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    Blues star Spence says her decision to leave Chelsea is ‘one of the hardest’ she has ever made

    DREW SPENCE says calling time on her Blues career after a 14-year spell is one of the toughest calls she has had to make.The WSL ace, who is Chelsea’s longest-serving player, tearfully announced she would leave this summer in an emotional video.
    Drew Spence is set to leave Chelsea following their FA Cup final duel against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    Spence, who joined the Blues in 2008, has been a mainstay in Emma Hayes’ squad over the past ten years.
    News of her departure comes four days after Ji So-Yun announced her exit with the South Korea star leaving the club at the end of this term after an eight-year stint.
    Spence could be set to make her last Blues appearances against Manchester United in the league and Man City in the FA Cup final.
    Speaking to Chelsea’s website, the midfield ace said: “This is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make.
    “It’s like leaving your family.”
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    Blues boss Emma Hayes added: “I’ve watched Drew grow from a young player and blossomed as a senior pro.
    “I’m excited about her next steps. She’s fully deserving of everything she’s achieved and she will join a group of legends for what she has done at this football club.
    “Drew has epitomised everything that we have been about in my tenure.
    “She’s watched the club grow from amateur to one of the top teams in Europe and she’s been instrumental in that journey.”
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    Spence, who was born in London, made her senior Blues debut back in 2009.
    Since then, she has helped her side to 11 major trophy wins including five league titles, three FA Cups and two Continental Tyres trophies.
    And the Jamaica international, who was also called up to the Lionesses squad in 2015, scored her 50th Chelsea goal this term.
    This came during the club’s 5-0 FA Cup quarters trouncing of Birmingham in March.
    And Spence says helping her team to their first-ever FA Cup triumph in 2015 was one of her proudest achievements.
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    The midfielder added: “The amount of trophies we won is such a proud achievement for me.
    “I’ll probably say the first FA Cup final (we won) was such a big moment for us because the first (WSL) league title challenge we lost on the last day (of the 2014) season was so dramatic.
    “Everyone was so distraught, so to win that first big trophy was so important for us.
    “To get over that line to get to hear that final whistle was such a proud moment.
    “From there we just kicked on and every year we just got better and better.”
    Spence helped Chelsea to 11 major trophy winsCredit: Getty
    Spence’s departure comes on a dramatic day for Chelsea amid reports of Roman Abramovich being warned the sale of the club could be blocked following his loan repayment u-turn.
    It has emerged the Russian wants the £1.6billion he loaned to the club through an investment vehicle repaid in full as part of its sale. 
    This comes two months after his public statement in March in which he declared he would not be asking for any loans to be repaid. More

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    Watch astonishing moment female star Shirley Caicedo kicks male referee in BALLS after being sent off in brutal attack

    WOMEN’S football star Shirley Caicedo has been sent off… for kicking a referee in the NUTS.The midfielder plays for Leonas del Norte in Ecuador’s Women’s Super League.
    Shirley Caicedo was sent off for kicking a referee in the PRIVATES
    Caicedo boots the unlucky official right where it hurts
    The official doubles over as Caicedo’s Leonas del Norte team-mates get involved
    Caicedo, 19, helped her side take the lead in a recent home clash with Club Nanas.
    But tempers flared as the visitors went 2-1 in front in added time.
    Bleached-blonde Caicedo first picked up the ball and booted it at the hapless official, narrowly missing his head.
    She then joined a posse of angry Leonas players confronting the ref – and kicked him in the groin before shocked team-mates could usher her away.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REF-FING HELL .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Watch shocking moment footballer attacks female referee after being sent off
    The official bravely stayed on his feet despite the agonising pain.
    But Ecuador’s FA has opened an inquiry, and hot-tempered No11 Caicedo could face a lengthy ban.
    Images of the incident have since gone around the world.
    One observer wrote: “That ref must have balls of steel. He barely reacts!”
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    This wasn’t the only worrying incident involving a referee to have happened in the last week.
    Over in Brazil, a match descended into chaos when a red carded men’s player ran after a female referee.
    Nautico player Jean Carlos took issue with the referee’s decision during his side’s clash with Retro – having to be held back by his team-mates. More

