Crossways - A Women’s Football Show With Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Results from the latest WSL match ups make for some interesting discussions on this week's episode of Crossways. Hosts Steph Houghton and Ian Wright talk up Alessia Russo, Bunny Shaw, and Tottenham's performance against Everton, but are baffled by Arsenal's decision to leave Jenna Nighswonger off the match-day squads despite an impressive pre-season. Cathinka Tandberg's stunning goal and Sam Kerr's return from injury after 20 months are highlights for the hosts, and both are excited to see more of a very focused Jess Park as her season progresses at Manchester United. Finally, could we see Steph Houghton managing Manchester City...

Wrighty and Steph go deep with their analysis of the WSL opening weekend's fixtures: what and who surprised them, and what the performances and squads say about the season ahead. Reaction from Arsenal v. London City Lionesses at the Emirates, including Katie Reid giving away the penalty, how that shaped the game, and Reid's individual performance. And of course, Olivia Smith as part of Arsenal's starting XI and her spectacular goal. Steph talks about how Man City can get the best from Viv Miedema this season, what Grace Clinton can add, and the importance of working to get Bunny...

Crossways is back for the new WSL season, and there's already a lot on the table. How much will the WSL minimum wage be? Will the London City Lionesses' signing strategy pay off? Will Olivia Smith start? Hosts Steph Houghton and Ian Wright answer all these questions and more as they kick off Season 2. First, they welcome The Cutback's Flo Lloyd-Hughes to the new Crossways London studio to get into the London City Lionesses and the impact of WSL minimum wages, before they move on to the extraordinary swap from red to blue (Grace Clinton) and blue to red...

The Lionesses are UEFA Women's Euro champions again! As excited as two kids in a sweet shop, Crossways hosts Ian Wright and Steph Houghton can barely contain their pride and excitement following England’s dramatic victory over Spain to retain their UEFA Women’s Euro title. They discuss the starting defensive pairing of Leah Williamson and Jess Carter, Jess’s immense mental strength, the power of Chloe Kelly, what football needs next, and so much more.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright
Executive Producer: Roscoe Bowman

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England Lionesses’ dramatic comeback to win against Italy in extra time gives Crossways host Ian Wright plenty to talk about in this Euros special. High praise for super subs Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly, highlights from the full 120 minutes, and thoughts on what this could mean for Italian women’s football. Wrighty finishes with a lookahead to the final against Germany or Spain.

Hosts: Ian Wright and Steph Houghton

Executive Producer: Roscoe Bowman

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Steph Houghton and Ian Wright reflect on England’s final group stage match against Wales, in which England ran out comfortable winners and earned second place in Group D at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. The hosts speak about Wales and what it will take for them to keep progressing, before considering the Lionesses’ chances against Sweden. Crossways predictions make a return as the pair attempt to predict every quarterfinal score.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright
Executive Producer: Roscoe Bowman

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Steph Houghton and Ian Wright give their reaction to the Lionesses’ match vs. Netherlands at UEFA women’s Euro 2025. Our hosts give credit to Sarina Wiegman’s changes, praising the individual and collective performances for England. Ian and Steph also had higher expectations for the Dutch team who are now on the brink of elimination.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producer: Roscoe Bowman

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Steph Houghton and Ian Wright are back for the UEFA women’s Euros, picking apart England’s opening match vs. France in Switzerland. Our hosts reflect on the tournament so far, with Switzerland vs. Norway being the standout match, before diving into the key moments of Lionesses vs. France. Did Sarina Wiegman get the starting lineup right? Where did England go wrong? And has the offside rule gone too far?! Ian and Steph also give praise to France standouts Sandy Baltimore, Delphine Cascarino, and Alice Sombath while analysing their chances at earning a first major trophy with their nation.

Hosts Ian Wright and Steph Houghton discuss the rebrand of the WSL and Championship, calling for transparency and clarity for the fans and clubs so that everyone can get on the same page about the future of women's football in England. Wrighty calls for the excitement and intensity of the Championship game between the London City Lionesses and Birmingham City to be everywhere in the WSL next season, and Steph doesn't sugarcoat her feelings on relegation and plans for the pathway. They then discuss the latest Lionesses squad: Stanway is back, Ella Morris gets her first call-up, and Agyemang...

