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      Eidevall expects ‘tough challenge’ for Arsenal from Everton despite their heavy loss to Chelsea in the league

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      JONAS EIDEVALL says Arsenal must ‘not be fooled’ by Everton’s hefty loss to Chelsea with the head coach expecting a Toffees bounce back. The Gunners visit Merseyside later in the hope of securing a win that would move them three points behind leaders Manchester United. 
      A win for Arsenal against Everton could see them move three points behind Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      The Gunners have been boosted by Caitlin Foord’s return to fitness with the forward featuring as a substitute against Brighton last time outCredit: Alamy
      Eidevall expects a tough challenge from Everton for Arsenal at Walton Hall ParkCredit: Getty
      While their opponents’ last clash saw them thrashed 7-0 by the Blues, Eidevall is expecting a tricky test from Brian Sorensen’s side. 
      The Arsenal chief, 40, said: “I tend to look at the way that the teams play.
      “You can see that Everton as a team has a lot of good qualities and also some really good players. 
      “It’s going to be a tough challenge for us and we can’t be fooled by that result.
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      “We have prepared well for the game and we need to continue to do that.”
      Of the title chances for his third-placed side Eidevall added: “There are three games left.
      “But it’s one game at a time. It’s really important to keep the focus on that to not look too far ahead. 
      “We’re going to do our very best and if we do, we’re going to  give ourselves the best chance to finish as high as possible.”
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      Arsenal are currently level on points with Man City who are fourth but could move three points with a win on the road. 
      The Gunners will be without the services of Lina Hurtig.
      Their squad has been boosted by Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley returning to fitness after seeing their ranks ravaged by injuries this season.
      The forward and defender could be in contention having recovered from hamstring concerns.
      And Foord featured as a second half substitute during Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat of Brighton earlier this month.
      The Gunners’ Everton trip comes three days after a record-breaking Wembley turnout for Chelsea’s and Man United’s Women’s FA Cup final clash.
      And Eidevall’s side could be set for more big crowds of their own at the Emirates with the team playing five WSL fixtures there next term. 
      Eidevall added: “With performances on the pitch, I think it’s the same with attendances in the stadium.
      Eidevall says record turnouts for Arsenal Women’s fixtures at the Emirates is the result of club-wide workCredit: Getty
      “I don’t think you can ever relax and learn to think that things will be taken care of by themselves. 
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      “The reason why we have had so many good crowds and attendances this season is a combination of having a team that are a great advertisement and main attraction. 
      “But it’s also the  whole club with a lot of people working behind the scenes with advertising reaching out.” More

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      Chelsea boss Emma Hayes hails ‘gifted’ Germany star Nusken and comments on Harder and Eriksson rumours

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      EMMA HAYES insists transfer rumours concerning Pernille Harder and Magda Eriksson will not distract their efforts for the rest of this term. The Blues manager reckons transfer rumour debate within the women’s game is not a bad thing for the sport.
      Chelsea return to WSL action against West Ham after defeating Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      The Blues’ duel with the Irons on Wednesday comes a day after the club signing Germany midfielder Sjoeke NuskenCredit: Getty
      Hayes says transfer rumours surrounding Pernille Harder and Magda Eriksson has not their focus on the pitchCredit: Getty
      Hayes was speaking hours after Chelsea announced the signing of Sjoeke Nusken, 22, from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier today. 
      The Germany midfielder, who made 92 appearances in three years for her current club, will join on July 1 on a three-year deal. 
      And the Blues are also set to sign Lyon and USA midfield ace Catarina Macario according to The Athletic. 
      Nusken’s signing comes a week after reports claiming Harder, 30, and Eriksson, 29, are poised to join Bayern Munich as free agents this summer. 
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      And Hayes seems unfazed by transfer rumours concerning the duo. 
      The Blues gaffer, whose side plays West Ham on Wednesday , said: “I don’t think it’s a bad thing that we’re talking about players, their futures, whether it’s here, or elsewhere. 
      “That’s part of the business. The women’s game needs it so we don’t mind it. 
      “But I’m never going to comment on rumours because we could probably bring out 50 of them a day and chat about them.”
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      On whether transfer chatter has been disruptive for the duo, Hayes added: “We just carry on with business as usual. 
      “They’re great people and great professionals.
      “We have worked together long enough to know that none of us get influenced by things that are happening on the outside.”
      Nusken’s switch will see her link up with Germany compatriots Ann-Katrin Berger and Melanie Leupolz.
      Hayes added: “We’ve been tracking Sjoeke for about three years.
      “She has the profile we’ve been looking for and she’s wonderfully gifted.
      “She can play as the centre-back but we haven’t brought her in for that. We’ve been watching her for a long time.
      “She’s got pretty much everything in the middle of a pitch. She can progress the ball up the field.”
      Should Chelsea win two of their last three games this term, and Man United draw with Man City on Sunday, they could become champions this weekend. 
      However Paul Konchesky’s Irons, who are eighth, hope to end their nine-game winless run.
      West Ham will be hoping to get a result against ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Their last victory in the league was back in December against Tottenham. 
      And the team are yet to beat Hayes’ side in the league.
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      The West Ham boss said: “As much as we need to worry about them (Chelsea), we have to worry about ourselves and trying to get points on the board.
      “We’ve had a meeting as a group about what we want to do to make sure we pick up points in the final three games.” More

