Women’s football

LEAH WILLIAMSON suffered an injury scare ahead of the World Cup as Arsenal saw their title hopes dented by Manchester United. Alessia Russo’s strike saw their tough night compounded with the Red Devils going six points clear of them at the WSL’s summit.
Leah Williamson went off injured in the first half of Arsenal’s WSL clash with Man UnitedCredit: PA
Katie Zelem, Lia Walti and Ella Toone came the Arsenal captain’s aid when she appeared to hurt her knee whilst vying for the ballCredit: PA
Williamson was subbed off in the 15th minute of the match at Leigh Sports VillageCredit: Reuters
The result saw United do the double over the north London giants for the first time in the WSL before their trip to Aston Villa. 
The sight of Williamson dropping to the turf before being accompanied down the tunnel by team-mate Kim Little momentarily took the zest out of the game.
The England and Gunners captain was replaced in the 15th minute by Gio Queiroz after appearing to hurt her knee whilst running for the ball.
It was a moment that will leave Gunners and Lionesses’ staff sweating over her fitness. 
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Her injury comes three months before England’s first World Cup group stage game with Sarina Wiegman’s side facing Haiti on July 22. 
BBC Sports’ Alex Scott revealed the defender was on crutches with her club set to assess her before their Champions League semis duel with Wolfsburg. 
First half chances were few and far between with both teams having just one shot on target.
But the deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time as Nikita Parris cut back a pass in the box for Russo to slam home.
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The second spell saw Jonas Eidevall make changes with Steph Catley and Jen Beattie coming on for Kathrine Kuhl and Laura Wienroither.
And the visitors came close to drawing level with Stina Blackstenius’ shot in the box bravely blocked by Aoife Mannion with 28 minutes of normal time left. 
Mary Earps came out quickly to claim the ball with the striker waiting to pounce on Victoria Pelova’s delivery. 
And Frida Maanum fired a free-kick wide before a late Mannion clearance with the hosts going four points ahead of Chelsea.
Alessia Russo’s strike helped Man United become only the third side in the WSL beat Arsenal twice in the league in one seasonCredit: Alamy More

MARK SKINNER reckons it’s crazy Manchester United and Chelsea have been allocated just 8,000 tickets each for the Women’s FA Cup final. The Red Devils boss was sharing his thoughts after the FA confirmed 65,000 had been sold for neutral seating areas at Wembley stadium. 
Manchester United return to WSL action on Wednesday with a clash third-placed Arsenal at homeCredit: Getty
Marc Skinner’s side will face Chelsea at Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup final in MayCredit: Getty
The clash will take place on May 14, a weekend before two pivotal title race duels with United hosting Man City and Chelsea facing Arsenal. 
The amount of tickets provided for Blues and Red Devils fans hoping to sit in dedicated areas is less than those given to Liverpool and Chelsea before last year’s men’s final. 
Back then the Premier League rivals were provided with 35,000 each for their duel at the 90,000-capacity stadium.
Skinner, whose side are top of the WSL, said: “I don’t know how many are in the men’s game and I don’t know how they allocate (them). 
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“But to give two massive clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United 8,000 tickets to sell is just crazy in my opinion. I can’t believe it.”
The FA say this year’s finalists have been provided with almost twice as many tickets as those allocated to the Blues and Man City ahead of last year’s decider.
In a written statement, an FA spokesman said: “Chelsea and Manchester United have each been issued with an additional 7,500 tickets for their fans.
“This is to help meet the likely demand for each club and is almost double the amount of tickets that the finalists received last year.
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“We are anticipating a new record attendance for the match.”
Tomorrow evening United, who are top of the WSL, take on Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village.
Their rivals are currently three points behind them in the WSL with a game in hand. 
The last encounter between the sides saw United become the first team to beat the Gunners at the Emirates in the WSL, with a 3-2 win in October.
Tomorrow’s clash will see Arsenal take to the pitch without skipper Kim Little with her season ended prematurely by a hamstring injury. 
However Skinner believes Jonas Eidevall’s side will pose considerable threat despite the absence of the midfield talisman. 
And the north London side have been boosted by defender Steph Catley’s return to the squad with Lia Walti also available 
Skinner added: “We know the threat that they have, we know the way that Jonas wants to play and their adaptations. 
“It will be a very difficult game regardless. It’s almost like a heavyweight competition or contest. 
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“We have to make sure that we’re the team that are the aggressors. 
“We’re going to have to rely heavily on our fan base because we want to turn our home into a fortress which we’ve managed to do.”
Arsenal will without captain Kim Little with the midfield ace sidelined by a hamstring injuryCredit: PA More

