Episode 4 The Women's Football Show

Good evening. A busy bank holiday in the Women's Super League: Manchester

City looking to make it five wins in a row this afternoon and it remains

to be seen if they will get their hands on the WSL one trophy although

one of their players has got their hands on some silverware. The

women's PFA players Player of the Year. Christensen! City lead. Isabel

Christiansen with the header. It may fall for Christiansen mussel!

Christiansen with the header. It may fall for Christiansen She doesn't

miss those. It's another quality finish from Isabel Christiansen. --

it may fall for Christiansen! The players Player of the Year, Isabel

Christiansen. Yes, we are delighted to be joined by the newly crowned

PFA Player of the Year, Isabel Christiansen. Plenty to get through

with her and former Everton team-mate, Rachel Brown Finis as

well. We begin in Manchester, Isabel may be injured but her City

counterparts are trying to maintain a 100% record with victory over a

Doncaster team still searching for their first points of season.

COMMENTATOR: A slow start to last season ultimately scuppered

Manchester City's title challenge, with four wins and four clean sheets

so far they've not make the same mistake this time. Toni Duggan

stepped off the bench and stored straightaway at Sunderland on Friday

night so has earned a recall in the only change for City -- scored

straightaway. Jane Ross is the top scorer with four so far. Glenn

Harris has brought experience back into his defence following the 2-1

defeat at Birmingham. Simpkins and Roberts replacing, and Tierney --

replacing, dot-macro placing Gummer. Harris. Picking out Bronze! And Lucy

Bronze scored the opening goal. It hasn't taken Manchester City very

long. Lucy Bronze with her first of the season. She always provided so

much energy down the right-hand side and now she has added the finish as

well. Harris with another assist and it's an uphill battle for the

Doncaster bells already. It failed to get anything from this game, the

Doncaster Belles need to score against Manchester City for the

first time this season. They are sending a second goal already here.

Stokes with the cross. Scrambled parents as far as Scott! And there's

the second goal. The Doncaster Belles paying a heavy price for not

clearing the initial ball from Spokes. It sat up nicely for Jill

Scott and two goals in three minutes looks to have set Manchester City on

the way -- from Stokes. Strong play. Jill Scott keeping the

ball in play and the flick! Almost a delightful third from Jane Ross.

Smart saved by Nicola Hobbs. Ross has been the striker in form so far

for Manchester City and that would have been an audacious goal.

The clearance and Bronze with the stabbed shot which was blocked.

Bronze again, Harris again, and a good save from Hobbs and the

clearance from Barker. Nicola Hobbs has now made two really fine saves

in the game. The latest from Paris's header.

Paris, off the bar, and it is in from Ross. The third goal has

finally arrived. It's Jane Ross, yet again this season, number five for

her. Beatty and then Paris, the woodwork intervened. But Ross was

alert to the opportunity. We finally have a scoreline more reflective of

the balance of play, 3-0. Manchester City have three. They could have had

half a dozen in the first half. Ross picking out as Lani! And it's off

the line by Little. -- Asllani. As Lani's wait for a goal goes on. The

corner drifted in towards Beattie! And that is 4-0. Jennifer Beattie

with the towering header and Manchester City's dominance of this

game remains absolute. She was involved in the third and she has

scored the fourth. This is turning into a horrible afternoon for the

Doncaster Belles. It remains one-way traffic. Here is

Paris, and it is five! Kosovare Asllani finally has her goal, one of

the biggest stars in European football opening her account in WSL.

It is a tap in but it will mean a lot to the Swedish international.

Another decent delivery. Smuggled away at the near post. The clearance

off the line, and it is played back in and off the bar again! It is

Paris for a second time. But this time there was nobody to apply the

finishing touch. Beattie stepping in and that's a

good ball, Duggan is waiting in the centre and she makes it six.

Welcomer Toni Duggan has had to wait a long time for a goal today --

well, Toni Duggan. Paris again with the assist. She's been involved with

so many of the goals so far. Duggan was able to tuck in her second in

two games. The ball from Scott. Here is Bronze, Duggan in support. It

comes to Toni Duggan. Bronze with the shot! Manchester City have hit

the bar again. That's the final action of the game. Manchester City

scoring six, but there could have easily been ten here today.

