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The Women’s Super League (WSL) returned 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 while Manchester City dropped to fourth after a derby day disaster. Arsenal and Manchester United have now locked horns in the race for second place, with the relegation battle nearing maximum temperature.
Five new Everton recruits made their debut in blue, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Liverpool among others to welcome new faces to their ranks.
Moving to Merseyside from Manchester United, Haley Ladd was quick to make his debut for the Toffees after signing a fortnight ago. The Welsh midfielder started alongside Brian Sorensen and put in a strong performance against Aston Villa at Walton Hall Park.
A late leveler from Vetrici Sarri in the 89th minute was enough to salvage a point for Everton, which keeps them five points above the relegation spots. The equalizer came nine minutes after Ladd was withdrawn.
It’s 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 greener.
Replacing Led in the 80th minute, Luna Ribadera’s brief 10-minute cameo at Walton Hall Park provided a glimpse of a positive start to his Toffees career. It was Ribadera’s effort inside the box that allowed Sarri to finally get a shot in for an equaliser.
The striker was recently recalled by Paris club Chelsea from his loan spell with Paris FC before putting pen to paper on Merseyside. The 20-year-old showed off her fierceness in her short debut, hinting that there is more to come for the young starlet.
On loan from Barcelona, Martina Fernandez was not made to wait to receive her first start on Merseyside. The 20-year-old defender was tested against the formidable Rachel Daly and struggled to get on top of the battle when the English striker opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
Despite conceding early, Fernandez quickly bounced back and had an impressive WSL debut for the home fans.
Another Toffees incoming made her WSL debut when Kelly Gago came off the bench to replace Tony Payne in the 54th minute against Villa.
The French striker put pen to paper after arriving from FC Nantes, where she spent one season, before switching over to England’s top flight.
Sorensen was desperate to strengthen in attacking areas after both Aurora Galli and Inma Gabbaro suffered devastating ACL tears earlier in the season. Gago looks a perfect fit for a 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 his chance in the middle of the park in the 54th minute, replacing Katja Snojes.
18-year-old Watson was Sorensen’s third signing of the transfer window, and will be hoping to get significant minutes under her belt before returning to Carrington in the summer.
As far as high-stakes debuts go, turning up against your old club a week after your departure is certainly one way to get your first appearance. Starting between the posts for Tottenham Hotspur against his former employers at Leicester City, Liz Cope did just that.
The Dutch goalkeeper bid farewell to Fox after struggling to secure the number one shirt. Kopp put in a solid performance at Brisbane Road Stadium, while his former teammate Janina Leitzig scored an own goal that gave Spurs a home win.
The reliable shot-stopper will be integral to Robert Villahman’s Tottenham side if they are to improve on a positive 2023/24 campaign.
It was a debut that Rebecca Nack will be keen to forget as Man United claimed a derby day win over the woeful Citizens at the Etihad Stadium. Defensive errors were a major cause of concern for Gareth Taylor’s side, with Nose certainly not immune to the odd error.
Despite facing a 3-0 deficit in the opening stages, City were able to pull two goals back before the stroke of half-time. Knack scored his first goal in sky blue, leading to City’s second goal of the evening.
Hoping to replace captain Alex Greenwood in his injury absence, City secured the signing of the nose from Swedish side FC Rosengard on the first day of the transfer window. The goalscoring defender lived up to his name in his debut, but defensively left a lot to be desired.
Sam Kerr made his Liverpool debut on Friday evening, starting his first game alongside Matt Beard. The Reds reigned victorious on this occasion, claiming a 2-1 victory over Brighton on home turf.
Midfielder Fraun will spend the rest of the season on Merseyside after signing on loan from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. The Scotland international has been struggling to break into Alexander Strauss’ starting eleven, and will be hoping her time in the WSL will put 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 in the center of the park.
