MATCH INFO:

Manchester United 1, Arsenal 0 (Highlights)

GOALS: Ella Toone (Jess Sigsworth) – 83’

With Everton’s sobering 4-0 loss to Chelsea earlier Sunday, a chance to move into first place in WSL standings was well within reach for Manchester United 一 and that was an opportunity United would take advantage of, as the squad handed Arsenal their first loss of the season behind a late goal from midfielder Ella Toone. With 16 points, Manchester City now boasts a 5-1-0 record, remaining undefeated through six matches in the 2020/2021 season.

Here’s how it all went down:

In the opening minutes of the match, Manchester United maintained possession in the attacking third, stringing together passes and creating several early scoring chances in the process. Though their efforts went unrewarded on the scoresheet, it was certainly a promising start for the club against a talented Arsenal squad.

HERE. WE. GO! ✊#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/eoxqN6L9Ge

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) November 8, 2020

In the 22nd minute of the match, Tobin Heath connected with Christen Press in the box. Looking to draw first blood for United, Press met the cross in the air, redirecting a volley that sailed just over the crossbar.

Later, it was Press knocking on the door again, this time receiving a through ball from Ona Battle, breaking away from two Arsenal defenders with her first touch, and getting off a close-range shot on goal. The chance would be denied by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger to maintain the 0-0 deadlock with only 16 minutes remaining in the first half.

Great save! ????@ManUtdWomen have got @ArsenalWFC on the ropes here.

Watch LIVE on the FA Player!
???? https://t.co/oRKaD5gwbM#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/Ke7iVtdziB

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) November 8, 2020

With neither side finding the goal in the first half, finding a go-ahead score was the priority for both squads as they entered the second. In the 46th minute, Tobin Heath curved a shot just over the crossbar and out of bounds, a near-goal that would have given Manchester United the edge they needed to control the contest. With a number of United’s shots on goal resulting from the efforts of Heath and Press, the Americans continued to prove their value to their new club since their move to the UK in September.

.@ChristenPress has been everywhere in that first half!

Can she make the difference in the second?

Watch LIVE on the FA Player!
???? https://t.co/oRKaD5y7Am pic.twitter.com/tjcAyVK1cB

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) November 8, 2020

After a lackluster performance in the first half, Arsenal found themselves with a refreshed sense of urgency, desperately trying to regain the upper hand in a contest thus far controlled by United. Late in the second half, a pass was fed to midfielder Kim Little, who was left unmarked on the left wing. Little took her space, playing in a cross that found Caitlin Foord making a run into the box. On her first touch, Foord redirected the cross towards the lower ninety but was met with a diving save from United goalkeeper Mary Earps.

Good save! ????‍♀️@1maryearps keeps the score level.@ArsenalWFC are just starting to grow into this game...

Watch LIVE on the FA Player!
???? https://t.co/oRKaD5gwbM#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/SZPn5w4Hw1

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) November 8, 2020

Finally, in the 83rd minute, Manchester United got the opportunity they had been vying for all game when forward Jess Sigsworth was given space in the attacking third. In a showcase of her quick footwork and abilities on the ball, Sigsworth remained composed, cutting the ball to her left foot to beat an Arsenal defender and finding teammate Ella Toone just outside the eighteen. On her first touch, Toone slipped a shot towards the left corner of the goal, her attempt hitting the near post and deflecting into the back netting. Toone’s goal would come at an opportune time, granting Manchester United a 1-0 advantage late into the second half and sealing their move into first place in WSL standings.

GOAL!

It's homegrown @ellatoone99 with a lovely finish!

Look at what it means ❤️

Finally @ManUtdWomen make the pressure pay, but can they hold on?

Watch LIVE ????https://t.co/oRKaD5gwbM#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/AhDUA2tiok

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) November 8, 2020

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE FA WSL:

 

November 14th 

Manchester United vs. Manchester City @ 7:30 a.m. EST

Aston Villa vs. Birmingham City @ 9:30 a.m. EST

Everton vs. Reading FC @ 11:30 a.m. EST

Bristol City vs. Tottenham @ 1:30 p.m. EST

November 15th

West Ham vs. Brighton & Hove Albion @ 7:30 a.m. EST

Arsenal vs. Chelsea @ 9:30 a.m. EST

After a dramatic 3-0 win over crosstown rival Manchester United on Saturday, Manchester City is now leading the WSL, sitting three points clear atop the 2025/26 league table while notably extending their advantage over second-place powerhouse Chelsea FC.