Emphatic stuff, five straight wins in the league this season, 13 goals

scored, none conceded, where is it going wrong? First and foremost, the

clean sheet is important because if you don't concede, you can't lose

the game and that has been at the forefront of our plans over three

years, to be solid at the back. And going forward, you can say we are

floating at the moment, the forwards are on form and full of confidence

and when you have that with a solid defence, you are destined for some

success now and again. And they are doing it without you, the Player of

the Year! Worried about getting back in! Suddenly, I'm doing the extra

hours in the gym at the moment but the girls are doing a fantastic job.

What is the key to the victory today for City? As good as City were, and

we know about their rampaging full-backs and how they get up the

pitch, I think the Doncaster players are struggling, they had players out

of position. Square pegs in round holes, two central midfielders

playing at full-back. We can see how Parris has pace to burn and she gave

a torrid time for the defence. Such a simple finish, Lucy Bronze joining

in. Jane Ross came off the front line, turning, and Parris gave her,

-- if you give her 1-yard she's going to burn you and it was a

simple tap in. That's what Manchester City have been forging in

every game this season. Is that something you would say that

Manchester City are working on? Certainly, we do a lot of work on

the training field in exploiting spaces and adding extra numbers

where we can. We can see Parris getting behind the back line and

providing a fabulous assist for Toni Terrible start for Doncaster, the

goal difference, -10 and they have just been promoted. You talk about

square pegs in round holes, but why have they got that at the start of

the season? It isn't that they are having to fill players in at

full-back, they have started the season with two central midfielders

playing in the left and right back positions. They are really basic

errors. Looking at the analysis, not only the back line is disjointed,

individual marking is really poor, and we see Manchester City playing

one, two touch football, holding the ball well. There are seven players

with their backs to the eventual goal-scorer, Jill Scott. When the

ball gets to her, she is in yards of space, she has time to bring the

ball down. Not a bad finish. Fantastic finish, she scored one in

the last season, the one before that, and I'm delighted for her to

have scored. Doncaster have struggled with set pieces, we know

that they can win or lose games and today wasn't the deciding are for

them but they don't mark placed tightly enough. Beattie pretty much

getting a free header, getting away from Little. Simple bodycheck by the

Doncaster Belles are sinking and they need to improve quickly.

Brilliant to have you in the studio, the PFA Player of the Year. We heard

about how honoured you are to have it and is a wonderful achievement,

especially bearing in mind that you world one of the Lionesses. How is

it coming together for you now? There is no secret, many

professionals will know, you have to put in the hours and I did that. I

think that is while the girls were in Canada, I wanted to be out there,

I was sick of people asking me why I wasn't there, I felt I had to change

something and I did that and I made a very good environment to do so.

Congratulations, pleased for you. Your team-mates seem to be as well.

Moving on now to a couple of teams in transition, Notts County and

Liverpool meeting at Meadow Lane. For some clubs, investment brings

immediate success but it hasn't been black and white for Notts County.

Since rebranding two years ago many have cited the Lady Pies as dark

horses but the sustained challenge for the WSL one title hasn't

materialised, the loss in the cup final adding to the frustration. An

overhaul at Liverpool has helped to secure back-to-back titles but an

exodus of talent left them fighting at the wrong end of the table last

season and further departures have raised questions about their

credentials for 2016. COMMENTATOR: Both teams are really desperate for

a platform for growth. Each perhaps will have been targeting this

fixture to achieve that. It should make it a fascinating watch at

Meadow Lane. Ellen White's return from suspension. Big boost for Notts

County. She scored three times against Liverpool last season.

Another player coming back, the Liverpool burden forum two Liverpool

born Fern Whelan -- Liverpool born Fern Whelan. Nine new players signed

by Liverpool in the off-season, seven of them starting today. Only

one change to the team beginning last week's defeat to Chelsea, with

Laura Coombs preferred. Greenwood recently left Notts County for

Liverpool. Liverpool looking to stretch the play here. A good ball

by Harding. Arriving in the penalty area for Liverpool. Only just off

target from Rosie White. Instinctively she swung her leg at

it and it wasn't far away. This is van. Another Dutch international in

the Liverpool setup cars Vandenberg -- Vandenberg. Not far away.

