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      Chloe Kelly braves cold in a sports bra as she’s teased by Lionesses team-mates but fans say ‘only she can pull it off’

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      ENGLAND star Chloe Kelly braved the cold as she donned a sports bra in wintery conditions… only to be teased by her Lionesses team-mates.Kelly’s Manchester City finished 2023 with an impressive 4-1 win over Everton as Khadija Shaw scored a hat-trick.
      Chloe Kelly braved the cold by wearing a sports bra in the snowCredit: Instagram @chloekelly
      She is enjoying some downtime as the Women’s Super League begins a five-week breakCredit: Instagram @chloekelly
      Kelly was praised by fans for her look but was teased by some of her team-matesCredit: Instagram @chloekelly
      The result sees them leap up to second place in the Women’s Super League as the competition heads into a five-week break.
      On Wednesday, Kelly, who has five goals in 13 games so far this season, shared a picture of her enjoying some downtime surrounded by thick snow.
      She wore a white sports bra for the snap, along with white trousers, black shoes and sunglasses.
      And she added the caption: “Camo game strong ☃️.”
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      After scoring the winning goal in England’s Euro final triumph over Germany last year, Kelly famously took off her shirt to display a similar Nike sports bra.
      England and Man City team-mate Lauren Hemp acknowledged this, saying: “Reliving the euro final.”
      Meanwhile, former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton added: “Is that the bra you wore for game on Sunday? 🥶”
      While another England player, Katie Zelem, replied: “Snow White 💧.”
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      Kelly celebrated her winning goal at the Euros final by taking off her top to show her sports braCredit: Reuters
      Fans also reacted to the picture, with one saying: “This is a whole vibe only CK can pull this off 👏 🎵 Ice ice baby 🎵.”
      And another responded: “Flipping heck zip up Chloe, even I’m getting cold 😂😂.”
      Kelly heads into the new year looking to earn Man City their first WSL title since 2016.
      They sit three points adrift of champions Chelsea – who are seeking a fourth successive league title.
      Meanwhile, Kelly’s England team-mate, Mary Earps, claimed the Sports Personality of the Year award on Tuesday.
      The Lionesses and Manchester United keeper, 30, scooped the honour ahead of retired cricketer Stuart Broad and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson. More

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      Piers Morgan leads complaints after Mary Earps is named BBC SPOTY despite ‘winning nothing’ – but fans hit back

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      PIERS Morgan led complaints on social media after Mary Earps won the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.The 30-year-old goalkeeper was a key part of the Lionesses side which reached the Women’s World Cup final in the summer.
      Piers Morgan led complaints on social media after Mary Earps won BBC SPOTYCredit: Rex Features
      Earps followed previous winners Emma Raducanu and teammate Beth MeadCredit: PA
      Credit: Twitter/@piersmorgan
      Morgan disagreed that the Lionesses star should have claimed the prizeCredit: Twitter/@piersmorgan
      The Manchester United shot stopper also won FIFA’s Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper at the tournament.
      She followed previous female SPOTY winners tennis superstar Emma Raducanu and England team-mate Beth Mead.
      But Morgan, 58, insisted that the Lionesses’ star should not have claimed the prize.
      On X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: “Trying to get my head around two of England’s women footballers winning BBC SPOTY in successive years… while male sporting superstars with great personalities like Rory McIlroy, Frankie Dettori & Ronnie O’Sullivan have never won it.”
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      Piers added: “No offence to Ms Earps, but shouldn’t it have been given to someone who actually won something in 2023?”
      Another user said: “Mary Earps wins SPOTY for helping England win nothing. Oh but she did save a penalty so guess that’s enough, such a political winner this year second and third weren’t much better either.”
      But others were supportive of Earps receiving the accolade.
      The Prince and Princess of Wales tweeted: “Hugely well deserved, Mary. Congratulations! W”.
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      Cairon Lee said: “She thoroughly deserved to win it she played a critical role in helping England to the final and giving them a shot to win it she has done a massive amount for goalkeeping as well as woman’s sport so well deserved in my opinion.”
      Guillermo Ravelo wrote simply: “She deserves it.”
      Earps saved a penalty from Spain’s Jenni Hermoso in the final, but the Lionesses were unable to add to their 2022 European crown as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Sydney.
      At club level she kept 14 clean sheets as United finished second in the Women’s Super League.
      She hailed the part her teammates had played in her achieving this individual accolade.
      “I would not be here without my team-mates with the Lionesses and at Manchester United because we’ve achieved some incredible things over the last couple of years,” she said.

