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      Fans slam Man Utd ‘s*** show’ as part of Old Trafford’s concrete roof crumbles and falls on fans during derby clash

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      MANCHESTER UNITED fans were left shocked after a small part of the Old Trafford ceiling appeared to crumble and fall on them during a match.The Red Devils suffered a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
      An image of the damage to Old Trafford was shared on XCredit: X / @D16S1972
      Part of the ceiling crumbled on to the floorCredit: X / @D16S1972
      The ceiling was crackedCredit: X / @D16S1972
      Katie Zelem broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 21st minute before Jill Roord and Lauren Hemp turned the game on its head within a matter of seconds.
      Khadija Shaw then capitalised on a lapse of concentration within the United defence to seal all three points for Man City.
      It was a disappointing day for Man Utd fans, but for some it was made worse when a piece of the Old Trafford ceiling reportedly fell on them.
      One person took to X to share three photographs of the damage.
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      They wrote: “If you ever need further proof that Old Trafford is indeed Falling Down…Block N2402 ceiling parts fell on 2 supporters at the ladies game today….absolute s*** show.”
      Cracks in the ceiling and bits of concrete on the floor can be seen in the pictures.
      Fans were quick to comment on the shock images, with one person writing: “The council needs to close parts of the ground down.”
      Another added: “The neglect of Old Trafford by the Glazers is becoming a genuine health and safety issue.”
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      While a third commented: “The stadium needs proper structural work doing not just Jim Ratcliffe coming in & giving the green light to some filler & paint.”
      Man Utd are currently investigating the incident.
      Fans were also left furious recently after a leak in the roof of the stadium left them soaked.
      Incoming minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be ready to pump nearly £250MILLION into the club in order to improve the infrastructure of Old Trafford.
      United legend Gary Neville recently branded the iconic stadium the “Theatre of Nothing” amid the club’s poor run of form in the Premier League and Champions League. More

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      Meet Tara Mae Kirk, the viral Peterborough Women’s star who lives jet-setting life and has very different day job

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      WHENEVER Tara Mae Kirk scores for Peterborough United, which is seemingly every week, she goes viral online.The former Leicester striker, 20, bagged a brace at the weekend for the Posh in a 10-0 rout of Long Buckby in the Northants County Cup.
      Glam Tara Mae Kirk is a hotshot striker for Peterborough United
      Tara scores goals for fun at semi-pro level for the Posh
      Trending Tara’s goal announcements get viewed millions of times on X
      But, regardless of the tidy finish, there was something even more impressive with her first goal – and it came in the form of the club’s goal announcement.
      Astonishingly, a post addressing the minute of the strike, while sharing a glam photo of the pretty brunette, has now attracted over 5 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter.
      And this is a regular occurrence, with millions turning Tara into a cult figure in the women’s football world.
      She recently appeared on YouTuber Joe Weller’s channel, where she challenged the social media star’s football skills.
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      Away from the pitch, she lives a very different life.
      Tara loves travelling and spent her summer trekking around Asia.
      Football
      Goalscorer Tara began her football dream at girlhood club Leicester City when she was just seven.
      She would later make her debut for The Foxes against Reading in 2019.
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      Around the same time, Ireland gave her an international call-up when she was just 16.
      But last season she began a new chapter in her career.
      Peterborough United snapped her up ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
      She would go on to become the club’s topscorer in the FA Women’s National League in her first year.
      The goals have continued to flow for the prolific forward.
      Speaking about her own game, Kirk revealed: “I’m quick off the mark, quite sneaky inside the box and unpredictable, but my main aim when I’m on the pitch is to find the back of the net.”
      And she has become a viral sensation online, thanks to the club’s goal announcements.
      Her two goal announcements revealed on X have drawn over five million for her first, 2.6 for her second at current time of writing.
      Previously, fans called for her to receive a nomination for the Puskas Award following a wonder strike against Lincoln City.
      Tara signed for Peterborugh in 2022Credit: Instagram @taramaekirk
      Tara, first from the left, immediately hit the ground running with the clubCredit: Instagram @taramaekirk
      Posh legend Barry Fry meet goalscoring extraordinaire TaraCredit: Instagram @taramaekirk

