Vivianne Miedema, Jordan Nobbs & the 15 best goals of the 2022-23 Women's Super League season - ranked
It's been quite a Women's Super League season. The title race, battle for Champions League qualification and the fight to avoid the drop have all gone down to the final day, meaning we're still in for some thrilling drama before the players head off on their well-earned summer breaks, too.
Along the way, there have been plenty of goals. In fact, this season has seen the most in WSL history, with its goals-per-game ratio currently nearing a record high, too.
Ahead of that big final weekend, GOAL ranks the very best strikes from this campaign's action...
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#15 Sam Kerr (Chelsea vs Leicester City)
This one is all about the assist. Guro Reiten's ball to Sam Kerr in Chelsea's rout of Leicester literally could not have been better. The way it bends around all of the defenders to reach Kerr perfectly is mesmerising to watch, with the Aussie on hand to give the pass the finishing touch that it deserved.
That ball from @guro_reiten π€―@samkerr1 getting in on the action!#BarclaysWSL @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/Ak1C06zvjo
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 3, 2022If there was an assist of the season competition, this - one of Reiten's league-best tally of 10 - would be right up there.
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#14 Aggie Beever-Jones (Everton vs West Ham)
Everton have scored some great goals this year under new head coach Brian Sorensen, and this effort from Chelsea loanee Aggie Beever-Jones was the best of the lot. The confidence and freedom the Dane gives his players is evident when they step onto the pitch, and it oozed out of this hit from the teenager earlier this year.
What a STRIKE π
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) January 22, 2023
Take a bow, @AggieBjones π#BarclaysWSL @EvertonWomen pic.twitter.com/dnsI0fs0m7There's certainly questions to be asked of West Ham's defence, but you cannot doubt the quality of the strike.
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#13 Celin Bizet (Tottenham vs Reading)
It's been a difficult year for Spurs. There's a lot of talent in their squad, but the performances haven't always been there, leaving them in a difficult, and sometimes desperate, situation towards the bottom of the table.
On the penultimate weekend of the season, though, the north London side secured their safety with a big win over Reading, and their second goal of the day was a glimpse at the quality they possess.
Silky play from @SpursWomen!
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 20, 2023
Bizet gets the goal π#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/BdQcsBd2OFA lovely passing move ended with one of the best team goals seen in the WSL this season, Reading's defence dragged all over by the movement of Bethany England and Ashleigh Neville to allow Celin Bizet to finish. The Spurs fans would love to see a bit more of that next year, no doubt.
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#12 Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal vs Everton)
Sadly, injury means we didn't get enough Vivianne Miedema brilliance this season, but she still gets herself on this list thanks to an excellent strike against Everton.
Vintage @VivianneMiedema π€©#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/dVC4uu15MN
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 3, 2022The way the Dutchwoman uses her great footwork to manoeuvre room for the shot is brilliant as it is, but the shot that follows is outstanding. It's almost too quick for the camera to follow.
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#11 Hayley Ladd (Man Utd vs Man City)
Manchester United knew they had to win against local rivals Man City on the penultimate weekend, and Hayley Ladd got them off to a flying start. The Wales international robbed her opponent of the ball and whipped the ball into the far top corner, with Ellie Roebuck having no chance.
What a strike from @HayleyLadd! π
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 21, 2023
The @ManUtdWomen fans in LSV loved that one π#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/f5sj13BshZShe doesn't score tap-ins, doesn't Ladd. Only worldies.
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#10 Tia Primmer (Reading vs Liverpool)
She's one of the most exciting young teenagers coming through in England and, this season, Tia Primmer scored one of the best goals we saw in the WSL.
That is magic from Primmer π€©#BarclaysWSL @ReadingFCWomen pic.twitter.com/M8dCyoY9Yn
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) November 24, 2022The way she reacts so quickly to the ball coming out to her to guide it so precisely into the far corner is excellent, with the technique all the more impressive given when the ball bounces. It's a goal all about instinct and natural ability, with Primmer having so little time to think.
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#9 Rachel Rowe (Reading vs Leicester City)
In one of the most dramatic games of the WSL season, Rachel Rowe also provided us with one of its best goals. Leicester and Reading have been battling against relegation all season and this meeting, in late October, was an early six-pointer.
The Foxes broke the deadlock on 36 minutes and looked set for their first points of the campaign - until Rowe caused chaos. In the final minute of the 90, the Welsh midfielder scored directly from a corner to level things up. Then, in stoppage time, she scored this worldie.
WHAT. A. STRIKE. π₯@RachelRowe1323 with the wonder strike to take the lead late on! π₯΅#BarclaysWSL @ReadingFCWomen pic.twitter.com/0AhoyYIHEw
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 30, 2022Rowe's composure is faultless, her footwork excellent as she skips past two defenders and the shot she unleashes is unstoppable. Unsurprisingly, given the quality of this goal, it's not her only contribution to this list...
