Mariona Caldentey magic, Sonia Bompastor’s triumph at Chelsea, plus Man Utd and Man Metropolis pleasure – WSL finish of season awards

‘Shaw celebration the most effective second’

Sky Sports activities pundit and co-commentator Courtney Sweetman-Kirk:

Finest participant – Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Man Utd)

On the pitch, she’s a unbelievable goalkeeper and you may inform she’s an excellent teammate with the way in which the Man Utd gamers react together with her. She’s somebody I might’ve appreciated to have performed with.

Finest supervisor – Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)

Her first season within the league, she wins the WSL and goes unbeaten.

Newcomer – Renee Slegers (Arsenal)

She’s finished a unbelievable job since coming in as supervisor. She was within the Arsenal set-up earlier than, however with the flip in fortunes and getting them to a Champions League remaining – it is an important achievement.

Finest second, impression and celebration – Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Man Metropolis)

Her ‘Black Energy’ salute after the racial abuse that she acquired, it was a really highly effective second for not solely her and the sport itself, however the wider significance of preventing racism in society.

Shock of the season – Aston Villa 5-2 Arsenal

Aston Villa performed rather well. The flip in kind for them on the finish of the season has been an enormous shock.

‘Skinner has proven resilience this season’

Sky Sports activities pundit and co-commentator Emma Byrne:

Finest participant – Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

She’s been persistently glorious. The truth that she got here in as a winger and finally ends up taking part in as a No 6, she’s finished it extremely nicely. On the whole, she’s been an absolute revelation to the WSL.

Finest supervisor – Marc Skinner (Man Utd)

He is been extraordinarily resilient contemplating every little thing he is needed to undergo. Man Utd completed fifth final season, they misplaced a very vital goalkeeper, additionally they offered Alessia Russo the yr earlier than and people enormous, vital gamers would usually make certain an opposition crew is a bit of bit inferior.

However Marc has finished an especially good job in rebuilding the crew, bringing in gamers and normally with how they play, you may see there’s an enormous togetherness there.

He is needed to be very resilient with issues which have occurred within the background too. It has been public in regards to the struggles at Man United for the ladies’s crew and he is dealt with issues very nicely.

Hero of the season – Shekiera Martinez (West Ham)

She’s introduced West Ham to life. They have been struggling at the beginning of the season on account of accidents and new gamers coming in, they wanted to construct momentum, and after Christmas she has revived that crew. She’s been an actual star and introduced West Ham in control. They seem like a very totally different crew when she’s taking part in.

Newcomer – Kiko Seke (Brighton)

It’s totally tough to come back into the WSL, particularly once you’re coming from different divisions. On the whole, Japanese gamers are inclined to take a few seasons to stand up to the extent, however she began with a bang, scoring her hat-trick within the first sport of the season.

She hasn’t performed an enormous quantity, she’s been out and in, however I do imagine she’s going to be an enormous participant for Brighton. She’s finished excellently just lately so I am actually pleased to see her are available in and settle nicely.

Finest ability – Mary Fowler (Man Metropolis)

I am at all times in awe of Mary, how she makes use of each her proper and left foot and I do not know what number of instances I’ve googled which foot is her strongest foot.

I’ve even requested her teammates and a few of them do not even know. She glides with it and he or she makes issues look actually easy, however it’s unimaginable how she will simply shift from left to proper and a few of her objectives have been wonderful as nicely.

Influence – The media and Arsenal reaching the Champions League remaining

I do not suppose any nation covers girls’s soccer higher than England – being an Irish individual, that is not simple to say!

Membership-wise, Arsenal reaching the ultimate of the Girls’s Champions League is big. We nonetheless have not seen how massive that is going to get and the way it may impression followers, children and the league normally.

Finest ambiance – Arsenal 5-0 Tottenham Hotspur

I feel it was a report crowd and it had that London derby really feel. There hasn’t been many instances the place I felt that towards Spurs, however that day was unimaginable and the gang was simply electrical. It was unbelievable.

Finest celebration – Mayra Ramirez and Sjoeke Nusken (Chelsea)

You possibly can inform they observe it loads which makes me chuckle. It’s totally amusing and I imagine Ramirez is sort of quiet so that is growing her persona which could be very candy.

