Matildas Abroad Review: Gielnik scores for Aston Villa; City win Manchester battle

This weekend in Matildas Abroad, we saw Emily Gielnik find the back of the net for Aston Villa, while Lyon had a dominant display against ASJ Soyaux-Charente with 8-0 showing.

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It was a busy weekend for our Matildas Abroad, with a top-of-the-table clash and Manchester derby featuring a number of Aussies.

The FA WSL action started with Sam Kerr's Chelsea hosting Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Lydia Williams' Arsenal.

Three Aussies made the start for their respective clubs, with Kerr, Foord and Catley all called upon by their coaches to make a difference. 


Both sides traded chances at either end, with shouts for a penalty when Foord was brought down in the box by Jess Carter. Another chance went begging for the visitors with Catley whipping a ball in that found Vivianne Miedema who volleyed her chance onto the bar. 

Kerr made a run into the box and almost certainly would've had the opener had it not been for fellow Aussie Cately's block. 

Sam Kerr of Chelsea in action with Kim Little, Leah Williamson and Lia Walti of Arsenal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea Women and Arsenal Women at Kingsmeadow on February 11, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom. (Photo: Getty Images)
Sam Kerr of Chelsea in action with Kim Little, Leah Williamson and Lia Walti of Arsenal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea Women and Arsenal Women at Kingsmeadow on February 11, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom. (Photo: Getty Images)

The scores were locked at 0-0 going into the break. Arsenal came out of the break firing, with Millie Bright's goal-line clearance denying the Gunners the lead. 

There were shouts for a last-gasp penalty in stoppage time when Arsenal defender Leah Williamson looked to handle the ball in the box, the scores would remain at a deadlock with both teams taking one point from the heated encounter. 

Moving over to Manchester, City and United faced off in an interesting encounter, Alanna Kennedy started for Gareth Taylor's City side. 

United went into the game in better form having drawn with Arsenal last week,  while City was coming off the back of a 1-0 loss to Chelsea.

City had all the chances early on, Vicky Losada and Lauren Hemp were unable to find the opener from chances inside the box. 

Caroline Weir of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after scoring City's goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Manchester City Women and Manchester United Women at The Academy Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo: Getty Images )
Caroline Weir of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after scoring City's goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Manchester City Women and Manchester United Women at The Academy Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo: Getty Images)

Caroline Weir came off the bench and quickly found the back of the net, chipping Mary Earps to give City the lead.

Hayley Raso came off the bench in the 84th minute to help City hold on to a vital three points. 

Over in Liverpool, Emily Gielnik opened the scoring for Aston Villa against Everton, Jill Scott sent an audacious bicycle kick over the frame of the goal which Gielnik finished to score her second of the season. 

Alisha Lehmann had the chance to double the lead, going one-on-one with Sandy MacIver who made the stop.

Villa had a second just six minutes after Gielnik's opener, Ramona Petzelberger scoring her first goal of the season with the game ending 2-0.

Over in Birmingham, Kyah Simon made the start for Spurs off the back of her brace last weekend. 

The deadlock couldn't be broken by either team in the first half with Shelina Zadorsky coming the closest to finding the back of the net. 

Ashleigh Neville pounced on a loose ball to put Spurs 1-0 up. Kiwi Ria Percival completed the day for Tottenham with the second of the day, as Spurs moved into third place. 

Rounding off the FA WSL action, Mackenzie Arnold started in goal as West Ham United took on Leicester City.

City opened the scoring just two minutes in through Natasha Flint, before Ashleigh Plumptre doubled the advantage just seven minutes later. 

 

The Hammers had no answers as Freya Gregory wrapped up all three points with the third of the game. 

On a happier note for West Ham, Tameka Yallop returned to the squad after recovering from COVID, coming on at half time. 

Moving over to France, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon were clinical against ASJ Soyaux-Charente, beating the 10th placed side 8-0.

A hat-trick to Ada Hegerberg capped off the win for Lyon, making it 14 consecutive wins.

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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