A busy fixture schedule saw us play four matches across domestic and European fronts in December, the third of which was our final league fixture of 2023, which came against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Three goals without reply from James, Cuthbert and Sam Kerr made sure we finished the year with a three-point advantage at the top of the WSL table – and it is the strikes from James and Cuthbert that are in the running for December’s WSL Goal of the Month prize.

James opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a moment of brilliance. She turned her marker before advancing towards the penalty area and unleashing an unstoppable left-footed effort into the top corner to set us on our way.

Cuthbert doubled our advantage soon after following an eye-catching, attacking move. Guro Reiten stood up a teasing cross from the left side for Cuthbert, who watched the ball onto her left foot and hit a sumptuous volley into the bottom corner.

Our Blues will go up against Danielle Turner of Aston Villa, Alessia Russo of Arsenal, Martha Thomas of Tottenham Hotspur, Khadija Shaw of Manchester City, and Aurora Galli of Everton with the winner of the award to be announced in due course.

Voting for Goal of the Month is now open and the vote will close at 10am on Monday 8 January.

You can cast your votes for James and Cuthbert by clicking here.