It’s no secret that Ian Wright and Steph Houghton—like all women’s football fans—have been discussing the wider problem of the top flight being sewn up by barely halfway through the season. But now that Chelsea are champions, something else runs deeper: the hosts’ respective teams are struggling. Are the latest Arsenal and Manchester City results just blips, or signs of deeper issues? On a more positive note, Crossways welcomes the London City Lionesses to the WSL and has high hopes for Manchester United. Predictions for the final games of the season are in and it’s all to pla...

Hosts Steph Houghton and Ian Wright have a lot to talk about in Episode 27 of Crossways, coming to you after Arsenal overturned a deficit in their massive return leg against Lyon to reach the UWCL final. They have a shot at becoming Champions League winners for the first time since 2007. In stark contrast, Chelsea received a thrashing from Barcelona, losing 4-1 twice. And Wrighty seeks to make WSL predictions with his heart, not his head, as he closes the points gap at the pointy end of the season. Comment your predictions for the next eight games...

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As the hosts get warmed up for Episode 26 of #Crossways, Ian Wright admits feeling Ange Postecoglou’s pain as a manager after Wembley Rangers FC’s loss in Baller League. And with the Wentworth golf pro-am on the horizon, Steph Houghton admits she hasn’t practiced her swing since last year. Getting into football, Wrighty and Steph try to find positives in the English teams’ UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals performances, but ultimately struggle to move past Kadidiatou Diani’s phenomenal performance for Lyon, and Claudia Pina’s for Barcelona. They lament the lack of any decent individual performances f...

Crossways hosts Steph Houghton and Ian Wright reflect on the Women’s FA Cup semifinals and discuss if they'd be better off hosted at neutral venues. Then, it’s time to unpack the bigger picture for each team. Has Manchester United closed the top three gap? How important is the summer for Liverpool? Are Chelsea really at their best right now? And why the pile-up of injuries at Manchester City? The pair then look ahead to a massive weekend for Arsenal and Chelsea as they face up against Europe’s elite in the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals. Predictions close...

Coming in hot off the back of the Lionesses' defeat to Belgium in their UEFA Women's Nations League group game, just days after they thrashed them 5-0. Crossways hosts Steph Houghton and Ian Wright discuss their fall from grace, highlighting stunning performances from Belgium's Tessa Wullaert and lamenting England's poor communication. Michelle Agyemang gets the praise she deserves after scoring that truly magnificent goal, and in her debut. Will she get the Euros call-up? The episode finishes with predictions for the FA Cup semifinals and a sad Ian, who realises he's always last when it comes to predictions.

A huge week in the Champions League makes for a busy episode of #Crossways with both Chelsea and Arsenal overturning big deficits and progressing to the semifinals in dramatic style. Waiting for them are Barcelona and Lyon, who, in comparison, cruised through their second-leg matchups. Ian and Steph have all the talking points from both games, with Steph sharing her experience of being on the Manchester City bench at Stamford Bridge and Ian highlighting his key Arsenal performers. The hosts finish with an update on their predictions ahead of this weekend’s six big WSL fixtures—who's bagging this week...

Hosts Steph Houghton and Ian Wright go back to the basics with Arsenal’s loss to Real Madrid, sharing their disappointment at the team's inability to adapt as the game went on. And, of course, that pitch. They also look at a revitalized Man City, whose victory over Chelsea in the first leg of UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals marked Chelsea's first loss this season—is this a sign of things to come or just new-manager bounce? The hosts heap praise on Kerolin for her energy and directness, and on Vivianne Miedema for her supreme finishes. Then it's time t...

‘Crossways’ is back after Arsenal’s loss to Liverpool, which saw them knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarterfinal stage. Hosts Ian Wright and Steph Houghton agree that the side lacked energy and the players need to show more pride in their personal performances. But they keep the faith with Renée Slegers. Steph lauds Nick Cushing as the best manager she ever had as he returns to hopefully bring silverware to Man City, keep the club’s best players, and allow them to play free. Taylor Hinds is on their minds, too, following the abuse she received...

