WSL going into the winter break: all the teams rated after first 10 games
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From reigning champions Chelsea in first to newcomers Crystal Palace in 12th, we run the rule over the top flight. Marking unbeaten Chelsea down a point may seem harsh and a kneejerk reaction to the 1-1 draw against Leicester that rounded off their WSL schedule for 2024. Sonia Bompastor’s side were poor in that game, accruing 81 touches in the opposition box but mustering one goal. However, had they won, a 10 out of 10 score would not have been a given. Why? Bompastor’s side have thrilled this season, sweeping teams aside, and the results have been consistent, but the performances less so. They have conceded goals to Arsenal, Tottenham, Brighton and Leicester but, even when they have kept a clean sheet, there have been signs of a defensive fragility that, on different days, or against different opponents, could be punished. It may seem like scraping the barrel to find faults in an outstanding start to the season, but this is the level of scrutiny they will apply to themselves. SW 9/10.
![[Arsenal players celebrate Beth Mead’s goal against Aston Villa earlier this month]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/eae26714e8d21e4a6b66e5f8010d5b6fe3007e39/0_41_4444_2666/master/4444.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Gareth Taylor’s team started the campaign in formidable form and deservedly defeated the European champions Barcelona in October, but their lack of squad depth has hurt them in recent weeks, highlighting how reliant they have been on key individuals. Injuries suffered by Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw, Alex Greenwood and Vivianne Miedema all contributed to their shock loss at Everton on Sunday, which badly dented their title chances, while Laia Aleixandri and Hemp also missed November’s loss at Chelsea. While City look like one of the best teams in the world when their first-choice XI are fully fit, this season has shown they need a stronger squad to be successful on all fronts. TG 7.5/10.
![[Bethany England celebrates a goal with her teammates]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/cba0b485e348d7d3aff4575a9e44529038d03369/0_207_5514_3309/master/5514.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
