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      Lyon refuse to let Nikita Parris link up with England while Steph Houghton misses camp due to injury

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      LYON have yet again refused to allow star striker Nikita Parris to link up with England – despite one of the upcoming matches being held in France. The French side have returned a string of positive coronavirus tests and were forced to axe their upcoming Champions League quarter-final second leg tie with PSG.
      Steph Houghton is ruled out of England duty for the first time since November 2019
      Lyon have refused to let Parris link up with the Lionesses for the April camp
      Manchester City and England skipper Steph Houghton is also ruled out due to an Achilles injury.
      It will be the first time the Lionesses have been without their captain since November 2019.
      Boss Hege Riise has named a 24-player squad for the next camp ahead of matches with France and Canada.
      When asked about the omission of Parris and Houghton, Riise said: “It’s an opportunity for others to step up and show they want to be a part of this.
      “Steph has been captain for many years and of course has been a major player for a long time.
      “We cannot replace her but it is an opportunity for a younger player to step up and that’s what we are looking for.”
      Parris was also absent from the February camp after Lyon refused to let her leave due to strict quarantine regulations in France amid the coronavirus crisis.
      Riise continued: “Hopefully we can look later in the camp for Parris to come in for the last bit but we don’t know, that’s the world we are living in right now.
      England Women’s squad for April camp
      Goalkeepers: Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Sandy MacIver (Everton), Carly Telford (Chelsea), Karen Bardsley (OL Reign, on loan from Manchester City).
      Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City).
      Midfielders: Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Georgia Stanway (Manchester City), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Jill Scott (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Keira Walsh (Manchester City).
      Forwards: Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth England (Chelsea), Ellen White (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal).

      “Not only injuries but other things can be challenging.
      “I don’t know all the details (on the Lyon situation) but I will hold back on my answer until we know more.”
      Who else is missing?
      Lauren James, 19, has been snubbed despite her scintillating form for Manchester United.
      Ebony Salmon and Hannah Hampton were both called up in February but have been axed from this squad.
      Hampton was recently cut from contention for this summer’s Team GB squad in a high-profile incident that saw the Football Association apologise. 
      The young goalkeeper received the news less than two hours before playing a Women’s Super League game for Birmingham.

      Who is in?
      Veteran goalkeeping duo Karen Bardsley and Carly Telford have been recalled.
      Arsenal’s Mead, the most high-profile omission from the first Lionesses squad last month, is back in the side.
      Chelsea’s Niamh Charles and United’s Millie Turner earn their first senior call-up.
      Blues duo Fran Kirby and Millie Bright are all back in the England squad ahead of April’s friendlies, after missing out last time due to injury.
      Demi Stokes returns despite picking up an injury at the weekend in Man City’s win over Reading.
      Beth England, who has missed Chelsea’s last four games through concussion, is also included.
      Tokyo Olympics
      Riise’s side play France in Caen on April 9 before a home friendly against Canada in Stoke four days later.
      She added: “This is crucial as we move closer to the Tokyo Olympics.
      “But also important as we continue to prepare this squad to compete at the home Euro next year and the World Cup in 2023.
      “I look forward to two exciting fixtures and the opportunity of challenging every player to impress us and stake their claim for a place in the shortlist for GB Football.
      “I have also been watching very closely those players for the home nations who are in contention for the GB squad.
      “And I will continue to do so right up until we shortlist next month.”
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      Chelsea aces Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr forming iconic strike partnership like ‘Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole’ says Hayes

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      SAM KERR and Fran Kirby’s lethal link up against Aston Villa gave Emma Hayes a nostalgic whiff of the legendary strike partnership between Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke.Chelsea’s deadly duo have combined ten times already this season – and Aussie ace Kerr is the top-flight’s second-highest scorer.
      Kirby (left) and Kerr (right) have linked up ten times already this season
      Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke formed a special strike partnership at Man United
      She has hit an eye-watering 14 league goals, leaving her just one behind record Arsenal markswoman Vivianne Miedema. 
      Hayes said: “How do you define chemistry between two people?
      “It’s not that you can describe it in any way. It just works. They’re yin and yang, one goes one way one goes the other.
      “Some call it telepathy, some call it chemistry, some call it a brilliant partnership.”
      Yorke and Cole defined an entire era of dominance for Manchester United.
      They conjured up a staggering 53 goals between them in all competitions for during the club’s treble winning 1998/99 season.
      Hayes continued: “I think about Yorke and Cole when I think of Kerr and Kirby in terms of the spaces they feel, and for me the thing that stands out is the selflessness.
      “You don’t come across these types of partnerships easily and sometimes they’re formed over many many years.

