WSL team of the week: gameweek 3

The WSL returned after a two-week absence over the weekend, and served up first wins, penalty misses and red cards.

Aston Villa and West Ham played out a drama-filled encounter, Manchester City got off the mark and Manchester United rose to the top of the table.

But which players particularly impressed? Here’s 90min’s WSL team of the week.

GK: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham) – It was a week of strong goalkeeper performances in the WSL, with Manuela Zinsberger and Jackie Burns both turning in impressive displays during Arsenal’s victory over Reading. But West Ham’s Arnold was particularly instrumental in her side’s win over high flying Aston Villa, saving Alisha Lehmann’s spot kick and tipping a Kirsty Hanson effort around the post to preserve her side’s lead.

RB: Ona Batlle (Manchester United) – Both Manchester United and Batlle impressed once more on Sunday as the Red Devils ran riot against Brighton. The right-back picked out Ella Toone with a typically superb delivery for United’s first, and was a constant attacking threat.

CB: Molly Bartrip (Tottenham) – It was a much improved attacking display from Tottenham on Sunday as they beat Liverpool 1-0 – but the central defensive partnership of Shelina Zadorsky and Bartrip were key to Spurs’ first WSL clean sheet of the season. Bartrip helped nullify the Liverpool front three in the first half, before turning in a resilient display in the second as the Reds really came at Spurs in the final 15 minutes.

CB: Grace Fisk (West Ham) – West Ham’s victory over Aston Villa was all about their defensively resilient second half display, as Villa threw everything at the visitors in search of an equaliser. Fisk headed and blocked anything that came her way, and made a crucial clearance following Arnold’s penalty save to secure a big three points for the Hammers.

LB: Guro Reiten (Chelsea) – Wing back Reiten carried one of Chelsea’s greatest attacking threats during her side’s 3-1 victory over Everton, with the left flank a real source of creativity for the Blues. The Norwegian international provided the pinpoint cross from which Harder headed Chelsea into the lead, and won the penalty for her side’s second.

CM: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City) – Playing at the base of the midfield – a role formerly occupied by Keira Walsh – Hasegawa marked her Manchester City debut in style as her new side…