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.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?

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 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.

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.

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