Women’s football

KELLY SMITH is backing Arsenal to bounce back from their injury struggles and their younger stars to shine next term. And the Gunners legend, 44, reckons this season’s WSL title and relegation battles have made it one the most enthralling. 
Arsenal will host Aston Villa in their final game of the WSL season at 2:30 pm todayCredit: Getty
Centre-back Rafaelle is set to make her final appearance for the club with the Brazil star leaving Arsenal this summerCredit: Getty
Kelly Smith believes Arsenal will grow and ‘kick on’ following the injury issues they have faced this seasonCredit: Getty
Reading and Chelsea will go head-to-head in a game likely to decide who will be crowned WSL champions and which side drops into the Championship. 
Three points for the Blues would guarantee them a fourth successive WSL crown under boss Emma Hayes.
And a Royals victory could potentially see Kelly Chambers’ side, who are bottom, win their battle to beat the drop if Leicester lose or draw with Brighton. 
Smith, who is a Barclays WSL ambassador, told SunSport: “It’s been so exciting because it’s all come down to the last day. 
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“Whether it’s Man United or Chelsea winning, or whether it’s Leicester or Reading going down, it’s been the most competitive season. 
“Kelly Chambers is a really good manager and she’s been in the league for a long time and Reading have been a mid-table team. 
“But they’ve just fallen away as the season has gone on. 
“It’s going to be a miracle needed for them to turn that around and beat a team that’s hungry to win a third title.”
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A Reading defeat of Chelsea could also pave the way for Manchester United to lift the title for the first time should Marc Skinner’s team beat Liverpool. 
Their clash at Prenton Hall  is one of six fixtures taking place later on the final day of this WSL season. 
Of Skinner and Man United’s efforts, Smith added: “He’s done an incredible job, particularly defensively. 
“He’s made them really sound and they’ve got the best defensive record in the WSL. 
“The partnership between Hayley Ladd and Katie Zelem has been exceptional in the middle and they’ve got goals coming from everyone.
Smith reckons Manchester United have become more defensively sound under Marc SkinnerCredit: PA
“They’ve done exceptionally well beating Arsenal back-to-back this season and winning against Man City. You can see there’s belief.”
Last month saw Smith return to her old side to take up a coaching role working until the end of this term. 
Her work with the Gunners has come in a season in which the team have been contending with injuries to key players including Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. 
Smith, who lifted four league titles and five FA Cups with Arsenal, said: “It’s been tough for them losing so many key players to long-term injuries. 
“It’s been psychologically difficult for the squad but they’ve worked with a sport psychologist and other players have stepped up.
“Lotte Wubben-Moy has been quality at the back.
“And younger players coming in like Katherine Kuhl and Victoria Pelova have got a lot more game time. 
“When you consider those we’ve lost (to injuries) like Kim Little, Lia Walti, Beth Mead, Viv Miedema – those players probably wouldn’t have got a lot of match time.
“They would have been coming off the bench to be impact players.
“They certainly will grow from this and will kick on next season. 
“I expect next season to be even better for Arsenal. I see it day-in, day-out with the quality in this squad.
“They really get what Jonas (Eidevall) wants from them.”
Smith was in the dugout when the Gunners battled Wolfsburg in a Champions League second-leg semis watched by a record Emirates crowd. 
And while they fell to a 3-2 loss being at the ground filled with more than 60,000 fans was an unforgettable experience. 
Smith, who won the contest in 2007 with Arsenal,  added: “It is goosebumps stuff really
“Walking out as a former player and now a coach and just looking around, it’s just like ‘wow, this is unreal’. 
Smith expects her old club and Chelsea to push on in Europe next term following their run to the Champions League semi-finals this season.   
She said: “Chelsea and Arsenal are getting closer given they have reached the semi-finals. 
Smith hopes to see bigger crowds at women’s games next season following some record turnouts this termCredit: Getty
“Our players certainly learned a lot throughout their campaign playing at the Emirates.
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“There’s going to be new players coming in for next season. 
