The international break is officially over, and the FA Women’s Super League has returned. The league’s players showed out in their first weekend back together, and while there were numerous highlights to choose from, these were the best of the best:
???? The moment we've all been waiting for!???????? A first #BarclaysFAWSL goal for @alexmorgan13 from the penalty spot to give @SpursWomen a third!???? Things you just love to see! pic.twitter.com/m2NoSXeCoo— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 6, 2020
???? The moment we've all been waiting for!???????? A first #BarclaysFAWSL goal for @alexmorgan13 from the penalty spot to give @SpursWomen a third!???? Things you just love to see! pic.twitter.com/m2NoSXeCoo
Alex Morgan slotted home her first FAWSL goal, and to say we’re excited is an understatement. Tottenham was awarded the penalty after Morgan’s teammate Ria Percival was pushed in the box by a Brighton player while challenging a header. The USWNT star then stepped up to the plate and tucked a low-driven shot into the left bottom corner safely away from the goalkeeper. Morgan’s late goal boosted Tottenham to a 3-1 dub against Brighton, securing the club’s first win of the season.
The Hammers nearly draw straight back level! ⚒What a save by @berger_ann to deny @RachelDaly3 ????#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/13WBf6YF6r— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 6, 2020
The Hammers nearly draw straight back level! ⚒What a save by @berger_ann to deny @RachelDaly3 ????#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/13WBf6YF6r
Who needs a defense when Ann-Katrin Berger is in goal? Early in the second half, West Ham’s Rachel Daly picks off an errant pass by a Chelsea defender before driving to goal from the halfway line. What looks like a gimmie is stone-walled by Berger, who perfectly reads Daly’s shot, expanding her arms to knock it safely away to a Chelsea danger. It would turn out to be a critical save, as Chelsea barely escaped with a 3-2 win.
???? @PernilleMHarder ⤏ @FranKirby ⤏ @SamKerr1 ⤏ ⚽️!Same again in the #UWCL tomorrow, Blues? ???? pic.twitter.com/JZEMJ7e47f— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 8, 2020
???? @PernilleMHarder ⤏ @FranKirby ⤏ @SamKerr1 ⤏ ⚽️!Same again in the #UWCL tomorrow, Blues? ???? pic.twitter.com/JZEMJ7e47f
Just when you think it’s been a while since you’ve heard from Sam Kerr, she casually drops a hat trick on a poor league foe. This goal starts with Chelsea’s Ji So-Yun intercepting the ball from a West Ham defender and hitting a pass to her teammate Pernille Harder. On a diagonal, Harder propels toward the goal and shuffles off a ball to Fran Kirby, who is making a run up the flank. Kirby then hits a one-time pass across the face of the goal, where Sam Kerr calmly slides it into the corner of the back post. It was one of three on the day for Kerr, who now has the third-most goals scored in the FAWSL this season.
The beautiful game, played The Arsenal Way. Take a bow, @JillRoordNL ???? pic.twitter.com/tHwrhG1SGn— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 6, 2020
The beautiful game, played The Arsenal Way. Take a bow, @JillRoordNL ???? pic.twitter.com/tHwrhG1SGn
Warning: This video exhibits a high volume of tiki-taka. A defensive clearance by Birmingham City rolls out to Leonie Maier of Arsenal, who plays a quick pass into Jill Roord. Rood then his a one-touch back to Maier, who slips the ball to Kim Little, who then lays it off to Roord. With minimal space at the top of the box, Roord lobs a shot over the Birmingham goalkeeper, nailing it to the back corner of the net. Roord tallied Arsenal’s second goal of the match, which ended in a 3-0 shutout against Birmingham. She now has the second most goals in the league this year, above Sam Kerr and behind Vivianne Midemia.
???? Super free kick from @KerysHarrop!Watch LIVE on the FA Player.???? https://t.co/k1AnHJxo3X #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/Usc6zeQTOM— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 6, 2020
???? Super free kick from @KerysHarrop!Watch LIVE on the FA Player.???? https://t.co/k1AnHJxo3X #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/Usc6zeQTOM
Lesson learned: Do not foul Tottenham anywhere near the box. With a weapon like Kerys Harrop, you’re going to pay. Early in the first half of their match against Brighton, Alex Morgan is fouled just outside of the box. Tottenham’s Harrop lines up for the free-kick and strikes a stunning bender that puts Brighton’s goalkeeper on her heels, tipping the inevitable goal into the back of the net. Harrop’s curveball of a shot lifted Tottenham to a 3-1 victory over Brighton, helping the club pocket its first win of the season.