Nice ball for Rachel Yankey. It is brilliant! Lovely Notts County goal.

Typical Rachel Yankey. Ellen White getting wide in the middle, always

available for those crosses. She knew that Ellen White would be

there. Rachel Yankey. Jessica Clarke in the

middle. And she might get to this! Just could not get it on target. But

great ball over. Picked up by Jessica Clarke. She

goes alone! Sensational! She is on fire right now, Jessica Clarke, and

she just proved it. A wonderful girl. Third in the league this

season. Nice touch by Ellen White. The

referee pointing to the spot. A penalty for a full and an

opportunity for them to get back into this. Amy Turner got something

to the ball, we are looking at it in slow motion. Crucial moment in the

game. Callaghan -- Caroline Weir for Liverpool. It is an opportunity

squandered. Bring it forward for Notts County. Ellen White will need

support. Rachel Yankey making a run towards the penalty area. Wonderful!

What a goal from Ellen White! A moment to remember. Players arriving

in the middle but she did not need them. It is three now for Notts

County. Lovely ball, Shanice Van de Sanden getting on the move. Support

comes in the shape of Emma Lundh. The referee pointing to the spot,

the second penalty for Liverpool. Expertly taken. Katie Zelem. Her

first WSL goal of the season. Liverpool trying to force the issue.

A good ball for Katie Zelem and it is in! It is another! Katie Zelem.

And Liverpool have a chance to rescue a point. Two quickfire goals.

For 80 minutes we were top-class. The way and played a really good.

Apart from the last five or ten minutes when we did not manage the

game well. But we can analyse the game tomorrow, but for today, a good

performance and three points. Today we probably were not good

enough and we could have taken a point but probably did not deserve

it. Honesty from Scott Rogers. The

wayside, Liverpool, had two thirds of possession but Notts County had

the players to do the damage on the counter.

Two thirds of possession Liverpool had counted for nothing. Notts

County have terrific players, it all starts in the midfield. But three in

midfield with Laura Bassett almost a holding role, working at play, that

was effective all day. Both defensively and in attack. Laura

Bassett breaking up the pattern of play. The same thing again, the

triangle. All within ten yards of each other. If one does not win it

then the next is there. Laura Bassett with the break-up play,

Rachel Yankey has the poise and composure just to find Ellen White

who is that typical forward, ready and alert in the box. Again Laura

Bassett, the three of them, in midfield. Initially broken up but

Laura Bassett wins the ball and a quick counter. Lovely ball through

from Danielle Buet. Ellen White in acres of space. And what about this

for a finish. Did really well to cut inside and she should be proud of

that finish. And the goal, and left footed finish

from Jessica Clarke. How will Liverpool analyse their defending?

On both of those goals they should have been tighter. Jessica Clarke,

her finish is wonderful to stop she cuts inside and she is a very good

goalkeeper social Jessica will be pleased with that.

Going down the line of the ball but again taking nothing away from Jesse

Clark, that is a peach. Liverpool improved of course in the second

half, two penalties awarded. What is your take on them? We have watched

them numerous times. And it is still quite tough. Liverpool where

improved in the second half thankfully. Shanice Van de Sanden

gets ahead of Amy Turner. We watched from this angle, is it a penalty,

looking at it again I think the benefit of that doubt has got to go

to the attacker. Shanice Van de Sanden has done really well to get

across Amy Turner and forced to make the challenge. Technically gifted

player and I think she will be disappointed. And second time

through Shanice Van de Sanden again getting through, Danielle Buet. Amy

Turner goes to ground very quickly, it really has no caution. And Katie

Zelem puts it away. No clean sheet in 11 games for Notts County. The

defending, why is that? It is exciting to watch, but mainly it is

individual error. You see the whole backline of not Scotty Dzagoev Notts

County and they should be higher. They do not get tight enough. She

has got time here to pick a spot, that is difficult for any goalkeeper

to get to. What do you think of Notts County this season? They're

tough to play against. We played them in the first game of the

season, they have a tight defensive unit. Midfield especially difficult

to get around. I think they are looking to improve. Couple more

games to catch up on. And Birmingham looking to make it back to back wins

after both recorded a bit treat midweek. They met at Meadow Park.