Shock – Aston Villa 5-2 Arsenal

It was an enormous shock when Aston Villa beat Arsenal. The Gunners have been coming off the again of beating Lyon and seemed like a crew that would positively problem Barcelona. Aston Villa had been leaking objectives, struggled defensively and so they completely whipped Arsenal. That was an actual mouth-opener.

‘Bartrip has been Spurs’ hero’

Sky Sports activities Information reporter Anton Toloui:

Finest participant – Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Man Utd)

Mariona Caldentey has been the saviour of Arsenal’s season however the place would Manchester be with out PTJ? At instances it is felt as if her athleticism and dependability has single-handedly stored her crew on monitor.

Finest supervisor – Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)

The report speaks for itself. The achievement is much more spectacular contemplating it is her first season in cost.

Hero of the season – Molly Bartrip (Spurs)

It hasn’t been an important season for Tottenham Hotspur however Bartrip has continued her rise to being a constant presence of their backline. She’s additionally finished loads for thus many off the sphere by being so open about vital societal points, together with her personal expertise with consuming issues.

Newcomer – Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)

It does not matter the place she performs, Baltimore presents excellence and pleasure. At 25 she will nonetheless get higher, which is a daunting thought.

Finest ability – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea)

The way in which she took her volley at residence to Spurs was one thing 99 per cent of the gamers within the league might solely dream of. Purpose of the season for me.

Finest second – FA Cup trophy elevate

It hasn’t occurred but however that second will imply Chelsea go the entire home season undefeated or Man Utd spoil probably the most important achievement within the English sport.

Influence – Naomi Girma (Chelsea)

A membership spending over $1m on a participant was unthinkable even a few years in the past. If you wish to end larger than Chelsea subsequent season it may value you – world class expertise could be very costly as of late.

Finest sport – Manchester derby on the Etihad

The second Man Metropolis knew they weren’t simply in hassle, they wanted main assist. Man Utd performed their rivals off the park and proved which of the town’s groups deserved Champions League soccer.

Shock – Leicester 1-1 Chelsea

Chelsea went to the King Energy anticipating to hammer struggling Leicester. As a substitute, the champions went a purpose down and solely got here away from the East Midlands with some extent.

Reminiscence – Sonia’s smile

It is tough to not be pleased for the pleasant Frenchwoman. Taking up from Emma Hayes was one heck of a activity, you may see from the WSL celebrations simply how a lot it means to have such a profitable season.

‘Emirates has the most effective ambiance within the WSL’

Sky Sports activities pundit Jayne Ludlow:

Finest participant – Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

She provides nice all-round midfield performances. Defensively – her work charge, consciousness to interrupt up play, one vs one, then attacking – her pace of play, adjustments of tempo, ending and motion off the ball are good.

Finest supervisor – Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)

Unbeaten, dominant home season with a brand new crew. I am wanting ahead to seeing her put her stamp on the crew with gamers she indicators within the subsequent few seasons.

Hero of the season – Renee Slegers (Arsenal)

She’s received to a Champions League remaining in her first yr as a head coach. She’s additionally getting confirmed gamers to play at high of their sport, like Alessia Russo and Kim Little. A gifted, younger feminine coach who will get even higher with expertise.

Newcomer – Lily Murphy (Man Metropolis)

Signed from a grassroots crew two and a half years in the past for Man Metropolis’s academy and performed quite a few video games within the first crew this yr. She has solely had one yr of senior soccer expertise earlier than this season, so there may be tons extra to come back from her. An thrilling winger with tempo to burn and one vs one capability.

Finest sport – Man Metropolis 3-4 Arsenal

An end-to-end sport with plenty of objectives. Defensively, there might have been higher selections, however an thrilling edge-of-your-seat watch with two groups going for it.

Influence – Arsenal attending to Champions League remaining

An enormous achievement for an English membership to get again to the European remaining and hopefully they’ll win it once more. We speak about WSL being high of the feminine sport however have not had justification for this in earlier years.

Finest ambiance – The Emirates

A number of video games with excessive quantity attendance which bodes nicely for the membership and progress of the broader sport.

Finest celebration – Mayra Ramirez and Sjoeke Nusken (Chelsea)

These will need to have ben pre-planned. I like the truth that they’re assured they may rating in every sport so get routines prepared.

