There was a busy day of action in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup on Wednesday with no less than six group fixtures taking place.
Fascinatingly, the winners of all six matches were determined within 90 minutes, it is rare that there is no need for at least one penalty shootout in this competition.
After an exciting day of matches, FA Women’s Super League Full-Time have summarised three talking points from the action.
Durham mean business after hitting Blades for six
The FA Women’s Championship has certainly been a thrilling competition so far this season with Durham having been in the thick of it at the summit throughout.
Sheffield United’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at The Technique Stadium last weekend saw The Blades replace Durham at the top of the FA Women’s Championship table.
Last night saw the two promotion rivals go head-to-head in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup in Chesterfield with Durham making a real statement of intent with a thumping 6-0 victory. Manager Lee Sanders is well-known for his tactical nous when facing the very best teams but even by his standards, this result was something really special.
The Wildcats really do mean business this year and will take some stopping. Could their FA Women’s Championship title push be complemented by an FA Women’s Continental League Cup quarter-final appearance? You wouldn’t bet against it.
Does Arsenal ace Vivianne Miedema have a heart?
Many clubs have been on the wrong end of ruthless and relentless displays from Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema since she arrived in England in 2017.
Miedema is arguably the best forward in world football and she was certainly not letting up against poor London City Lionesses last night as they became the latest side to see their net bulge on numerous occasions as a result of the Dutch international.
The deadly striker netted a 40-minute hat-trick at Princes Park as Arsenal went into the break 3-0 up. Anyone who may have thought that Miedema’s night was done and that she may have taken a lighter approach in the second half was wrong with the forward scoring both her’s and her side’s fourth goal in a 4-0 victory.
Miedema is superhuman, a fine footballer, who simply doesn’t know how to put in anything less than 100% in every game, regardless of the scoreline of level of opposition. She shows no love towards any opponent, maybe that is what really makes her stand out as a world class talent.
With Miedema is exceptional form, you wouldn’t want to be Manchester United, and in particular, Mary Earps this weekend.
Laura Coombs is another useful option for Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor
Midfielder Laura Coombs starred for Manchester City as they won 3-0 at Liverpool in their latest FA Women’s Continental League Cup group fixture.
The 29-year-old has been a frustrated figure at times this season with the player having often been made to sit amongst the substitutes. Coombs has been given just 82 minutes of Barclays FA Women’s Super League football this season while she was an unused substitute for City in their first FA Women’s Continental League Cup group fixture against Everton last month.
Coombs was given a rare start at Prenton Park yesterday and she took the opportunity with both hands, playing a starring role in City’s 3-0 win. The midfielder netted the opening goal of the game, a superb dipping half-volley which will be remembered for some time by anyone who watched the game.
With City boasting a squad packed full of talent, playing opportunities may not always be available for Coombs but head coach Gareth Taylor knows that she can be relied upon when called on and maybe the midfielder deserves more chances to impress.
This week’s FA Women’s Continental League Cup action will be rounded off with Crystal Palace’s home fixture against Bristol City this evening.
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