Beyond the Top Four: Big stories across the WSL
New signings, new managers, and important wins for Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa
It’s the first Beyond the Top Four newsletter of 2026, and there has been a lot to catch up on! The past month has had plenty of news, and with the January transfer window still open and the middle of the table changing regularly, there will be even more to come.
Here is how the table stands after the first round of matches this year.
Spurs move up to fourth, level on points with Arsenal and a point above Manchester United. Their next two games against Liverpool and West Ham present a real opportunity to keep them in contention for that third Champions League place. Manager Martin Ho acknowledged the need for improvement in the next few weeks: “We know we’ve got a lot of work to do to get to where we want to go and where we want to be. After Christmas, with it being the first performance and first game back, there’s always a little bit of nerves and rustiness. We need to get that out of our bodies, but to come away with three points is important.”
Aston Villa also had a significant win over Brighton after coming back from behind to score two consecutive goals in the space of a couple of minutes. Goals came from Rachel Daly and Kirsty Hanson, and they are now sitting in sixth place, tied with London City Lionesses. Everton, Brighton and Leicester City suffered defeats in Sunday’s games, and Liverpool are still yet to win a match after another draw, a result that keeps them rooted at the bottom despite signs of gradual improvement.
Managerial changes
December brought major upheaval at West Ham who sacked Rehanne Skinner and appointed Rita Guarino, previously at Juventus. The team have only won one match this season, and it was a nightmare start for Guarino’s tenure in a heavy 5-0 defeat to Chelsea, compounded by individual errors and an early concession. After the match, she said, “I know the quality of my players. They can show better quality without conceding easy goals to the opponent… If you concede time and space to an opponent like Chelsea, obviously they can score. It is about the quality of the mistakes.”
Elsewhere, London City Lionesses made a surprising move to part ways with manager Jocelyn Prêcheur and brought in Eder Maestre as head coach, and former Newcastle manager Becky Langley as assistant. Maestre’s first match in charge ended in a goalless draw against Liverpool, and he expressed his disappointment after the match: "I don't like this match, I am very ambitious. The first half is not enough; we were left in our own half for most of the minutes of the game. We improved a lot in the second half, but not enough for me." London City’s next match against Manchester City, who are currently leading the table, will be a crucial one after falling to seventh place.
January transfers (so far)
Tottenham and Aston Villa have made the strongest transfers so far, adding plenty of depth to their squads, which will be key to helping them secure more necessary wins.
Signe Gaupset - Brann to Spurs - The young talent impressed already in her debut for Spurs and will be one to watch in the coming weeks.
Maika Hamano (on loan) - Chelsea to Spurs
Hanna Wijk - Hacken to Spurs
Matilda Nilden - Hacken to Spurs
Julie Blakstad - Hammarby to Spurs
Oriane Jean-Francois - Chelsea to Aston Villa
Jenna Nighswonger (on loan) - Arsenal to Aston Villa
Ashleigh Neville - Spurs to Leicester - This was the first matchup after her move, and unfortunately, her own goal gave Spurs the win.
Sarah Mayling (on loan) - Aston Villa to Leicester
Emma Janssen - FC Rosengard to Leicester
Estelle Cascarino (on loan) - Juventus to West Ham - She was set to make her debut against Chelsea, but wasn’t allowed to come on due to her wearing an unmovable earring, so her first appearance will have to wait.
Jessica Ziu - Bristol City to West Ham
Anna Jøsendal - Hammarby to Liverpool
Alice Bergstrom - Hacken to Liverpool
Jennifer Falk (on loan) - Hacken to Liverpool
Hannah Blundell (on loan) - Manchester United to Everton
Olaug Tvedten - Vålerenga to Brighton
The picture beyond the top four remains competitive, where every point carries real weight. Off the pitch, pressure is mounting with leadership changes, and with the transfer window still open, recruitment decisions could yet prove decisive for any of the teams.