The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.

This week: Slegers under pressure, Putellas on fire and Hemp bags a brace. Plus, Wiegman gears up for the play-offs and a new Arsenal terrace collection just dropped.

— Jo, founder of Twentytwo

We've been waiting for London City Lionesses (LCL) to click into gear, and this was the week. They won 6-1 at Spurs, with Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scoring twice. Spurs were poor, but LCL looked hungry and could have scored more. Danielle van de Donk was our standout, creative all afternoon and a threat in front of goal.

On the other side of north London, the questions about Renée Slegers are getting louder. Arsenal led twice at Manchester City and lost 4-2. A defence that had conceded twice in the league came apart after the break, and they missed chances at the other end. Slegers admitted they are out of the title conversation. The international break couldn't have come at a better time for her to take a breath and review the season so far.

Chelsea continue to look controlled and efficient. Manchester United's four straight wins in all competitions have taken some of the heat off Eva Olid, and heads aren't dropping the way they were a month ago, even if there's work to do in the final third. Brighton finally got a win on the board, and Palace came from behind at Villa.

Looking for WSL2 highlights? Catch up on all the action here

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: Lauren Hemp has had a phenomenal start to the season, she's the player that makes things happen for City and bagged a brace for her efforts. Here's her second

Manchester United won 5–1 at Durham and sit top of the League Phase table on goal difference, one of five sides on six points. Liverpool also kept their perfect record, needing a 93rd-minute winner to beat Birmingham 4–3. Aston Villa beat Newcastle 3–1 in Brian Sørensen's first game as interim manager, and West Ham saw off Southampton 3–1. London City left it to the 90th minute at Ipswich, where Danielle van de Donk settled it.

Watch all the goals here

Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly have been left out of England's World Cup play-off squad. Wiegman said their levels weren't what she expected, while Leah Williamson returns from injury and Chelsea's Lexi Potter earns her first senior call-up. Check out the full squad list.

Aston Villa have sacked Natalia Arroyo after four games without a win. Two draws and two defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Spurs, cost her the job. Technical adviser Brian Sørensen took interim charge, with Villa still searching for a first league win. Read more

FIFA is lining up the US to host the first Women's Club World Cup. The 19-team tournament is expected to start on 5 January 2028, with Los Angeles and San Diego among the favoured host cities. The competition lands between the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, and the WSL has already called the mid-season timing at best inconvenient and at worst catastrophic for domestic leagues. Read more

Atlanta City FC will join the NWSL in 2028. Arthur Blank's new club will become the league's 17th team and play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The club has unveiled a phoenix crest in peach and white, while construction is under way on a training facility in Marietta. Read more

The Women's Europa Cup knockout bracket is set. Last season's runners-up Hammarby are among the 16 teams left, alongside former European champions Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg. Fenerbahçe, Feyenoord, Malmö and Torreense are all in their first UEFA season, the last three having transferred across from the Champions League. Read more

All three English teams were held to draws as the UWCL returned for Matchday 2. Arsenal stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons. After letting a 2–0 lead slip at Paris FC, Leah Williamson picked up the ball inside the area, seemingly unaware that Misa Rodríguez had already restarted play. The referee saw it differently. Paris scored the resulting penalty and Arsenal's players looked shell-shocked.

Renée Slegers was too angry to face the media afterwards and sent her assistant instead. Players and Slegers were reportedly in tears, and she apologised two days later, saying it had mattered more to be in the dressing room with her squad. Chelsea drew 0–0 at OL Lyonnes and City 1–1 with Real Madrid. Barcelona, meanwhile, put six past Roma and made an early case for back-to-back titles.

Watch every goal from Matchday 2

adidas SPZL F.C. x Arsenal FW26: With this season's club kit released firmly behind us, Arsenal are first up with a casual fashion collection. We don't hate it. It's classic, understated and very wearable. Our fave is the SPZL shirt, close second is the long-sleeved polo. Available now.

Nike Bright Lights pack – Bright white with a teal highlight, it's hard not to like these as we head into crisp, autumn evenings. Can't wait to pull these on under the floodlights as the nights grow darker. Available from 12 October. Bookmark for later.

Puma Unscripted pack – the Future 9, Ultra Nitro 7 and King 20, all in a deep blue with neon lime on the studs and branding. The Ultra Nitro 7 is the one with the tech in the sole, if that's your thing. The simplicity of the King makes it our pick. Available now.

BallerFC Lionesses Screening at The Volley, Old Street, EC1V 9NR
Greece vs England – Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
Friday, 9 October, 17:30 KO, More info

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 Play-Off 1st Leg
Friday, 9 October

Ian Wright celebrated his granddaughter, Raphaella Wright-Phillips, signing with adidas this week. Congrats Raphaella!

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