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      I’ve spent £10k travelling to 118 football grounds around the world… but tickets aren’t my only eye-watering expense

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      A FOOTBALL-CRAZY fan has travelled 51,000 miles and spent £13,000 visiting 118 grounds across the world – costing a lot not just for tickets and travel, but also plenty of pints.Oliver Banks has watched games in stadiums spanning ten countries, splashing out £7,000 on entry, £2,000 on getting there – and £4,000 on beer.
      Football fan Oliver Banks at the Camp Nou in Barcelona, where he saw his team Manchester United beat Bayern Munich to win the Champions League in 1999Credit: Jam Press
      Yet the Manchester United supporter says their Old Trafford home remains his favourite.
      He spent his childhood going to United home games with his dad Jon.
      Oliver’s earliest memory was celebrating the Red Devils’ win over Bayern Munich to secure the Treble back in 1999, when he was just eight.
      He started to visit local grounds when on holiday in a foreign country.
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      Yet it was the Covid-19 lockdown that prompted him to explore further, on realising how much he missed live matches at a time when fans were barred from attending.
      Since restrictions were lifted, he resolved to visit as many as possible – getting to 118 so far and aiming to take in many more.
      He said “My flights alone have been 31,000 miles since I started ground-hopping.
      “I’d probably estimate another 15,000 – 20,000 miles in trains and driving for games in the UK.
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      “The countries I’ve watched football in include Cyprus, Belgium, Wales, Poland, France, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Spain and England.
      “Stadiums out of the UK include GSP Stadium, Cyprus, and the Stade Roi Baudoin, Belgium.
      “In Poland, I’ve visited Polsat Plus Arena and Stadion Bemowskiego Osrodka Pilki Noznej.
      “In France I’ve visited Parc Des Princes, and I’ve been to BayArena in Germany.
      “In Italy – San Siro, Arena Civica, Gewiss Stadium, Stadio Artemi Franchi, Stadio Ennio Tardini, Stadio Giovanni Zini, Stadio Olimpico, Stadio Pierluigi Penzo.
      “Likewise, I’ve been to many grounds in Spain including Civitas Metropolitano, Estadio La Rosaleda, Estadio Benito Villamarin, Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Estadio de la Ceramica, Reale Arena, Camp Nou.”
      “I fly to overseas games, then train or drive to UK games.
      “I’ve probably spent £1,000 to £2,000 travelling outside of England to different games. I tend to make sure I get reasonably-priced flights.
      “For example, my dad and I did a trip to Warsaw for a game last year and flights were £9.99 return.
      “Flights for my Denmark and Sweden trip are only £40 return, so if you pick the right dates it’s not too bad.
      “England is normally much more expensive to get around – trains to domestic away games are far too expensive.”
      He also made sure to see most of the England “Lionesses” games on their way to winning the European Championship last summer, including beating Germany 1-0 in the final.
      He said: “My favourite game and memory of last season was the final at Wembley, just a brilliant day from start to finish.”
      Supping up adds to the costs, however.
      He said: “Beers at games is also an expensive factor in ground-hopping. I’ll have more at United as I’m not driving.
      “Manchester United charge £3 a pint and most non-league clubs are £3.50 to £5 a pint.
      “I’ve probably spent around £4,000 just on beer.”
      As to the best ground to be at, Oliver added: “It’s hard to pick a favourite ground as it definitely depends on the day around it, the game, the food, the atmosphere.
