Women’s football

MATT BEARD reckons Brighton were fortunate to see only one of their players sent off during their feisty 3-0 loss to Bristol City. 
And the Twerton Park gaffer praised his rampaging Robins for blowing the relegation battle wide open by grabbing their first win in the top-flight this term. 

Bristol City picked up their first win of the season and their first victory under Matt BeardCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

Ebony Salmon was on target twice for the Robins during the fiery encounter at Twerton ParkCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

An Ebony Salmon brace and a Yana Daniels boomer saw the Robins sink the Seagulls to register their first WSL victory under interim boss Beard.
But the clash was not without its moments of drama and anger which included a second-half red card for Kayleigh Green. 
The Wales ace was given her marching orders for a stamp on Yana Daniels in the 68th minute. 
And the Belgium star revealed Green had apologised and there were no hard feelings afterwards. 

Beard said: “It was a clear red card as she had a red mist and stamped on Yana. I think they were lucky to finish the game with ten players. 
Daniels added: “These things happen in football. There is so much passion in the match and they were losing. 
“I think it just was a really tough, feisty game and she apologised so it is forgotten already.”
Bristol, eager to bounce back from a 4-0 drubbing at Everton, got off to a flier through Daniels’ long-range opener in the third minute. 

Matt Beard believes Bristol’s win will put pressure on Aston Villa and his old club West HamCredit: Rex Features

However, Brighton refused to be bowed and set about pressuring their hosts keeping them pinned in their own half in the first 30 minutes.
And they should have levelled after a quarter of an hour with several Seagulls lining up but failing to strike in the Robins’ penalty area. 
Despite Brighton’s efforts, the hosts extended their lead with Ebony Salmon netting after the half-hour mark following a glorious pass from Jasmine Matthews. 
And the Bristol starlet picked up her fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot after Victoria Williams was penalised for a handball thirty minutes into the second half.
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Brighton have lost five league games on the bounce ahead of their trip to ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
With 22 minutes to go the visitors were reduced to ten players after Kayleigh Green saw red. 
The 3-0 win leaves Matt Beard’s side, who are bottom, just four points behind ninth-placed Brighton
And Hope Powell’s player face a tricky trip to Chelsea next in the league. 
Beard believes the battle to beat drop may become more intense with Aston Villa and West Ham just two points ahead. 
However, the Twerton Park boss is wary of the advantage his old club has with the Hammers carrying two games in hand over the Robins. 
Beard added:  “What we have done is put West Ham and Aston Villa under pressure for their games because we’ve got three points and we’ve got a little bit closer to them. 

The Robins are due to take on Leicester City in the Conti Cup semi-finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“We can only control ourselves and that’s the most important thing. 
“At the moment, we’re still reliant on other teams dropping points. 
“All we can do is control what we can control and just keep picking points up and trying to do as much as we can to stay up.”

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GARETH TAYLOR has thrown his weight behind the use of concussions subs in the women’s top-flight, after football chiefs reached a deal with Fifa. 
And the Man City gaffer revealed Samantha Mewis will miss his side’s clash with West Ham after picking up an injury on USA duty.

Gareth Taylor’s Man City side are to play West Ham in the WSLCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Taylor welcomed the introduction concussion substitutes in the Women’s Super League and the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Taylor, 47, was speaking hours after Wembley and League bosses agreed to the introduction of concussion substitutes in the Prem, the Women’s Super League and the Women’s Championship.
The new rule will come into effect in the three divisions from February 6. 
Taylor said: “I look at my situation when I played back in the day and there were a couple of times where I was concussed. 
“Fortunately, in one of those situations I was taken off and people told me afterwards I was complaining about wanting to come back on the pitch

“I couldn’t remember anything so I think this is something that is needed. 
“We had two concussions in pre-season in training with players being hit with a ball.
“Sometimes these situations can be dangerous, so I give credit to the FA. It’s an important addition for us to have.” 
Man City, who sealed a January move for US ace Abby Dahlkemper, have suffered a minor injury blow following a knock to Sam Mewis. 

The USA midfielder hobbled off with an ankle problem during her country’s 6-0 win against Colombia.
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Man City will be without Sam Mewis when they play West HamCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
Mewis, 28, has been on target three times in nine WSL appearances.
And the presence of the box-to-box midfield maestro was missed during City’s Conti Cup quarter-final loss to Chelsea. 
However, Taylor is hopeful the US star will be available for selection ahead of City’s clash with Arsenal
The Gunners are fourth after 11 games and one place below Man City in the table.
Taylor added: “We are waiting for the results of a scan to see if this is remnants of an old injury or if it’s a new one. 
“To be honest she’s looking good and came through a few checks. 
“I think this weekend may be too soon for her to return.

