Matildas Abroad FAWSL: Goal for Gielnik, duo feature in Manchester Derby

Ten Matildas played in the FA Women's Super League this past weekend, some picking up important points, others sharing them.

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Leicester City 3-0 West Ham United

Like Tottenham, West Ham United have had a mixed start to 2022. They beat their Claret and Blue opponents last week and were looking to make it two in a row against Leicester City. It was not to be.

Matildas' Mackenzie Arnold started between the posts for the Hammers with Tameka Yallop beginning on West Ham's bench. In front of their home crowd Leicester were quick to find the back of the net with striker Natasha Flint scoring two minutes into the match.

Ashleigh Plumptre would score seven minutes later doubling the lead for the home side. While close calls by Hammers' Yui Haseawa and Katerina Svitkova nearly gave the visitors their first goal, Leicester would go into the halftime break with their lead intact.

Tameka Yallop would then make a second half appearance, replacing Claudia Walker in the 46th minute.

The first of two changes at the break... #LEIWHU 2-0 pic.twitter.com/wMfi46pgQU
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) February 13, 2022

However she could not help turn the tide. Leicester's Freya Gregory's goal five minutes later was the final nail in the coffin for the Hammers. The match ended 3-0 for Leicester pushing them to tenth in the ladder, one point above Everton. West Ham remained seventh.

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United

The Manchester Derby was expected to be a lively occasion. In front of a sold out crowd of 5317 at Academy stadium, both sides had clearly expressed their desire to take the points from their cross-town rivals.

Manchester City have struggled this season, arguably their worst start since entering the top flight. A loss would keep them lingering mid-table while a win would bring them within a point of fourth placed Manchester United.

United for their part are gunning for a Champions League position. Beating their Mancunian opponents would have them leapfrog third placed Spurs and put them within one point of second placed Chelsea FC.

Matildas' Alanna Kennedy started for City while Hayley Raso was on the bench. The hosts largely dominated the match, both in possession and shots on goal while United sat back.

Despite the imbalance, the score remained 0-0 into the 80th minute. This is when Scottish international Caroline Weir provided a classy late game winner, chipping United keeper Mary Earps.

Caroline Weir saw the chip didn't have any dip so she decided to dunk it 🍟

Not once, but twice. Not in any game either, but the Manchester derby.

A year and a day from her first, she did it again in the FA Women's Super League.#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/XWzrocbkQg
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) February 14, 2022

Raso would come on two minutes later for a late game appearance, but the score remained 1-0. The win was a massive one for City, brining them within one point of fourth place United and reviving their Champions League hopes.

The FA WSL is now paused until the first week of March for the international break.