Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

The return of England forward Beth Mead naturally stole the headlines after 11 months out following an ACL injury, but it was the Arsenal star’s quick resumption of her burgeoning relationship with match-winner Alessia Russo that was the highlight. “Let’s hope so,” said the manager, Jonas Eidevall, when asked whether their connection for Arsenal’s second in a dramatic 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa was the start of something special in red and white. “We see them together in their national team, so it’s not a hope that is based on just fantasies; we have seen that work in reality.” Mead’s inspirational entrance lifted Arsenal off the title race ropes and confined Villa to a worrying third consecutive defeat. Last season Carla Ward’s side lost just seven times in the league but, without the injured Kenza Dali and suspended Kirsty Hanson, they are struggling to create chances for last season’s top scorer Rachel Daly. SW

Match report: Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

Manchester United have a full-back problem after their 1-1 draw with Leicester. The excellent Gabby George went off injured in the ninth minute having looked as if she twisted her knee. The manager, Marc Skinner, said afterwards: “We will look after Gabby. It didn’t look like a good one. I hope she is OK.” The Canadian defender Jayde Riviere replaced George but was herself substituted in the 75th minute after an injury. Then centre-back Gemma Evans replaced her, and now Skinner has a conundrum ahead of the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. He could shift Hannah Blundell back over to left-back, the role she occupied last season, but the only logical option at right-back would be the centre-back Maya Le Tissier, who