participant of the week, second of the week, crew of the week & extra

Gameweek two of the WSL had huge boots to fill after a chaotic opening weekend of motion.

With a pair of derbies, a heavyweight conflict and over 80,000 supporters in attendance throughout the six fixtures, it greater than delivered.

Listed here are 90min’s WSL awards for gameweek two.

Everton headed into the Merseyside derby seemingly nonetheless discovering their toes below new boss Brian Sorensen, whereas Liverpool had been on a excessive following their shock victory over WSL champions Chelsea.

But in entrance of 27,574 spectators at Anfield, it was the Toffees who emerged victorious – and in complete style – with an authoritative efficiency.

The Toffees raced right into a 2-0 lead inside 33 minutes due to targets from Megan Finnigan and Jess Park, earlier than substitute Hanna Bennison wrapped up a well-known victory on the stroke of full time with a cool end. A large first three factors for Brian Sorensen on the largest of levels.

The WSL attendance report – which had stood for practically three years – was damaged on the Emirates throughout Saturday’s north London derby.

A crowd of 47,367 had been in attendance to observe Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-0, comfortably eclipsing the earlier report crowd of 38,262 set between the 2 sides on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November 2019.

Tubes and pubs had been packed hours earlier than kick off and there was an actual chunk and derby really feel to the environment.

Jonas Eidevall was eager to stress how essential it was to the sustainability of the sport that Arsenal bought the tickets for the fixture, versus giving them away at a reduced worth, as has usually been the case for earlier ladies’s soccer attendance data.

“In the event you giveaway tickets, it is one thing else,” mentioned Eidevall. “Once you promote tickets, that is the way you run a soccer membership.”

Jess Park impressed when given alternatives for Manchester Metropolis final season, however with the wealth of huge choices at her dad or mum membership, a mortgage transfer to Everton this time period appeared a smart choice. On the premise of her first WSL begin for her new membership, it looks as if a match made in heaven.

The 20-year-old turned in an imperious efficiency in entrance of over 27,000 followers at Anfield, netting her aspect’s second with a burst of tempo in behind the Reds backline and fabulous piece of ability to spherical Rachel Legal guidelines. Park then neatly picked out Bennison on the stroke of full time as Everton wrapped up all three factors.

“Jess was on fireplace at present,” mentioned Sorensen. “Actually, actually comfortable together with her complete efficiency. She had been struggling in pre-season with accidents and illness however to see how she carried out at present was very nice. A excessive stage.”

Chelsea’s victory over Manchester Metropolis was a very poignant one for each Ann-Katrin Berger and Maren Mjelde.

Berger was making her first look since present process therapy for thyroid most cancers in August, following 4 years in remission. She marked her return with a clear sheet, making two essential first half saves to maintain out Lauren Hemp and Laura Coombs.

Mjelde was making her first WSL begin in 18 months after battling again from the horror damage she suffered within the 2021 Continental Cup ultimate. The precise again turned in a defensively resilient show to maintain the normally damaging Hemp quiet, earlier than getting on the rating sheet from the penalty spot.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall spoke emotively throughout the week about Arsenal’s proud historical past within the ladies’s recreation and the way particular it was to interrupt the WSL attendance report.

However his high quote of the week? When requested if his youngsters made it to the Emirates for the historic fixture…

“No they weren’t. It was proper of their nap time, so you may blame the membership for that. That was most likely the BBC’s fault with the kick off time, proper? They needed to benefit from the recreation in entrance of their iPad. It is the one time they’re allowed to observe their iPad; after we play…”

For the second successive week, Manchester United’s proper flank wreaked havoc, with Spanish duo Lucía García and Ona Batlle already having the makings of a lethal partnership.

García gave United a second half lead in opposition to West Ham, leaving the Hammers backline for lifeless with a surging run and end.

Batlle was then instrumental in United’s second as drove to the byline, latched onto Ella Toone’s move and picked out Hannah Blundell lurking on the sting of the realm with a wise in the reduction of.

Aston Villa gained back-to-back WSL matches for the primary time of their historical past with a 2-0 victory over Leicester, sustaining their good begin to the season.

What did the sometimes sincere Carla Ward make of her aspect’s victory?

“An terrible 90 minutes to observe,” mentioned Ward. “I do not assume it is 90 minutes we’re ever going to get again.

“Leicester dominated the primary half, we dominated the second half however I do not assume both crew confirmed any high quality all through. I believed it was a extremely poor recreation of soccer if I am being sincere.

“In the event you have a look at the positives we have scored two targets, obtained an away win, clear sheet, again to again wins. So we’ll maintain onto the 4 positives however it was not a great recreation of soccer that at present.”