Women’s football

PERNILLE HARDER hit a hat-trick as rampant Chelsea beat West Ham to set up a League Cup final clash with Bristol City. 
The Danish strike sensation scored three of SIX goals as the Blues beat the Hammers.

Pernille Harder scored a hat-trick as Chelsea beat West Ham to set up a League Cup final clash with Bristol City

Harder found the breakthrough just four minutes in, after she pounced on a cute through ball by Ji So-yun and slotted home. 
Sophie Ingle doubled the lead after sending a sweet strike dipping and curling into the bottom corner from outside the area.
Harder made it 3-0 thanks to a howler from Irons keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
The visiting stopper sent a limp pass into her path, leaving her the simple task of firing home from little more than a few yards.

Just three minutes later, Beth England tucked into the goal fest by poking home an inch-perfect Fran Kirby cross.
The Hammers looked a different side after the break, with Emily van Egmond, Maz Pacheco and Lois Joel all going close.
Host’s keeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a sublime save to deny whizkid Fisk from close-range.
But the visitor’s were let down when an awkward Fisk block looped over Arnold’s head and into Kirby’s path to slot in a fifth.

And Harder wrapped things up, after shimmying beyond three pink shirts to fire in a fierce, low drive in the 86th minute. 
Boss Emma Hayes roared: “That was Harder’s best game in a Chelsea shirt. I saw what I was looking for from her. Her work rate is second to none.”
Chelsea will meet Bristol City in the showpiece – the Vixens are into their first Cup final EVER thanks to Kiera Skeels’ 72nd minute header against Leicester City.

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ARSENAL teen Ruby Mace has joined Birmingham City until the end of the season.
The 17-year-old is a duel signing, meaning she will remain a registered player with the Arsenal academy and can compete in youth games with the Gunners.

Ruby Mace will be joining Birmingham City until the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The defender shared the news via Instagram and said she was “delighted” to be joining Blues.
She said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to loan out to Birmingham, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.”
The news was welcomed by fellow Blues stars who shared their well wishes on the post.
Christie Murray said: “Looking forward to playing with you Ruby! Welcome to Blues.”

And Abbi grant added: “Welcome girl.”
Boss Carla Ward also expressed her joy over Mace’s loan move.
She said: “I am delighted that Arsenal have allowed us the opportunity to work with Ruby, she’s a gifted young player with so much potential.
“This a great opportunity for her to come in and get valuable WSL experience and add some real quality to the group.”

The move will suit Mace as she is likely to get more playing time with Blues after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates.

Blues boss Carla Ward also shared her optimism about the moveCredit: PA:Press Association

Her first team opportunities have been limited since a host of stars returned from injury, meaning Mace hasn’t featured in any games since November.
Blues fans won’t have to wait long to see the England national in action as it is rumoured she could make her debut against Everton this weekend.
It is hoped that she can add some steel to their defence and help them improve on their WSL position where they currently languish in 8th place.

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KIRSTY HANSON has signed a new contract with Manchester United that will see her remain at the club until June 2024.
And the Scotland striker, who helped her team win promotion to the women’s top-flight, could have the option extend her stay at the end of 2023-24 season.  

Kirsty Hanson has signed a new contract that will keep her at Man United until June 2024Credit: Rex Features

Hanson was part of the United squad that won promotion to the WSL in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Hanson, 22, has made 57 appearances netting 11 times across all competitions since moving to Casey Stoney’s side from the Doncaster Belles in July 2018.
And the lifelong Red Devils fan, who came on as a sub during her team’s 2-0 win against Everton, could be in the running for a place in the squad that plays Reading. 
Hanson said: “This club means so much to me; I have grown up as a United fan, played in  the girls’ academy, and I’m now part of the senior side competing in one of  the most competitive leagues in the women’s game, which is a dream come true. 
“It makes me proud seeing the way we have developed over the last few years and I am so happy to be signing a new contract. 

“I feel like I’m improving as a player every single day and that is down to the environment here, we as players push each other constantly, and Casey and the staff have given me the confidence and belief to express myself on the pitch. 
“I am really excited to continue my journey here and I know we can achieve some big  things in the future.” 

Hanson was part of the newly formed Manchester United side that won promotion to the WSL from the Women’s Championship ahead of the 2019-20 season. 
And the former Liverpool youth forward is one of seven players to have returned to United as a senior player following a spell at the club’s Centre of Excellence. 