      Fun
      Her new found fame online has made Tara a catch for YouTubers.
      Most recently, Joe Weller – who boasts a social media channel with 5.3 million followers – invited her on to showcase her skills.
      They challenged each other to a variety of skills.
      Tara, wearing a Brazil strip, took on Joe in a one-on-one challenge, free kicks and penalties.
      Uploaded eight days ago, it has been watched 290,000 times.
      The 10-minute clip gave Tara the chance to show off her amazing football ability.
      She also gave Joe a run for his money, beating him in the penalty shootout game.
      Joe Weller recently challenged Tara to a skills challengeCredit: Instagram @taramaekirk
      On Instagram Tara boasts 22,000 followersCredit: Instagram @taramaekirk
      Outside of the game, Tara is a rising influencerCredit: Instagram @taramaekirk
      Day job
      Playing for semi-pro Peterborough is a part-time gig for Tara.
      Outside of football, she works in event management – gaining her qualification at Champions UK plc.
      She recently graduated from Loughborough University with a BTEC in business, management, marketing and retailed support services.
      Before that, she worked as a hostess at her beloved Leicester City.
      While one of her first jobs was as a waitress at the Crown Inn pub in Leicestershire.
      Jet-set life
      Regardless of her part-time status, when it comes to holidays Tara certainly enjoys herself.
      This summer, she went exploring Asia.
      She took in Thailand, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka – soaking up the sun on her travels.
      For her day job Tara is an events managerCredit: Instagram @taramaekirk
      Snorkelling fun was had in Thailand
      Sigiriya in Sri Lanka was ticked off as one of the sights Tara visited
      Tara also enjoyed the sights of Istanbul
      Tara looks likely to continue to gain fame as an influencer
      She took in sights including the Sigiriya Rock and Phi Phi islands for some diving fun.
      Earlier in the summer, Tara also visited Istanbul and enjoyed seeing the stunning architecture of the Old City.
      As she continues to gain more fame as an influencer, expect those troops to become even more glam. More

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      Furious Emma Hayes blasts ’embarrassing’ decisions that ‘rob’ Chelsea of win over Real Madrid

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      FURIOUS EMMA Hayes blasted two controversial decisions that wrecked Chelsea’s hopes of victory over Real Madrid.Chelsea ended up drawing 2-2 with Madrid after a late Niamh Charles’ volley was ruled offside despite the Blues ace being yards ONSIDE.
      Chelsea manager Emma Hayes on the touchlineCredit: PA
      Niamh Charles was ruled offside when she scored seconds after this free kick
      The referee gave Real Madrid a penalty for this foul
      Hayes was spotted having words with match officials following the full-back’s 95th-minute goal being chalked off during the clash in Madrid.
      The Chelsea gaffer argued her side “robbed of what should have been a 3-1 game”.
      And she questioned a late penalty with Jessie Fleming judged to have fouled Athenea del Castillo – even though the challenge was clearly yards outside the penalty area.
      Hayes said: “I could see from the bench that the tackle [for the penalty decision] was outside the box. 
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      “So I’m absolutely shocked that those managing the game couldn’t see that.
      “Of course maybe Jessie [Fleming] shouldn’t lunge in that area, but it happens clearly outside the box.
      “At this level when you are in control of a game and important decisions like that go against you, it makes it difficult.
      “I thought we dominated the game. We went 2-1 up. Then there is the free kick that was awarded as a penalty. 
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      “Then we score a really legitimate goal with Niamh Charles three or four yards onside.
      “It is embarrassing. I had to check why it was disallowed; was it Niamh? No. Was it Sam [Kerr] interfering with the goalkeeper? 
      “She was about seven yards away, no way near the keeper. I cannot understand the decision whatsoever. I think we’ve been robbed of what was a 3-1 game.”
      The visitors first foray in Europe this term came a night after Hayes made headlines with her appointment as USA Women’s boss.
      A job that will see the Blues chief become the highest-paid coach in women’s football with her salary thought to be around £1.6million
      Before the game Millie Bright warned she and her team-mates could be in for an earful if they allowed their gaffer’s impending departure to affect their performance.
      They suffered an early setback in their Group C duel when their Spanish hosts took a 10th minute lead, punishing Ann-Katrin Berger’s dodgy clearance.
      Olga Carmona put them ahead with her 30-yard thumper – and Madrid’s first shot on target – taking a deflection off Bright before finding the net.
      Chelsea hit back in the 41st minute with Charles giving Athenea Del Castillo the runaround before bagging her first goal in the tournament with a bullet header.
      Olga Carmona celebrates her first goalCredit: Getty
      The second half saw Chelsea maintain the pressure on their hosts in an entertaining battle that saw Madrid’s defences tested.
      Misa Rodriguez pulled off a series of stunning saves but was beaten by Sam Kerr’s top corner header with the Blues striker pouncing Charles’ cross.
      Hopes of a Blues victory were crushed when Jessie Fleming was controversially ruled to have fouled Del Castillo in the box.
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      Carmona drilled in a 79th minute spot-kick to take the scoreline to 2-2.
      The Blues endured injury-time disappointment with Charles seeing her injury-time effort disallowed, a decision that left Hayes shaking her head in disbelief before the final whistle. More

