With the Barclays Women’s Super League 2 having a week off, it was the top tier that took centre stage this weekend.
As ever, there were some rich storylines to emerge from the action, as wins for Chelsea and Manchester City mean they remain locked at the top. The Blues, who lead the way on goal difference, piled on the misery for point-less Charlton Athletic, who are bottom of the pile following a heavy 6-0 defeat.
Chelsea feature in our standout statistical lines from the weekend, alongside some lethal Tottenham forwards, West Ham’s multifaceted forward and Brighton’s colossus at the back.
Spurs’ sharpshooters
Tottenham Hotspur are one of the most unpredictable teams in the Barclays Women’s Super League at the moment. As well as being one of the most entertaining.
Only leaders Chelsea have scored more goals than Spurs' 23, although bottom club Charlton Athletic are the only side to have conceded more than their 17. Away from home in particular, games have been open. Their matches on the road in 2026 have seen 53 goals scored (28 for, 25 against), the most by any team in a calendar year.
On Sunday, they produced one of their more professional performances of the season, albeit one that was still action-packed. Tottenham ran out 4-1 winners at newly promoted Birmingham City.
What has been crucial to Spurs’ scoring this season has been the ruthlessness of their attacking players in front of goal. Victoria Pelova has scored six times this season from an xG of 1.60, which is the biggest positive differential of any player in the division. Olivia Holdt, with four goals from 2.07 xG, is third on the list.
| Goals | xG | Differential | |
| Victoria Pelova (Tottenham) | 6 | 1.60 | +4.40 |
| Oceane Hurtre (Birmingham) | 6 | 3.19 | +2.81 |
| Olivia Holdt (Tottenham) | 4 | 2.07 | +1.93 |
| Lauren James (Chelsea) | 4 | 2.19 | +1.81 |
| Lauren Hemp (Manchester City) | 5 | 3.22 | +1.78 |
Asseyi the all-rounder
West Ham produced arguably their best performance of the BWSL season with an emphatic 4-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Viviane Asseyi was the driving force behind the Hammers’ dominant display, scoring twice and winning a penalty for her side. The performance was a continuation of her stellar form so far this campaign, during which the forward has contributed in multiple areas.
Asseyi has an impressive five goals this term, but also gives her opponents plenty of problems to contend with in general play. The 32-year-old has contested and won more ground duels than any player in the league, while only Khadija Shaw has taken more shots than her 28.
Chelsea show their class
After moving into top spot last weekend with a win at Crystal Palace, Chelsea were never likely to let their lead slip this weekend against bottom club Charlton Athletic.
Although Manchester City started the campaign on a six-game winning run, the numbers increasingly point to the Blues being the standout side in the BWSL at the moment.
Not only do they have the best attacking and defensive records in terms of goals scored and conceded, but they also lead the way in underlying numbers, having accrued the most xG and faced the least.
Their recipe for defensive success has been a relentless high press. Chelsea have forced more high turnovers than any team in the division, with 137, while no team has had more shots (24) or scored more goals (three) from those situations. They have also allowed just 87 touches in their box across eight games.
They host Everton next weekend, before Manchester City head to west London the following week in what already looks like a crucial game in determining the destination of the title.
| BWSL rank | ||
| Goals | 27 | 1st |
| xG | 27.58 | 1st |
| Goals conceded | 4 | 1st |
| xG against | 4.85 | 1st |
| High turnovers | 137 | 1st |
| Touches allowed in box | 87 | 1st |
Hayes helps Brighton find form
After a slow start to the campaign, three wins in their last four league matches have pushed Brighton up the BWSL table.
The manner of their victory this weekend will only help build momentum, too, as they came from behind to defeat rivals Crystal Palace. The comeback was sparked by centre-back Caitlin Hayes, who equalised for the Seagulls after 59 minutes.
The defender has arguably been Brighton’s best player this season, showcasing her instincts at the back and composure in possession.
Hayes has won 25 aerial duels in the BWSL this season, more than any other player. She’s also fourth for carries, fifth for progressive carries and sixth for clearances.
All statistics courtesy of Opta.