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    Manchester City and England heroine Karen Bardsley brings curtain down on 20-year playing career

    KAREN BARDSLEY is hanging up her boots to bring an end to a silverware-laden football career spanning two decades.The US-born England international goalkeeper, who won eight trophies with WSL giants Manchester City, announced her retirement on Monday.
    Karen Bardsley, 37, will retire after an illustrious career for Man City and EnglandCredit: Reuters
    The veteran shot-stopper, who has 82 senior England caps, played for the Lionesses at three World Cup tournaments and two European Championships.
    Bardsley, 37, has seen her match start chances hampered after sustaining a hamstring injury.
    Her last appearance for the Citizens, who are currently fourth in the WSL, was in a 7-0 drubbing of Aston Villa back in January last year.
    On her decision to retire, Bardsley said: “As sad and strange as it is to be stepping away from something I’ve committed my entire young adult life to, ultimately, it’s something I feel really proud of.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}STAYING POWER .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Pep agrees new Man City deal in final piece of jigsaw to sign Haaland
    “I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I’ve left no stone unturned, and I have no regrets about how I’ve applied myself and what I’ve achieved.
    “I feel incredibly proud of my career, but ultimately I’m really excited about the next steps and what is to come in the future.
    “I’m just very much looking forward to giving back to the football community in many other ways.
    “It was obviously a pretty tough decision for me to make, but after a lot of deliberation and unfortunately being away from the pitch for quite a while now due to injury, it just felt like it was the right moment.”
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SIXTEEN team accumulator after late Zaha winner
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    Bardsley, who was born in California to parents from Manchester, played an influential role in the Citizens’ emergence as a dominant force.
    The shot-stopper helped the club to a treble trophy win in 2017 and a cup double in the 2018-2019 season.
    Trophy wins include a WSL title, three FA Cups and four league cups including a 2019 Continental Tyres Cup final defeat of Arsenal following a penalty shootout
    The City ace played in four games for Hope Powell’s Great Britain side at the London 2012 Olympics.
    City boss Gareth Taylor says Bardsley has left an ‘undeniable mark on women’s football’
    And she featured for England up to the quarter-final stage of the 2019 World Cup before a torn hamstring forced her out of action.
    It was an injury that led the WSL heroine to question her playing future.
    Last April, reflecting on her injury, Bardsley told Sky Sports: “Basically, I tore the hamstring tendon off the bone at the end of the first half against Norway at the World Cup in 2019.
    Although injury has limited Karen’s appearances on the pitch during my time in charge, she has remained an integral member of our team and has made a real difference behind the scene. Gareth Taylor – Manchester City head coach
    “I knew something was wrong as it all felt a bit loose, but I think adrenaline kept me going,” 
    “I don’t think I understood how bad it was at the time, it was probably because I managed to finish the game.
    “A few months later I had surgery and from that point onwards it was a 15-month recovery.
    “The surgery was more invasive than I realised.
    “I got a fresh perspective about what it’s like to be out of the game and think about what I want from women’s football.
    “Do I still love it? Do I still want to play?”
    Last year Bardsley, who began her career with US college football side Cal State Fullerton Titans, was included in the Team GB squad for the Tokyo Olympics.
    But an injury led to her withdrawing from the group ahead of the start of the tournament.
    Bardsley played in goal for England up to the quarter-stage of the 2019 Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
    Of her career, Man City boss Gareth Taylor, 49, said: “Karen has left an undeniable mark on women’s football.
    “I believe that her playing career is just the start of the overall impact she will make.
    “Although injury has limited her appearances on the pitch during my time in charge, she has remained an integral member of our team and has made a real difference behind the scenes.
    “She deserves all the plaudits that she receives, and I would like to wish her the very best for the future and the next step of her journey.” More

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    Manchester City 7 Brighton 2: Shaw bags four as Taylor’s City slickers brush Brighton aside in a nine-goal encounter