      “While individual accolades are great, they only come after team success. This is their trophy just as much as mine.”
      Former England cricketer Stuart Broad, who retired at the end of the fifth Ashes Test in the summer, was second in the BBC public vote and world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson was third. More

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      Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal Women suspended as medics sprint across pitch to deal with crowd emergency

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      THE Women’s Super League North London Derby was briefly paused due to a medical emergency on Saturday.Play was halted in the 82nd minute with several stewards called to the away end at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Tottenham vs Arsenal was paused due to a medical emergencyCredit: Sky Sports
      Medics rushed across the pitch to the incidentCredit: Getty
      At least five club medics rushed to the sceneCredit: Getty
      Both medical teams then rushed across the pitch to tend to the supporter.
      Players on the pitch could be seen directing the medical experts to where they were needed before themselves then congregating by the dugout.
      Play was stopped for around five minutes before resuming.
      It is not clear what the exact nature of the emergency was and neither club has issued an update on the status of the supporter.
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      The pause in play meant 11 minutes of additional time were added.
      Tottenham went on to win the match 1-0 and claim their first-ever WSL victory over Arsenal.
      Martha Thomas scored the decisive goal in the 58th minute following a brilliant build-up from Spurs.
      The result leaves Arsenal second in the WSL table, with Spurs in sixth.
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      A win would have seen the Gunners go top of the league following last week’s impressive 4-1 win over Chelsea.
      Emma Hayes’ side will now have the chance to extend their advantage at the top once again when they face Bristol City on Sunday.
      Speaking after the match, goalscorer Thomas told Sky Sports: “It’s a great win for us. It’s been a tough week but I think we really deserved that. We put on a performance that we can be really proud of.
      “We made a lot of changes on Wednesday [in the League Cup vs Arsenal] and put in a good performance then and thought we could continue that today.
      “The manager felt that the same team deserved to go out and play again today minus the one change. That’s what we did.
      “He told us to enjoy ourselves, play with freedom, like he always does. But we’ve come off the back of two bad results in the league so we know we can compete against these teams and we have shown that today.”
      Arsenal next face Everton after the winter break on January 20, while Tottenham take on Sheffield United in the FA Cup on January 14. More

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      Unstoppable women racing towards equality.. I wonder what Joey Barton’s wife thinks of his rubbish Alex Scott comments

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      TAMMY WYNETTE sang: “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman.”She was wrong… it’s hard all the bloody time!
      Joey Barton claimed that women ‘shouldn’t be talking with any kind of authority’ about men’s football last weekCredit: Alamy
      I don’t suppose that most of the people reading this column would understand, worry or even care what it is like to be a woman in a traditionally all-male industry like football.
      But I ask them to take a pause and consider it because this has been a mixed week for women in football.
      First, pleasure at a record 59,042 Women’s Super League crowd at the Emirates Stadium.
      Followed by the grim news that 152 players out of 697 monitored at the Women’s World Cup received discriminatory, abusive, or threatening messages on social media.
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      Players at the women’s finals in Australia and New Zealand were found to be 29 per cent more likely to be targeted for online abuse than players at the 2022 men’s World Cup.
      One was even subjected to open misogyny when Luis Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish FA, bear-hugged World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso before kissing her firmly on the lips.
      Then this week Joey Barton’s had his say, claiming women pundits “shouldn’t be talking with any kind of authority” on the men’s game before comparing their input as the equivalent of “me talking about knitting or netball”.
      Joey’s entitled to his opinion, of course, but I suspect his comments just encouraged more vile social media abuse aimed at women who just want to be left alone to get on with their job.
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      Arsenal broke the WSL attendance record when they faced Chelsea on SundayCredit: Getty
      England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been nominated for Sports Personality of the YearCredit: PA
      I wonder what Joey’s wife and daughter make of his anger on a fresh target, singling out Alex Scott because, I suspect, the England international is making much more of a splash than Barton ever will.
      Scott has no chip on her shoulder. Barton has a whole plank on his.
      She had a career of 140 appearances and 12 goals for England as a right-back, he played one international for, ahem, 11 ­minutes.
      This, he thinks, entitles him to judge that Scott should shut up about the men’s game.
      She hasn’t experienced it and neither she nor any other woman should commentate on it or analyse it. Anyway, she wasn’t “a great player”. What rubbish.
      She has earned her right to do the job she does, and she does it very well.
      Why should she be subjected to abuse and singling out just because she is a woman? Barton’s attitude is reminiscent of the one that women should stay at home, clean the house, look after the kids and not dabble in men’s business.
      There are many that still think like that. Sadly, the view that only men should cover men’s football is common.
      Alex Scott has responded to Barton’s commentsCredit: Reuters
      But you’ll have to get used to it because, chaps, our impetus towards the top in almost every sphere is unstoppable.
      We are to have our first female ref in the Premier League.
      Rebecca Welch will take charge of the game between Fulham and Burnley on December 23. Most will presume this is a token gesture, but it is not.
      She is yet another woman who has earned the right having spent years working her way up from the very bottom of the referee programme.
      What difference does it make it you are male or female if you can do the job?
      Read more on The Sun
      The best retort to male supremacists might well come very soon.
      Should goalkeeper Mary Earps win the Sports Personality of the Year award — the second consecutive female winner after Beth Mead — it will be a further salute to equality. Something we should all strive for.
      Rebecca Welch will become the Premier League’s first female referee this monthCredit: PA More

