Liverpool's defence proved to be the difference-maker in their 0-0 draw against Chelsea at Anfield, as they held off a strong attacking effort from the visitors to earn a hard-fought point.
Chelsea, who had been on a 34-game unbeaten streak in the WSL, looked set to get back on track after Alyssa Thompson fired home a brilliant opener just nine minutes into the game. However, the Reds' defence, marshalled by captain Becca Thomas, dug deep and held firm throughout the first half.
The visitors introduced some new faces off the bench at halftime, including Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones, but Liverpool's solid shape ensured that Chelsea couldn't find a way through. The Reds, meanwhile, continued to push forward and equalised just before halftime through Beata Olsson's strike, sending the Anfield crowd wild.
Vivianne Miedema was the hero for Liverpool in the second half, producing a quintessential moment of quality with a perfectly timed sliding challenge on Julia Zigiotti Olme. The Dutch striker then unleashed a cutting-through ball for Bunny Shaw, who would go on to create several chances for her teammates in the final 20 minutes.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal were unable to find a way out of their slump after back-to-back draws against Tottenham and Bayern Munich. The Gunners dominated possession but created no clear-cut chances, with goalkeeper Lize Kop looking mostly untested throughout the game.
Leicester City set an unwanted record in Brighton by going 21 games without a win on the road, while West Ham Women finally found their feet after nine games without a league victory, beating Everton 3-1 to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. London City Lionesses also made some ground on the top five, moving within a point of Arsenal and Tottenham with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
As for Chelsea, their defeat marked the end of an eight-game winning streak in all competitions. With Manchester City three points ahead of them, the Blues will need to regroup and refocus if they want to mount a serious challenge for the title.
Chelsea, who had been on a 34-game unbeaten streak in the WSL, looked set to get back on track after Alyssa Thompson fired home a brilliant opener just nine minutes into the game. However, the Reds' defence, marshalled by captain Becca Thomas, dug deep and held firm throughout the first half.
The visitors introduced some new faces off the bench at halftime, including Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones, but Liverpool's solid shape ensured that Chelsea couldn't find a way through. The Reds, meanwhile, continued to push forward and equalised just before halftime through Beata Olsson's strike, sending the Anfield crowd wild.
Vivianne Miedema was the hero for Liverpool in the second half, producing a quintessential moment of quality with a perfectly timed sliding challenge on Julia Zigiotti Olme. The Dutch striker then unleashed a cutting-through ball for Bunny Shaw, who would go on to create several chances for her teammates in the final 20 minutes.
Despite their dominance, Arsenal were unable to find a way out of their slump after back-to-back draws against Tottenham and Bayern Munich. The Gunners dominated possession but created no clear-cut chances, with goalkeeper Lize Kop looking mostly untested throughout the game.
Leicester City set an unwanted record in Brighton by going 21 games without a win on the road, while West Ham Women finally found their feet after nine games without a league victory, beating Everton 3-1 to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. London City Lionesses also made some ground on the top five, moving within a point of Arsenal and Tottenham with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.
As for Chelsea, their defeat marked the end of an eight-game winning streak in all competitions. With Manchester City three points ahead of them, the Blues will need to regroup and refocus if they want to mount a serious challenge for the title.
becca thomas marshaling that backline was insane!!! and that 34-game unbeaten streak got broken in an instant 
they had so many chances but just couldn't find the back of the net. and then liverpool comes along and shuts them down 
beata olsson's goal was like a total game-changer, lol!
they just couldn't break through LIVERPOOL'S SOLID LINEUP! and that goal by Alyssa Thompson was absolute FIRE 
but Liverpool's defense held firm and Becca Thomas did an AMAZING job leading them to a well-deserved point 
it got the Anfield crowd PUMPED UP and Vivianne Miedema was like a HERO for coming up with that PERFECTLY TIMED sliding challenge 
AND BUNNY SHAW WAS LIKE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH 
they'll have to regroup and refocus if they want to stay in the title hunt 
. It's crazy how quickly fortunes can change in sports, right? One minute you're on top of the world, the next you're scrambling to get back on track 
. But what really caught my eye is how Liverpool's defence was the difference-maker in this one 
️. I mean, Becca Thomas and the lasses were like an impenetrable fortress out there! 
.
️.
. Can they get back on track? Only time will tell 
. But one thing's for sure – Liverpool are definitely back in the mix now 
!
. and honestly, chelsea looked a bit disjointed without their superstar players, which might give teams some hope 
. still, 0-0 draws don't exactly thrill me 
I'm so over these WSL teams not being able to score for their lives! Like, Chelsea just had 34 games unbeaten but still can't seem to finish chances? And now they're gonna have to regroup after this loss? Meanwhile Liverpool's defence is the real MVP 
Becca Thomas and Co. are absolute rockstars! And what's with Arsenal's slump? They used to be all about dominating possession but now they just can't create anything? 
, then Becca Thomas and her crew were all about keeping it solid 
, they were on fire 
.
, just can't seem to get those goals going 
. And lastly, it looks like Chelsea needs to recharge their batteries 
, Manchester City's right on their tail 
, especially Becca Thomas leading the pack 
, they've been inconsistent all season 
. Leicester City's 21-game winless run on the road is just brutal 
.
so Chelsea's unbeaten run just ended and I gotta say it's pretty impressive how Liverpool's defense held strong against their attack. Becca Thomas is definitely showing off her leadership skills out there 
. And that equaliser from Beata Olsson was pure magic 
. What's more, Vivianne Miedema's sliding tackle was the turning point in the game - I mean who expects to see a player make such an incredible challenge in the box?! 
!
solid against Chelsea 
was a 
and her team really marshaled the ship 
to keep it 0-0. Then Beata Olsson's strike 
, sending Anfield wild 
! Vivianne Miedema 
sliding challenge on Julia Zigiotti Olme, wow! what a player she is 
. Chelsea's downfall was their inability to create clear-cut chances after halftime 
. I think it's so important for teams like Chelsea, who have been on a hot streak, to regroup and refocus after a tough loss. It's not all sunshine and rainbows out there in the league, but I'm stoked to see some intense competition brewing 
. They just shut down Chelsea's attack like it was nothing, but I think there must be more to it than meets the eye 
. And that Becca Thomas, she's got some serious skills, almost like she's being protected by...I don't know, some unseen force? 
Anyway, this game just goes to show that even with a 34-game unbeaten streak, you can still get beat if your defense isn't on point 
This whole thing is just too suspicious for my taste 