      “Of course Old Trafford is my favourite ground because it’s my home.”
      His next best is Sevilla’s Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan – despite United’s 3-0 defeat there last month in a Europa League quarter-final second leg, losing 5-2 on aggregate despite leading 2-0 in their earlier encounter at OId Trafford.
      He said: “A terrible result for United, but I’ve never known an atmosphere created by a set of home fans like the one Sevilla made.
      “Next is Celtic Park in Glasgow, Scotland. I had wanted to visit it since I was a child and it was everything I wanted it to be.
      “Followed by Racecourse Ground in Wrexham. I was fortunate to pick up a last-minute ticket for Wrexham v Grimsby in the play-offs last year and what a fantastic day.
      “Last but by no means least has to be San Siro in Milan, Italy. It was absolutely iconic and totally lives up to its reputation.”
      However, Oliver has had his fair share of grounds that didn’t quite live up to his expectations.
      He added “My bottom four grounds include St Mary’s in Southampton, England. It’s just really dull and feels like it lacks character.
      “Next up would be Leigh Sports Village in Leigh, England. Nothing hugely against the stadium but it’s a farce that Manchester United Women play there, and transport options for it are shocking.
      “Technique Stadium in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Again, similarly to St Mary’s, it’s fine but there’s no real interesting qualities to it.”
      Oliver has revealed how the influence of lockdown and restrictions started his ground-hopping journey.
      He said “I’ve always had an interest in away days, seeing new grounds and so on. If I was going on holiday, I’d try and visit the local ground etc.
      “I think lockdown and the total loss of games to go to really made me appreciate just how much I love attending football games but also having varied football experiences, and that made me start to look at recording the data behind games I was going to.
      “I definitely feel like there’s something spiritual about a football ground – there are very few places where people congregate in such large numbers for one event and with one common goal.
      “Absolutely every ground is different, and ground-hopping takes you to parts of the country and the world that I don’t think I’d otherwise ever see.
      “I don’t have a number in mind really. I’d like to do the 92, but given the two Uniteds dominate my weekends I can’t complete it with any kind of speed.
      “There are ground-hoppers who’ve visited up to 750 grounds and I’d like to get to those kind of numbers in years to come.
      “I will quite happily watch any standard of football anywhere really, so I expect that my match numbers will keep on rising faster than my ground number does.”
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      The fixtures he has ahead include Manchester United facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on June 3 and Copenhagen against Randers in Denmark the following day.
      He then intends to head to Sweden to see Malmo take on Degerfors on June 5, before returning home and seeing Gareth Southgate’s England play North Macedonia at Old Trafford on June 19 in a 2024 European Championship qualifier.
      Oliver Banks first attended matches with his father JonCredit: Jam Press
      Oliver believes he has spent £7,000 on tickets to games – and another £4,000 on beerCredit: Jam Press
      The Polsat Plus Arena in the Polish city of Gdansk is among Oliver’s visitsCredit: Jam Press
      A highlight was Wembley as England’s Lionesses beat Germany in the Euro 2022 finalCredit: Jam Press More

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      Chelsea 1 Man Utd 0: Sam Kerr strike secures Blues’ third Women’s FA Cup as world record set in front of Prince William