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      Lionesses stun in see-through dresses as England World Cup stars and Alex Scott pose up a storm at GQ awards

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      ALEX SCOTT and the Lionesses went see-through for GQ as their awards-do outfits met with a chorus of approval at the Royal Opera House.Fans rated presenter Scott, Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly and Arsenal ace Leah Williamson a sheer delight on the night as England’s World Cup stars gathered for the magazine’s top event.
      Awesome foursome Mary Earps, Leah Williamson, Alex Scott and Chloe Kelly turn on the glitz for the magazine awards in LondonCredit: Getty
      Alex Scott was a star of the silver sheen in this daring outfitCredit: Getty
      Leah Williamson wore a two-tone dress at the Royal Opera HouseCredit: Getty
      Lionesses’ hero keeper Mary Earps wore a flight green dress as the foursome posed on the red carpet at the star-studded evening.
      Earps saved a penalty in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney three months ago but was unable to prevent Spain winning 1-0.
      And the Manchester United stalwart was spot on again at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London.
      Spain attacker Jenni Hermoso was also in attendance as the Royal Opera House swapped songs for gongs.
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      It follows Earps voicing her “disappointment” earlier this week at the World Cup being overshadowed by the scandal of Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales kissing Hermoso.
      The stopper’s high-collared dress contrasted with the more revealing outfits of her three colleagues in one of the event’s most dazzling pics.
      Ex-Arsenal defender Scott, 39, went without a bra as she wore the most daring outfit, a gown as silvery as Christmassy but as thin as a goal-net.
      Williamson, 26, came in a short black dress showing off much of her body.
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      And Kelly opted for a hint of Halloween, albeit a fortnight late.
      The 25-year-old’s sophisticated black outfit mixed sparkly detail with a see-through skirt and high heels.
      Ex-England forward turned BBC presenter Gary Lineker, Wrexham frontman Paul Mullin and world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson were among  the sporting names honoured.
      Johnson-Thompson appeared in an elegant chiffon dress, every bit a match for the outfits of the footballing fraternity.
      There’s nothing like putting a Kat amongst the… Lionesses.
      Katarina Johnson-Thompson looked graceful in this dressCredit: Rex More

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      Millie Bright warns Chelsea will stay focused as Emma Hayes is announced as US Women’s team boss

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      EMMA HAYES has been announced as USA Women’s team head coach weeks after being linked with one of football’s most coveted jobs. Confirmation of her appointment comes one night before her Chelsea side face Real Madrid in their Champions League opener. 
      Emma Hayes will take charge of the USA’s Women’s national side two months before the July 24 start of the 2024 OlympicsCredit: PA
      Hayes’ appointment to one of the top international coaching jobs in the women’s game will follow her trophy-laden 12-year spell as Chelsea bossCredit: Reuters
      The US Soccer Federation’s appointment of Hayes comes three months after the USA endured a shock last-16 exit from this year’s Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
      Hayes was announced as the USA Women’s a day before Chelsea’s first group stage game in this term’s Women’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Her move will see her become the highest paid coach in women’s football
      Blues captain Millie Bright jokingly warned she could get a verbal “battering” from Hayes if she and her team-mates become distracted by her impending departure.
      Bright, face Madrid in the contest’s group stages, said: “Knowing Emma, she wants us to do everything the same regardless of her departure. 
      “That’s the mentality and the values that she’s installed in all of us as players and at the club.

