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Ellen White and Ben Haines are back, joined by The Guardian’s women’s football writer Tom Garry, to break down a big weekend of domestic action. London City Lionesses pushed the defending champions all the way on Sunday, proving they can compete with the WSL elite. The panel dissect where the ambitious side fell short and highlight Jade Rose's standout form for Manchetser City. The team also take a deeper look into Chelsea’s season so far. With Sonia Bompastor’s side unbeaten in all competitions and goals coming from everywhere, are they starting to get back to their best? Elsewhere, Arsenal dropped points at the Emirates again. With a daunting run of fixtures ahead, how do they get back to basics? Plus, Drew Spence reflects on breaking the all-time WSL appearance record in an chat with Em Sanders and Tom breaks down some funding news from FIFA ahead of the World Cup next summer. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back are joined by The Guardian’s women’s football writer, Tom Garry! 02:30 - London City Lionesses impress in a thriller against Manchester City. 14:07 - Arsenal draw again at the Emirate with trickier fixtures ahead. 24:35 - Drew Spence chats to Em Sanders after breaking the WSL appearance record. 29:00 - What’s going right for Chelsea? 40:38 - This week’s Golden Goggles award. 44:12 - FIFA agrees to increase preparation money for the Women’s World Cup.

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back together in the studio, and they're joined by WSL and England legend, Steph Houghton! The team break down a blockbuster weekend of derbies, from Manchester United ending City's 100% start to Arsenal’s north London derby comeback, reliving pressure on both the team and manager Renee Slegers. Ellen and Steph also discuss the progress Manchester United have made since the start of the season, Drew Spence's longevity as she equals the all-time WSL appearance record and Bunny Shaw’s ability to always be ready for showtime! Plus, the Champions League returns for matchday 3, so our trio look ahead to the return of European nights with all three English clubs at home. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen White and Ben Haines are back in the studio together. 01:20 - Steph Houghton joins the team! 02:50 - Reaction to the Manchester derby as United end City's 100% start. Bunny Shaw proves she’s always ready for showtime and how have United turned their WSL form around? 22:11 - Arsenal come from behind to beat Spurs in the north London derby. 28:24 - Was Arsenal’s winning penalty a controversial one? 33:40 - Drew Spence equals the all-time WSL appearance record. 36:32 - London City Lionesses held to a draw by Liverpool with tough challenges ahead. 40:20 - UWCL preview as the competition returns for matchday 3.

Ellen White and Ben Haines are back and Ellen starts by telling us about an exciting new job role. Joined by Em Sanders, the team react to Sarina Wiegman’s two-year contract extension with England and unveil the inaugural ‘Golden Goggles’ award for the best celebration of the week! There’s a WSL debrief focusing on the standout performances of Lauren James, Daniëlle van de Donk, and Océane Hurtré so far this season. Plus, we look at the big talking points ahead of this weekend’s derby games in North London and Manchester. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back and Ellen has a new job! 02:00 - Em Sanders is back on the pod too! 03:05 - England manager Sarina Wiegman has signed a two-year contract extension. 17:20 - Our new ‘Golden Goggles’ award! 21:00 - Debrief of the WSL looking at three standout players, starting with Chelsea’s Lauren James. 27:00 - London City Lionesses’ unsung hero, Daniëlle van de Donk. 31:10 - Arsenal v Birmingham City, with a focus on Océane Hurtré. 39:05 - Look ahead to this weekend’s WSL derbies, starting with the north London derby. 44:50 - Preview of the Manchester derby.

Katie Smith is joined by former England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown-Finnis, and 5 Live commentator Vicki Sparks to react to England’s 5-0 win (8-1 on aggregate) over Greece which sees them progress to round two of the Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs. After lacking a clinical edge in the first-leg, the Lionesses were far more ruthless at home, plus we saw two more debuts for Lexi Potter and Freya Godfrey. The team discuss whether Sarina Wiegman has become more tactically flexible when it comes to her starting XI and whether Maya Le Tissier’s standout performances at right-back have posed the question: can both she and Lucy Bronze start for the national team? Plus, Rob Schofield is down in the tunnel to get reaction from Alessia Russo, Grace Fisk and Sarina Wiegman. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Reaction to a more ruthless England performance. 06:50 - Alessia Russo interview 08:40 - Lexi Potter’s debut and Sarina Wiegman making more changes to her starting XI. 17:20 - Grace Fisk interview. 19:35 - Should Maya Le Tissier and Lucy Bronze play together for England? 25:20 - Sarina Wiegman interview.

