Women’s football

KEIRA WALSH netted a wondergoal as Man City trounced Leicester 4-1 to recover from their worst ever start to a WSL season.The midfielder’s rocket and a Lauren Hemp strike were among the goals that saw the Foxes fall to a sixth consecutive defeat.
Keira Walsh netted her first WSL goal of the season Man City’s win against LeicesterCredit: Getty
The victory saw City bounce back from a first-minute defensive howler to go seventh and one spot above Everton before their clash with Chelsea.
On Walsh’s goal City boss, Gareth Taylor said: “We know she’s capable of that and it was nice to see her arrive there on the edge of the box.
“Keira is a player who needs rhythm, who needs games, and she’s not had that consistently. 
“But the more she plays and the more game time she gets under her belt, I’m pretty certain we’re going to see performances like that.”
Coming in this game the Citizens had picked up just four points from their opening five league games.
And their opponents got off to a dream start at the King Power stunning City in the process. 
Ex-Manchester United striker Jess Sigsworth opened the scoring capitalising on an error from Jill Scott to put the hosts ahead after 59 seconds.

However, the visitors went on the attack swiftly in response, with Georgia Stanway testing Kirstie Levell with a 20th-minute shot skimming the crossbar.
And they got their equaliser with Caroline Weir whipping in a low effort past Levell following a cross from Hemp moments before the half-hour mark.
Leicester made an early substitution with Sophie Howard coming on for Georgia Brougham in a bid to nullify the threat of Hemp.
But the hosts went behind again with Walsh walloping in her first league goal of the season on the edge of the 18-yard box close to half-time.
Lauren Hemp got on the scoresheet with Man City’s third goal of the gameCredit: Getty
The second half saw no let-up from the visitors.
Jess Park forced a save from Levell with the starlet outpacing Molly Pike before unleashing a shot aimed for the top-left corner.
And Stanway stung the palms of the ex-Everton keeper in the 55th minute. before she pulled off a stunning acrobatic save to keep out a Hemp strike moments later.
However, the winger got on the scoresheet to bury City’s third in the 70th minute before Laura Coombs made it four in the closing stages.
Taylor added: “Lauren is a fantastic outlet for us.
“I think at times we overuse her and one of the challenges we’ve tasked her with is to connect in the final third and up her ratio of goals and assists.
Jess Sigsworth netted her first goal for Leicester since sealing a summer switch to the Foxes from Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
“She produced a lot of numbers in half a season last year. I thought in this game she looked so dangerous from the start and took her goal really well.”
The result leaves Leicester without a point after six games following a tough introduction to life in the WSL.
Foxes boss Morgan said: “We were just a bit short in terms with our quality out of possession. I think we just need to build on our quality out of possession as well as with the ball.”
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RUBY MACE reckons it is ‘crazy’ that she could one day be playing alongside her childhood idol Steph Houghton.And the versatile Manchester City centre-back is eager to prove herself following her high profile move north from Arsenal this summer.
Ruby Mace has impressed with her performances for Man City in the Conti CupCredit: Getty
And the former Gunners starlet, who some have talked of as being the next Houghton, admits the long-serving City captain is a player she hopes to emulate.
Mace, who is 18, said: “I’ve idolised Steph since I was younger.
“She has always been someone I’ve admired, especially when watching the Arsenal matches when she used to play for them and England matches.
“Steph is someone that I always wanted to be like (on the pitch) so having her in and around me right now is crazy.
“I used to sit down with my family and watch her in games and she’s someone that my parents said that I should look up to.
“I haven’t spoken much to Steph yet but she has given me advice. With her being injured at the moment I don’t want to disturb her rehab.”