      “The amount of times Fran has been in great positions herself and set someone else up,
      “And the amount of times Sam makes a run not for herself but to clear space, that for me is as impactful as the chemistry between them.”
      Kerr and Kirby’s formidable partnership may be the key to ending the Blues’ Champions League trophy drought.
      On Wednesday the West Londoners travel to Budapest for the second leg quarter-final away tie with Wolfsburg, with a 2-1 lead.
      Drogba and Lampard currently hold the record with 36 goal combinations across all seasons
      Thierry Henry and Robert Pires linked up 29 times in total for Arsenal
      Kane and Son are currently the second most-lethal PL duo ever
      Yorke and Cole’s quality was evident when they combined to score five of the six in a 6-2 victory at Leicester in the 1998/99 season.
      And Kerr and Kirby have already matched that this term in the 6-0 League Cup final drubbing of Bristol City.
      Kirby had a hand in all six goals, scoring twice herself and adding four assists in an outstanding display, which saw Kerr grab a hat-trick.
      They are giving Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are run for their money.
      Earlier this month, the Spurs superstars broke an incredible Premier League record of most combinations in one season.
      They reached 14 link ups, breaking the previous record of 13 set by Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton for Blackburn during the 1994/95 season.
      Kane and Son could set a huge new record given Spurs have nine League games remaining this season – but so could Kerr and Kirby who are hot on their tails.
      Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard currently hold the record with 36 goal combinations across all seasons.
      Kane and Son have 34, while Sergio Augero and David Silva have 29 for Manchester City.
      Thierry Henry and Robert Pires also have 29 and Darren Anderton and  Teddy Sheringham hold 27 for Tottenham.
      Chelsea named best Premier League club of past decade More

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      Europa League-type contest for women’s game among new ideas floated by European club chiefs

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      OFFICIALS representing the biggest football teams in Europe are mulling over proposals for a Europa League-style tournament for the women’s game. The idea for the competition and a women’s Club World Cup are among a raft of exciting new suggestions being considered by the European Club Association.
      European football chiefs are considering plans for a new club competition in addition to the Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Bigwigs from the body backed by Uefa and representing 232 clubs included the proposals in their ‘Be a Changemaker’ strategy launched today.
      The plan aims to provide opportunities to boost revenue for the women’s game and support the creation of new women’s football clubs. 
      Claire Bloomfield, the ECA’s head of women’s football said: “We have a responsibility to explore all opportunities that can help grow the competition landscape, both on a European level with a second-tier competition and then on a much more global scale, with a possible Club World Cup.”
      The Women’s Champions League is currently the only club contest in the sport involving sides from across Europe. 
      From next term, up to three English sides will be able to compete in the Champions League in a new structure to include a group stage and a round of 16 for the first time.
      ECA chief Charlie Marshall suggests a women’s Club World Cup may soon be established as part of plans to support the international growth of the game.
      In men’s football, the Club World Cup has been going since the year 2000, with winners of the biggest competitions from different continents going head-to-head.
      German giants Bayern Munich are the current defending champions after beating Mexican outfit Tigres in February.
      ECA chief Marshall said: “The prospect of a Club World Cup, fairly soon in the women’s game, assuming that calendars can be resolved, is a really exciting one and I know FIFA is very keen on it as well
      “In the women’s game, there is much more potential, much more quickly, to develop global competitive balance.”
      The women’s game could soon have its own Europa League-style competitionCredit: PA

      Chelsea boss Emma Hayes believes the ECA’s new plans could help level the playing field between women’s football and the men’s game. 
      Hayes, whose team are due to play Wolfsburg said: “Our success on the pitch can be helped by winning off the pitch and ECA’s bold new plans can drive an even higher performance culture throughout the women’s game.
      “The standards in elite women’s football should not be any different from the men’s and this strategy has the potential to start closing the gap.”
      A Club World Cup for the women’s game has been included in proposals developed by the ECACredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Manchester United Women defeat West Ham 2-0 in historic victory in their first ever game at Old Trafford