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      Eni Aluko and Jamie Carragher urge fans to vote for their heroes at 2024 Women’s Football Awards

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      ENI ALUKO and JAMIE CARRAGHER have urged the public to vote for their heroes as the prestigious Women’s Football Awards returns in 2024.The former England duo hosted the inaugural awards ceremony last year – which saw Alessia Russo scoop player of the year.
      Jamie Carragher and Eni Aluko have urged fans to vote in this year’s awardsCredit: PA
      Her then club, Manchester United, won club of the year.
      Barcelona’s Keira Walsh and Chelsea and England star Lauren James also took home major accolades. 
      Co-host Aluko said: “This is Britain and Europe’s biggest award event for women’s football and is returning at a very exciting moment for the game. 
      “The Women’s Football Awards World Cup follows a fantastic World Cup tournament, a thrilling start to the women’s football season and while the phenomenal growth of our game continues. 
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      “This is the only awards event for women’s football where the public decides the shortlist and so we’re encouraging as many people to take part and nominate now. 
      “The Women’s Football Awards is an inspirational event and will  recognise those on and off the pitch who are raising the bar for women’s football.”
      Meanwhile CBS host Carragher, who will also present the ceremony said: “The Women’s Football Awards is special because it not only celebrates the success on the pitch but shines a light on the people and organisations working behind-the scenes- to push the growth of the game forward. 
      “I am excited to be involved again and encourage the public to nominate now.”
      Most read in Football
      Lauren James and Missy Bo Kearns pose with their awards for ‘young football players of the year’
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      The awards ceremony celebrates the superstars of women’s football all the way down to the heroes of the grassroots game who empower women in football.
      There were two lifetime achievement awards given out with former England captain Carol Thomas was awarded a special recognition award for her efforts advancing the game after the FA ban on women’s football was lifted in 1971 after 50 years.
      And broadcaster and former Lioness Karen Carney was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award.
      Brands who have invested in growing women’s football such as Three Mobile, VISA and Arnold Clark were also recognised.
      Nominations for the 2024 awards are now open to the public and there are several categories, including: Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Women’s Football Broadcaster and Journalist of the Year, Football Business of the Year, World Cup Player of the Year and the Off The Pitch award.
      Women’s football fans can nominate their heroes of the game between now and February, when the final shortlist will be unveiled ahead of the star-studded awards gala on May 30th following the culmination of the Women’s Super League campaign.
      Alessia Russo was recognised for her form at her previous club Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters More

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      Emma Hayes and Lia Walti hit out at ‘disgusting’ online abuse of Chelsea ace Lauren James

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      EMMA HAYES slammed the  “disgusting amount of abuse” directed at Lauren James following Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal in the WSL on Sunday. The Blues boss Blues compared the online trolling of the forward to the vitriol aimed at David Beckham after his 1998 World Cup red card.  
      Emma Hayes says the level of abuse Lauren James has endured online is unacceptable
      Chelsea criticised derogatory comments aimed at the forward following her challenge on Lia Walti during a clash with Arsenal
      Hayes, 46, was speaking ahead of her side’s Women’s Champions League clash with BK Hacken at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening
      The group stage duel between her side and the Swedish giants comes four days after James, 22, made headlines for an off the ball challenge on Arsenal ace Lia Walti
      The incident which occurred in the second-half of the Blues and Gunners’ clash at the Emirates, was captured in BBC Sport footage. 
      James was given a yellow card for an apparent stamp on Walti’s foot. 
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      The clip went viral on social media platform X with some of the forum’s users posting derogatory comments and insults about James. 
      It comes four months after the Lionesses starlet was sent off for treading on the back of Nigeria player Michelle Alozie during England’s last-16 defeat of Nigeria at the World Cup.
      Walti, whose Gunners side take on Tottenham in the league on Saturday, also called out the derogatory comments aimed at James.
      The Arsenal ace, whose team beat Spurs in the Conti Cup on Wednesday, defended the Blues player via her official X account.
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      She tweeted: “I initially didn’t want to say anything, but I can’t look away.
      “I absolutely can’t stand any sort of abuse – online abuse and any other sort of discrimination is disgusting.
      “No one gets better by putting others down!!!”

