Everton Stun Chelsea, Guardian's Top 100 Dissected on Women's Football Weekly

In a surprising turn of events in the Women's Super League (WSL), Everton delivered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, ending the reigning champions' impressive 585-day unbeaten streak. This upset was a major talking point on the latest episode of "The Guardian’s Women's Football Weekly" podcast, alongside a deep dive into the publication's annual Top 100 female footballers list.

The Toffees' victory at Kingsmeadow was secured by a first-half goal from Honoka Hayashi. Despite Chelsea's relentless pressure and numerous attempts on goal, Everton's defense held firm, securing a memorable win. Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan's outstanding performance and some good fortune, with the woodwork denying Chelsea an equalizer, were also crucial to Everton's success.

This defeat marked Sonia Bompastor's first loss as Chelsea coach in the WSL. It was also Everton's first win against Chelsea in the Women's Super League since September 1, 2013, ending a run of 14 games without a victory. Everton defender Ruby Mace told the BBC that the team proved themselves against the champions by putting their bodies on the line.

The loss leaves Chelsea six points behind league leaders Manchester City, who secured a 3-0 victory against Leicester City. With 12 games remaining, Chelsea faces a challenge to extend their streak of six successive WSL titles.

"The Guardian’s Women's Football Weekly" podcast also dissected the recently released Top 100 female footballers in the world for 2025. This annual list, compiled by a panel of experts, celebrates the best talent in women's football.

Aitana Bonmatí, the Barcelona superstar, claimed the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive year. She also won the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season award in 2024-25 and the Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2025. The competition for the top spot was fierce, with Bonmatí edging out her compatriot Mariona Caldentey by a smaller margin than in previous years. Caldentey's impressive year saw her secure the second position, with Alessia Russo rounding out the top three.

The WSL is well-represented in the Top 100, with 39 players making the cut. England has the most players in the top 100 with 14, followed by Spain with 13. Nigeria's growing influence on the global stage is also reflected in the list, with four Super Falcons players included. Chiamaka Nnadozie and Rasheedat Ajibade headline the Nigerian selections.

The podcast provided in-depth analysis of the rankings, discussing the performances and achievements that earned these players their place among the world's best. The panel also explored the growing competitiveness of women's football and the increasing number of world-class talents emerging.

Listeners can find "The Guardian's Women's Football Weekly" on Luminary Podcasts. The podcast features host Faye Carruthers alongside Guardian football writer Suzanne Wrack, as they invite guests from across the world of women's football to discuss the biggest stories from the best leagues.