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      SAM KERR sent Chelsea fans into delirium as her strike dashed Manchester United’s hopes of an FA Cup upset at Wembley.The striker’s ritual of eating a pre-match pasta sandwich before every game certainly paid off with the Blues sealing a 1-0 victory. 
      Sam Kerr scored the winner for Chelsea at WembleyCredit: Getty
      The forward celebrated in style after finding the back of the netCredit: Getty
      Kerr celebrates at full-timeCredit: PA
      Prince William was in attendance for the finalCredit: Getty
      And Kerr became the first player to score in three successive FA Cup finals 
      The Australia ace’s lethal finish, in front of a record crowd of 77, 390 – and Prince William, saw the Blues lift the trophy for a third successive year after being under the cosh early on in the duel.
      And it boosts their hopes of sealing a domestic double ahead of a mammoth London derby duel with Arsenal next Sunday. 
      Last Sunday Emma Hayes chided her side’s slow start against Everton before they hammered the Toffees 7-0. 
      And they were almost caught cold with United, making their first FA Cup final appearance, flying out the traps with a goal 23 seconds in the game. 
      However Leah Galton’s finish was chalked off with the forward flagged as offside. 
      Buoyed by that start, Marc Skinner’s side flew up the field minutes after with Ella Toone leading a counter.
      And Ann-Katrin Berger almost ran into trouble when she punched a cross into Alessia Russo’s path before the ball bounced off Nikita Parris for a goal kick. 
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      A pause in play with Melanie Leupolz needing treatment in the ninth minute gave Hayes’ side a chance to the regroup 
      However it led to much of the first spell losing its zest before Lauren James’ header prompted a classy save from Mary Earps and Galton blazing over shortly after. 
      VAR came into action for the first time in the contest’s history after Niamh Charles’ foul on Nikita Parris near the box. 
      But the challenge was penalised with a free-kick much to Parris’ dismay with the challenge occurring outside the penalty area.
      Hayes rang the changes in the second half with Pernille Harder coming on for Jessie Fleming.
      And the Denmark ace fired in a low cross for Kerr to bury the goal that secured a fourth successive FA Cup final win for her side. More

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      Women’s FA Cup final – Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd LIVE RESULT: Kerr seals Blues win in front of packed Wembley Stadium

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      CHELSEA have beaten Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium!Sam Kerr scored the only goal of the game as the Blues retained their trophy in front of a sold-out Wembley.

      Kick-off time: 2.30pm UK
      TV channel: BBC One
      Live stream: BBC iPlayer
      Chelsea team: Berger, Leupolz, James, Reiten, Perisset, Eriksson, Fleming, Mjelde, Kerr, Charles, Cuthbert.
      Man Utd team: Earps, O Batlle, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Parris, Russo.