Ian Wright and Steph Houghton discuss the hotly debated proposed changes to the WSL and Championship leagues, with expansion and no relegation on the table. The hosts then throw out their predictions for the Women's FA Cup quarter final match ups and welcome Crossways second-ever guest, Beth Mead. Beth talks all things football under Renee Slegers, her injury and comeback, as well as the thinking behind being the face of a very important campaign from Persil Dirt is Good - Every Stain Should Be Part of The Game. It focuses on breaking the taboo of women’s periods in spor...

Steph Houghton and Ian Wright are back, this week with reactions to Lionesses vs. Spain in the UEFA Women's Nations League. The hosts reflect on the key moments of the match, including Sarina Wiegman's substitutions and a huge performance from Lauren James. They then look back on mixed results for Wales and Republic of Ireland before giving Barclays Women's Super League score predictions for this weekend's fixtures.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

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It's Episode 18 of Crossways, and this week, Ian Wright and Steph Houghton start by discussing Sarina Wiegman's latest Lionesses squad call-up for the UEFA Women's Nations League games against Portugal (21.02.25) and Spain (26.02.2025). How easy is it for players to know what they have to do to get selected? The hosts then answer listener questions on everything from most underrated players, to league changes they'd like to see, and UWCL quarterfinal and semifinal predictions.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

Steph Houghton and Ian Wright are back, this week with the first 'Crossways' Instant Reaction episode. The hosts react to Manchester City’s last-gasp win over Arsenal in the Subway League Cup, recapping the highlights and low points from the game, including that controversial penalty. They then take a quick look ahead to a Manchester City v. Chelsea final at Pride Park.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

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'Crossways' hosts Ian Wright and Steph Houghton go deep on arguably the most crucial conversation in women's football right now—the long-term competitiveness of the WSL. With the record-breaking $1M signing of Naomi Girma to Chelsea, the title race all but over in January, and relegation pretty much sealed too, what needs to fundamentally change? Steph and Wrighty debate some options, from NWSL-style spend caps, to relooking at the teams that are currently part of the WSL, and the long-term, league-wide issues that stockpiling talent at academy level is exacerbating. Away from the business end of football, 'Crossways' previews Ma...

Ian Wright and Steph Houghton agree that Manchester City have sent a message to Chloe Kelly with their signing of Brazilian Kerolin from North Carolina Courage. And their advice? She has to move before this transfer window closes if there's any chance of seeing her in the Euros, where both hosts believe she deserves to be. Listen to Episode 15 of #Crossways for more on Kelly, Man City vs. Manchester United and the lack of service to Miedema, the increasingly ruthless transfer window, and Carla Ward to Ireland. Steph and Ian also look ahead to Chelsea vs. Arsenal—with high ho...

After a long winter break, Ian Wright and Steph Houghton are back with Crossways, a women's football show, with their dream Lionesses XI. Made up of former and current England players, they discuss the legends that would make up the very best Lionesses team. Kelly Smith, Fara Williams, Jill Scott—who else makes the cut? Episode 14 of #Crossways is a great way to kick off your women's football journey for 2025.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

Le...

With a lot happening on the European stage, Steph Houghton and Ian Wright dive straight into Arsenal's 3-2 win over Bayern with Renée Slegers’s 11th game in charge, Barcelona's domination of Man City, and Real Madrid vs. Chelsea, all in the UWCL latest. Then it's down to business as Steph and Ian look ahead to the Women's EURO 2025, discussing how the tournament might shape up based on the groups' recent forms.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

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Episode 11 sees Ian Wright and Steph Houghton discuss Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments about Manchester United women, and Marc Skinner's response. They look into why Liverpool women aren't where they should be, and celebrate Ellie Roebuck's heroic return to football. Then the hosts welcome a 'Crossways' grassroots guest—Somayeh Caesar, founder of Lymore Garden Girls FC, a grassroots community club making a massive difference to the lives and well-being of North London girls, and to football pathways.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

It was a curious pair of friendlies for England, with a lack of chance creation being the theme. Ian and Steph look back at the visit of Emma Hayes’s USWNT and Switzerland, analyzing the selections, the standouts, and what it could mean for the squad going forward. There’s also some chat about Wales qualifying for a women’s international tournament for the first time, Scotland’s disappointment, and more in Episode 10 of 'Crossways'!