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. TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ellen and Ben are back with Fran Kirby as their special guest! 03:31 - Review of the Lionesses 3-1 against Greece in Crete. 12:20 - Would you like to see the Lionesses celebrate goals more? 15:50 - What are the positives for England? Debutants and Maya Le Tissier at right-back. 22:40 - How can England be more ruthless going forward? 27:00 - Keira Walsh and Sarina Wiegman chat to Vicki Sparks ahead of the second leg. 33:50 - Round up of the other home nations involved in World Cup qualifying. 37:31 - USA v Spain friendlies, a glimpse of what could be a huge game at the World Cup. 40:10 - WSL preview, starting with Fran’s insight into life at Brighton under Arturo Ruiz. 47:00 - Spurs will be tested over the next couple of weeks. 49:45 - A chance for Arsenal to start fresh against Birmingham?

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.

London City Lionesses owner and businesswoman Michele Kang joins The Football Interview to discuss her ambitious vision for women's football, from transforming London City Lionesses and signing global stars to building world-class facilities for female athletes. Michele chats to Kelly Somers about her upbringing in South Korea, how she ended up investing in women's football and her ultimate desire to close the 'indefensible' gap between girls and boys.

Ben Haines and Ellen White are back! First up, they dissect Arsenal’s frustrating goalless draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. Despite dominating possession, the Gunners failed to find a clinical edge in front of goal - what could dropping early points mean for their title charge? Ellen and Ben also react to Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City maintaining their 100% start to the WSL season. Former England and Manchester United goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod as the team take a deep dive into the rise of club and confederation-funded fertility care, IVF assistance, and egg-freezing options. Ellen and Siobhan examine how far the sport has progressed since their playing days and how increased fertility support and knowledge benefits players on and off the pitch. Siobhan also gives her thoughts on Manchester United’s transition period under new head coach Eva Olid, before the team react to the newly revealed 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist. With stars like Alessia Russo and Bunny Shaw in the mix, can a WSL player finally conquer Barcelona’s dominance over the award? TIMECODES: 00:05 - Ben and Ellen are back! 01:45 - Arsenal drop points at the Emirates against Crystal Palace. 07:15 - Reaction from Georgia Stanway and Renee Slegers. 11:15 - Praise for Palace goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. 14:15 - Reflections on Chelsea’s dominance and Manchester City’s 100% start. 19:37 - Siobhan Chamberlain joins the pod for a special discussion on increasing fertility support in women’s football. 28:50 - More on Chelsea’s partnership with Fertility Plus. 37:15 - We get Siobhan’s thoughts on Manchester United’s period of transition. 41:52 - Reflections on the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin shortlist.

Burnley manager Jackie Bachteler sat down with Emma Sanders to talk about contracting sepsis and how nine months ago she was fighting for her life. The American had just joined the club to work with the women's first team and men's academy but three weeks later, Bachteler was rushed to A&E and diagnosed with sepsis - a life-threatening illness that left her bedridden for days. Jackie talks very honestly about how it took her months to recover and she still suffers from regular post-sepsis symptoms today. Burnley host Sunderland in the WSL2 on Sunday which coincides with World Sepsis Day.

Arsenal's Kyra Cooney-Cross opens up to Jo Currie about the death of her mother two months ago. Kyra's mum was diagnosed with stage four cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer, in January of this year. Kyra talks about navigating grief and how her mum helped her football career. Kyra returned to football after six months away from the game, but credits her teammates and the club for their support during an incredibly difficult period. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast, help and support is available at BBC Action Line. https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Ben and Ellen are joined by The Guardian's Tom Garry as the WSL returns! Kick off times have changed this season, what is the best time for a women's football audience to have games played? Is the Sunday evening match a good idea and who does it appeal to most? Elsewhere London City Lionesses started strongly with some of the biggest global stars in their line up, however none of their starting XI were English. Tom and Ellen debate what this means for football in England and the development of the game. Should the league be doing more to help home grown talent? Plus an investigation is under way after Crystal Palace breached a rule by using four substitution windows in their 1-0 win over Everton.   TIMECODES: 01:00 - WSL returns and so does Tom Garry! 05:30 - Kick off times 10:35 - Sunday evening debate 20:10 - London City Lionesses & United struggle 26:40 - English players in the WSL 33:50 - Good start for Man City but enough to compete in Europe? 37:00 - Palace breaking subs rule

Em Sanders is at Anfield for the final stop of our media day tour before the WSL season kicks off on Friday! First up, Gareth Taylor sits down with Em to discuss consistent behaviours on and off the pitch, having a full pre-season with the squad, and his passion for gardening. Scottish midfielder Sam Kerr also drops by to reflect on her leadership style and driving standards in the squad. Plus, two summer arrivals join the pod. England goalkeeper Khiara Keating talks reuniting with Gareth Taylor, maturing on and off the pitch, and her ambitions with both Liverpool and the Lionesses, while Sara Agrež discusses her defensive attributes and inspiring the next generation of young girls in Slovenia. TIMECODES:
00:04 - Em Sanders is at Anfield for the final media day diary episode! 00:39 - Gareth Taylor interview. 15:35 - Sam Kerr interview. 21:45 - Khiara Keating interview. 30:47- Sara Agrež interview.