      Stay up to date with our live blog from Wembley…
      Marc Skinner reacts
      When speaking to BBC Sport, the Man Utd boss said: “We switch off in one moment, there’s space for Sam [Kerr] to run in to which we haven’t given her all game.
      “I’m proud of the girls today, they are hungry. Their position is what we want to take. We are a young, hungry team.
      “I need to find the pieces to make sure we challenge all the time.
      “Chelsea have done hardly anything in the game, but they are winners for a reason, they find that tiny little gap.
      “I want to thank all the fans, they have been magnificent. We won’t dwell on this, it fuels us. We watch this [Chelsea celebrate] – this will be us in future.”
      Credit: Getty
      Emma Hayes reacts
      When speaking to BBC Sport, the Chelsea manager said: “We’ve played here more times that Stamford Bridge! Yes it’s home.
      “You can’t underestimate the game accumulation, we looked so tired in the first half. We had to kick each other at half time.
      “We know how to stay in a game and even if we weren’t at our best we have to work out how to change it. We had to possess the ball better and then find the quality in the final third.
      “It’s a coaches nightmare. We don’t do the kick off properly and then the first, second and third phases were all off.
      “I’ve got to get them home tonight. They know the bus is leaving at 9pm and it will leave with them all on. The players deserve credit.
      “Sam Kerr is priceless but let’s credit Pernille. We know we needed more stretching runs. I almost made the change at half time but I held off to see who might be tired.”
      Credit: AFP
      Pernille Harder reacts
      When speaking to BBC Sport, the Chelsea midfielder said: “It’s amazing to win titles. A full Wembley is amazing.
      “Of course, it’s sad when you are out for so long [with an injury] but you come back with motivation and hunger. It’s amazing to come back for this game and be involved in a win.
      “Chelsea means a lot to me. I’ve had so many great memories here.”
      Credit: Getty
      Sam Kerr reacts
      When speaking to BBC Sport, the Chelsea striker said: “I think it’s the sign of a great team, we didn’t have our best game but we pushed through. Everyone stuck at it and we got the win.
      “P [Pernille Harder] did amazing, the team did amazing. I’d be wrong to say it was all me.
      “I’m just lucky to be the number nine in this great team.
      “A lot of people have been asking for it [the back flip celebration] – I text my friend and said back flip incoming today.”
      Credit: Getty
      Full Time – Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      The Blues have now claimed their third successive FA Cup title.
      Credit: Getty
      Full Time – Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Chelsea are FA Cup champions once again!
      Credit: Getty
      90+6. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      United come agonisingly close to equalising in the dying seconds of the match before Garcia’s cross is cleared away by Buchanan!
      90+2. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Man Utd make another change.
      Ladd is replaced by Thomas.
      90+1. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Six minutes have been added on…
      90. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      The attendance here today is 77,390 – a record for a Women’s FA Cup final.
      It is also a new world record attendance for a women’s domestic game.
      Credit: Getty
      88. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Another change for Chelsea.
      James is replaced by Buchanan.
      84. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      A huge chance for Man Utd to level the score as Batlle makes a run into the box from the right before squaring it to Russo.
      The striker can’t get her shot on target, but the ball runs wide to Williams, who is unable to get enough contact on it.
      Chelsea somehow manage to make the clearance.
      80. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      The Blues have the chance to double their advantage as Kerr makes a fantastic run into the box from the left.
      She squares the ball to Ingle 12 yards out from goal, but the midfielder fires her shot way over the crossbar.
      79. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Man Utd make two more changes.
      Garcia replaces Blundell.
      Mannion replaces Toone.
      76. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      United have a free kick around 35 yards out from goal.
      Zelem sends the ball into the box, but Berger catches it with ease and can clear the danger.
      72. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Chelsea make another change.
      Carter is on to replace Charles.
      69. Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
      Harder makes an excellent run down the right before sending an inch-perfect pass to Kerr at the back post.
      The striker is given plenty of time and space to tap the ball into the back of the net with ease!
      Credit: Getty
      68. GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLL CHELSEA!!!
      Kerr fires the Blues into the lead!
      65. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Huge chance for Chelsea as James sends Harder through on goal.
      The midfielder squares it towards the penalty spot, but Batlle clears.
      Cuthbert then latches onto the ball on the edge of the box, but her strike is off target.
      61. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Man Utd make their first substitution.
      Parris is replaced by Williams.
      59. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Harder immediately gets involved as the ball is sent over to Kerr on the left.
      The striker squares it to Harder on the penalty spot, but the midfielder struggles to get it out of her feet and the final shot is comfortably saved by Earps.
      57. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Chelsea make a double change.
      Fleming is replaced by Harder.
      Leupolz is replaced by Ingle.
      56. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Another chance for the Red Devils as Toone and Parris combine on the right before the ball is crossed into Russo in the box, but Perisset heads it behind for a corner.
      53. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Toone makes an excellent run down the right before cutting into the box.
      She looks to shoot, but instead sets it back to Russo.
      However, the striker can’t get there in time to attempt the shot.
      50. Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
      Chance for Man Utd now as Galton catches Mjelde out in defence before attempting a long-range strike, but her effort is comfortably saved by Berger.
      Load more entries… More

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      ‘Every trophy means equal weight’, says Cuthbert ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Man United in the Women’s FA Cup final

