WSL 2024-25 season review: our writers’ best and worst | OneFootball

Best player

Phallon Tullis-Joyce looked assured for Manchester United all season, unfazed by the Mary Earps-sized gloves she had to fill. Her command of the goal and her ability to make crucial saves propelled Manchester United up the table. With 13 clean sheets she shares the Golden Glove with Hannah Hampton. Xaymaca Awoyungbo

Mariona Caldentey. A linchpin in this Arsenal side across multiple competitions and playing in multiple positions. Her versatility has made her the first name on the team sheet. Sophie Downey

I voted for Erin Cuthbert in the Football Writers’ Association’s women’s footballer of the year award because her work rate, spirit and determination in big moments has epitomised the mentality that has enabled Chelsea to complete an unbeaten league season. The “best” player statistically has been Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey, who leads the way in an extensive list of metrics this term both on and off the ball, for example, playing by far the most successful passes into the penalty area and winning the ball back in the middle and final thirds of the pitch too. Tom Garry

Sandy Baltimore. The full-back/winger/attacking midfielder has played just about everywhere on the pitch this season except in goal. She has been a brilliant asset for Chelsea and her versatility has made her indispensable to Sonia Bompastor. Honourable mentions go to Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey, Olivia Smith and Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Emillia Hawkins

Defenders aren’t often considered when highlighting individual brilliance but Millie Bright has embodied exactly that in this unbeaten season for Chelsea. There’s a reason why Chelsea haven’t lost, and they are joint first for the most clean sheets. Bright has been a rock in the back line game after game. Renuka Odedra

The Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce had big boots to fill at the start of this season after Mary Earps left but the American has more than fulfilled the role by making some incredible saves as United secured a Champions League spot. Sarah Rendell

In terms of elevating their game a level Alessia Russo gets my vote. The Arsenal and England forward finished joint-top scorer in the WSL with Khadija Shaw but her work rate, movement, hold up play and pressing game have been excellent. Special mention to Erin Cuthbert, who goes largely overlooked but is the engine in Chelsea’s midfield. Suzanne Wrack

Best manager

Sonia Bompastor adapted to a new league superbly and set a record in her first season. Chelsea are the first team to go unbeaten in a 22-game WSL campaign as they won the league with three games to go. Bompastor said: “I heard some noise that it’s too easy for Chelsea. When you are able with your team to be unbeaten … it’s unbelievable.” XA

Sonia Bompastor. Came in with a huge task on her hands, taking over the dynasty Emma Hayes had left. Not only has she carried on the mantle but she’s gone unbeaten with a record points tally in her first season. SD

Several managers deserve applause for impressive campaigns but there can only be one answer here: Sonia Bompastor. The Frenchwoman has taken WSL management in her stride, calmly handling herself with class and professionalism in the media, keeping players happy throughout her squad and overseeing wins in all six of the head-to-head matches against the rest of the so-called ‘big four’, a feat which has never been achieved before. TG

There can only be one candidate – Sonia Bompastor. Taking over from Hayes, who had been at the club for 12 years, was never going to be an easy task. But somehow, Bompastor made the transition seamless to go undefeated in her first WSL campaign. EH

Sonia Bompastor has done something truly special as Chelsea became the first team to record an invincible season in a 22-game campaign. They won 19 WSL games , and Bompastor has refined the team week on week, strengthening the squad into a group of pioneers. RO

Sonia Bompastor has taken Chelsea through the season unbeaten and maintained a good balance in the team. With a squad like Chelsea’s it would be easy for players to become unhappy with lack of game time but there have been no reports of discontent in the dressing room. Every player knows their role and in the WSL they have executed it. Bompastor has managed the league season perfectly and set a record for the most points in a WSL campaign. Not a bad debut season. SR

Renée Slegers, Natalia Arroyo, Marc Skinner, Dario Vidosic … there are plenty of managers that have done impressive work this season and deserve a mention, but there is no real competition to Sonia Bompastor. Coming into Chelsea, a winning club built to Hayes’ specifications in every way, is a big challenge. To go the season unbeaten and with the best defensive record in the league is impressive, in the context of Chelsea’s turnover on and off the pitch, it’s truly remarkable. SW

Best goal

Jess Park v Arsenal. The touch. The half volley. The goalkeeper glued to the spot. Jess Park’s technique was immaculate as she brought down the ball and nonchalantly arrowed it into the top left corner. XA

Vivianne Miedema v Aston Villa. A vintage Miedema performance showed that, despite the injuries, the record goalscorer certainly still has it. From the first touch, turn of her body and curl of her shot from distance, it was one to watch on repeat. SD

My favourite was Vivianne Miedema’s unstoppable curling effort into the top corner for Manchester City, away at Villa Park. Her first touch to control the ball and create space for the shot was world class and no goalkeeper was saving her strike. Honourable mentions must go to Viviane Asseyi and Grace Clinton for their long-range lobs. TG