      “For us, everything remains the same. If we act any differently, I’m sure I’d get a battering from her! 
      “We know we have to be focused and that it’s game-by-game. 
      “We’ve got to go out there and perform first and foremost, and don’t look too far ahead. Just stay in our lane.”
      On Tuesday evening USA Soccer unveiled Hayes as the new boss of their four-time Women’s World Cup-winning side.
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      The news comes ten days after Chelsea announced the long-serving coach will leave the club after 12 years at the helm of the WSL title-holders. 
      Of her appointment, Hayes, 47, said: “This is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history 
      “The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep. 
      “I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true. 
      “I know there is work to do to achieve our goals of winning consistently at the highest levels. 
      “To get there, it will require dedication, devotion and collaboration from the players, staff and everyone at the U.S. Soccer Federation.!
      Hayes is set to take charge of the USA Women’s team two months before the July 24 start of the 2024 Paris Olympics. 
      The Blues chief, who leaves Chelsea at the end of next season, has so far led her current team to six Women’s Super League titles, six FA Cup triumphs and two League Cup wins. 
      And she also guided the WSL giants to five league and cup double wins and their first Champions League final in 2021. 
      Hayes appointment will see her undertake her third coaching role in the USA. 
      Her last job across the pond was as manager of US top-flight women’s side Chicago Red Stars for two years from 2008 to 2010.
      US Soccer Cindy Parlow Cone said: “Emma is a fantastic leader and world class coach who sets high standards for herself and for everyone around her.
      “She has tremendous energy and an insatiable will to win.
      “Her experience in the USA, her understanding of our soccer landscape and her appreciation of what it means to coach this team makes her a natural fit for this role.”
      Former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro, OL Reign gaffer Laura Harvey and Australia Women’s manager Tony Gustavsson are reported to have been among the other candidates for the job. 
      Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith are among the young USA stars Hayes will be coaching in her new roleCredit: Getty
      Hayes’ appointment comes three months after Vlatko Andovoski resigned as USA Women’s boss two weeks after they were knocked out in the last 16 of the [World CupCredit: AP
      Hayes’ coaching credentials and ability to motivate players and staff are said to have been among the key factors that led to her appointment. 

      US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said: “Her passion for the game, her coaching acumen, her ability to galvanize players and staff, her dedication to continue to evolve as a coach and her qualities as a person are all incredibly impressive.”
      “She has a great appreciation for the legacy of this programme and embraces the big challenges ahead.” More

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      Jill Scott hails ‘full circle moment’ after WSL Hall of Fame induction alongside Ellen White and Anita Asante

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      JILL SCOTT has lifted FA Cups, a league title and made history by helping Lionesses win the Women’s Euros for the first time ever.However, the retired Lioness, 36 reveals it was her brief loan stint at Aston Villa that turned her mother into a huge Women’s Super League fan.
      Jill Scott’s induction into the WSL Hall of Fame comes 15 months after she helped England win the Euros last August before hanging up her bootsCredit: Getty
      Scott joins several Women’s Super League trailblazers honoured for their contribution to the game
      Scott’s post-playing career has seen her regular feature as a football pundit on TVCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      The former midfielder, who began her 18-year playing career at Sunderland before spells at Everton, Manchester City and Villa is someone who has become synonymous with the WSL.  
      Before winning the Euros, Scott joined Villa on loan from Man City in January last year.
      And last night saw her, Ellen White and Anita Asante become the league’s latest Barclays WSL Hall of Fame inductees.
      Scott said: “My mum actually loves following Villa, because of my time there.

