Review of the Women’s European Championship: Red surprises at Greenwood, late goal issue

There was a major bone of contention in the Women’s Super League (WSL) this weekend as new refereeing standards caused problems once again. These are the key talking points from the WSL, along with some highlights from the European action.

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The referee is the focus in Manchester

Yes, we really have to start with that, don’t we? As highlighted last week, there has been a concerted crackdown on fouls, perceived time-wasting and disagreements in the WSL, but these new rules were pushed to the limit on Sunday afternoon Manchester City Two players were sent off in the 1-1 draw Chelsea. Chelsea’s Guro riding managed to equalize in the 96th minute Chloe KellyThe start in the seventh minute.

But it was a game in which there was ultimately very little football involved after the City captain was sent off in the 37th minute Alex Greenwood for a second yellow card because she apparently took too long (a full 26 seconds) for a free kick. In total, referee Emily Heaslip issued eleven warnings – three for City’s Kelly, Laia Alexandri And Jill Roord in protest at the decision – including the second yellow for Greenwood and then Lauren Hemp in the 81st minute, as most fouls or disagreements seemed to result in an automatic yellow card.

Instead of protecting the players or building trust and respect between her and the players on the field, Heaslip’s interventions left no room for common sense as she followed the letter of the law to the hilt. An enthralling game quickly descended into chaos as the referee took center stage and ended with constant boos and “cheat calls” from the home crowd.

Anyone who regularly watches women’s football knows that far too many fouls are allowed and that players have been put in danger for years through lax behavior. But what we saw in Manchester was a rapid over-correction that benefits no one.

Heaslip generally sets high standards for running the WSL, keeping games flowing by using her time as a player to read the game and consider the nuances and intentions. But that pedigree was nowhere to be seen at Joie Stadium as it attempted to follow the WSL’s new guidelines.

Champions Chelsea continue to struggle

After sealing Chelsea’s WSL and FA Cup double in the 2022/23 season, coach Emma Hayes described the season as “arduous”. The football was no longer old-fashioned, but their team still managed to secure more silver medals at the end of the season.

Two games into this campaign, the champions still look just as ragged. In the first 37 minutes against City, when the score was 11 against 11, they were completely overrun. Even against ten players after Greenwood was sent off, the Blues continued to struggle. Fresh legs off the bench eventually helped the visitors calm down as they hit the woodwork three times, but the team was powerless and tipped to clinch a fifth consecutive WSL title.

Away days in Manchester are historically the most difficult for the Blues, but their midfield was too easy to get around and their attack lacked fluidity and balance. Lack of fitness of important players – with Australia star Sam Kerr only came off the bench at half time and Erin Cuthbert Their first competitive start since July didn’t help the Ring, but it was enough to secure a draw when Reiten took advantage of City’s down to eight defenders with a narrow equalizer in the 96th minute Alanna Kennedy treated outside the field. However, they have to be better.

There are three coaches who have more than one WSL title: Chelsea’s Emma Hayes (six), former arsenal Coach Laura Harvey (two) and Liverpool’s Matt Beard (also two). Although Beard triumphed in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, he helped lay a foundation for the emerging league. Now in his second spell with Liverpool, Beard’s side are going from strength to strength.

After leading the team back into the WSL following relegation in 2022/23, the 45-year-old raised the standard of his squad to make them a competitive force again, while also overcoming the usual issues that came with the jump back , disregarded high. Their first season back was marked by gutsy performances and memorable results as they finished a respectable seventh, and after two games this season Beard appears to have raised the bar once again.

After an opening 1-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates, in which Liverpool undermined their opponents’ strengths, the Reds put in another strong performance in a 2-0 win against Arsenal Aston Villa with goals from Marie Hobinger and Natasha Flint. It’s a long season full of twists and turns. But after two games there are signs that the Reds are doing well; The players all agree, enjoy football and their manager is clearly able to get the best out of them.

Iron is breaking new ground

Alarm bells may have been ringing at West Ham after their opening day defeat to Manchester City, when they struggled to get a foot on the ball. But under new coach Rehanne Skinner, the Irons played some of their best football of recent times in a 2-0 win over Brighton.

As the club has gone through a number of different coaches and styles during its five-year stint in the WSL, it has been difficult to find an identity. But this victory was highlighted by the attacking style Skinner embraced before the season began, with their front line putting on a show.

Signed in summer Riko Ueki impressed, was involved in both goals and spent 78 minutes on the pitch, putting constant pressure on the Brighton defense. And whether they were playing up front or weathering a storm on defense towards the end of the first half, the Hammers remained composed throughout and held their own as goalkeepers Mackenzie Arnold kept their first clean sheet of the season.

Late goals an issue in Europe?

From Arsenal and Chelsea to Juventus And real MadridGame-winning late goals are quickly becoming an issue in Europe this season. Cloe Lacasse saved the Gunners in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Friday evening, while we reported on Reiten’s equalizer for Chelsea above.

But last season’s Spanish and Italian runners-up also came too late against their respective opponents on Saturday. Arianna CarusoJuve’s winning goal against AC Milan came in the 87th minute Signe Bruun attached to Olga CarmonaReal Madrid secured a 1-0 win with a low cross in the 90th minute Villarreal.

After investing heavily in the summer to add depth and quality to the team, he lost an important player Caroline Weir Due to an ACL injury last month, the rest of the team had to pick up the slack. Even, Las Blancas fought against a Villarreal team that is yet to win League F so far this season before taking all three points.

Goalkeeping heroics in Sweden

Swedish Damallsvenskan side Vittsjö headed for its first defeat in five games and scored a last-minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw with league leaders Häcken when goalkeeper Lainey Burdett scored from a corner in stoppage time.

After Rosa Kafaj went behind in the ninth minute, the Las Vegan-born goalkeeper’s gamble paid off for Vittsjö as she rose to score Sarah Stratigakis‘ floated the side of her head to save a point. It was a goal that kept their side’s hopes of a European spot alive, with the fourth-placed side five points adrift of a qualification spot with four games remaining.