Vivianne Miedema v Aston Villa. The touch, the turn, the finish, everything about that goal was just brilliant. I don’t think it would be possible to place the ball more perfectly into the top corner – Sabrina D’Angelo had no chance. EH

Jess Park’s stunning long-range goal against Arsenal outside was one of the best. Lauren Hemp’s ball into the box was nodded out to Park, who brought it down with a touch and arrowed it in off the underside of the crossbar. RO

Emily Fox v Tottenham. There have been some fantastic strikes this season but Arsenal defender Emily Fox’s against Tottenham at the Emirates was incredible. The long-range effort sent the home fans crazy, the final goal in a 5-0 thrashing of their north London rivals. It was a screamer and it was just reward for a player who has had a good season. SR

Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd’s first of two in Chelsea’s 5-2 win over Tottenham. Millie Bright’s ball into the box looks like it’s into dead space but then Rytting-Kaneryd arrives at pace and fires home a stunning volley. It’s the timing, it’s that she’s in the air and it’s the power in the strike. It had mouths open all round. SW

Best match

The Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium had all the chaos I could have asked for. Ella Toone capitalised on a couple of errors from the 2023-24 season Golden Glove winner Khiara Keating to mark her return from injury with a superb hat-trick. Manchester United’s 4-2 victory effectively ended Manchester City’s title challenge in January. XA

Man City 3-4 Arsenal. A game that stands out not only for the number of goals but the lack of time between some of them. Arsenal took an early two-goal lead before City got one back. A flurry of three goals in four minutes levelled the game at 3-3 only for Arsenal to win it through Stina Blackstenius, who has proved to be City’s nemesis in recent years. SD

Man City 3-4 Arsenal at the start of February. It was pure chaos and impossible not to enjoy, unless you are a defensive coach. Their 2-2 draw earlier in the season was also hugely entertaining. TG

Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City. A Manchester derby at any point of the season is exciting – but one with European football on the line gives it that little extra edge, especially from a neutral’s perspective. This game had it all – drama, jeopardy and a fantastic comeback from United to clinch that all-important point. EH

Brighton 4-2 Arsenal. You could pick from a bunch of Brighton games, but this one epitomised how they have been doing far better than most would have anticipated them to. The match had everything: end-to-end passages of play, agonising misses, astonishing goals, diving stops – you name it. RO

Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City. These two clubs were vying for top spot met when they met in this game. . Chelsea showed their class and Mayra Ramírez in particular had a great game and clinched the win. The Colombian and Guro Reiten scored but the entire 90 minutes was edge-of-your-seat football and you could not take your eyes off the action. Every game between the clubs this season was a thriller but the 2-0 win in November felt like a turning point in Chelsea’s season and the moment when Sonia Bompastor’s perfect start looked like it could turn into an invincible campaign. SR

I’m taking us all the way back to the opening weekend, when aspirations were at their highest. Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates had narrative; it was the return of Vivianne Miedema to the club she didn’t want to leave, so of course she scored the equaliser after Frida Maanum’s opener. It had Jess Park’s wonder goal and Beth Mead’s reply, leaving no one satisfied. Electric. SW

Best signing

Sandy Baltimore has been a revelation for Chelsea since her arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. Despite playing in the unfamiliar position of left-back, she offered Chelsea so much in both boxes. Her speed and skill in particular made her a constant threat for opposition defenders. XA

Don’t want to be repetitive but for a new signing to be my player of the season shows the impact she has had. Mariona Caldentey settled seamlessly into a Gunners side playing a different style of football and that makes her stand out. SD

Mariona Caldentey has been a revelation in the WSL and deserves this accolade. She makes football look easy. Brighton’s additions of Kiko Seike and Fran Kirby have also proven to be very astute, as has their signing of their coach, Dario Vidosic. TG

In terms of the individual impact made on a team, I think Shekiera Martinez has to be considered the best. West Ham were struggling at the bottom of the league before the striker returned from her loan spell at Freiburg and her prolific goalscoring form helped them to a mid-table finish. EH

In some ways, it isn’t a surprise how much of an impact Mariona Caldentey has had at Arsenal since joining from Barcelona in the summer. Only Alessia Russo and Elisabeth Terland have been involved directly in more goals than the three-time Champions League winner. She’s a threat all over the pitch and a shapeshifter, being able to play in various roles. Whether it’s as a No 10, a winger, or in midfield, Caldentey has been a powerhouse all season. RO

An honourable mention must go to Sandy Baltimore at Chelsea who has had a great season but c for West Ham has transformed their trajectory this campaign. She has scored 10 league goals, which is the main area in which West Ham were lacking at the start of the campaign. SR