Shock of the season – Man Metropolis needing to make use of academy gamers on account of accidents

Man Metropolis having so many accidents when the yr earlier than they have been classed because the ‘fittest crew’ within the WSL based mostly on bodily monitoring information. It meant plenty of academy younger gamers had senior sport alternatives which bodes nicely for his or her futures, hopefully.

‘Who noticed Man Metropolis’s collapse coming?’

Sky Sports activities soccer journalist Laura Hunter:

Finest participant – Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

I’ve appreciated tons supplied by gamers new to the WSL season. However maybe this is not essentially the most appropriately headlined class for that. Explicit shouts go to Elisabeth Terland and maverick Shekiera Martinez.

However Mariona Caldentey has received to be the headline decide right here. Renee Slegers rightly calls her “total football”. She excels in nearly each inventive class, a participant that glides effortlessly throughout a soccer pitch and may damage you from all angles.

Finest supervisor – Renee Slegers (Arsenal)

Clearly this was a toss-up between Slegers and Sonia Bompastor. The rationale I’ve chosen the Arsenal boss is due to the impressiveness of the upturn below her management. I had the privilege of interviewing her earlier this season and it was a splendid perception into her methodology. Very trustworthy and open. Arsenal will go far below her.

Hero of the season – Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Man Utd)

Most clear sheets, finest save ratio, most objectives prevented – all Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Man United merely wouldn’t be the place they’re with out her. The membership’s leap ahead this season has been spectacular and their best-in-class goalkeeper has had an enormous hand (pardon the pun) in that.

Newcomer – Olivia Smith (Liverpool)

In what has been a disappointing season for Liverpool usually, Olivia Smith has been a shining mild. Some very good summer season enterprise. The Canada worldwide is Liverpool’s high scorer this season with 9 objectives in all competitions. And he or she tallies nicely in WSL phrases too, high of the charts for profitable dribbles, and goal-ending carries.

Finest second – Toone hat-trick in derby

Ella Toone scored an outstanding hat-trick in an exhilarating Manchester derby again in January. It marked her first hat-trick within the WSL and her first purpose in a Manchester derby. Having missed massive chunks of the season with a prolonged calf harm, it was nice to listen to the unmistakable chants of “Tooooone” once more.

Influence – Shekiera Martinez (West Ham)

The place has Shekiera Martinez come from? She grew to become the first-ever participant to attain 4 objectives in a WSL match in West Ham’s 7-1 win over Crystal Palace in March. Exceptional. Her xG distinction, visualised under, speaks volumes about her impression throughout a debut season.

Finest sport – Brighton 4-2 Arsenal

Purely for the shock issue – Brighton’s first league win over Arsenal. And the added delight of two worldie objectives. Fran Kirby and Jelena Cankovic – take a bow.

Shock of the season – Man Metropolis’s collapse

I had such excessive hopes for Man Metropolis this season. Keep in mind once they beat Barcelona within the group levels of the Champions League to intensify such hope? Sure, accidents have ravaged their squad – and most of their finest skills at that – however they’ve nonetheless folded disappointingly.

Reminiscence – Bronze header to clinch title

Lucy Bronze scored the one purpose of a colorless 1-0 over Man Utd in April to clinch Chelsea the title, however it epitomised every little thing the champions are about. I will keep in mind that second as a result of it was loaded with such defiance. Becoming the purpose was scored by a serial winner in Bronze, too – England’s most trophied participant.

‘Manchester derbies delivered on leisure’

Sky Sports activities’ senior soccer journalist Charlotte Marsh:

Finest participant – Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

It has been a pleasure to observe Caldentey this season. She has lived as much as her billing as a serial winner from Barcelona, and introduced world-class high quality to Arsenal. She has scored eight WSL objectives with 5 assists, bringing versatility and artistic spark to wherever she performs.

Finest supervisor – Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)

Following Emma Hayes into Chelsea was by no means going to be simple. However successful two trophies in your first season – and a doable third in subsequent weekend’s FA Cup remaining – is spectacular. Maybe the plain alternative however Bompastor’s achievements this season can’t be neglected.

