Chloe Kelly x City Antics, Spurs Go Third, Man United Slow Down Chelsea
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
Twentytwo is the weekly newsletter for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football. A five-minute read, rounding up news, fixtures, transfers, culture, grassroots events and more.
This week: Drama as City rains on Chloe Kelly’s parade, Spurs shock as their strong start puts them third, Man United take points off Chelsea. Plus: Pitch Invasion print, top Foudy’s sale picks, and what we’re watching this week.
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⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH
Bunny Shaw headed City into the lead off a beauty of a cross from Casparij
Cat Marcario’s nifty backheel assist was the start of this Chelsea goal
Anna Sandberg’s screamer was an absolute masterclass in volleying.
Kirsty Hanson scored a worldie off an Aston Villa short corner routine.
And finally… what about this sensational free kick from Lynn Wilms? Sorry, West Ham.
🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: There’s clearly no love lost between Chloe Kelly and City - for good reason. Still, the drama/comedy of her equalising against her old club (and almost poking a hole through her Arsenal badge in celebration) only for City to score minutes later was quite the story arc.
RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 5
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Highlights)
United look solid. In pretty dire weather conditions, they seriously tested Chelsea and held them to a draw, ending the Blues’ winning streak and taking the first points off the title holders this season.Manchester City 3-2 Arsenal (Highlights)
City are finally finding their rhythm, and Arsenal’s defence couldn’t cope - especially with set pieces. A dramatic match, well worth a watch if you missed it.Leicester City 1-1 Everton (Highlights)
Leicester kept their heads up and battled back from a goal down to rescue a much-needed point. Everton will be disappointed to lose the win so late in the game.London City Lionesses 1-0 Liverpool (Highlights)
A contentious penalty was the decider in a match where LCL dominated, despite still looking like a new team getting it together. Liverpool remain pointless after a tough start.Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion (Highlights)
Who’d have imagined Spurs would sit third in the table after five games? Another Tandberg strike earned them the 3 points. With no Fran Kirby, Brighton struggled to create much up front, and Jess Naz caused their defence problems all game long.West Ham United 0-2 Aston Villa (Highlights)
Vill scored two absolute worldies to heap more misery on the Hammers, who haven’t been baaaad per se, it's more that they don’t have a clinical bone in their body.
AS IT STANDS
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🚨ICYMI
Top Headlines
📺 The BBC has signed a five-year deal to broadcast up to seven live Women's Champions League matches each season, including the final, with coverage across BBC TV and iPlayer. This marks the first time major European women's matches will be regularly free-to-air for UK viewers.
🎮 UEFA has launched its first-ever Women's Champions League Fantasy Football. Fans can select squads, compete in mini-leagues, and win prizes, with flexible options like live captain changes and private leagues. Sign up here
🎤 Disney+, which will stream all 75 Women's Champions League games live in Europe for 2025/26, has announced its debut broadcast team. Alex Scott, Fara Williams, Ellen White, Jeanette Kwakye, and more bring expert analysis and commentary, which will be available in multiple languages.
🏟️ Ash Thompson has stepped down as Sheffield United Women's head coach after a club review. He had previously been suspended from his duties, although it is unclear why. Luke Turner will take interim charge as the side seeks to improve performance in WSL2.
✊ The Women's Super League and WSL2 are marking Black History Month with renewed anti-racism commitments, inviting clubs to take the knee, enhancing reporting and accountability, and pushing for wider cultural change in response to recent incidents.
🎟️ Visa presale has opened for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2025, with cardholders getting early access to tickets. The tournament kicks off on 16 October and runs through to the final on 6 November. England missed out on qualification, so Europe will be represented by the Netherlands, Norway, France, Italy, and Spain.
🗽 Gotham FC has qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals, following a tight 0-0 draw with Washington Spirit. They wrap up the group stage on top, keeping their hopes of defending their continental title alive.
👀 FAVE FINDS
Pitch Invasion’s Summer 2025 print is a love letter to the women’s game.
From Hamm to Hemp, this new special edition celebrates over 120 players who’ve defined and redefined women’s football — from the first World Cup in ’91 to this summer’s Euros. Think icons like Marta, Rapinoe, Renard and Bright captured in bold, fine-art glory.
Printed on 150gsm Munken Rough (for the print nerds among us) — it’s part history lesson, part poster of dreams.
👟 KIT DROP
Nike’s Total 90 III is back — in “Morse Code” brown. The cult boot of the 2000s returns this December with a modern twist: soft Baroque Brown leather, tonal cream detailing, and a subtle Morse Code pattern spelling out 'NIKE' on the heel.
It’s technically a football boot, but this women’s drop looks just as good off the pitch with its earthy tones, sleek shape, and healthy dose of nostalgia. Read more about the release
Foudy’s huge September Sale is still running. From England Champions 25 shirts (£125 down to £60) to NWSL shirts (£84.99 down to £50), there are some serious bargains over there. Shop the sale.
🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA
Upcoming Events
Pitch Invasion: Women's International Football: Not only can you buy the Pitch Invasion print (see Fave Finds above), but it can also be viewed at @dorothy_uk from Monday, 6 - 23 October, at 22 Jordan Street, Liverpool, L1 0BP.
Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up
📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST
What We’re Watching
Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)
Champions League League Phase
Tuesday 7 October
Arsenal vs Lyon (20:00, Disney+)
Wednesday, 8 October
FC Twente vs Chelsea (17:45, Disney+)
Manchester United vs Valerenga (20:00, Disney+)
Subway Women’s League Cup
Wednesday, 8 October
West Ham United vs Brighton & Hove Albion (19:00, West Ham’s YouTube)
Women’s Super League
Sunday, 12 October
Aston Villa vs Leicester City (12:00, Sky Sports)
Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur (12:00, Sky Sports)
Everton vs Manchester United (12:00, Sky Sports)
London City Lionesses vs West Ham United (12:00, Sky Sports)
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion (14:30, BBC Two)
Liverpool vs Manchester City (16:45, Sky Sports)
📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS
More Women Working in Football
Safeguarding Manager - Education | The FA | Apply by 19 October
Account Director Football | IMG Academy | Apply now
Key Account Manager, Football (Southern UK) | New Balance | Apply now
Women’s Football Director | Professional Footballers Association | Apply now
Fancy working across the pond?
See you next week!
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