half-time, with Canadian forward Deanne Rose scoring her first goal for the club to give the hosts hope.

Rio Hardy carried her impressive goalscoring form from the end of 2025 into the new year, restoring Bristol City’s two-goal advantage on the hour mark. New loan signing Jessie Gale then made an immediate impact, scoring on her debut seven minutes from time to put the result beyond doubt. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah added her fifth goal of the season late on, but it proved nothing more than a consolation.

The victory keeps Bristol City in third place, level on points with Birmingham City in second following their postponed fixture. For Nottingham Forest, the defeat meant a missed opportunity to move up into fourth position.

Action tonight

Monday night football from the BWSL2 takes place at Bramall Lane, as Sheffield United host Crystal Palace.

The last time these two sides met, back in November, the Blades took all three points as first half goals from Jessica Reavill (7') and Amy Andrews (28') were enough despite Kirsty Howat (51') getting one back for the Eagles early in the first half.

Since that match, Crystal Palace have secured three straight wins in the league aiding their promotion ambitions.

For the Blades, just one win since that victory over tonight's opponents, as they sit ninth in the league.

Watch the action on the Official WSL2 YouTube channel, kick-off 7pm.