Women's football round-up: Manchester City celebrate winning the WSL

A look at the latest events

Manchester City celebrate winning the WSL (GETTY IMAGES)

Results
Manchester City were crowned winners of FA WSL Continental Cup three-time holders Arsenal 1-0 in the final on Thursday. Despite being on the back foot for the majority of the game, City found a winner shortly after half-time, with Isobel Christiansen heading home the winner to ensure Nick Cushing’s side finish in the season in style.

Liverpool crashed out of the Women’s Champions League after a 4-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Swedish outfit Linköping on Thursday. The Reds had secured a narrow advantage in the first leg but a hat-trick from striker Fridolina Rolfo helped Linköping cruise to a 3-0 victory. Elsewhere, Glasgow City overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Poland’s Medyk Konin 3-0 after extra-time, while Bristol Academy sailed into the last-16 knockout round with a 6-1 aggregate victory over Raheny United.

i player of the week: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City)
After watching her 18-year-old understudy Natasha Brooks impress against Chelsea in the final game of the season, it was up to Bardsley to produce a match-winning performance in the FA WSL Cup final. The England international didn’t disappoint, pulling off a string of superb saves to deny the likes of Jordan Nobbs and Rachel Yankey to keep a clean sheet and help Manchester City lift the trophy.

Moment of the week
Manchester City ended their 26-year wait for silverware with their victory over Arsenal in the Continental Cup. After finishing fifth in the WSL table, the likes of Steph Houghton, Karen Bardsley and Toni Duggan would have been delighted to finish with a trophy in their first season with the club. It’s now a case of onwards and upwards for manager Nick Cushing, who will be hoping for a title challenge next season.

They said...
“Players want to come here to win trophies and we have got the first one in the bank. We want to mirror what the men did when they won their first trophy and then went on to win the league." Manchester City captain Steph Houghton reveals the blueprint for the Ladies team to echo the success of the men’s side.

Is stat true?
Before losing to Manchester City, Arsenal had only previously lost one domestic cup final – a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Everton in the 2010 FA Women’s Cup.

Look out for...
WSL2 Fixtures: Durham Ladies v Yeovil Town Ladies, London Bees Ladies v Doncaster Belles, Milwall Lionesses v Sunderland Ladies, Oxford United Ladies v Aston Villa Ladies, Reading Ladies v Watford Ladies (all 2pm KO)