    KHADIJA ‘BUNNY’ SHAW netted four times as Manchester City moved up to third with a ruthless 7-2 drubbing of Brighton.The Jamaica ace was in lethal scoring form with Lauren Hemp also on target on her 100th Citizens’ appearance. 
    Khadija Shaw scored twice in both halves for Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
    Lauren Hemp and Caroline Weir were both on target for City at the Academy StadiumCredit: Reuters
    City have now scored 34 times in seven league games against Albion. 
    The nine-goal thriller saw them leapfrog neighbours Manchester United into a Champions League spot for the first time this term.
    Shaw said: “We found ourselves in a difficult position at the beginning of the season, so we know it was going to take hard work and consistency.
    “This year started off great for us and we’ll just keep building on it and stick together as a team.”

    The match saw Hemp and Shaw notch up their 18th goals across all competitions this term.
    City boss Gareth Taylor said: “Bunny is a really good finisher and it’s just about her believing in herself a bit more.
    “She’s had a very good season and the levels for her to move up are huge.
    “Coming from a different league and into a different country, there’s that adaptation period.
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    “Hopefully the result today will give her a little bit more confidence.”
    Brighton had a nightmare start with Shaw firing the hosts ahead in the third minute following Demi Stokes’ probing run and pass.
    The home side, who had 11 shots on target, doubled their lead in the 12th minute shortly after Hemp fizzed an effort wide.
    And it was Shaw again, firing beyond Megan Walsh on the edge of the six-yard box after a pass from Lucy Bronze
    Then Caroline Weir poked home at close range minutes later.  
    Julia Zigiotti netted Albion’s second goal close to halftimeCredit: Reuters
    But Brighton mounted a first-half fightback which saw them net twice before half-time.
    First from the spot after Lee Geum-min was fouled by Keira Walsh with Inessa Kaagman powering the ball home in the 21st minute.
    And then from Julia Zigiotti sweeping the ball beyond Ellie Roebuck following a cross.
    The second spell saw Brighton attempt to build on their comeback with Zigiotti forcing a fingertip save from Roebuck in the six-yard box.
    Shaw was in clinical form helping her side move up to third ahead of their game against BirminghamCredit: Reuters
    But City blew their rivals away from then on with Keira Walsh teeing Shaw up for a hat-trick in the 61st minute.
    And the Jamaica striker made it 5-2 after combining with Hemp to bury her fourth.
    Her team-mates refused to let up with Alex Greenwood nodding home from a corner after evading her marker.
    And Lauren Hemp made it 7-2 walloping home from a tight angle to round off a hefty City victory and a tough afternoon for Albion.
    Hope Powell will be looking for a response from Brighton when they play Everton in their final game of the seasonCredit: Reuters
    Seagulls boss Hope Powell said: “It was a tough day at the office.
    “The quality they possess, we couldn’t really manage our attitude and effort was really good, and it should have been 3-3 (at one point).
    “But credit to Man City, it was just too much for us today.  More

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    Taylor unfazed by transfer gossip with Manchester City focused on top three push