Hero of the season – Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Man Utd)

An excellent season for Man Utd’s No 1. Filling Mary Earps’ gloves was by no means going to be simple, however retaining 13 clear sheets and conceding simply 16 objectives is solely sensational in her first full WSL marketing campaign.

Newcomer – Shekiera Martinez (West Ham)

It is onerous to imagine Martinez has solely performed half a season for West Ham, having spent the primary few months on mortgage in her native Germany. Her impression has been instantaneous – 12 video games, 10 objectives, and a key a part of the Hammers’ enhancements.

Finest second – WSL groups within the Champions League

Regardless of being touted because the strongest girls’s league in Europe, the WSL has usually fallen brief in Europe. Having Arsenal within the remaining, in addition to two groups within the semis – and all three within the quarters – might hopefully be the beginning of extra English success within the Champions League going ahead.

Influence – Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw towards Liverpool

Shaw was topic to misogynistic and racist abuse earlier this season, and made herself unavailable for a League Cup win sport towards Arsenal because of this.

On her return to the beginning XI, she scored towards Liverpool within the WSL, and carried out a ‘Black Energy’ salute. Probably the most highly effective moments of the WSL this season.

Finest sport – Each Manchester derbies

The WSL video games between Man Utd and Man Metropolis delivered. Man Utd’s 4-2 win in January featured a particular hat-trick from Ella Toone, earlier than Marc Skinner’s aspect battled again to a 2-2 draw at Man Metropolis a number of weeks in the past to safe European soccer over their metropolis rivals. Enthralling each on and off the pitch.

Finest celebration – Kerstin Casparij vs Everton

WSL gamers aren’t afraid to make statements with their celebrations – and Casparij did simply that after scoring towards Everton. She wore a wristband of the trans flag, and kissed it as she wheeled away from purpose. It got here after the UK’s Supreme Court docket dominated that the authorized definition of a lady is predicated on organic intercourse.

She echoed her message of assist on social media. The WSL has at all times been an inclusive area for the LGBTQ+ group, and Casparij demonstrated that completely.

Shock of the season – Arsenal crushed by Aston Villa and Brighton

After the excessive of beating Lyon, Arsenal slumped to successive defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton. It was a shock to see a crew just like the Gunners make so many errors and concede 9 objectives in simply two video games, proving that each WSL opponent is hard when you find yourself not on the high of your sport.

‘Madsen proposal a second to recollect’

Sky Sports activities soccer journalist Patrick Rowe:

Finest participant – Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw (Man Metropolis)

It is extremely onerous to look previous the Man Metropolis striker for this award. She has 12 objectives to her identify, joint high with Alessia Russo, and her significance is barely emphasised once you have a look at Metropolis’s drop-off since dropping their star participant.

She continues to function at one other degree and I sit up for seeing the heights she will attain when she’s again to full health.

Finest supervisor – Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)

A simple choice. Sonia Bompastor has already secured two trophies in her first season in England and will very nicely make it three with the FA Cup remaining on the horizon.

Falling brief within the Girls’s Champions League doesn’t tarnish what has been a particular debut in England.

Hero of the season – Grace Clinton (Man Utd)

At simply 22 years of age, Grace Clinton is commonly showcasing expertise past her years within the coronary heart of the Manchester United midfield.

Her eight objectives within the WSL – together with a vital header to pull her aspect again into the sport towards rivals Man Metropolis just lately – have guided United to Europe’s elite competitors subsequent season.

The subsequent stage in her improvement will probably be testing herself towards Champions League opposition.

Finest second – Rikke Madsen (Everton)

A heartwarming angle for this one. Rikke Madsen returned to the pitch throughout Everton’s win over Crystal Palace in March and in the course of the post-match celebration scenes together with her household and teammates, she was proposed to by her associate Martin Thomsen!

I can not say I’ve seen something like that earlier than in soccer, however it was a pleasure to observe it unfold.

Finest sport – Man Utd 2-2 Man Metropolis

Derby days at all times ship however the fixture at Outdated Trafford within the WSL had added significance driving on it.

Metropolis raced right into a two-goal lead, with their hopes of a end within the high three driving on the win, however United battled again valiantly to safe a draw and their spot within the Champions League within the course of.

Excessive-quality objectives with loads of drama and possibilities at each ends. Pleasing from begin to end.