The home side scored all three of their goals in the first half, with defender Rebecca Knaak putting City ahead in the 26th minute before attacker Khadija "Bunny" Shaw added to the lead in the 43rd minute.

Returning from injury with a vengeance, forward Lauren Hemp sealed the deal for the Citizens with the final goal in first-half stoppage time.

"It's so nice to be back," Hemp said postgame. "Today we showed the mentality that I said at the start we needed to show."

While reigning six-time WSL champions Chelsea have yet to lose a match this WSL season, a trio of 2025/26 draws has the Blues now trailing the current eight-win, one-loss record held by Manchester City.

As for United, the WSL third-place Red Devils were without star goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce in Saturday's loss, after the USWNT net-minder suffered a fractured eye socket in November 8th's 1-0 loss to Aston Villa.

"She should be fine, it's just trying to make sure she doesn't get another knock in that area," said United manager Marc Skinner, noting that Tullis-Joyce could return as soon as the club's 2025/26 Champions League match against VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

One of this season's NWSL Coach of the Year finalists is moving on up, with Kansas City manager Vlatko Andonovski leaving his position as the Current's head coach to become the club's full-time global sporting director.

Andonovski has been juggling both jobs since joining the Current in October 2023, with the 49-year-old coming off what was arguably his most successful managerial season, leading Kansas City to a first-ever NWSL Shield amidst a record-shattering 2025 campaign.

In his new role, Andonovski will "implement the long-term vision for the club's technical and athletic success, as well as be responsible for player recruitment, roster strategy and scouting."

"It's vital to move into this role to keep growing this club with the aim of being a perennial contender on the global stage and a top developer of talent," Andonovski said in Friday's club announcement.

With the administrative switch in the works prior to last weekend's playoff upset, Andonovski will now join the hiring committee tasked with appointing his successor, while continuing his head coaching duties until Kansas City secures its new manager.

In another front office shift, the Current's head of soccer operations Ryan Dell will immediately take over as the club's GM, with former GM Caitlin Carducci departing the club after one year at the helm.

Michigan women's basketball is on the rise, as the then-No. 14 Wolverines avenged their early 2025 NCAA tournament exit with a stunning 93-54 blowout win over then-No. 18 Notre Dame on Saturday.

Michigan sophomore guard Olivia Olson led the game in scoring with 20 points as the Wolverines put together a true team effort, with six bench players combining for 38 points in the win.

The Big Ten team also dominated defensively, limiting the Fighting Irish bench to just two points while keeping Notre Dame star guard Hannah Hidalgo to a mere 12-point performance.

"We knew exactly what Michigan was going to do," said Notre Dame basketball head coach Niele Ivey afterwards. "We did not have any type of fight defensively, and that's where we have to start."

The Wolverines' victory was especially sweet after Notre Dame ousted Michigan from last season's national tournament with a 76-55 second-round Irish win.

Saturday's fallout also affected this week's AP Top 25 poll, with Notre Dame falling six ranks to No. 24 while Michigan earned an eight-spot bump to No. 6.

After quietly recruiting five-star talents like Olson and Syla Swords in 2024, Michigan — a program that has yet to earn a title at the NCAA or conference level — proved over the weekend that they are entering the 2025/26 season with added depth and experience.

"That's why I committed to Michigan," Swords told JWS at October's Big Ten Media Day. "That's why so many of us came there, because we wanted to be part of something new, part of something that's never been done."

Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman is back in action, subbing into her team's 2025 NWSL semifinal win in Saturday's 90th minute as she continues to rehab a sprained MCL — with questions still remaining surrounding her future with the club.

"It felt amazing," she said afterwards. "If I get 30 seconds, or if I get 90 minutes, it feels great to be out there."

Rodman will hope for more involvement in next weekend's NWSL Championship game, taking the pitch for the Spirit in her final match under contact before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

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The USWNT standout's extension negotiations have apparently made it all the way up to the NWSL commissioner, with Rodman garnering interest from multiple UK clubs willing to outspend the US league's salary cap restrictions.

The NWSL's most recent collective bargaining agreement sets each club's current salary cap at $3.3 million, which will titrate up to $5.1 million by 2030.

"Right now, my head's completely down. It's been so distracting being injured, and that's all I can really think about," Rodman said on Saturday, addressing the reports. "Once we get this championship, then I can start making decisions and figuring out what next year looks like for me."

With rumors swirling around Rodman and her future with the Spirit, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman defended the salary cap this week, telling CBS Sports that the parity the cap fosters is "the reason our league is the most competitive league in the world."