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      MANCHESTER UNITED WOMEN beat West Ham 2-0 in a historic win in their first-ever game at Old Trafford.Goals from Lauren James and Christian Press in the second half saw United sail to victory against the Hammers at the Theatre of Dreams.
      United saw off a resilient West Ham in their first ever game at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
      It was a winning start for Manchester United Women at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
      But despite United’s epic win at the legendary stadium, boss Casey Stoney was critical of her team’s performance and called it “disappointing.”
      Speaking after the game, she said: “Good second half, not so good first half if I’m honest.
      “I’ve come away from it disappointed with us really in terms of an exhibition.
      “If there was a crowd in here, they would’ve been disappointed in the first half so just as well there wasn’t.
      “Second half they would’ve been really pleased with the team and the response.
      “So we’ve done it now, we’ve played at Old Trafford, for me it’s about next time and doing it with a crowd, and making sure that we’re better.”
      Defeat for the Hammers meant they stay at the bottom of the table with their WSL safety slipping through their fingers.
      Despite their loss at Old Trafford, boss Olli Harder took some positives from their performance and thinks they can still remain in the league.
      He said: “The application today was fantastic and we said it’s okay to be disappointed and it’s okay to be upset.
      “But what’s not okay is for us to give up this fight moving forward, we’ve got some important games coming up so we must continue.”
      Stoney was underwhelmed with her team’s performance at the Theatre of Dreams and labelled it disappointingCredit: PA

      United took the lead in the game after a sluggish start through James – sister of Chelsea star Reece James – who headed in a corner in the 49th minute.
      Press put the game to bed shortly after when she latched out to a defence splitting pass from Jackie Groenen to smash her strike past a helpless Courtney Brosnan in the 54 minute.
      And the Hammers misery was complete when Laura Fetterleine sent for a foul on Kirsty Hanson in the 76 minute.
      Harder remained upbeat after the Hammers defeat and reckons they can still stay in the WSLCredit: PA
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      Tottenham boss Skinner focused on defeating Arsenal in WSL North London derby

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      REHANNE SKINNER hopes Tottenham Women can make WSL history by toppling Arsenal for the first time at the home of Spurs’ Prem team. And the former Lionesses assistant coach is not letting memories of past glory with the Gunners get in the way of her goal later. 
      Tottenham are set to take on Arsenal in the WSL for the first time under Rehanne SkinnerCredit: Rex
      Arsenal are three points behind Man United with a game in hand and hope to beat TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Tottenham, who are eighth, are set to take on a resurgent Arsenal in a behind closed doors derby at Spurs 62,000-seater ground. 
      And it will be the first time the team have faced Arsenal under Skinner who enjoyed a trophy-laden spell as Gunners’ assistant manager from 2010 to 2013. 
      Skinner, 41, who won two WSL titles with Arsenal, said: “I have got an attachment to Arsenal and an attachment to Leicester which is the club I started at. 
      “I think you always have those special memories that you created through those periods. 
      “But football is football and I’m here to focus on the job I’m doing at Tottenham.
      “At the same time, it’s nice playing against the club that you were at before. 
      “Three points are big in any game. I think getting them in a North London derby is something people can’t underestimate.
      “It is a different game when you play the most local team with a history and a reputation like they have on the men’s side of things. 
      “It sometimes carries over a bit into the women’s team. 
      “Getting those three points from any game right now is really important to us. Getting it from Arsenal will be even better.”
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      Spurs who are eighth hope to pick up their first WSL win against the Gunners at Tottenham Hotspur StadiumCredit: Getty

      Skinner, whose side are targeting their first win since a 3-1 defeat of Aston Villa in December, is reported to have the FA’s highest Psychology in Football qualification. 
      Using this to help her players excel on and off the pitch is a subject the former England Women’s No2 is passionate about.
      And she has help from Hockey ace Helen Richardson-Walsh who won a gold medal with Team GB women’s hockey team at the Rio 2016 Olympics. 
      Skinner added: “Psychology in elite sport is really vital. 
      “And often, to be honest, I think it can be overlooked – the stuff that goes on off the pitch that players have to handle.
      “Ultimately affects performance if it’s not managed properly.”
      “I don’t think you get through a day or a coaching session without having to consider what that looks like when you’ve got a squad of 23 people with different feelings, personalities and backgrounds.”
      Skinner says psychology in football is important in helping players develop their skills on the pitchCredit: Getty
      “It’s about being able to bring all of that together to work in your favour at the time when it really matters and developing skills as you would with a ball.
      “It’s definitely something that we work towards and I’ve got a really good support team.
      “Helen Richardson-Walsh is here as our performance psychologist who’s a gold medal winner, been there done that and got the t-shirt.” 
      Meanwhile, Arsenal, who are chasing a return to the Champions League, are looking to pick-up their fourth win on the bounce. 
      Joe Montemurro’s side are eager to humble their rivals at the home of Tottenham’s Prem team after beating them 2-0 in front of a record crowd of 38,262 last season.
      With fans currently prohibited from attending stadiums supporters can watch the game on FA Player and on Tottenham’s official website.
      Joe Montemurro says Gunners fan Lotte Wubben-Moy personifies what “it means to be Arsenal”Credit: Zuma Press
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      And life-long Arsenal fan and full-back Lotte Wubben-Moy, 22, is particularly keen to see her side pick up a win. 
      Montemurro, 51, said: “Lotte has had this massive smile on her face all week. 
      “And, coupled with the fact that she scored last week and is showing her true capabilities, I think for me, the exciting thing is what’s to come. 
      “We think she’s a player who will personify what it means to be Arsenal”. 
      A win for Tottenham will see them go level on points with Reading if the Royals lose to Man CityCredit: Getty
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      Zelem relishes making Old Trafford history in Man United Women’s clash with Hammers