Sam Mewis picked up an ankle injury during USA Women’s 6-0 win against Colombia in OrlandoCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
“But there’s a real possibility that she could be back for next week and ready for the game after that. 
“Even when she was given the news about her injury, Sam felt that it was better than what it was showing. 
“That just speaks volumes of her as a person, really, she’s a very positive person and she’s working really hard to get herself back in.”

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CHO SO-HYUN has been pictured at Tottenham’s training ground for the first time since her transfer from rivals West Ham.
The South Korean playmaker will wear the number 11 shirt for the North Londoners.

Cho So-hyun has switched from West Ham to Spurs

Cho joined West Ham in January, 2019 and made 33 appearances

The midfield maestro, 32, penned a season long loan deal with Spurs – with an option to make the switch permanent.
She is one of the East London club’s most experienced players, as skipper of her country and with the most caps for the international team.
Cho will reunite with men’s South Korea captain Son Heung-min, at the North London club.
The women’s and men’s teams share the Hotspur Way training hub.

The move to seventh-placed Spurs will be a step up for midfield maestro, given that West Ham are third from bottom.
She is in contention to face Chelsea on Sunday, where she will meet up with her international team-mate Ji So-yun.
Cho is also known to be a respected figure in the Hammers’ dressing room and is often helping guide the youngsters.
She was an integral part of the West Ham side which historically reached the FA Cup final for the first time ever, in their inaugural WSL season.

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It was her penalty in a shootout with Reading that secured the spot at Wembley in May 2019, and she has made 33 appearances in total.
The South Korea ace spent six years in the WK League, helping Incheon win the top-flight title in four campaigns.
She is the second West Ham casualty of the January transfer window, with striker Alisha Lehmann moving to Everton for a season long loan on Monday.

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EMMA HAYES praised her Chelsea aces for breaking the record for the longest unbeaten Women’s Super League run after thrashing Aston Villa 4-0
Sam Kerr and Beth England opened the floodgates with the team going top after notching their 32nd game without defeat – surpassing Manchester City’s milestone.

Chelsea now hold the record for the longest unbeaten streak in the WSLCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The WSL champs will be looking to continue their winning run when they play TottenhamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Hayes said: “It’s not a trophy, but it is a record that shows just how consistent this team has been over the last couple of years. 
“I think there is a reason we have been the champions and not just because of that record, but because of the consistent levels in the performance. 
“And that’s what happens when you have got such a great group of people.
“I represent a fantastic bunch who put a shift in. They work hard and I am very proud of all of them and everybody who works for the football club.

“I know it’s a big achievement but I learn with the highs and lows of winning and losing. 
“You have to remove all the emotion from that and you have to constantly remind yourself of the daily processes you have to go through in order to get a win.”
Villa, playing their first game under interim gaffer Marcus Bignot, were looking to avoid conceding early as they had done against Reading and Man City previously.
But any hopes of this were blown away by Sam Kerr’s thunderous third-minute volley in off the crossbar to put the champs ahead. 

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Pernille Harder was on target for Chelsea scoring their third goal against Aston VillaCredit: Reuters

And the visitors were on target again shortly after the half hour mark with Kerr turning provider for Beth England’s bullet header. 
Villa, who had to battle to get forward, had a few attacking forays in the visitors’ half.
Their strongest chance came when Nadine Hanssen slid Mana Iwabuchi through, with the Japan ace almost scoring by nutmegging Carly Telford.
However, strikes from Pernille Harder and Magdalena Eriksson in the final 30 minutes wrapped things up for the Blues ahead of their derby clash with Tottenham on Sunday.   
Chelsea’s record-breaking effort comes during a dramatic week for the club and two days after the sacking of men’s coach Frank Lampard. 
And Hayes praised the efforts of the Blues ex-Prem boss who she believes has left a good foundation for new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Hayes added: “Look, I have been at the football club a long time and I accept the nature of our business, and I accept that results are of paramount importance, and it’s always sad to see managers lose their jobs 
“I’m sad for that reason and I’m equally excited to see Thomas. I admire his football and I’m looking forward to seeing how that is implemented.

Mana Iwabuchi and her Villa team-mates will play Arsenal nextCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I think Frank has left him a wonderful group to build upon.”
Aston Villa, who have lost three of their last four WSL games, face a tricky clash with another London side in Arsenal. 
And Villa’s new manager Bignot said: “We need to understand our roles and responsibilities and bring some of that desire that we did show during periods of the game to Arsenal.”
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