League expansion offers top-flight teams a greater chance of staying up but jeopardy remains in contest to steer clear of finishing bottom

The state of play at the top of Women’s Super League, with Manchester City 11 points clear of second-placed Manchester United, means jeopardy has to be found elsewhere.

There is excitement to be had in the likely scenario of a different name on the WSL trophy for the first time in seven years, but at this point we are watching a procession rather than a battle, despite Arsenal’s impressive 1-0 win over City last weekend.

• Villarreal player charged in July with five counts of rape

• Former Arsenal midfielder denies all the charges

The footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with two new counts of rape relating to an additional woman who came forward to police with the allegations in August last year.

Partey will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 13 March in relation to the additional charges issued by the Crown Prosecution Service over allegations that date from 2020.