      On Monday Chelsea issued a written statement condemning “the online abuse directed towards James”.
      The club also stated that it stands “strongly against any form of discriminatory behaviour.”
      Hayes said: “It’s disgusting the amount of abuse she has received from the public, from the media and from the press. 
      “We’re talking about a young player here that, no question, is always working to learn in the background and bits and bobs.
      “But some of the language I’ve seen used to vilify her externally, I think is unacceptable. 
      “I don’t see the same level of abuse attributed to other players in the league, who have had their own challenging moments. 
      “And I think it’s fair to say that, if I’m in her position, I’d be thinking that there is racial profiling going on.”
      Hayes, whose side are second in their Champions League group, sees parallels between the trolling of James and the abuse of Beckham during the early stage of his England career. 
      The iconic former Three Lions captain was sent off for kicking the leg of Argentina captain Diego Simeone during a World Cup knockout match which his side lost on penalties.
      In a Netflix documentary the Man United icon said the incident “brought a lot of attention”  that he would never wish on anyone.
      Following the match and tournament Beckham was on the receiving end of vile abuse from some football fans including members of the public haranguing him on the streets. 
      Hayes added: “Lauren is a young player and she made an error in the summer. 
      “Of course, she has to keep learning those things, but they aren’t done in like single segments..
      “Managing emotions comes with maturity, and that isn’t there yet with her. 
      “But it reminds me very much of David Beckham in many ways when he got red-carded at the (1998) World Cup. 
      David Beckham was subjected to vile abuse from the public after being sent off during England’s World Cup clash with Argentina in 1998
      “I think the treatment of Lauren sometimes is very similar.
      Read more on The Sun
      “We have to realise for a young person in a day and age where social media is unbelievably vitriolic.
      “Some of the nasty language and labelling and name calling, it goes over the edge, to be honest with you.” More

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      England Lionesses keeper shirts sell out in FIVE minutes after Mary Earps’ huge Women’s World Cup row with Nike

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      LIONESSES goalkeeper shirts finally went on sale this morning – and they sold out within a matter of minutes.A batch of the shirts went on sale at 8am and were sold out by 8:05am amid high demand.
      England goalkeeper shirts sold out this morningCredit: Getty
      Mary Earps urged Nike to sell them ahead of the Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      The number put on the official England online shop was comparable to that of the men’s strips prior to a major international tournament.
      Mary Earps was left “hugely disappointed” ahead of this summer’s Women’s World Cup after Nike failed to put any goalkeeper shirts on sale.
      The Manchester United star also revealed that she had been “fighting behind closed doors” and “trying to go through the correct channels” in a bid to find a solution.
      Nike initially decided against selling the shirts, but made a U-turn in August.
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      A limited quantity was released on the Nike website in October without warning and sold out almost instantly.
      Some later appeared on eBay for DOUBLE the price.
      Two shirts were sold for an astonishing £199.99, while another went for £174.99.
      Earps played a crucial role in England’s journey to the Women’s World Cup final earlier this year.
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      Although the Lionesses suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain, the United keeper was awarded with the Golden Glove.
      She has since been named as England Women’s Player of the Year and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. More

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      Alex Scott nails ‘plastique chic’ look with huge grin on face while watching Arsenal batter Chelsea in WSL

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      ALEX SCOTT did not let the rain get her down as she watched Arsenal batter Chelsea on Sunday.The former England defender hosted the BBC’s coverage of the Women’s Super League clash from the Emirates Stadium.
      Alex Scott nailed ‘plastique chic’ as she watched Arsenal thrash Chelsea in the WSLCredit: instagram/alexscott2
      Scott presented the BBC’s coverage of the Gunners’ 4-1 win on SundayCredit: Rex
      Scott was snapped with huge grin on her face during the Gunners’ 4-1 win over their title rivals.
      Reporter Jo Currie shared a picture of Scott using a plastic hood to shield herself from the rain.
      She also wore a black scarf and grey blazer in the stands, with Currie writing: “@alexscott2 nailing the #PlastiqueChic.”
      Scott’s former club handed Chelsea their first league defeat of the season in front of a record WSL crowd in North London.
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      Goals from Beth Mead, Amanda Ilestedt and Alessia Russo (two) sealed a comfortable home victory.
      Fans had earlier hailed Scott as “total class” after she took aim at Joey Barton’s recent sexist rants.
      The presenter had previously laughed off his claim that she “shouldn’t comment on the men’s game”.
      Scott has been vocal in her opposition to the ex-Manchester City midfielder’s social media outbursts.
      Most read in Football
      Alessia Russo scored twice as Arsenal won in front of a record attendanceCredit: Getty
      Prior to becoming a fan-favourite pundit and presenter, the 39-year-old won 140 caps for the Lionesses as well as representing Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012.
      She also won 21 major trophies across three spells with Arsenal, including six league titles, seven FA Cups and the Champions League.
      Scott, who was awarded an MBE for her services to football in 2017, is now fronts both Football Focus and the BBC’s WSL coverage. More