      “She is a really big fan of Carla and the team.
      “She knows how much I enjoyed my time there so she’s always looking out for their results and, with Jordan Nobbs, and Lucy Staniforth going there as well.
      “The fact that she works her weekend around the game at times is just great, really.
      “Going back however many years, she would not have even known that games were happening, and she wouldn’t have had access to watch them.
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      “It goes to show that if we keep putting this amazing product out there, there is an audience who wants to follow this ever-growing game.”
      Last August saw Scott, who made 175 WSL appearances, retire after helping Sarina Wiegman’s England become European Champions at Wembley by beating Germany.
      A memorable expletive rant (for which she later apologised) during the final in reaction to a heavy challenge during the Lionesses’ historic win that day may have seen her go viral.
      But for many WSL fans, and in particular Man City supporters, it’s Scott’s performances on the pitch for which she is remembered most for.
      Performances which saw her win four FA Cups, four league cups and a WSL title before joining Kelly Smith, Karen Carney, Eni Aluko, Fara Williams and Rachel Yankey in the Hall of Fame.
      Scott adds: “I hope it represents that for any young girl out there, you might not be the best player on your team, you might not be the most talented; but with hard work and if you want something so badly you have to dedicate every day of your life to it.
      “If I look at my early days of playing with Fara, then when I look at Keira Walsh, Lauren Hemp, Steph Houghton all these players, I think they made me look half decent at times!”
      To date the only football manager included in the Hall of Fame’s inductees is Emma Hayes who has guided Chelsea six WSL title wins.
      The Blues chief will leave her current role at the end of this season after 11 years at the helm amid links with the USA Women’s national team manager’s role.
      Scott said: “Emma has had a fantastic time with Chelsea in terms of where they were to where they are now. 
      “I don’t think it’s been confirmed yet where she’s going next.
      “I know every single player that I’ve talked to who has played for Emma, says that her emotional intelligence and how she gets the best out of the players is just on another level.
      “It’s sad for the WSL that we’re going to be losing one of the best managers – well definitely the most successful -manager to ever manage in it.
      “I’m excited for her next challenge.”
      Scott’s playing days involved being part of the crop of female footballers who featured in the WSL in its debut season.
      Players who contributed to its formation prior the division’s first game played 13 years ago with Arsenal beating Chelsea 1-0 at the home of non-league men’s side Tooting and Mitcham.
      The former Lioness, who is among the WSL’s highest appearance makers, hopes to pass the baton on to the league’s next generation and girls aspiring to build careers in the game.
      Her Hall of Fame induction comes nine months after the opening of a pitch named after her in Jarrow, South Tyneside
      Scott said: “You see the legacy that you do get to leave, the opportunity to open a football pitch which is going to give girls and women’s football the priority to make sure that they have good facilities.
      “The fact that we get that on the back of knowing at the beginning of the WSL that we needed better facilities so that you’re helping that next generation, it’s kind of a full circle moment.”
      Lioness heroines Anita Asante and Ellen White have also been inducted into the WSL’s Hall of Fame
       “For Anita, Ellen and for me to get this recognition, I’m sure the girls are just equally as excited as me.
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      “I hope we showed how much it meant to play for our club, no matter who that was.
      “It kind of shows all that hard work that put in and hopefully, people see that we always tried to represent our clubs in in the best way possible right till the end.” More

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      Football legend breaks down in tears on pitch as final game ends in heartbreak after horror injury just three minutes in