“Top players want to be playing Champions League football. If Arsenal can secure that it’s a major bonus for the club.” More

EMMA HAYES insists Chelsea’s focus is on what they can control in their bid to be crowned WSL champions for a fourth successive season. The Blues manager is preparing her team to face a Reading side ‘fighting for their lives’ with the Royals aiming to avoid relegation.
Chelsea will be a targeting a win that would see them clinch a third successive league and FA Cup doubleCredit: PA
A win against Chelsea for bottom-placed Reading could see them remain in the WSL if Leicester draw with or lose to BrightonCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes hopes to steer Chelsea a fourth WSL title win on the bounceCredit: Getty
Saturday’s match is one of six end-of-season clashes, all kicking off at 2:30 pm.
The result of this encounter and Manchester United’s duel with Liverpool will decide whether the Blues retain the title, or if the Red Devils win it for the first time in their history. 
Hayes said: “We respect that we’re facing a team fighting for their lives for a manager I know very well. 
“For us, we have to take care of all the right things. 
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“When I think back to every campaign (where we’ve won the title), we’ve only ever won the league by a couple of points at the best.
“This is just business as usual for us”.
A Chelsea away victory would see them claim a third successive league and FA Cup double.  
And three points for Kelly Chambers’ Royals would see them leap out of the drop zone if rivals Leicester fail to beat Brighton. 
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Last season Chelsea lost 1-0 on the road to Reading with Canada forward Deanne Rose netting the winning goal.
However Hayes says that defeat will not enter her players’ minds in their duel with the Royals. 
The Blues chief added: “We don’t think about that. We’re in a position to control the outcome.
“Everybody behind the scenes (staff and players) have worked so hard to get to this point.
“The focus, the concentration and consistency is all I’ve been interested in with them all week, to make sure that we’re in a position to perform. 
“Everybody knows their roles and tasks and we’re in the best mindset. 
Should Chelsea lose and Man United beat the Reds away, Marc Skinner’s side will become WSL champions for the first time in their history. 
On whether she will keep an eye on United’s score, Hayes said: “I might ask at halftime but for the most part I will focus on just what we were in control of.
“If I need to ask in the second half then I will do but I don’t think about it.
“I just think about getting off to the right start.”
A Reading loss would see them drop out of the top-flight eight years on from winning promotion to the WSL.” 
Royals head coach Chambers said: “As tough as the challenge ahead is for us, it is a game of football. 
“We are where we are and for different reasons, and honest conversations have happened.
“As much as it is a hard position to be in right now, the players have really attacked the week in a positive mindset to try to do everything they can for the weekend.
“We are still in the fight. We have to leave everything out there.”
Between 2018 and 2022 the Royals have been a solid mid-table side with the team finishing fifth three years ago.
This term the club have struggled with injuries including forward Rose sidelined with an Achilles issue last September.
Deanne Rose netted for Reading when they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the league in December 2021Credit: Reuters
The Canada ace made her return with a 60th minute substitute appearance during Reading’s 4-1 loss to Tottenham last time out. 
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Chambers added: “Deanne gives us a completely different dimension to the squad that we haven’t had all season. 
“What we saw (from her) against Tottenham is what we’ve missed this season. More

EMMA HAYES saluted Magda Eriksson’s fairytale finish to her Blues spell as Chelsea made it a tough day for Arsenal with their 2-0 win. The Sweden star’s first – and potentially last – WSL goal helped move her side within touching distance of a fourth successive title.
Magda Eriksson doubled Chelsea’s lead against Arsenal with her last goal for the team at KingsmeadowCredit: Getty
Eriksson and Pernille Harder are set to make their final Chelsea appearances in the Blues last WSL game next SundayCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes’ players will face Reading in their final game this seasonCredit: Getty
The Blues’ home victory saw them avenge their Conti Cup final loss to Arsenal.
It also derailed the Gunners’ top three hopes before Manchester City’s trip to neighbours Man United this evening. 
And Eriksson and Pernille Harder made their penultimate Blues appearance with the duo leaving Chelsea as free agents this summer. 