Mace, who began her football career in Arsenal’s academy, also competed as a sprint hurdler for her school at county level.
The defender, who can also play in midfield, earned plaudits for eye-catching Birmingham performances whilst on loan there from the Gunners last term.
The East London-born starlet, who did some of her training at Hale End with Arsenal’s under-15 boys’ side, netted two goals in 11 top-flight appearances helping Brum to beat relegation.
The Man City centre-back, who hopes to help England Under-19s win the Uefa Women’s Under-19 Euros next year, is yet to make her WSL debut for Gareth Taylor’s team.
But she is eager to play her way into contention after impressing in the club’s 5-1 and 3-0 Continental Cup match wins against Everton and Durham this term.
Mace helped Birmingham avoid relegation during her loan spell at the club last seasonCredit: Alamy
Mace added: “I want to improve as a player and – when I get my chance – prove that I’m good enough to be here and that I am willing to work hard and show my ability to everyone.
“If I get the chance to perform in the matches where I can be a part of this season’s Conti Cup and FA Cup, I will do my best to help the team.
“When I was looking to move to the club I had a look at who had come through their academy.
“Many players have come through and I’ve seen the development work Manchester City put in with players like Jess Park.
“That’s something that I wanted to be a part of. I want to be in and around the best players as training with the best is going to help me develop the most.”
City, who hope to pick up their first win in the top-tier since their 4-0 demolition of Everton look set to be without Khadija Shaw with the striker recovering from a painful foot injury.
The progress of players from Man City’s academy is one of the things Mace looked into prior to her moveCredit: Rex
Meanwhile, Leicester will be without the services of Hannah Cain with the forward ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing her ACL
Jonathan Morgan is confident his side will eventually pick up points following five losses from their first five games in the league.
The Foxes boss said: “The points will come when they come. We’re not putting ourselves under any pressure.
“A season isn’t defined by the first quarter. Our aim is to stay up and get more points than the bottom team.”
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AILEEN WHELAN and Brighton ruined Jean-Luc Vasseu’s first game in charge of Everton.Rampaging forward Whelan combined to clinical effect with Danielle Carter as Albion leapfrogged Tottenham to third with a 1-0 win.
The Seagulls have moved to third ahead of their game against LeicesterCredit: Reuters
Aileen Whelan netted Brighton’s winner against EvertonCredit: Getty
The result saw Everton’s tough start to their WSL season continue with the club beaten for the fourth time in six games.
It was also their first loss this term to a side that finished outside the top three last season.
The Seagulls were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing the last time the two sides met with the Toffees trouncing Albion at their home ground.
It was Hope Powell’s visiting side who had the upper hand this time with Whelan close to putting them ahead early on.
Her goal-bound header hit the post before being cleared out of danger by the hosts in the 15th minute,
One of the Toffees’ best chances came through Toni Duggan taking advantage of a poor back pass before forcing a comfortable save from Megan Walsh moments before.

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The second half saw Brighton threaten again with Maya Le Tissier’s half-volley forcing a quality save from Sandy MacIver.
Albion eventually broke the deadlock with Whelan heading them in front courtesy of a pinpoint cross from Carter with an hour on the clock.
Everton came close to getting a leveller when Valerie Gauvin flicked the ball narrowly wide in injury time.
But Brighton wrapped up a win to leave the Toffees eighth before their clash with Manchester United.  
Brighton are set to take on Leicester at home in one of six Women’s Football Weekend next week.
Jean-Luc Vasseur will hope for better luck Everton in their next game which is against Man UnitedCredit: PA
Earlier, Emma Hayes saw her players notch up a hard-fought 1-0 win against Aston Villa ahead of their Champions League clash with Servette and a top-flight duel with Manchester City.
Jessie Fleming’s first-half strike led Chelsea to their fifth win from six WSL games – although they had to withstand some late forays forward from Carla Ward’s side.
After the game, Hayes said: “I felt calm (about the narrow lead) because there is experience in the group.
“They knew what the game was, like I said at 1-0, you’re away from home, the opponent is going to be buoyed by the opportunity.”
Ward, whose side play Birmingham next, added: “They’ve competed against world-class players out there af you look at that last 10-15 minutes, we were the ones on top, pushing them back and you could see a little bit of nerves in them.
“Had there been another five minutes, you never know. I’m massively proud of the girls.”
Ji So-yun, Magda Eriksson and their Chelsea team-mates are now level on points with leaders ArsenalCredit: Getty
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ASHLEIGH PLUMPTRE is backing Foxes fans to give Leicester a boost as they target a bounce back from a tough run of six losses from six games.The Nigeria centre-back’s club are aiming for their first win of the season when they face Everton in a league cup duel at Pirelli Stadium.  
Ashleigh Plumptre reckons lively support from Leicester fans has given the team a boostCredit: Rex
Jonathan Morgan’s team are yet to pick up a point in the league having lost five top-flight matches after a tricky start that has seen them play three of the tier’s top-four sides.
But the WSL debutants came close to nabbing a draw against champions Chelsea before the international break until two late Blues goals saw them consigned to defeat.
Plumptre, told Leicester City TV: “The fans really make a huge difference and, although we haven’t got the results so far, when we come back into training and after games, we all talk about how the fans have given us that extra push.
“I vividly remember in the Tottenham game when we were trying to get a goal back and every time it felt like we had momentum and were getting forward.
“You could hear the crowd every time we stepped forward and it’s something that I don’t think we would have got if we were still playing at Quorn (FC’s ground).
“We’re very lucky to be playing there (Pirelli Stadium) and at King Power Stadium.