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      MEGAN RAPINOE suffered a devastating injury during her last-ever football match.The US Women’s national team legend started for OL Reign in the NWSL Championship final on Saturday.
      Megan Rapinoe suffered an Achilles injury during her final matchCredit: Getty
      She suffered the injury just three minutes into the gameCredit: AFP
      Rapinoe received a standing ovation from both sets of fans while walking off the pitchCredit: Getty
      However, just three minutes into the match against Gotham FC she went to ground off the ball with an Achilles issue.
      After receiving treatment from the medical team she limped off the pitch in tears to a standing ovation from both sets of fans.
      Fans took to social media to react to the heartbreaking incident, with one person writing: “Worst way for a legend of the game to go out 😔.”
      Another added: “Regardless of what you think of Rapinoe, it’s a shame to see a player of her stature, talent, and impact lose the chance to play to the final whistle.”
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      While a third said: “I’m heartbroken to see her go off her final career game with an injury like this. She’s a true legend. Thank you, Pinoe.”
      Gotham went on to win the match 2-1 thanks to goals from Lynn Williams and Esther Gonzalez.
      Discussing her devastating injury at full-time, Rapinoe said: “It felt like just a huge pop. The worst possible outcome.
      “I just thought, ‘Thank God I have like a f***ing deep well of sense of humour’.
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      “But yeah, I mean, just obviously devastating to go out in the final so early.
      “I wasn’t overly emotional about it. I mean, I just f***ing yeeted my Achilles in the sixth minute in my last game ever, in the literal championship final.”
      Rapinoe is considered one of the USWNT’s greatest-ever players.
      She scored 63 goals in 203 appearances for her national team and won the World Cup twice.
      She also won the Ballon d’Or back in 2019.
      The 38-year-old announced her plans to retire from football before the start of the Women’s World Cup in July.
      She tweeted: “It is with a deep sense of peace & gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game.
      “I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape & change my life forever.”
      Rapinoe played for seven different clubs throughout her professional career, including Chicago Red Stars, Seattle Sounders and Olympique Lyonnais. More

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      Manchester City boss Taylor hopeful of improved broadcast rights deal for WSL and Women’s Championship

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      GARETH TAYLOR says the sky is the limit to push for an increased broadcast deal for the Women’s Super League and Championship. The Manchester City boss spoke after the women’s top tier in the USA secured a record TV rights deal worth $240million, 40 times more than the existing one. 
      Gareth Taylor hopes to see an improved broadcast deal for the WSL and Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      The National Women’s Soccer League’s new broadcast rights deal will see NWSL fixtures in the USA shown on CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports from 2024Credit: Getty
      That four-year agreement, announced on Thursday, will start in 2024 and is thought to be the largest agreed by a women’s sport league to date.
      National Women’s Soccer League games will be aired on CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports. 
      WSL and Women’s Championship are also after a higher price for the combined broadcast rights contract, according to Telegraph Sport.  
      The WSL’s existing TV deal with Sky Sports and the BBC, which finishes at the end of this term, is worth around £8m per year. 
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      On his hopes for the WSL’s new deal following the NWSL’s announcement, Taylor said: “It’s (women’s football coverage) has moved on significantly.
      “How much further (can it go), the sky’s the limit, really and also in regard to getting appropriate kick-off times so that supporters are able to watch their clubs men’s and women’s teams. 
      “That’s been really difficult because it’s a really tight calendar and they’re on a tight turnaround. 
      “That being said, I think there’s been significant steps in the three seasons I’ve been here.
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      “When I look at my first season of 2020-21 and it was a bit of a fake landscape with it being during Covid times. 
      “We probably had two games televised that season which was the FA Cup semi-final and final in an empty Wembley Stadium
      “The following season we saw the introduction of Sky Sports showcasing games alongside the BBC and that’s now even more this season.”
      On the pitch, Taylor aims to guide his side back to winning ways after the 2-1 loss at Arsenal, their first of the season. 
      City host Brighton today, who are yet to beat them, losing eight of their last nine games. And Albion have shipped 39 goals in those nine WSL games. 
      However, Taylor will not underestimate the Seagulls — under new boss Melissa Phillips.
      Brighton drew with Manchester United last time out and have four former City players in their squad — defender Poppy Pattinson, midfielder Vicky Losada and forwards Pauline Bremner and Lee Geum-min. 
      Taylor added: “They took a solid point last week and there could have been more for them as well — and it just shows how dangerous they are. 
      “We wouldn’t underestimate any opposition.
      “With their new coach they’ve been quite active in recruitment in terms of bringing in players who’ve got really good experience in the WSL and international football.”
      Vicky Losada is one of two ex-Man City aces who joined Brighton this summerCredit: Alamy
      Meanwhile, Taylor says he has high hopes for two of City’s young rising stars, forward Jess Park and defender Ruby Mace. 
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      He said: “Jess looks really sharp and lively and a threat. 
      “It’s the same with Ruby. She’s got the capabilities of playing higher up the pitch and the early signs have been impressive.” More