A mixed start for Arsenal with early-season defeats to Manchester

City and Chelsea leaving them already playing catch up on arrival.

Birmingham fresh, midweek victory over Doncaster came close to taking

the lead as former Arsenal forward saw her shot just past the post.

Many taboos to struggle this year after a miserable campaign last

season but the side enjoyed the best of the chances. This on the stroke

of half-time. The hosts finish strongly as they

chased a goal that would see them close the gap on the leaders. The

free kick is the closest they came to breaking the deadlock. It

finished without score, Birmingham the happiest of the two sides.

The last two champions of WSL2 went head-to-head, both in search of a

first leave it tree of the current campaign. Six minutes on the clock,

Sunderland handed the perfect chance to take the lead. Beth Mead brought

down by Molly Bartrip. Then the keeper could do little to stop the

follow-up from the strike of about 15 minutes remaining and the referee

pointed to the spot again, this time Reading Women awarded a penalty.

The lady Black Cats receiving double punishment with the defender sent

off. And from the resulting spot kick they pulled level through Helen

Ward. Finishing all square, both sides now searching for that first

win. Manchester City leading the way at

the top of the WSL1 table, maximum points so far. They played five

games. Chelsea had made three so they have a couple of games in hand.

Doncaster still awaiting their first point of the two dozen 16 campaign.

Strange to see Arsenal in that position, they have some outstanding

players. You expected them to start much better. They have not hit the

ground running. They have a fantastic squad with depth across

every position. But if the players are not playing, there will not be

happy. And if they are not communicating the reasons why,

players have got to know where they stand and I'm not sure that is the

case. Surprising to see Kelly Smith not even on the bench. Fara Williams

not starting, these are big names and they will not be happy not

playing. And Chelsea, probably expecting Arsenal to be titled

coat-tails. I think Arsenal, they have a strong squad, full of good

players. And I think they will be disappointed with their start to the

season. And Birmingham City, your former club, they have taken four

points in the last week and there picking up. A good week for them,

they will be pleased. I was impressed, they had a bit of a

restructure and some exciting young players. I think they will do well

this season. And a full round of fixtures in WSL2 the weekend.

Everton continued their unbeaten start the season, Samantha gill

adding the glass during an impressive 5-1 demolition of London

Bees on Sunday to make it three wins from four games for Andy Spence and

his side. And that victory moves them to

second place, three points behind leaders Bristol City with the game

in hand. James slipped to fourth after suffering their first defeat

of the season at Aston Villa. England, you're in the setup now

with a fabulous goal on your debut. A great excuse for us to show it as

well. Embarrassing to you! But Rachel, she has done so well to

score a goal like that straightaway. Impressive to be given your first

chance and come in and make such an impact. You will be looking for

plenty more opportunities like that in the future. Mark Samson said to

me at half-time, just chill out a bit! So I'm very pleased to score on

my debut. And you came through the Manchester United centre of

excellence which has a fantastic track record. They do not have a

first team, politically a bit tricky! But it has a great

reputation for producing the likes of Gabby George. No hiding the fact

that when I was younger Manchester United was my first club, we had a

fantastic set up, I was coached well and now the coach who took me

through quite a long way to Manchester United now works at city.

Good to see him every now and again and catch up but the tables have

turned and I'm happy where I am. That is about it for tonight. We are

back on Thursday, the 19th of May point England boss Mark Samson will

join us on the sofa. And the top two in WSL one go head-to-head at

Chelsea host Manchester City. But then the small matter of the SSE

women's Cup Final, taking on Arsenal at Wembley. Saturday the 14th of May

on BBC One at two o'clock. Thanks to Isabel and Rachel put up blew the

cover of success so far in the WSL1. Bye for now. -- blue is the colour

of success.