Women’s football

ALEX MORGAN revealed on Twitter that she could finally make her long-awaited Tottenham debut against Reading today.
The USA World Cup winner has been named in Spurs’ team today, but most likely will not be starting.

Alex Morgan signed for Tottenham Women on a short-term deal in September but still hasn’t played for the club

The North Londoners are preparing to host the Royals at The Hive today.
And Morgan, 31, wrote on Twitter: “Excited for my first match officially in with the squad.
The strike sensation penned a short-term deal until the end of December in a bid for regular game time to win a place in the USA squad ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympics.
She has not played competitive football in over a year due to pregnancy, and she only gave birth to her daughter, Charlie, six months ago.

Morgan was named on the bench for Spurs’ FA Cup quarter-final tie with rivals Arsenal at the end of September, but she hasn’t been included in the squad since.
The clock is ticking, given that her contract only runs until the end of 2020.
And the Orlando Pride ace dropped a huge hint that she won’t be sticking around in the WSL on a permanent basis after her loan deal expires.
At the end of last month, she told AP Sports, “I have a plan to go back for the holidays, but you just don’t know if I’m planning to continue on here or not.

“It all really depends on Covid, and the NWSL as well and what their plans are for next season so I feel like I’m taking it week by week.
“One thing I know is that I want to go home and introduce Charlie to my family because I’ve kind of snatched her away and took her to England with me.”
Orlando boss Marc Skinner reportedly hopes Morgan will return from her contract in England in time to join the Pride next spring for preseason ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.

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MANCHESTER UNITED boss Casey Stoney has blasted the decision to suspend the Women’s FA Cup as it “goes against equality”.
The men’s competition will continue during lockdown and will kickstart from November 6-9 as planned, with ten non-elite teams in the first round, but the women’s competition has been put on hold.

⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

Man Utd boss Casey Stoney has voiced concerns over the suspension of the Women’s FA Cup and closure of WSL academies
The women’s first round was originally set to take place on November 15, but the earliest return date possible for the competition will now be December 2.
Stoney said: “How can the men’s FA Cup games go ahead and the women’s can’t? How?
“I just don’t know how you can distinguish between the two and let one go ahead and one not, I just don’t understand it. So we talk about equality, we’re going against it.”

The FA are said to be in talks with the government over resuming the women’s fixtures over lockdown.
Former England captain Stoney was also left frustrated at the closure of WSL Academies and Girls Regional Talent Clubs over the lockdown period.
Boys’ academy level is allowed to continue based on them being classed as “elite”.
The United Women’s camp have brought two academy players, who are over 18, into the senior team’s bubble to keep their development ticking over amid the shutdown of their training.

Stoney added: “I class my RTC and my academy as elite because they’re at Manchester United.

Man City skipper Steph Houghton lifted the 2020 Women’s FA Cup trophy after their 3-1 extra-time success over WSL rivals Everton
“They’re training to become professional players just like the boys are.
“Unfortunately it’s not seen that way, in terms of governance so that’s one of the things that’s got to change.
“It’s disappointing. It means that our players have another four weeks out of the game. It means that their mental wellbeing is affected.
“It’s frustrating for Charlotte their head coach, who works tirelessly to try and make sure this programme going.
“Everyone is trying to make sure this rate goes down and unfortunately this is a measure the government have taken.

“It’s a real shame because young people need it, especially during this time.
“I’ve got three children. Two play grassroots football, and they can go and sit in a classroom with someone, eight hours a day,
“But can’t go over a park and play football and the outdoors. Hey I’m not a scientist. I’m not making the decisions.”
Stoney’s side sit third in the top-flight and face table toppers Arsenal in a mouth-watering tie on Sunday.

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BRIGHTON were forced to axe their League Cup fixture with Charlton on Wednesday night after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.
The individual concerned reportedly does not have any symptoms but is now self-isolating.

Hope Powell’s side were forced to axe their League Cup fixture after a unnamed staff member tested positive for Covid-19Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Other coaching and backroom staff who the individual came into contact during the previous week are also self-isolating in line with government guidelines.
A statement by the Seagulls read: “Any areas around the club the individual has been in contact with will only be reopened once they have been deep cleaned and fully fogged.
“The players within the women’s squad will continue to be tested in line with The FA’s testing regime with additional safety measures and mitigation in place.
“The squad will resume training in line with The FA and government guidelines.”

The South Coasters are still set to host Aston Villa on Sunday as normal.
Wednesday’s postponement came after wind damage saw Everton and Manchester United’s game also called off earlier.
Red Devils boss Casey Stoney was left “extremely frustrated” after being given less than 24-hours notice by the Toffees.

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ALEX SCOTT sent social media into meltdown after hilariously shutting down Jamie Carragher when he asked her to recall her playing days.
The 140 capped England legend won the women’s top-flight SIX times with Arsenal.

Alex Scott jokingly shut down Jamie Carragher, saying: “you couldn’t name five women’s footballers”Credit: CBS Sports

The former Liverpool defender listed legends from the women’s game to win over Scott Credit: CBS Sports

The CBS Sports studio was in fits of laughter during the exchange Credit: CBS Sports

The duo were covering Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Rennes in the Champions League.
On a video posted to CBS Sports’ Twitter account, Carragher says to Scott: “Remember those days?”
Scott jokingly hit back, saying: “Jamie couldn’t even name top five women’s players so don’t tell me you watched me play!”
Carragher replied: “I’ve got the number one – Mia Hamm.”

In another clip posted later that evening, the former Liverpool defender goes onto compare Chelsea right-back Reece James to Lionesses star Lucy Bronze in a bid to win Scott over.
He said: “When he got down the side and put that cross in it just reminded me of Lucy Bronze at her best when she was playing right-back.
“Christie Rampone as well and Brandi Chastain as well, these women footballers were very similar when he struck that ball in.
“Wendie Renard. My favourite centre-back is actually Kadeisha Buchanan.”

Scott replies: “Canadian centre-back, I’m impressed, we’re mates again now.”
The former Gunners captain has won the Women’s FA Cup SEVEN times with the North London club.
And The Sun revealed in September that she is set to replace Sue Barker as the host of A Question Of Sport.

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CASEY STONEY has been left “frustrated” after Everton Women axed their League Cup fixture with Manchester United tonight with less than 24-hours notice.
The Toffees called off the clash, with permission of the FA, due to safety concerns around the stadium at Walton Hall Park.

Casey Stoney says it is “extremely frustrating” that Manchester United’s League Cup fixture with Everton has been called off

The Merseyside ground has reportedly been damaged by high winds.

A statement by United said: “While safety must come first, Manchester United is disappointed with both the process and the timing involved in this decision. 
“Further details on the future of the fixture will be communicated in due course.”
Boss Stoney, said: “I must make it clear that we as a club wanted this game to be played and were accommodating in the options that were put forward.

“My players and staff have worked so hard in our preparation for this upcoming busy fixture period and it is therefore extremely frustrating to have it called off less than 24 hours before kick-off.”

The Group C contest that due to kick off at 7pm and now both clubs are said to be waiting for The FA to be in contact regarding the future of the game.
Everton’s next fixture will now be Sunday’s Women’s Super League trip to reigning champions Chelsea.
While the Red Devils face table toppers Arsenal at home.

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