Hayes said: “This is so fitting (that) of course she’s scored today. 
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“Everybody wanted that fairytale for her. She has been our captain and leader. 
“I know the work that has gone on behind the scenes to get the team to where it is. 
I just looked onto the pitch and all I see is the years of work in the background. 
“The meetings, the analysis, the disagreements, the good times and the moments you’re sick looking at each other. 
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“It’s all of those things. And this team has a habit of peaking when it matters. 
There’s three senior leaders in our team (in Magda, Millie Bright and Maren Mjelde).
“I think it’s important that the baton is passed on through them.”
Stina Blackstenius went close to netting for Arsenal in the first halfCredit: Getty
Of Eriksson and Harder playing the final home game at Kingsmeadow, Hayes added: “They’ve had amazing years here and an amazing time. 
“They’re not going to be here (from next season) and we have had a chance to replace them with something different.
“It is not them, we can never do that. If there is going to be a separation, they want nothing more than to see Chelsea continuing to thrive. 
“On that end it’s been good. I respect them both so much as people. I’m proud of them.”
Before the game Jonas Eidevall spoke of Arsenal needing to “keep the ball well” if they were to stand a chance of beating their rivals. 
While possession was fairly even in the first half it was Emma Hayes’ side who were the most ruthless in front of goal. 
Blues warning signs came as early as the 10th minute with Sam Kerr seeing a goal disallowed as offside. 
Moments later Stina Blackstenius threatened for the visitors going one-on-one with Ann-Katrin Berger forcing a fine block from the Blues goalkeeper. 
The hosts had the upper hand in the first half with four shots on target converting twice within 41 minutes. 
Guro Reiten slid home Chelsea’s opener following Eve Perisset’s cross in the 22nd minute.
Frida Maanum came close to bagging an equaliser with Berger having to claw the ball from dropping into the net after spilling.
And Eriksson made it 2-0 with a tap in after Kerr’s headed assist close to halftime.  
Eidevall altered things in the second spell with Steph Catley on for Kathrine Kuhl and the Gunners gaining the upper hand in attack. 
And they won a penalty that skipper Katie McCabe fired well wide of goal. 
The hosts weather pressure from Arsenal to go five points clear at the top.
And they could become champions if the Red Devils lose their clash with Manchester City this evening. 
A City win could also  put Arsenal’s Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy with the race going to the wire. 
Jonas Eidevall’s side’s battle to qualify for the Champions League could go the last day of this season if Man City beat Man UnitedCredit: Getty
Gunners boss Eidevall said: “My mindset has been that we need to do everything in every single minute of the season to try to finish as high as possible. 

“Nothing changes because of today’s result.
“If we look at it in a positive way, it should be in our own hands in control of our own destiny and that is the preference.” More

JONAS EIDEVALL admits Arsenal’s injury concerns have made this season one of the toughest of his coaching career. The third-placed Gunners visit Kingsmeadow later for a lunchtime duel with leaders Chelsea in their penultimate WSL game this season. 

Jonas Eidevall’s players will be hoping for a repeat of the display that saw them beat Chelsea in the Conti Cup finalCredit: Getty
A win for the Gunners could see the WSL title race go right to the wire if Man United beat Manchester City laterCredit: Getty
However, they will be without the services of Lia Walti who became the latest first-team player to have their season ended by injury.
Kim Little, Laura Wienroither, Leah Williamson Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are their other key figures sidelined with hamstring and knee ligament concerns.
But he expects Walti to be fit for the World Cup despite the crocked Gunners ace missing their final two fixtures.
Eidevall, 40, said: “It definitely has been tough.
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“It is tough to have players injured because you feel so much for them, but also to constantly have to come up with new solutions and prepare new ways.
“It’s on different levels for me. One is to think forward, think about the next action, but still don’t forget that there is an individual and person behind every injury 
“We need to take care and support that person as well as we can.
“Another thing is to find solutions to be flexible in the way that we think.