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      ERIN CUTHBERT will never tire of wanting to prove herself at Chelsea and was “raging” after their Conti Cup final loss to Arsenal in March.The midfielder bids to win the FA Cup for a fourth time today since joining the Blues in 2017.
      Erin Cuthbert enjoys the spectacle of playing in an FA Cup final at Wembley with a record crowd expected at their clash with Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      The Blues are hoping to win the trophy for the third year on the bounceCredit: Getty
      Today’s match will see Manchester United make their first appearance in a Women’s FA Cup finalCredit: PA
      Chelsea will face Manchester United at a sold-out Wembley having beaten Arsenal and then Manchester City in the last two showpiece finals.
      And victory in front of an anticipated 90,000-crowd would see the four-time winners take a step closer to a WSL and FA Cup Double.
      Reflecting on the Blues’ 3-1 league cup final defeat to the Gunners in the spring, Cuthbert, 24, admitted: “I was raging when we lost.
      “Every game, every trophy means an equal weight to me.
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      “It was a trophy in front of us that we wanted to win.
      “But I think the FA Cup occasion is bigger, having 90,000 fans, that’s insane compared to 27,000 or so at the Conti Cup final.
      “And the experience of playing at Wembley is certainly a day to remember, it’s a real spectacle.
      “It’s a big occasion and my family always comes down for it. They’ve never missed an FA Cup game and, for me, that’s really special.
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      “My mum described it one time as one of the best days of her life, so if I can give her that each and every year I’ll be absolutely delighted.
      “That’s also my motivation to get there and give my family a day to remember after how much they’ve given me.
      “And it’s a great occasion for women’s football and a trophy we want to win.”
      Today’s clash comes just over five years after Scotland star Cuthbert played in her first FA Cup final for Chelsea when they beat the Gunners 3-1 at Wembley.
      That game came 17 months after Cuthbert’s Blues move when she arrived as a “raw” talent signed from Glasgow City in December 2016.
      Former Blues forward and now pundit Eni Aluko has said Cuthbert arrived with “a bit of banter” in training as well as an incredible left foot.
      Of her early Chelsea days, Cuthbert said: “I was a bit raw and being a girl from a small town in Scotland was not relatively aware of the challenge ahead.
      “There were such high calibre players signing at the time that I kind of fell under the radar when I first arrived.
      “Maybe in hindsight, that was probably the best thing for me and I just got my head down, worked hard, and waited for more opportunities.
      “Emma Hayes made it clear to me that there might be opportunities to play with the development team when I first joined the club.
      “That never happened as I wanted to be in the first team and I wanted to prove myself and to show what I was capable of.
      “I think I’ve done that but I certainly don’t get tired of it. Every year I’ve still got something to prove — I know I can be better.”
      A triumph for Hayes’ side would see them lift the FA Cup for the third year in a row.
      But they face a serious challenge with title rivals and league leaders United looking to win their first major domestic honour.
      Cuthbert added: “Of course, winning the FA Cup would give us a great deal of momentum going into the league campaign.
      “But we have not let the Champions League campaign or the Conti Cup final defeat derail our season.
      Emma Hayes’ Blues are hoping to win the FA Cup for a fifth timeCredit: PA
      “We lost the last two years in the Conti Cup final and everyone thought, ‘That’s it, Chelsea are out. That’s it, they’re falling apart.’
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      “I think everybody wants to see us fail.
      “But I know that the greatest thing about this team is that we bounce back up and show ourselves in the big moments.” More

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      Arsenal to play five WSL games at the Emirates next season following sell-out Champions League semis duel

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      ARSENAL will play more of their WSL fixtures at the Emirates next term following record attendances at some of their women’s games. The team will play five of their top-flight matches at the 60,000 capacity ground following the three they played there this season.
      Arsenal hope to continue attracting large crowds to women’s games at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      The club are due to host five Women’s Super League games at the stadium next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham says the club will continue to support sustainable growth in women’s footballCredit: Getty
      Their announcement follows the Gunners setting a new attendance record for a women’s club match played on English soil. 
      A total of 60,067 flocked to the Emirates to watch Jonas Eidevall’s side take on Wolfsburg in a Champions League semi-final on May 1
      On that day Gunners fell to a 3-2 second-leg loss.
      This term the club have sold more than 240,000 tickets to fans attending women’s matches at the stadium. 
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      Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said: “We’re delighted to confirm that our women’s first team will play five WSL games at Emirates Stadium next season.
      “We’ve received fantastic support at Emirates Stadium this year, setting a new record attendance in the WSL and achieving a memorable sell-out for our recent UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg earlier this month.”
      “It’s wonderful to see the support for the team at Emirates Stadium, Meadow Park and on the road week in, week out.  
      “This latest announcement ensures that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the matchday experience with us, as we continue to support the sustainable growth of women’s football.”
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      This season hosted WSL clashes against Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United at the Emirates. 
      More than 53,000 tickets were sold before their derby duel with Spurs in September and a crowd of more than 40,000 attended their clash with Man United last November . 
      Meanwhile more than 46,000 fans turned out to watch their 1-1 draw with the Blues in January. 
      This evening Arsenal will play Brighton away with the Gunners, who are fourth, aiming to keep pace with their title and top three rivals. 
      A win would see them go level on points with third-placed Man City following the Citizens loss to Liverpool on Sunday. 
      Jonas Eidevall insists his focus is on Arsenal’s results for the rest of this seasonCredit: Getty
      Eidevall said: “I don’t care (about Manchester City’s results).
      “We have four more games, we have to take one at a time and do our very best in every one of those games.
      “If we do, we will finish as high as possible in the table.” More