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      KATIE ZELEM says leading Man United Women’s team out at Old Trafford will go down as one of the most thrilling experiences of her career. And the life-long Red Devils fan is expecting a “physical” battle with West Ham when the teams take to the field.
      Katie Zelem will skipper Man United Women’s team in their first game at Old Trafford which kicks off at 11:30Credit: Getty
      United will be looking for their second WSL win against West Ham after beating them 4-2 earlier this seasonCredit: PA
      Zelem, 25, who began her journey as a footballer at United’s Centre of Excellence at six, has fond memories of visiting the Theatre of Dreams during her childhood.  
      And now the Oldham-born Red Devils skipper – who spent four years at Liverpool from 2013 – hopes to seal her ever WSL win at the world-famous stadium. 
      Zelem told SunSport: “I think it’s, it’s quite hard to say, in a structured way what this means for me. 
      “I’ve visited the Theatre of Dreams since I was young and been to numerous games that we’ve won and we’ve lost with good experiences and bad ones. 
      “When I watched the men’s team walk out onto the pitch when I was young, I used to think ‘my god that must be amazing. And now it’s me doing it.
      “I think it is something I definitely couldn’t have imagined, but it’s definitely high up on my list of achievements.
      “I’m sure it is with a lot of the other girls in the team.” 
      United will take on the Irons behind closed doors with Covid restrictions currently preventing fans from attending WSL matches. 
      And the historic game not being aired on television has been described as a “missed opportunity” by team boss Casey Stoney.
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      Zelem and her United team-mates are hoping to qualify for a spot in next season’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty

      Zelem, who moved to Manchester from Juventus in 2018, hopes her side – who are third – do their fans proud when they play the Hammers. 
      Their visitors, who are bottom and winless in six games, are battling to keep their top-flight spot. 
      Zelem added: “West Ham are a really organised team and very physical. 
      “That’s something we need to be prepared for. I think if we execute our game plan well and hopefully, the three points will be ours.
      “For the fans our family and friends, to be able to see us walk out there and know that we’re making them proud will be huge for us.” 
      United’s Old Trafford appearance comes in the same week football chiefs announced a megabucks agreement to air WSL games on Sky Sports and the BBC next season.
      And Stoney hopes the three-year £24million deal – reported to be the biggest broadcasting in women’s football history – will lead to in-depth punditry around the sport. 
      Casey Stoney hopes the WSL’s TV deal with Sky Sports and the BBC will lead to more in-depth women’s football punditryCredit: Getty
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      Stoney said: “It’s going to give people more jobs which is great, more opportunities to do punditry. 
      “All I ask is let’s do it properly. Let’s analyse the game as we would do the men’s and let’s look at the tactics, look at the nuances within each team, let’s pick it apart. 
      “And I think the pundits will have a real opportunity to be able to do that now.”
      West Ham are looking to register their first win in the top-flight under Olli HarderCredit: Rex
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      Melbourne City striker melts hearts as boyfriend battling cancer proposes at her last game before retirement

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      TEARFUL Rhali Dobson rounded off her final game as a Melbourne City player with a heartwarming moment with boyfriend Matt Stonham. Dobson is retiring to care for Matt, who is being treated for brain cancer.
      Rhali Dobson was moved to tears by her boyfriend proposing at her final game before retirementCredit: Getty
      Dobson, 28, is hanging up her boots to support her fiance Matt as he receives treatment for brain cancerCredit: Getty
      And the striker was left stunned when he proposed during her team’s clash with Perth Glory. 
      The W-League heroine, 28, netted the opener in Melbourne’s 2-1 win against their rivals and ran to the corner to celebrate with Matt who was cheering from the sidelines.
      And Dobson was moved to tears when her partner got down on bended knee on the pitch to ask the love of his life to marry him. 
      Dobson told ESPN: “I don’t feel like I’m ready to retire but sometimes life makes those choices for you. 
      “But with everything going on it’s a decision that has to happen — because it’s bigger than the game.”
      “Matt and I are very open about everything. He was diagnosed with brain cancer six years ago after a seizure on the soccer field when he was playing. 
      “He had brain surgery and that was successful and then he elected to stay on just having reviews with oncology after everything went so well the first time. 
      “He was having a checkup and they noticed a bit more activity in a very small area [of his brain] back in February.
      “Then we got the news two days after I got back down here to Melbourne that the part that they took out — which they got all of, which is fantastic — had transitioned to a grade III brain tumour.
      “So, he now starts aggressive radiotherapy until the end of May and then he’ll start aggressive chemotherapy for 12 months.
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      Dobson’s Melbourne City team-mates were also moved by Matt’s romantic pitchside proposalCredit: Getty
      The Melbourne striker says her fiance is her “absolute world”Credit: Getty

