Women’s Football: Three top performers from the weekend

Sportsbeat
Jordan Nobbs in conversation with Joe Montemurro
Jordan Nobbs in conversation with Joe Montemurro

There couldn’t have been more drama in the FA Women’s Super League this weekend as league leaders Arsenal inflicted an astonishing 5-0 defeat over reigning champions Chelsea.

Manchester City hammered seven past West Ham United, while Birmingham City kept pace with first-placed Arsenal thanks to a late winner against Bristol City.

Here, we take a look at three star performers who were at the forefront of the action.

Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal)

A five-star performance from Arsenal meant any number of players could have found themselves in this week’s list of top performers, but Jordan Nobbs just about edged ahead of teammate Vivianne Miedema into the shortlist.

To put into context the manner of the defeat, Chelsea hadn’t lost a league game since May 2017 as they marched to the title undefeated last campaign. They also hadn’t been beaten on home turf since May 2016.

England international Nobbs wrestled the tie in the Gunners favour when her cross sailed over Carly Telford’s head for the second goal of the match.

And she compounded Chelsea’s misfortune when she turned in Beth Mead’s inch-perfect pass behind the defence to mark a memorable victory for the Gunners.

Nikita Parris (Manchester City)

The battle for the golden boot continued on Sunday with Nikita Parris and Miedema neck and neck in the goalscoring tally on six goals.

Parris netted a quickfire double against West Ham United on Sunday as City clinched a bruising 7-1 victory over the top-flight newcomers.

The England striker scored her first in unusual circumstances with a looping backwards header, before adding her second by dancing round goalkeeper Becky Spencer and tucking the ball into an empty net.

The 24-year-old also notched up two assists in the match – finding Georgia Stanway to tuck home the fourth of the match and teeing up Tessa Wullaert for the seventh.

Ellie Brazil (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Brighton & Hove Albion hadn’t scored in 280 minutes prior to their 3-3 draw with Everton, and they had 19-year-old striker Ellie Brazil to thank for earning their first point of the season.

Losing 3-1 with 15 minutes to go – Brazil popped up with a powerful header to reduce the deficit.

Then Brazil, the daughter of former Fulham and Nottingham Forest player Gary Brazil, slotted her second three minutes later with another header from a set-piece to draw the match.