Mariona Caldentey won the Arsenal supporters’ club’s player of the season trophy and it was well deserved. The Spaniard’s impact on Arsenal and the league has been huge. Honourable mention to West Ham’s Shekiera Martinez who scored 10 goals in 12 games after joining up with the team in January following a loan spell with Freiburg. SW

Biggest flop

After taking the WSL title race to the final day and almost spoiling Emma Hayes’ leaving party, Manchester City have been cut adrift from the reigning champions. They sacked Gareth Taylor, sustained a laundry list of injuries and failed to qualify for Europe. With no sign of the interim manager, Nick Cushing, remaining at the helm, City need to regroup before the start of next season. XA

Sacking Laura Kaminski. Did the gamble pay off? No. Sacking the Crystal Palace manager in their first season in the WSL and still failing to avoid relegation makes you wonder. Could they have survived with her? SD

It feels harsh to single out one but Clare Hunt’s season for Tottenham has been such a disappointment, probably because I had such high hopes when she arrived from Paris Saint-Germain. It seemed like a great signing and, for whatever reason, she’s defended poorly at times, as have Tottenham as a team in general, conceding 44 times – twice per match, on average – which is the joint-second highest in the league. TG

Tottenham. Following last season’s FA Cup final defeat by Manchester United, the Spurs captain, Bethany England, said: “The only way is up from here.” Given the club’s impressive campaign in 2023-24 many people would’ve believed the same. Instead Tottenham have moved backwards. They endured a fourth-round exit from the FA Cup and a quarter-final defeat in the League Cup before ending the WSL season in 11th. EH

Tottenham had a rough outing this campaign, finishing second from the bottom. It’s their lowest finish since being promoted in 2019. They have looked like a shell of their former selves when it comes to the final third and this was in part because of Bethany England’s absence due to injury. They need some investment in this area of the pitch if they want to avoid more of the same problems. RO

Liverpool’s run to fourth last season was incredible and their good form led to higher expectations for this campaign. However, they failed to get the same foothold and have regressed to seventh, back to the position they finished in the 2022-23 season. The form led to the manager, Matt Beard, being sacked in February. SR

Rosa Kafaji arrived at Arsenal amid much fanfare as one of Sweden’s most highly rated young talents and put in an impressive stint in pre-season. However her time on the pitch has been limited and it’s been hard to work out why. The Swedish forward has played only 123 minutes of football in the WSL and hasn’t been given a single start. Her only goal came in a 2-0 win over West Ham in October. SW

Biggest gripe

The media reaction to Eniola Aluko’s comments about male broadcasters working in women’s football. The nuance of the conversation, in which the BBC Woman’s Hour presenter Clare McDonnell mentioned Ian Wright’s name, was lost. So was the opportunity to have a real conversation about the differences in opportunities available to men and women in broadcasting and coaching. XA

What I’ve come to label ‘momentumitis’; when a goalkeeper goes down ‘injured’ to break up an opposition team’s momentum. It’s much more prevalent in the women’s game than the men’s. You could almost set your watch by it. SD

The short notice that fans are given for fixture changes, whether for broadcast selections or – more often than not – simply because of clashes with fixtures in other competitions that could have been foreseen, such as Champions League semi-finals. It should be feasible for clubs and the league to tell supporters: ‘If x team qualifies for x, this match will be moved to be played on the Wednesday instead’, so they can plan their lives accordingly and, ultimately, so clubs can sell more tickets. TG

The FA Player. Don’t get me wrong, I love the FA Player and think it’s great for the accessibility of the women’s game. However, the quality of coverage is simply not good enough for an elite league at times. I tuned in to watch Crystal Palace v Tottenham in January to find that the stream was almost unwatchable due to water from the rain covering the camera lens. Not only that, at the start of the season coverage of another match was cut short when the stream ended around the 80th minute. It needs improving. EH

The words ‘league expansion’ come up year on year. But with competitiveness growing in the Championship and other leagues, having one team relegated and promoted just isn’t good enough. The WSL needs a consistent flow of new and old blood to make it more exciting and create opportunities. With 84% of fans supporting the expansion of divisions, it begs the question: what’s stopping this from becoming a reality? RO

This season the level of abuse levelled at players seems to have increased. Fair criticism of a performance is expected in sport. When a result or performance doesn’t pan out how a club would want they will expect strong words from those on the outside. But to take it beyond that into abuse is absolutely unnecessary and it’s something that needs to be struck out of the sport. SR

There has been a real lack of clarity on proposed changes to the WSL and Championship structures that has been very frustrating. A more open and public process would be very welcome. Scrutiny and criticism is too often viewed as a negative when it should be viewed positively and used to test ideas and the strength of proposals and the arguments for and against them. SW

Header image: [Composite: Guardian Picture Desk; The FA/Getty Images]