BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and this week they’re joined by England legend and Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby!
Together, the trio look back on England’s 3-1 victory against Greece in the first-leg of their World Cup play-off semi-final - from debutants and Maya Le Tissier impressing at right-back to asking how the Lionesses can become more ruthless in front of goal. Vicki Sparks also chats to Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman ahead of the second leg on Tuesday evening at the King Power stadium in Leicester.
Elsewhere across the international break, there were away wins for Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in their play-off games, as well as a welcome return to the field for Chelsea captain Erin Cuthbert.
Fran also gives us an insight into life at Brighton under new boss Arturo Ruiz before previewing some crucial fixtures across the WSL this weekend.

Ellen White is back at St. George’s Park, alongside BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie, for a Lionesses special ahead of their upcoming World Cup play-off games against Greece.
Ellen sits down with Washington Spirit defender Esme Morgan to discuss finding consistency in the England starting XI, how the NWSL season has prepared her for these crucial international games, and we of course get an update on Biscuit the cat!
Plus, Jo chats to England’s exciting new midfield talents in the press conference, Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson.
Full commentary of England v Greece is on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds. The first leg is a 5:30pm kick-off on Friday 9th October.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ellen White and Jo Currie are back!
02:01 – Esme Morgan interview.
21:44 – Ellen and Jo discuss what’s ahead for England.
29:04 – Lexi Potter and Erica Meg Parkinson chat in the press conference.
32:50 - Ellen and Jo reflect on the Lionesses they’ve heard from.

As we reach the first international break of the season, Ellen White is joined by BBC Women's Sport Reporter Jo Currie and the Telegraph’s Women’s Football reporter Kathryn Batte to provide a half term review of the Women’s Super League.
Five games in, Manchester City remain the team to beat and Arsenal’s struggles continue. The team discuss if the reigning champions can keep their momentum going and are the problems deeper than on the pitch at Arsenal who sit 10th, 10 points adrift of the league leaders.
Jo also asks if London City Lionesses have lived up to the hype given their big summer transfer window and puts Ellen and Kathryn to the test in a quick fire round assessing each club’s performance so far.
TIMECODES:
00:04 - Ellen White and Jo Currie are down at St. George’s Park.
01:10 - Ellen and Jo are joined by Kathryn Batte for a WSL half term review, starting with Arsenal.
11:25 - Manchester City remain the team to beat.
16:12- London City Lionesses deliver on their pre-season hype.
20:40 - Quick fire reviews of the rest of the league.

Ben and Ellen are joined by Em Sanders to dissect a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea claimed bragging rights over Arsenal.
The team examine Arsenal’s early-season stumbling blocks ahead of a huge week featuring away trips to Paris FC and Manchester City. Plus, hear post-match reaction from Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze, who give credit to Katie McCabe and Lexi Potter, who could be England’s next breakthrough star ahead of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad announcement on Tuesday.
Ellen, Ben and Em also assess Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the WSL season and whether they can maintain their form against tougher opposition, before looking ahead to Matchday 2 of the Women’s Champions League.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are joined by Em Sanders this week!
03:57 - Chelsea beat Arsenal in a feisty encounter at Stamford Bridge.
12:30 - More frustrations for Arsenal who drop points again.
18:40 - What does the bigger picture look like for Arsenal with Paris FC and Man City up next?
22:43 - Reaction from Sonia Bompastor and Lucy Bronze.
25:30 - Praise for Katie McCabe and Lexi Potter.
29:21 - Tottenham maintain their unbeaten start to the WSL season. Can they keep it going against tougher opponents?
32:15 - Preview of match day 2 in the Women’s Champions League.

Ben Haines and Ellen White are together in the studio to break down a big weekend of domestic action and preview the return of European football!
First up, the team react to Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL campaign and Lauren Hemp’s current form, before diving into Tottenham’s dominant victory over 10-player Crystal Palace. Attention then turns to Manchester United taking a massive step forward under Eva Olid against Arsenal, with special praise for their standout summer signing, Andrea Medina.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League returns this week! Ben and Ellen discuss which WSL side faces the toughest draw in the league phase and whether any English team has done enough in the transfer market to bridge the gap to European royalty, Barcelona and Lyon.
Plus, Chelsea star Alyssa Thompson sits down with Em Sanders to discuss her second season in London and Chelsea's European ambitions, and Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to react to the huge news that Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final.
TIMECODES:
00:05 - Ellen and Ben are together in the studio!
02:08 - Reaction to Man City maintaining their 100% start to the season.
07:40 - Olivia Holdt’s hat-trick helps Spurs thrash 10-player Palace.
09:20 - Eva Olid’s Manchester United take a big step forward against Arsenal.
13:08 - Praise for United’s new signing Andrea Medina.
16:24 - The Champions League returns this week! Which WSL side has the toughest draw?
22:56 - Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson chats to Em Sanders.
31:33 - Ellen and Ben reflect on Alyssa’s interview and Chelsea’s European ambitions.
34:45 - Can any WSL team bridge the gap to Barcelona or Lyon on the European stage?
37:30 - Bethan Woolley, Head of Women & Girls’ Football at the FAW, joins the pod to reflect on the news Cardiff will host the 2029 UWCL final.