How can a club that has not won a league match since November still be fifth in the Women’s Super League?
That’s what many teams in the WSL must be thinking as Brighton stretched their winless league run to six games but still find themselves in the ‘best of the rest’ position.
Dario Vidosic’s side lost 3-1 away to West Ham on Sunday, incidentally the last team they beat, to make it two draws and four losses since November 16. Only bottom-of-the-table Crystal Palace have picked up fewer points in the past six WSL games. It has been a stunning loss of form from a team who had made an eye-catching start to the season.
The reality is Brighton give too many good chances to the opposition, and that has been true since the start of the season. Results like the 1-0 loss to Manchester City in September flattered to deceive as Brighton’s commitment to playing out from defence gifted opportunities to City.
They have the second-worst expected goals (xG) against in the league (25.54) and have made the most errors leading to shots (13). No team loses possession in their defensive third more than Brighton, averaging 10 turnovers of the ball per match — two more turnovers per game than West Ham, the team with the next most.
Sunday’s defeat felt like Brighton in a microcosm….