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      Who is Sam Kerr and who is she dating?

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      SAM KERR is regarded as one of the best players of all time in women’s football, and has enjoyed huge success on the pitch.The Australian national and Chelsea forward consistently smashes records with her goal scoring abilities, and Kerr’s love life is equally triumphant.
      Chelsea forward and Australian captain Sam Kerr after an FA Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Liverpool in May 2023Credit: Alex Davidson – The FA via Getty Images
      Who is Sam Kerr?
      Sam Kerr is an Australian professional football player who made her debut at just 15 years old.
      She was born on September 10, 1993, in East Fremantle, Australia.
      Kerr’s father, Roger, and older brother, Daniel, were both professional Australian rules footballers.
      Her mother, Roxanne, also came from a sporting family, as her father and uncles were professionals in the West Australian Football League.
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      Kerr first started playing football as a junior at Western Knights in her home of Australia, and later moved to Perth Glory.
      In 2013, she signed with the Western New York Flash, before making a brief return to Perth.
      After stints at Sky Blue FC and the Chicago Red stars, Kerr signed with her present club.
      Who does Sam Kerr play for?
      In the FA Women’s Super League Sam Kerr plays for Chelsea. Her position is a forward.
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      As of April 2023, Kerr had scored an impressive 85 goals for Chelsea in just 107 appearances.
      Kerr also plays for Australia’s women’s national team, which she has captained since 2019.
      The team’s official nickname is “the Matildas,” which is said to have originated from an Australian folk song called Waltzing Matilda.
      What has Sam Kerr won?
      The better question may be; what has Sam Kerr not won?
      In the past three years, Kerr has lifted the Women’s Super League (WSL) title trophy three times, the FA Cup twice, the Conti Cup twice, and the FA Community Shield.
      As of 2023, Kerr is the only female football player to have won the Golden Boot, presented to the top goalscorer each season, in three different leagues and on three different continents.
      She was bestowed with the honour in the W-League (in Australia and New Zealand) in 2017–18 and 2018–19, the National Women’s Soccer League (North America) in 2017, 2018, and 2019, and the WSL (Europe) in 2020–21 and 2021–22.
      Kerr became Australian football’s all-time leading scorer with 61 goals in January 2022, surpassing Tim Cahill, and in September 2022, after two nominations in a row, she was voted the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Players’ Player of the Year.

      Who is Sam Kerr dating?
      Sam Kerr is in a relationship with girlfriend Kristie Mewis.
      Kerr and Mewis, who plays as a midfielder for US side Gotham City, are thought to have been together since 2020.
      The couple were first spotted getting close after an Australia vs USA match at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
      In a joint interview with Gaffer magazine in January 2023, the couple discussed playing against each other on the football pitch.
      Kerr said:  “What I worry about most out of anything is that our coaches or teammates don’t think that we can separate the two. I hope people know that when it’s training time or play time, it doesn’t come into it.”
      Reminiscing about a time they came face to face, Kerr added: “I remember one time in Newcastle (Australia) she came on, we were playing against each other, and we went in on each other. We’d kill each other. But I worry that people think that we’re not serious about our careers.”
      Prior to dating Mewis, Kerr was in a long-term relationship with Nikki Stanton, another fellow football player from America.
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      The pair split in 2020 after seven years together.
      Stanton went on to date Rachael Rapinoe, the twin sister of US Olympic football legend Megan Rapinoe. More