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“When you’re in the middle of it, just keep going one game at a time. There are two more games and then we’re done.”
Walti was carried off on a stretcher during Arsenal’s 4-1 win at Everton on Wednesday after Aggie Beever-Jones’ late tackle caught her ankle.
However Eidevall believes the midfielder will be ready to play for Switzerland, with her team facing the Philippines in a World Cup group stage opener on July 21.
The Gunners boss added: “It’s not a multiple month injury so she should be able to recover well in time for the World Cup which is, of course, very important for her.
“I’m very happy for her that it wasn’t more serious. I was afraid it could be, so this is a relief.”
Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea will be the first time the rivals have faced each other since the Gunners’ 3-1 Conti Cup final win against Blues in March.
And Eidevall expects his players will face a different performance, with their opponents having won their last five games across all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
He said: “We have a flexible mind and will be prepared that it will be a Chelsea team that will look a little bit different than it did the last time out.”
The match will see Pernille Harder and Chelsea captain Magda Eriksson making their final Blues appearances at Kingsmeadow, with the duo leaving the club.
Magda Eriksson and Pernille Harder will play their final game at Kingsmeadow with the duo leaving Chelsea at the end of this seasonCredit: Getty
And Emma Hayes is keen to see them get a good send off.
The Chelsea boss said: “I’m proud of Pernille and Mags. As a football club it’s important we send players who meant a lot to us off in the way that we want.”
Hayes’ Blues could retain the WSL crown with a win against Arsenal should Manchester United lose to Man City at Leigh Sports Village today. 
Emma Hayes expects her team to face a tough challenge from Arsenal in their final London derby this termCredit: Reuters
However is keen not to underestimate the threat posed by the Gunners. 
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She added: : “We haven’t won anything.
“We’ve got to play arguably one of the best teams in Europe this year and that will be extremely challenging.” More

VICKY JEPSON says Bethany England is worth a Lionesses World Cup spot after Spurs won their WSL survival fight.The Tottenham striker’s double took her to 12 goals for the season and left bottom-club Reading on the brink of relegation.
Bethany England and Kit Graham both netted as Tottenham won their fight to avoid relegationCredit: Getty
England was voted Tottenham’s Supporters’ Club’s player of the season following her attacking displaysCredit: Getty
It was also her fifth goal in three matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with the team playing in the first ever Premier League and WSL double-header at the venue.
Interim boss Jepson, whose team play West Ham in their last game this term, said: “I’m over the moon personally (with the result). 
“The task was to keep us in the WSL and that task is complete and we can enjoy that status in the WSL. 
“We still have one game left to play and we certainly don’t want to be complacent going into that.”
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England’s clinical finishing for Tottenham has seen her become the third highest scorer in the top-flight this season.
Her tally of 12 goals includes 10 notched in 11 WSL games for Jepson’s side who beat Reading 4-1.
The Tottenham chief added: “There have been opportunities in games where Beth has pulled goals from out of nowhere due to individual brilliance.
“I think she should be going to the World Cup but I’m not going to tell Sarina Wiegman how to do her job.
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“It’s up to her but I think she’s a top English scorer in the WSL.”
The deadlock was broken in yesterday’s game when England headed home in the 29th minute when she pounced on a cross from Molly Bartrip.
Celin Bizet doubled the hosts’ lead four minutes before half-time when she fired beyond keeper
Grace Moloney following Eveliina Summanen’s through ball.
Royals boss Kelly Chambers shuffled her deck in the second half with Emma Harries replacing Sanne Troelsgaard and Deanne Rose on for Tia Primmer.
But Spurs increased their advantage when England pounced on a back-pass from Easther Mayi Kith on 62 minutes.
Kit Graham made it 4-0 after wrong footing Moloney with 15 minutes to go
And Reading pulled one back when Justine Vanhaevermaet headed home in the 79th minute.
Kelly Chambers’ Reading side will be relegated league rivals Leicester beat West Ham at home todayCredit: Getty
If Leicester beat visiting West Ham today, the Royals will be relegated.