United boss Stoney said: “I’m so happy Kirsty has committed her future to the club, she is a fantastic player and character to have in our environment. 
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Hanson and her United team-mates are battling for the WSL crown this seasonCredit: Rex Features
“Her strong performances at club level have resulted in regular call ups with the senior Scotland team which I know is something she is extremely proud of, so long may that continue during her time with us too.
“Her work ethic is incredible and she is very much a student of the game, she is constantly looking to improve which as a head coach is always pleasing to see. 
“The future is bright for Kirsty and I am looking forward to continuing our work with her for many years to  come.”
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PERNILLE HARDER says she thinks the equality battle in football should be focused on facilities and opportunities rather than on salaries.
Harder, 28, said that while men and women’s football salaries may never be par, she believes that their academies and training facilities should be on a similar level.

Harder says the equality fight should be focused on facilities and opportunities for womenCredit: PA:Press Association

Harder believes women’s football shouldn’t always be focused on comparing salaries to men’s gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

While speaking on Uefa’s The Football Podcast, she said: “Equality is having the same facilities and opportunities to succeed as the men’s team.
“It’s not equal pay that we’re asking for right now – we want equal opportunities and the respect for what we do every day.
“I want to see equal opportunities for young boys and girls. You see a lot of good football academies for boys – where are the ones for girls?
“There is a big opportunity there. Can you imagine if girls had the same opportunities as the boys? There was nothing like that when I was young.

“My parents had to drive hours to take us to training – girls have to work a lot harder for it.”
Harder went on to say that this is something she is passionate about and hoped that her record breaking transfer to Chelsea can help shed light on the issue.
She added: “I’m passionate about it and I want to speak up when I have the opportunity.
“To make the world a better place, we have to change the mindset of the decision makers – we have to speak up and let them see we aren’t satisfied.

“I hope my record-breaking signing for Chelsea is the start of something new for women’s football.
“Everyone should have the same opportunities in life – it shouldn’t matter what sex you are, what religion you follow, or what skin colour you have. I want to fight for these things.”
The Danish striker has had a glittering career thus far and has won an array of awards including the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2018.
She was also shortlisted for the women’s FIFA best Footballer Award in November 2020.
Harder has been a revelation since she joined the Blues from Wolfsburg in September last year for a record fee of over £250,000.
Blues boss Emma Hayes has credited her for playing a major part in their recent success.
Hayes said: “Pernille has got a fantastic mentality and one that has put her where she is today.
“I think it’s important to note that we, as a football club, can’t take any of the credit for this.
“What I know about the best – and I have coached a lot of top players in my career – is that they have unbelievable attention to detail. 
“And the best always do it on training pitch, day-in, day-out, and Pernille is exceptional in training. 
“The goals she has contributed, the assists and the involvement she has in creating our goals have been unbelievable.”
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ELLIE ROEBUCK has penned a new three-year deal with Manchester City to keep her at the club until 2024.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper revealed she looking forward to “exciting times ahead” after extending her contract with City.

Ellie Roebuck has penned a new three-year deal with Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The new deal comes after she helped City retain the Women’s FA Cup in DecemberCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The club and the youngster shared the exciting news on Tuesday .
City tweeted: “Yes Ellie Roebuck has signed a new three-year deal.”
To which Roebuck responded: “Three more years in blue. Exciting times ahead with this team.”
Head Coach Gareth Taylor added: “We are really pleased to secure Ellie’s future with us and look forward to seeing her add to the continued success she has had so far here at Manchester City in the years to come.”

Women’s Managing Director, Gavin Makel said: “I’m delighted that Ellie has committed her future with the Club.
“Since she joined us as a teenager, we have seen just how hard she has worked to develop into the player that she is today.
“I know that she has the drive and hunger in wanting to continue to progress and I am excited to see what her future holds.”
The new deal comes after an amazing season for Roebuck, where she secured the WSL’s first-ever Golden Glove award, and helped City retain the FA Cup.

But she still remains hungry for silverware and has eyes on a quadruple trophy haul this season/
When asked what a successful season would be, she said: “A Champions League medal, a League medal, a Conti Cup medal, an FA Cup medal and hopefully, an Olympic gold medal and then I’ll be quite content.”

Roebuck started her career with City in 2015 and it has been on a meteoric rise since.
She signed her professional contract with them in 2018, and played a key role in helping the club lift the Continental Cup and FA Cup.
During the same year she also made her debut for England’s national team and has become their no.1 shot-stopper.

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