“It’s the perfect stage for fans and other people to see what we can do.
This evening’s clash will see Everton play their first match under new manager Jean Luc-Vasseur a day after commercial director Sarvar Ismailov quit his role for health reasons.
The 52-year-old Frenchman has taken charge of the Toffees following the sacking of their former boss Willie Kirk.
The Walton Hall Park side parted company with the Edinburgh-born coach following a poor start to the season with the club losing three of their five opening top-flight games this season.
Everton will play their first game under new boss Jean-Luc Vasseur (left) when they take on LeicesterCredit: Getty
And those defeats for the Merseyside team came against last term’s top three Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Everton, who harbour ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League, are thought to see Vasseur as a coach with the required experience to help them achieve their goal of competing in Europe.
The Frenchman, who began his senior playing career as a midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain in 1986, comes to the club off the back of trophy-winning success in Europe’s top club competition with French giants Lyon.
I have the ambition to build a team that can achieve Champions League qualificationJean Luc-Vasseur
Following his appointment, Vasseur said: “I’ve come here to write new history with Everton and to win titles.
“We have a lot of talent and resources, so I think there is good capacity to improve.
“I have the ambition to build a team that can achieve Champions League qualification. We have to be patient and fight to win.”
Vasseur coached teams in Paris Saint-Germain’s academy from 2001 to 2011 before managing men’s sides Creteil, Chateauroux, Paris FC and Reims between 2011 and 2019.
He went on to become Lyon Women’s manager in June 2019.  
Everton finished fifth last year and harbour hopes of competing in the Champions LeagueCredit: Rex
And he led the side to a trophy treble in 2020 including France’s top-flight title and their seventh Champions League crown.
However, the Ligue One Women’s giants went on to sack the coach in April this year following a trophyless season.
Last term Lyon lost their domestic title to rivals PSG in June this year and were knocked out of the Champion’s League by the Paris side in April.
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IAN WRIGHT revealed he is ‘loving’ Katie McCabe’s performances on the pitch for Arsenal.And the Highbury hero, who turned 58 today, likened goal ace Vivianne Miedema to former club team-mate Dennis Bergkamp.
Ian Wright reckons Katie McCabe is in fine form for top-flight leaders ArsenalCredit: Getty
Wright, who was a guest on the YouTube sports show UMM, was sharing his thoughts on the WSL stars who have been earning plaudits for their efforts in domestic contests and the Champions League.
On whether Miedema is presently his favourite Arsenal player, Wright said: “Listen, Viv is like how Bergkamp was. Everybody loves her because of how great she is.
“I have to say at the moment it is probably Katie McCabe at left-back.
“She’s one of those players you don’t get less than eight out of from 10 from her.

