The Women’s Super League (WSL) made its return from the winter break this weekend, and several January transfer window arrivals made their debuts.
Chelsea extended their dominance at the top of the table whilst Manchester City dropped to fourth after a derby day disaster. Arsenal and Manchester United have now locked horns in the race for second place, whilst the relegation battle approaches maximum temperature.
Five new Everton recruits made their debut in blue, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool the others to welcome fresh faces into their ranks.
Making the move to Merseyside over from Manchester United, Hayley Ladd was quick to debut for the Toffees since signing a fortnight ago. The Welsh midfielder started for Brian Sorensen’s side and put on a strong showing against Aston Villa at Walton Hall Park.
A late leveller from Veatriki Sarri in the 89th minute was enough to salvage a point for Everton, keeping them five points above the relegation spot. The equaliser came nine minutes after Ladd was withdrawn.
Minutes are exactly what Ladd needs ahead of Euro 2025 with Wales in the summer. Picking up just eight WSL minutes at United in the first half of the season, the grass is already proving to be greener.
Replacing Ladd in the 80th minute, Louna Ribadeira’s brief 10-minute cameo at Walton Hall Park showed glimpses of a positive start to her Toffees career. It was Ribadeira’s efforts inside the box that allowed Sarri the opportunity to eventually get the shot off for the equaliser.
The striker was recently recalled from her loan spell with Paris FC by parent club Chelsea, before putting pen to paper in Merseyside instead. The 20-year-old displayed her ferocity her short debut, signalling that there is plenty more to come for the young starlet.
On loan from Barcelona, Martina Fernandez was not made to wait to receive her first start in Merseyside. The 20-year-old defender was tested against the formidable Rachel Daly, and struggled to come out on top of the battle as the English striker opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
Despite conceding early on, Fernandez was fast to bounce-back and put on an impressive WSL debut for the home fans.
Another Toffees incoming made her WSL debut as Kelly Gago came off the bench to replace Toni Payne in the 54th minute against Villa.
The French striker put pen to paper after arriving from FC Nantes, where she spent a single season, before making the switch over to England’s top-flight.
Sorensen was desperate to bolster in attacking areas after both Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro devastatingly ruptured ACLs earlier in the season. Gago seems to be a great fit for the depleted side, and despite not managing to get on the scoresheet against Villa, she is just getting started.
Completing the quintet of Everton debutants was Emma Watson, who signed on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. The midfielder was given her opportunity in the 54th minute, replacing Katja Snoejis in the centre of the park.
18-year-old Watson was Sorensen’s third signing of the transfer window, and she will be hoping to get significant minutes under her belt before returning to Carrington in the summer.
As far as a high-stakes debut goes, coming up against your old club just one week after your departure is certaintly a way to get your first appearance. Lize Kop did just that, starting between the posts for Tottenham Hotspur against her former employers in Leicester City.
The Dutch goalkeeper departed the Foxes after struggling to claim the number one shirt. Kop put on a solid display at Brisbane Road Stadium, whilst her former teammate Janina Leitzig scored the own-goal that handed Spurs the victory at home.
The dependable shot-stopper will be integral to Robert Vilahamn’s Tottenham side if they are to improve on a positive 2023/24 campaign.
It was a debut that Rebecca Knaak will be eager to forget as Man United claimed derby day victory over the woeful Cityzens at Etihad Stadium. Defensive errors were the main cause of concern for Gareth Taylor’s side, with Knaak certainly not immune to the odd mistake.
Despite facing a 3-0 deficit in the early stages, City were able to scrape two goals back before the stroke of half time. Knaak scored her first goal in sky blue, heading home City’s second of the evening.
Hoping to replace captain Alex Greenwood in her injury absence, City secured Knaak’s signature from Swedish side FC Rosengard on the first day of the transfer window. The goalscoring defender lived up to her name in her debut for the side, but defensively she left much to be desired.
Sam Kerr made her Liverpool debut on Friday evening, starting her first game in Matt Beard’s side. The Reds reigned victorious on the occasion, claiming a 2-1 victory over Brighton on home turf.
The midfielder will spend the remainder of the season in Merseyside after signing on loan from Frauen-Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich. The Scotlan international has been struggling to break into Alexander Straus’s starting eleven, and will be hoping her time in the WSL sends her on the right track in her development.
Liverpool will certainly benefit from Kerr’s arrival, as the 25-year-old provides real control and composure to the centre of the park.
