WSL team of the week: gameweek 9

The final weekend of WSL action in 2022 took place on Sunday, with eight of the top flight’s 12 teams in action after two matches fell foul to the weather.

The spoils were shared in the Manchester derby at the Etihad, Arsenal and West Ham both picked up three points, and Chelsea survived a second half fight back to see off a spirited Reading.

But which players impressed? Here’s 90min’s WSL team of the week for gameweek 9.

GK: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham) – Was kept busy by Tottenham in the first half, doing well to tip a sliced Celin Bizet cross over the bar and deal with a wicked Molly Bartrip corner. This would prove pivotal, as West Ham absorbed the Spurs pressure in the first half, before going on to win the second.

RB: Ona Batlle (Manchester United) – Did a terrific job marshalling the usually destructive Lauren Hemp defensively, while also being a typically important outlet going forward. What a season she is having.

CB: Grace Fisk (West Ham) – Made a number of important blocks, headers and interceptions to help preserve a clean sheet for her side against Tottenham, winning the ball back from a free kick to trigger the counter attack that led to West Ham’s second goal.

CB: Hawa Cissoko (West Ham) – Marked her return to the side with a solid defensive performance, as the Hammers weathered the storm at times in the first half. Surged forward from centre back and lifted the ball over Becky Spencer with all the composure of a seasoned striker to net West Ham’s second and seal all three points.

LB: Steph Catley (Arsenal) – Was a real attacking outlet for Arsenal, having a hand in her side’s second with a wicked corner delivery, before making a great burst forward and picking out Katie McCabe for Arsenal’s crucial third following a spell of Aston Villa pressure.

DM: Lia Walti (Arsenal) – A player of the match performance from Walti at Villa Park, breaking up play and sweeping up superbly throughout, and sending Catley away with a really smart pass in the build up to Arsenal’s third goal.

CM: Laura Coombs (Manchester City) – One of City’s star performers at the Etihad during the Manchester derby draw. Netted her side’s equaliser with a burst into the box and measured header – her second goal in as many games.

CM: Jelena Cankovic (Chelsea) – Marked her first WSL start by having a hand in all three Chelsea goals, kickstarting the first with a quickly taken free kick, netting the second with a low drive and scoring the third with a header following a perfectly timed run into the box.

AM: Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal) – A constant danger with her ability to link play and execute defence-splitting passes. Netted Arsenal’s with an instinctive finish with her laces. Has been in imperious form since returning from her short rest and recovery break.

FW: Fran Kirby (Chelsea) – Opened the scoring against Reading with her second goal in as many games, before having a hand in Chelsea’s third, slick counter attacking goal by linking up smarty with Erin Cuthbert.

FW: Emma Harries (Reading) – Instrumental as Reading almost completed a remarkable second half comeback against WSL champions Chelsea. Her dogged marauds down the right and low deliveries created the Royals’ two goals in the space of two minutes, and she was a constant thorn in the side with her relentless running.