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

It’s quiz time this week on Crossways, with Steph Houghton and Ian Wright getting their fingers on buzzers to go head to head on the WSL season so far! Before that, there’s time to chat a little about Sarina Wiegman’s upcoming England squad, Leah Williamson’s impressive performance against Spurs, and some things they can’t stop thinking about from last week’s action. That's all before a lookahead to Chelsea hosting Manchester United. Get ready to play along at home and see if you can beat their score!

Hosts: Steph Houghton and...

Ian Wright and Steph Houghton analyze Arsenal vs. Juventus and Man City vs. Hammarby in the latest UWCL fixtures, with both English teams bringing home convincing wins. The hosts then touch on Marc Skinner's Manchester United side (should Skinner be sacked?), what Renée Slegers has to do to be considered for the permanent role, who the best WSL player is, the prowess of Girma, and more, as they answer an array of fan questions. It's Episode 8 of Crossways, the women's football show.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

Executive Producers: Roscoe B...

Ian Wright chats with Steph Houghton about her new memoir, 'Leading From the Back,' how therapeutic it was to write, and how important it is that people understand the context of the headlines being thrown around this week. Then Steph and Ian check in on how the new WSL managers (Dario Vidosic, Sonia Bompastor, Robert de Pauw, and Amandine Miquel) are getting on and why Russo was substituted, before discussing this weekend's top clash between Liverpool and Chelsea. The hosts finish Episode 7 of 'Crossways' with the WSL commentary controversy.

Hosts: Steph Houghton and...

After the friendlies with South Africa and Germany made the Lionesses look lethargic and disorganised, Ian Wright and Steph Houghton are a little worried about them ahead of next year's Euros. There were standouts, however, including Grace Clinton, who impressed both with her physicality and her ability to keep the standard over many games. Steph was at the Ballon d’Or this week, where Aitana Bonmati won her second in a row. She gives her verdict on who was best-dressed, before getting serious about flaws in the ceremony. Finally, with the WSL returning, they look ahead to arguably the bi...

It's international break, so Ian and Steph assess the Lionesses midfield ahead of their friendly against Germany at Wembley. Then chat about which players have stood out over the early stages of the WSL, look at Arsenal’s options for replacing Jonas Eidevall and also about Steph getting honoured by England!

Hosts: Ian Wright and Steph Houghton

Producers: Roscoe Bowman and Ryan Hunn

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Ian Wright and Steph Houghton battle with the reasons behind Arsenal's current run of form and how Mayra Ramirez undid their defense. Then they move on to looking at key fixtures from the weekend, including why Chloe Kelly isn't being picked. Then they discuss their wild-card picks ahead of the upcoming Lionesses squad announcement for England vs. Germany at Wembley and give love to Jordan Nobbs as she becomes the most capped WSL player. It's Episode 4 of 'Crossways.'

Hosts: Ian Wright and Steph Houghton

Producers: Ryan Hunn and Roscoe Bowman

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Episode 3 of 'Crossways' sees Ian and Steph in the studio discussing the toll of a packed fixture list on player well-being and performance, with the postponed Chelsea vs. Man United game on their minds. Then they look at what's happening with Mary Earps at PSG and whether her no. 1 spot is under threat for the Lionesses. On a happier note, they then welcome back players who've been out with ACL injuries, look ahead to the upcoming fixtures, and wrap up by celebrating the career highs of a couple of key retirees.

Producers: Ryan Hunn...

Ian and Steph look ahead to another week in the WSL. First, Ian’s instant reaction from Meadow Park as Arsenal triumph over BK Hacken in the second leg of the UWCL (05:16). Then they discuss Manchester City dropping Khiara Keating (16:27), revisit Kiko Seike’s historic hat trick for Brighton in her WSL debut (19:45), and swoon over that Jess Park goal. The pair then wrap up with a look at key WSL fixtures for the weekend and discuss Ian’s granddaughter being a ball girl at the Emirates (24:35).

Hosts: Steph Houghton and Ian Wright

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Welcome to the very first episode of Crossways! Steph Houghton and Ian Wright begin the first edition of their new weekly women’s football show by talking about Steph’s first season after retiring and how that transition has been. The WSL will be back this weekend, so they look ahead to the opening round of fixtures, which includes a massive game at the Emirates Stadium—where Arsenal will welcome Manchester City and their former striker and the WSL’s record goal scorer, Vivianne Miedema. In the final part of the show, they highlight some players to look out for this...