      “We’ve caught things exceptionally early, he’s on the very positive end of the scale because of his age.
      “He had no other signs or symptoms, it was for him a routine check-up.
      “This is bigger than the sport. He is my absolute world.” 
      Dobson, who began her senior playing career at 16 at Newcastle Jets, moved to Melbourne City in 2017. 
      The Australia forward made 44 appearances netting three goals for the club prior to her decision to retire at 28.  
      Dobson appeared visibly emotional after her partner Matt’s proposal. 
      And the couple were swarmed by the striker’s team-mates and family who congratulated them. 
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Dobson made 44 appearances for Melbourne City before her retirement at the age of 28Credit: Getty
      Lionesses in training More

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      Chelsea 2 Wolfsburg 1: Kerr and Harder on target as Blues seal first win against German champions

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      EMMA HAYES praised Chelsea for overcoming their hoodoo against Wolfsburg with a battling 2-1 Champions League quarter-final victory. Pernille Harder returned to haunt her old side with Sam Kerr also on target as the Blues exacted revenge for seven past defeats to the German giants. 
      Pernille Harder netted a Champions League goal against her former team WolfsburgCredit: Getty
      Sam Kerr was also on target for the WSL champs, who won the first leg of their quarter-final tie against WolfsburgCredit: Getty
      Hayes said: “We’ve definitely closed the gap. They’re still a top team, they’re still unbelievable in the air and good down the sides.
      “This is such a step up from the WSL. They have dominated English teams for 15-odd years. 
      “I’m left feeling like the advantage is with them because they’ve got the away goal.
      “But I thought we were spirited, with a lot of good performances.
      “The realities are that this is a team that’s been well-developed over a number of years, so for anybody to think this was going to be an easy tie for them, it’s not. 
      “We gave them a game and I’m happy about that.”
      Chelsea – so used to dominating possession and overpowering opponents – found themselves on the back foot in the early stages. 
      And they came close to conceding in the 13th minute with Wolfsburg skipper Alexandra Popp’s strike hitting the underside of the Blues’ crossbar.
      And the WSL champs endured another scare several minutes later with the German giants forcing a spectacular double-save from Ann-Katrin Berger. 
      The Blues keeper blocked two close-range efforts from Fridolina Rolfo before Magda Eriksson’s brilliant headed clearance off the line from Popp.
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      Ann-Katrin Berger pulled off several stunning saves for ChelseaCredit: EPA
      And Wolfsburg should have gone ahead close to half-time with Rolfo forcing another Berger save after attempting to capitalise on Millie Bright’s headed error. 
      The second-half was a different affair with Chelsea determined to push forward. 
      And their efforts were rewarded with Sam Kerr netting her 17th goal of the season in 24 appearances across all competitions. 
      The Australia skipper combined with Fran Kirby to deadly effect with the playmaker teeing up Kerr who rounded keeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek.  
      And Hayes hailed the duo for their clinical play under pressure. 
      Hayes added: “I think everybody knows the pressures both Fran and Sam are under, but they are a joy to watch with the way they play together.
      “I thought Sam was unbelievable tonight. She enjoyed being on the biggest stage and showed why she is one of the very best in the world.”
      Kerr turned provider for Harder who buried a bottom corner strike to put Chelsea two goals ahead in the 66th minute. 

      Fran Kirby and her Chelsea team-mates will take on Aston Villa next ahead of their second-leg tie with WolfsburgCredit: AFP
      But the hosts saw their lead cut four minutes later with Wolfsburg winning a pen dispatched by Dominique Janssen. 
      The closing stages of the duel saw some desperate last-ditch defending from Chelsea eager to protect their lead.
      And there were also moments of drama with Emma Hayes picking up a yellow card for her furious reaction to Popp’s challenge on Berger.
      The result sees Chelsea take a one-goal advantage to the second-leg against Wolfsburg with a match against Aston Villa to come beforehand.
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      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More