RANKED: The 5 best players of WSL Gameweek 4

Gaps are very much beginning to grow between the best and worst performing clubs so far in the 2025/25 Barclays Women’s Super League after another weekend of action.

The most anticipated fixture was no doubt the London derby between Arsenal and Chelse at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners went into the game after a humbling loss against Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League game and their 2-1 defeat against Chelsea only made it worse.

Head coach Jonas Eidevall’s future of the club has been catapulted into jeopardy after failing to walk away with any points, seeing them only secure one domestic win since the season began.

Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool saw them take Chelsea’s spot top of the table, mainly due to having played a game more at this stage. Tottenham Hotspur were also dealt more difficulty after losing 3-0 to a resurgent Manchester United. Robert Vilahamn’s side have struggled to carry impressive momentum from last season into this campaign, having only won one of their four games.

Elsewhere, Everton, West Ham, Aston Villa and Leicester City all secured a point each after draws, while Brighton & Hove Albion managed to continue their winning streak, beating Crystal Palace.

Here are the best six players of the WSL from the weekend – ranked, as always.

Janina Leitzig celebrated her first clean sheet of the season for Leicester City against Aston Villa.

The German stopper, who joined the Foxes last year had an impressive performance at the weekend, successfully stopping all of Villa’s shots on target. That being said, the 25-year-old has been standout across all her club’s game since the season started.

Leicester have come up against some tough opponents in their first few fixtures, including Arsenal and Liverpool. Leitzig’s performances have remained consistent throughout and she is certainly proving herself as a valuable asset so far.

New recruit Olivia Smith helped Liverpool take the lead over Manchester City. Despite an eventual 2-1 loss in stoppage time, it was a historic moment as the team’s first ever goal at Anfield.

The Canadian international’s long-range strike was stellar as she reinforced her ability to muscle out of challenges and maintain possession. She might’ve got momentarily injured in the process, but the pay-off in front of a crowded stadium must’ve been worth it.

It’s time to reiterate that record signing Smith is one to watch this season after already becoming an invaluable player in Matt Beard’s starting XI.

The magic of Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was in full display once again at the weekend, after scoring two goals to help City eventually secure a win over Liverpool in stoppage time.

The forward’s performance saw her named player of the match, as well as bag her her third goal of the season. Shaw has kicked-off the 2024/25 campaign well in an effort to match her record of 21 goals in 18 league outings, which led to her winning last year’s Golden Boot award.

The Jamaican international is always able to perform under pressure, but her ability to make smart runs and use her strength when in possession in the box led helped her shine against Liverpool.

Elisabeth Terland scored her first two goals for Manchester United in five minutes against Tottenham.

The Norwegian international made the move up north during summer after leaving Brighton and is off to a flying start. Her first powerful strike from within the penalty box got the better of Spurs goalkeeper Becky Spencer, while her second, a header from Celin Bizet’s cross, also dazzled.

Despite a good effort from Tottenham, Terland’s two goals and a second half penalty from Maya Le Tissier were more than enough to cement an unbeaten United’s position as third in the WSL table.

Mayra Ramirez was on fire over the weekend against Arsenal, scoring an early overhead kick at the Emirates Stadium that paved the way for an eventual 2-1 statement win.

The striker has been a force to be reckoned with every time she’s on the pitch this season and bullied Arsenal in a way that is increasingly common. Her pace upfront got the better of the Gunners on multiple occassions, seeing her effortlessly breeze past their backline.

Ramirez displays such dominance and has been instrumental in Chelsea’s unbeaten streak.

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