“She gets on with her game flies into tackles, great footballer great crosses, scoring great goals. I’m loving Katie McCabe.”
McCabe and Miedema, whose side play West Ham next, have notched up a combined tally of seven WSL goals and five assists for their club
Their team have lost just once in 13 games in all competitions this term falling to a 4-1 defeat in a Champions League group stage clash with Barcelona.
McCabe, who signed a new long-term Arsenal contract in May, has featured in midfield and as well as left-back for the Gunners.
Last month club boss Jonas Eidevall praised the Republic of Ireland star’s versatility on the pitch following her Player of the Match performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 home win against Everton.
Wright says Miedema is a similar to Dennis Bergkamp on the pitchCredit: Getty
The Sweden-born coach said: “What I like about Katie is that she can bring different things to the team depending on where you have her in the starting position.
“So, as a coach, sometimes you can fit her into a position where you think it will fit the match picture.
“She’s so versatile and to be honest, she has played a little bit as an attacking midfielder for us this year as well
Katie McCabe and Arsenal are due to face Chelsea in this year’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
“In all those positions (winger, full-back and attacking midfield), she will give you the pace, give you the dribbles with her left foot and obviously her crosses and finishes.”
McCabe and her team-mates are due to play in their first major cup final this year following their 2019 Continental trophy triumph.
The WSL leaders will take on Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday 5 December in the delayed final of last term’s Women’s FA Cup.
And they will be hoping to avenge their loss to the Blues in the finals of the tournament back in May 2018.
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HOPE POWELL wants more action to tackle the shortage of black and minority ethnic coaches at the highest levels of women’s football.And the Brighton chief is concerned by the lack of diversity in Lionesses squads.
Hope Powell and her Brighton players will take on Arsenal in a Women’s FA Cup semi-final clashCredit: PA
Should her Seagulls’ beat Arsenal later this afternoon, Powell will become the first black female Women’s Super League manager to lead a team to an FA Cup final.
The Albion manager, 54, said: “I am one of only two managers of colour in the top flight in the women’s game.
“It makes me wonder if this is down to opportunity or if it’s about experience and qualifications.
“But there are more and more females getting qualified, so is this about opportunities? This is something that needs to be looked at and addressed.
“In the men’s game, the amount of people of colour that you see on the pitch doesn’t quite translate to off the pitch in those leadership roles.
“The Diversity Code has been brought in to play by the FA to try and address that. How effective this will be is a matter of time.”

Lewisham-born Powell, who began her coaching career managing England from 1998 to 2013, is seen as a trailblazer in the game by a number of former Lionesses and women’s top-flight players.
Among those who hailed the Albion gaffer’s influence is Peckham Town boss Mary Phillip, 44, who became the first black player to skipper England in 2003.
The ex-Arsenal defender won 63 international caps and played in two World Cups in her 13-year international career.
Powell hopes Phillip will become the first of many managing in the Women’s Super League — and inspire others.
She added: “The important thing in my journey is that I’ve had loads of help during my career.
“I think it’s really important that I try and help people be the best they can be.
“And I hope the likes of Mary and others will end up supporting the next generation coming through.”
Mary Phillip (front row, first left) is among the former Lionesses who credits Powell as being a positive influence on her football careerCredit: AP:Associated Press
The last tournament final Powell led a team to was at the 2009 Women’s Euros where the Lionesses were beaten by the then four-time champions Germany.
The England team that competed in that match included three black players in its starting 11: Anita Asante, Eniola Aluko and Alex Scott, plus Lianne Sanderson and Jessica Clarke as subs.
In recent years the number of players from minority ethnic backgrounds in senior England squads has declined.
I know that the FA are looking to see what they can do to improve the diversity and it’s really important because it feels like there’s not the representation that was there once. Hope Powell
Only Nikita Parris and Demi Stokes were in the group selected to face Northern Ireland and Latvia earlier this month.
And Powell sees this as a knock-on effect of the shortage of homegrown black talent at the highest levels of women’s club football in England.
She said: “I think what we’re not seeing is perhaps the diversity on the pitch. It was certainly more in my day. I think there are reasons for that.
“The FA did the right thing wanting to professionalise regional training centres.
“With the best will in the world I think we’ve done that with Brighton’s training centre, but the challenge is for people to get there if they are from low-income families.
Powell hopes to see more homegrown black and minority ethnic talent break through into the senior England squad
“I know that the FA are looking to see what they can do to improve the diversity and it’s really important because it feels like there’s not the representation that was there once.
“We had Mary Phillip, Kerry Davis, Brenda Sempare. There were more people of colour, it would seem.
“Internationally we had Anita Asante, Rachel Yankey and there seemed to be more. I think that’s something that will need to be addressed going forward.”
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