    GARETH TAYLOR says transfer rumours will not be a distraction for Manchester City as they target a cup double and a Champions League spot.And the Citizens may see Jess Park return before their FA Cup final in May with the forward progressing well after picking up a calf injury.
    Gareth Taylor’s side will be targeting wins in their final three WSL games this termCredit: Getty
    Taylor, 49, whose side host Brighton on Saturday, was speaking following reported rumours from Spain of alleged Real Madrid interest in Caroline Weir.
    The Scotland star, who joined City from Liverpool in 2018, signed a two-year contract extension back in January 2020.
    And the forward has netted 21 goals in 70 top-flight games so far for the club.
    On whether transfer speculation has been a distraction, City boss Taylor said: “For us, it’s just (about) realigning the focus as it’s just hearsay and rumours.
    .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BAL ACHE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Watch Aguero and Balotelli’s stunned reaction to Benzema double against Man City
    “We’re all professionals and we crack on with things. We have a job to do, and we will give it our best.”
    City, who are fourth, are looking to capitalise on Manchester United dropping points last weekend in the race to finish third.
    The Citizens currently have a game in hand on their neighbours
    And they are targeting their sixth win in seven WSL games against Hope Powell’s Seagulls.
    Victory would see them pick up an eleventh straight win across all competitions since a 1-0 loss away at Chelsea in early February.
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    Taylor added: “The consistency we’ve shown and the lack of goals we’ve given away (compared) to where we were earlier in the season has been remarkable really.
    “And that takes perseverance, character and availability of players. It’s nothing but positive for me.
    “We had difficult moments – there’s no doubt about that.
    “But we knew when we had a more improved pool to choose from, it would allow us to do what we’ve done and be really consistent.
    “It’s important to analyse and see what we could have done better at the start – on and off the pitch. It’s part of our make-up to try and be better.
    “We’re in a good position now and regardless of what happens, there’s still a lot to be done and that’s great in terms of looking to improve.”
    Manchester City will play Birmingham and Reading after their home game against BrightonCredit: Getty
    City will also be targeting a cup double triumph over Chelsea having beaten the Blues in this term’s Conti Cup final.
    And the club could see Jess Park return with the starlet working her way back from a calf issue, with Vicky Losada also targeting recovery from injury.
    On whether the duo could return this season, Taylor said: “Maybe Jess might be slightly ahead.
    “She’s come back looking quite good from a calf injury so we may get to see her before the (FA) Cup final.
    “Vicky’s (knee injury) is niggly and the smallest twist can give discomfort. They are difficult ones to come back from
    “She has been working hard. It’ll be touch-and-go but she’s given herself the best chance to get back.”
    Brighton could be set to surpass the total of 27 points they achieved in the league last seasonCredit: PA
    Brighton, currently seventh, are looking to bounce back from a 3-1 home loss to Birmingham.
    And Powell, 55, wants her side to push for a strong finish this season with the team three points away from beating their points total last term. 
    The Albion boss said: “The ambition is to try and do better than we did last season and for me better means more consistency in our performance.” More

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    WSL ace Asante pays tribute to injured Villa captain Allen and prepares to skipper side in final games before retirement

    ANITA ASANTE paid a touching tribute to injured team-mate Remi Allen ahead of her last two games before retirement.The veteran centre-back will captain Aston Villa against Arsenal and Birmingham before calling time on a career spanning nearly two decades.
    Anita Asante will wear the captain’s armband for Aston Villa in their last two games of the WSL seasonCredit: PA
    Remi Allen will miss Villa’s games against Arsenal and Birmingham due to an ACL injuryCredit: Getty
    Carla Ward’s side will be without the services of Allen, 31, with the midfield ace sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
    And the Villa player, who has scored five times in 22 appearances this term, will miss her side’s last two games of the season.
    In a post shared via her Twitter account, Asante said it was “an honour” to be leading her team-mates in their last two games this term.
    And she dedicated her captaincy to Allen who replied by describing the tribute as a “class act”.
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    Asante, 44 appearances across all competitions for Villa netting twice after joining in the summer of 2020.
    And club boss Carla Ward revealed she tried to persuade the defender to stay on for another term when she learned of her plans to retire.
    Ward also hopes to keep the former Lionesses centre-back at the club in some capacity.
    Ward said: “A couple of weeks ago I said: ‘look, have you fully decided, what are you doing?’ She said: ‘yeah, I can finish on a high this way’.
    “She is an outstanding human being and I want to keep her here next season.
    “In what capacity, I don’t know, but I’d love to keep her here because she’s an absolute joy to be around.”
    Earlier this week Asante spoke to BBC Sport about her hopes of becoming a coach.
    And she dreams of one day managing her former club Arsenal with whom she won the Champions League 15 years ago this month.
    On Asante’s coaching ambitions, Ward added: “She has an unbelievable amount of knowledge.
    Carla Ward will be hoping to surprise Arsenal after claiming a point against Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
    “She has also got an unbelievable sense of humility and a way that draws people in from the way that she is as a human being.
    “That’s really valuable as a coach because she could walk into a room, and everybody would stop and listen.
    “How she can then translate that as a coach is that it’s naturally a lot easier to coach people who initially respect you.” More