The stats behind Matchweek 3 in the BWSL & BWSL2

There were standout performances aplenty across the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2 in Matchweek 3.

Manchester City are still atop the top flight, as they eventually beat an impressive Liverpool 4-2 on Friday night to make it three wins from three. Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, 7-0 and 2-0 winners respectively this weekend, are just a couple of points behind the defending champions.

In the BWSL2, Newcastle United still look like the team to beat. Aside from City, they are the only other side in the top two tiers with a perfect record after hammering Sheffield United 4-1 in Matchweek 3.

Hemp reaches landmark as City march on

Lauren Hemp has struggled in front of goal by her own high standards in recent BWSL campaigns, with just three league goals from the previous two. On Friday’s evidence, the winger’s scoring touch is back.

The 26-year-old grabbed two goals and an assist to help City beat the Reds. In netting, she became only the eighth player to score in 50 separate BWSL matches; Bethany England (69), Vivianne Miedema (67), Beth Mead (60), Nikita Parris (58), Khadija Shaw (55), Fran Kirby (54) and Sam Kerr (50) are the others.

The England winger has comfortably been the most creative player in the division so far this season too. Hemp leads the standings for chances and big chances created. Off the ball, she’s also a big influence, as she leads the league for possession won in the final third, with eight.

Holdt hat-trick in Palace hammering

Tottenham were always likely to have too much for Crystal Palace after the Eagles saw Fuka Tsunoda red-carded after eight minutes. They had to wait until the 49th minute to get ahead, although when they did break the deadlock the goals flew in.

Olivia Holdt was the star of the show for Spurs. On her first start of the season, she scored the first goal four minutes after half time and then completed her hat-trick with strikes in the 61st and 73rd minute.

In netting three times, Holdt became just the second Tottenham player to score a treble in a BWSL game after Martha Thomas in October 2023 against Aston Villa.

While she’s had to wait for her opportunity this season, the Dane has proven her worth to Tottenham in recent months. Only Shaw, with 12, has netted more BWSL goals than Holdt’s eight since the beginning of February.

Although Palace were a player down for long spells, Spurs really flexed their attacking muscles in a completely dominant display. Their 42 shots is the most by any team in a BWSL fixture since the start of last season.

Villa vying for balance

After equalising in the 89th minute at Brighton on Sunday, Aston Villa head coach Natalia Arroyo would’ve been relieved. In truth, the team were fortunate to escape with a point after a wasteful display from the Seagulls.

It’s clear Villa haven’t quite found their rhythm yet. They are winless so far after two draws and a defeat from their opening three matches, although things could easily be worse for them.

Arroyo’s team have conceded a lot of chances. Their xG against is a league-leading 10.19, while only newly-promoted Charlton, with 86, have faced more shots than Villa’s 83. They have goalkeeper Akane Okuma to thank for their goals-conceded tally not being worse, as she’s made the second-most saves in the league this season with 19.

Beth among the best

Newcastle United may have conceded for the first time this season against Sheffield United, but they more than made up for it with a brilliant attacking performance on the road.

A 4-1 win means they are the outright leaders in BWSL2 and it was Beth Lumsden, with a goal and an assist, who did the damage for the Magpies.

In the early weeks of the campaign, there’s an argument to make for Lumsden being the best player in the division. The winger has two goals and an assist to her name and she is contributing numerous different attacking phases for the league leaders.

She leads the BWSL2 for chances created, with nine, and is second for successful dribbles per 90, with 2.7. Lumsden is also first among wingers for touches in the opposition box, with 21.

Lumsden has already proved she can thrive at this level, registering 14 goals and five assists across the last two BWSL2 seasons for Newcastle. Their star winger – along with Martha Thomas and Mollie Lambart – are in irresistible form as the Toon Army look to get their promotion push off to a strong start.

Rio gets Robins off the mark

It was a big weekend for Watford and Bristol City, as they each started the season winless through two games. In the end, the clash turned into a canter for City.

After a relatively tight opening hour, a red card for Watford’s Lucy Lyon gave Rio Hardy the chance to score from the spot. When she did, the visitors moved 3-1 ahead and eventually ran out 5-1 winners.

The penalty saw Hardy complete her hat-trick and move to the top of the BWSL2 standings in the process.

“I'm really proud of her because she's had a difficult first few games,” head coach Charlotte Healy admitted afterwards. “…We knew she was going to score today - I just had a real feeling about it.”

Although Healy clearly wants more from her striker, Hardy has been doing her bit for the team despite failing to find the net in the first two games. Among strikers in the BWSL2, no player has created more chances, with six, while she also leads the way for duels and aerial duels won in her position.

All statistics courtesy of Opta (BWSL) and FotMob (BWSL2)