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Chambers said: “We can’t be deluded about where we are and it is Chelsea on the final day.
“It was a tough day and a tough season. Leagues don’t lie, you end up where you should be.” More

HELEN WARD never envisaged her football career would one day lead to her painted in  a giant mural at Vicarage Road. Today the striker, 37, will end her journey as a player by attempting to help Watford return to the Women’s Championship. 
Helen Ward will hang up her boots following Watford’s clash with Nottingham Forest in the Women’s National League play-off finalCredit: Getty
Ward hopes to help her side win promotion to the Women’s Championship
The lifelong Watford fan and her team will battle third tier rivals Nottingham Forest for promotion.
The Women’s National League play-off final at the home of MK Dons’ will see the Golden Girls veteran play her final match before retiring.  
Ward, who is a mother of two and began her career at Watford at 15, said:  “If you’d have asked me if I’d still be playing at 37 I’d have said absolutely no chance. 
“That in itself is an achievement. It just sort of  went from season to season and I’ve kept playing because I loved it.
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For me personally, with this being my last game and my last season, it (winning promotion) would be a magical way to finish 
“To do this with the club where I started it all would be amazing and I’ve got one last chance to lift a trophy. 
“There’s been so much going on behind the scenes and so many people working hard to put us in a position to be competing at this stage in the season.”
Watford’s clash with Nottingham Forest comes six days after the club celebrating Ward’s career by unveiling a mural of her at Vicarage Road’s North-West corner. 
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The artwork created by features Ward in her club shirt and in action for Wales. 
The Brent-born player who retired from international football in March, is Wales all-time goalscorer with 44 goals in 105 appearances. 
Of the mural, Ward adds: “It was a big surprise, a huge surprise. I’d absolutely no idea that it was coming. 
“It’s a bit daunting seeing a big, big version of your own face on the wall
“But it’s something that means a lot to myself and my family and to be up there with the likes of Luther Blissett, Graham Taylor and Elton John.
“Their legendary status is clear for anyone to see at the club. 
“I’m not going to put myself in that category but to be considered as someone worthy of having a mural at the stadium is incredible and as a Watford fan, it’s really special
Reflecting on her career for Wales, Ward said: “There was no vision of what I might or might not achieve. 
“The international stuff sort of came when I was I think I was 22 and I made my debut. 
“Even that came fairly late in the day when you look at how young players are making their debuts now.
“ I’ve just taken everything as it’s come on the way and never really tried to think too far ahead which has probably helped me. 
“I think if you get too concerned with what might happen or what you’re trying to achieve in the future, you can get distracted.
“It’s been a whirlwind and I’m grateful for every moment I’ve lived and for every team that I’ve played for and every club mate that I’ve had.” 
Watford’s duel with Nottingham Forest will see the sides go head-to-head for the first time since Forest’s 3-2 triumph in the Women’s National League Cup final. 
And Ward, who enjoyed spells at Arsenal, Chelsea and Reading before her 2017 Golden Girls return is hopeful of a different outcome this time. 
The striker adds: “In the League Cup (final) it was a tight game.
“We both have learned a lot about each other but I don’t expect much to change in terms of how either team approaches the game. 
“I believe in this squad and I believe we’ve got the players to get us over the line.”
Today’s clash between Watford and Forest will be the last ever Women’s National League play-off final. 
Next season will see the winners of Women’s National League Northern and Southern Premier divisions promoted to the Championship. 
The FA’s promotion and relegation shake-up between the divisions means two teams will be relegated from tier two next term rather than one. 
From next season the winners of the Women’s National League North and South divisions will be promoted to the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
Ward added: “It’s a real shame that whoever doesn’t win isn’t going to get promoted 
“It’s been a shame ever since the play-off has been a thing and thankfully, this is the last one of its kind
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“I think the FA have come to a really sensible decision for next season in terms of making it two up and two down and that’s that’s great for the game.”
Nottingham Forest vs Watford can be watched live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport’s web site from 1:00 pm More