Ten memorable moments as the WSL celebrates its 10-year anniverary
As the WSL celebrates its 10-year anniversary after its launch in 2011, Sportsmail picks five memorable moments from the League’s history… including Liverpool’s dramatic title win of 2014
- The Women’s Super League celebrates its 10-year anniversary on April 13
- The League was launched in 2011 and four different teams have won the title
- Sportsmail has picked five memorable moments from the League’s history
Tuesday is the Women’s Super League’s 10th anniversary after its launch in 2011.
The first game saw Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 with the Gunners going on to win the title that season. There have been four different WSL chapmions, with Arsenal and Chelsea winning the trophy on three occasions, Liverpool on two and Manchester City once.
Sportsmail has picked five memorable moments from the league’s history ahead of the landmark celebration.
Pictured above: Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 in the first ever WSL game on April 13, 2011
Arsenal won the first two WSL titles after seven consecutive Premier League crowns but they were denied 10 in a row by Liverpool in 2013.
The Reds had finished bottom in the previous campaign but a new manager and an influx of high-profile signings saw them end the Gunners’ long dominance of the women’s game.
2. Drama on the final day in 2014
The final day of the 2014 season saw Liverpool retain the title against all odds. The Reds started the day three points behind leaders Chelsea and three goals worse off, while Birmingham were a point above them in second.
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City, Birmingham drew with 2-2 Notts County. Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Bristol saw them leapfrog both sides to nick the crown on goal difference.
Liverpool won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 to end Arsenal’s dominance in the league
3. Belles controversy
The WSL expansion into two tiers brought controversy as the FA announced Manchester City would replace Doncaster Rovers Belles in the top flight for the 2014 season.
The Belles had played one game of their 2013 campaign but were told they would be relegated regardless of where they finished. It remains one of the most sour moments in WSL history.
4. Arsenal rack up 11
It was the game Arsenal achieved the league’s record score but the day belonged to the WSL’s all-time leading scorer Vivianne Miedema.
Vivianne Miedema scored four and set up six as Arsenal beat Bristol City 11-1 in a record win
The Dutch international scored four and set up a further six as the Gunners thrashed Bristol City 11-1 last season. They managed 32 shots — 17 on target — at a rate of more than one effort on goal every three minutes.
5. First Manchester derby brings record crowd
Manchester United’s long absence from the women’s game had been conspicuous but their first WSL game and Manchester derby drew a record 31,000 to the Etihad in 2019.
Caroline Weir’s goal was the difference as City showed they were still the team to beat.
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