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#8 Rachel Rowe (Reading vs West Ham)
Her second appearance on this list, Rowe's goal against West Ham was some strike. The Reading star is one of only seven players to attempt more than 20 shots from outside the box this season, and it's no surprise she's got the confidence to take them on when she can hit them like this.
What a STRIKE! π₯
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 5, 2023
Take a bow, @RachelRowe1323 π#BarclaysWSL @ReadingFCWomen pic.twitter.com/cpBVBrXzoAThis one is a snapshot effort and Rowe pounces on the opportunity without hesitation to send the ball absolutely flying into the back of the net. No goalkeeper is stopping that. It was another significant one, too, coming in the 85th minute to give the Royals a 2-1 win over West Ham.
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#7 Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa vs Brighton)
One of the highlights of this season has been seeing Jordan Nobbs return to top form. After game time became hard to come by, the England international left Arsenal in January and she's immediately made an impression with new club Aston Villa.
Vintage Jordan Nobbs π€©#BarclaysWSL @AVWFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/g8hG3HlKwh
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 12, 2023This goal is one of her best moments to date in the colours of the Midlands club, part of a brilliant hat-trick in a huge 6-2 win over Brighton back in February. That Nobbs chose to take on the shot just illustrates the confidence she has been playing with since her mid-season move, with the execution perfect from one of England's most naturally talented players.
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#6 Bunny Shaw (Man City vs Brighton)
This is another goal which is all about the assist. Since her summer move to Manchester City, Japanese playmaker Yui Hasegawa has played a deeper role than she has been used to, but she has still caught the eye with her performances - though she is definitely at her best in more advanced areas.
When City travelled to Brighton in March, Hasegawa found herself a little further up the pitch in this situation and proceeded to showcase the magic she can bring when she's on the edge of the box. The understanding between her and Bunny Shaw is wonderful, with the Jamaican forward knowing her run will be found, and the pass by Hasegawa is simply out of this world.
That is magic from Bunny and Yui π€―#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/y2490rj50l
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 12, 2023The disguise on it catches the entire Seagulls defence - and those watching for the first time - off guard, and gives Shaw a chance she is never going to miss.
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#5 Ona Batlle (Man Utd vs Aston Villa)
Ona Batlle, Manchester United's marauding full-back, has caught the eye with her assists this season, racking up an impressive tally of nine that puts her only one behind Reiten, a forward, who leads the league with 10.
What a finish from @OnaBatlle π€©#BarclaysWSL @ManUtdWomen pic.twitter.com/UI4Npj8cnY
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) December 3, 2022However, she also sits in a lofty position on this list thanks to a thunderous strike at Old Trafford in December. There's no doubt that the Aston Villa defence needs to be putting more pressure on Batlle, but it's still a wonderful goal, especially because of the way it smacks the underside of the bar on its way in.
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#4 Sam Kerr (Chelsea vs Man Utd)
Everything about this goal is so watchable - Lauren James' perfect assist, Kerr's cheeky finish, Mary Earps' helpless reaction and the look on Kerr's face as she celebrates for that moment with the fans.
That is so cold from @ChelseaFCW π₯Ά
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 12, 2023
The James assist and the Kerr finish!#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/WloMpCwCJ4Not only was it a fantastic goal, either. It was also another hugely significant one from Kerr, the Australia star giving Chelsea the upper hand in the title race.
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#3 Frida Maanum (Arsenal vs Leicester City)
Frida Maanum couldn't have hit this any better. From a standing position, with a defender closing her down, to lift the ball over the goalkeeper like she did was superb.
WHO ELSE BUT FRIDA! π₯
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 5, 2023
Striking the ball into the top bins - @FMaanum π₯΅#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/fd5bn56Hy0The context of this goal is important, too, as it gave the Gunners the breakthrough they needed in a tight game towards the end of the season, at a stage where every point suddenly felt more and more important.
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#2 Bethany England (Tottenham vs Man Utd)
Bethany England might be best known for her goal-scoring instincts in the box but, my word, she can score some worldies, too. She only joined Spurs in January, but immediately hit the ground running for the struggling London side, scoring 10 goals before the end of the campaign to ensure they stayed up.
What a finish!@Bethany_Eng15 is loving life at @SpursWomen π₯#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/eS8AHaTgwB
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 12, 2023This one against Manchester United was one of the best. Look at where she picks the ball up and the way her shot just rifles past Earps. Fantastic.
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#1 Bethany England (Tottenham vs Leicester City)
Her second appearance on this list, this goal was the pick of England's lot this season - and the pick of the lot in the entire league. The swerve is simply sensational, giving the goalkeeper absolutely no chance.
This strike though from @Bethany_Eng15 π₯
β Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 16, 2023
Securing a crucial three points for @SpursWomen! #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/YpYF1Q2LCAIt was the only goal in a massive win over relegation rivals Leicester, a hugely significant result in Spurs' successful stab at staying up.