Jessy Parker Humphreys looks at the big talking points from the Women’s Super League matches at the weekend.Embed from Getty Images
Fran Kirby grabs the title race by the scruff of its neck
When Lauren James curled in Manchester United’s equaliser from the edge of the area, it seemed like Chelsea had failed to learn their lessons from the opening day of the season. Then as now, Chelsea had taken a lead but squandered other chances created, only to be pegged back later on.
This time, however, Fran Kirby came to the rescue. Barely four minutes after the equaliser, a long goal kick from Ann-Katrin Berger befuddled United’s defenders. Kirby was able to run onto the bouncing ball and calmly slot past Mary Earps to seal a 2-1 win. It was the kind of composure in front of goal that Chelsea had lacked in the first half. It was also a reminder to United that you can never switch off in these matches.
#FAWSL: Fran Kirby winner sends Chelsea Women top of the table
#FAWSL: Fran Kirby winner sends Chelsea Women top of the table Fran Kirby got the goal that put Chelsea top of the league. (Photo: Lynne Cameron for The FA)
Chelsea beat Manchester United 2-1 to replace them at the top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League on goal-difference with a game still in hand.
WSL results – 17 January
Everton 4-0 Bristol City
Reading 1-1 Arsenal
Chelsea edge into first place
Chelsea extended their unbeaten run at the expense of Manchester United, taking maximum points with a second-half winner.
Manchester United winger Tobin Heath picked up an injury during the week, head coach Casey Stoney confirmed on Sunday, with her not involved in the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.
Chelsea FCW 2-1 Manchester United WFC, WSL: Post-match reaction
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Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Chelsea FCW hosted Manchester United WFC on Sunday afternoon with first place in the WSL on the line. The match lived up to the hype, with both sides giving performances worthy of title contenders.
Chelsea began the match in the ascendancy, with Fran Kirby picking up where she left of against Reading, threatening United’s backline from the off. The pace of the match began to settle a bit, but it was a Chelsea set piece that broke the deadlock. United couldn’t clear the Blues initial corner and Fran Kirby walloped a shot off the far post, before Pernille Harder fired home the rebound. The Blues would take their hardly fought 1-0 lead into the break.
Portsmouth Fire in training to assist health department with vaccinations
The state health department shows less than 900 vaccine doses administered in Portsmouth, but officials are ready to pick up the pace with the help of firefighters. Author: Eugene Daniel (WVEC) Updated: 9:35 PM EST January 15, 2021
PORTSMOUTH, Va. The pace of vaccine distributions in Portsmouth trails other Hampton Roads districts, but health officials hope to quicken the process with the help of the local fire department.
As of Friday in Portsmouth, 862 vaccine doses had been administered, and 17 people were fully vaccinated, according to the Virginia Public Health Department. The numbers are of the lowest in the Hampton Roads region.