ARSENAL have been dealt an injury blow with Kim Little missing the rest of this season due to a hamstring problem.The Gunners skipper, 32, sustained the injury in the first half of the team’s Champions League quarter-final defeat of Bayern Munich. 
Kim Little has been sidelined by a hamstring injury and is out of action for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
The Gunners’ captain suffered the injury during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Bayern Munich in MarchCredit: Getty
Jonas Eidevall’s side will face Man United in the WSL next before their Champions League clash with WolfsburgCredit: Alamy
The midfield ace came off in the 12th minute of their 2-0 second-leg quarters defeat of the German giants at the Emirates on March 29. 
Her team will face Wolfsburg away in a Champions League semis first-leg game this Sunday, after beating Bayern 2-1 on aggregate. 
The match follows their trip to league leaders Manchester United on Wednesday for a pivotal clash in the race for the WSL title. 
In a statement on their website, Arsenal said: “Our captain has already begun her rehabilitation and this process is progressing well. 
“We expect her to be available for the start of preparations for the 2023/24 season.
“Our medical team will support Kim closely over the coming months and we look forward to seeing her back on the field of play soon.”
Little has been among Arsenal’s best players this term helping the team end a three-year run without a silverware win in March. 
Before her injury she notched up five goals and two assists in 16 appearances in the WSL and Europe. 
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And the Gunners’ heroine netted her side’s second goal in their 3-1 Conti Cup final win against Chelsea last month.
Little’s injury sees her join some of her team’s most influential forwards on the sidelines
Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are currently both out of action due to anterior cruciate ligament damage. 
Man United are three points ahead of Arsenal in the league with Gunners carrying a game in handCredit: Getty
And in-form forward Caitlin Foord came off during their 2-1 defeat of Manchester City in the WSL last month 
The Australia ace appeared to injure her hamstring during the win that put her side two points behind United with a game in hand.
She missed the Matildas’ 1-0 loss to Scotland and 2-0 defeat of England during the international break.  More

EMMA HAYES saluted Sam Kerr describing the striker  after she fired Chelsea a step closer to FA Cup glory. The Australia ace’s header sent the holders back to Wembley for a final against WSL leaders Manchester United on May 14.
Sam Kerr’s goal helped Chelsea book their place in this year’s Women’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Blues are hoping to win the trophy for a third successive yearCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes’ side are due to play Barcelona next in a Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg clash at Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
And delighted Blues boss Hayes, whose team will face Barcelona in the Champions League on Saturday, declared: “You just can’t stop her.
“I don’t know a striker in world football who can do what she does ? She’s the best.
“I have never seen a centre-forward move as much as her.
“Even if she strays into an offside position, she doesn’t stay still, she just goes again.
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“She’s a total nightmare to defend against for opponents.
“Her energy levels – it’s like she’s a 12-year-old. It’s so infectious but her qualities, she’s just unbelievable.”
Kerr’s 24th goal of the season in front of a 5,000-plus crowd at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium sent Chelsea to a third successive women’s FA Cup final. 
The London outfit overcame a battling performance by Aston Villa with Carla Ward’s side pushing them all the way before bowing out of the contest. 
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The Blues, chasing the WSL title and Champions League glory, are now eyeing a fifth women’s Cup final triumph.
And Kerr declared: “I love what I do, love playing for this club and love playing alongside these girls.
“Emma will tell you, when she takes me off or makes me take a rest day at training, I get angry.
“So it’s me that wants to keep playing and I’ll play as much as I can.”
On beating Carla Ward’s plucky Villa side, the Australian added: “It was a really gutsy team performance.
“We just needed to do what we needed to do and we got the win.”
Villa failed to create enough clear-cut chances, and the injury-hit Cup holders made their opponents pay.
Kerr headed home Guro Reiten’s cross to hand Chelsea the crucial advantage.
They then weathered a late Villa barrage as Alisha Lehmann missed two opportunities before Sarah Mayling agonisingly struck a post in the 85th minute.
Chelsea now face a tricky Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge this Saturday.
It was Villa’s first semi-final appearance in the competition.
Carla Ward is turning her attention to guiding Aston Villa to their highest ever finish in the WSLCredit: Getty
Proud boss Ward said: “All my players were absolutely outstanding.
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“I thought we were the better team. We’re heartbroken ? That’s the reality.
“We had quite a few chances to score and we just didn’t put them away. But I’m so, so proud of the group.” More

CARLA WARD wants Aston Villa to show respect for Chelsea but no fear as they eye a historic FA Cup upset. The Villans boss, 39, expects senior England stars such as Jordan Nobbs and Rachel Daly to step up in today’s semi-final clash. 
Carla Ward wants her players to enjoy the challenge of attempting overcome Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup semisCredit: Getty
Aston Villa hope to reach the contest’s final for the first time in their historyCredit: Getty
Ward hopes the experience of cup-winning players such as Jordan Nobbs will be a boost for her sideCredit: Getty
They are aiming to reach their first showpiece — while the Blues are seeking a third straight trophy 
The winners of this clash will face cup final debutants Manchester United at Wembley on May 14 after they overcame Brighton with a 3-2 semis win. 
Villa’s home duel comes a fortnight on from their 3-0 loss to Emma Hayes’ side in the WSL.
Ward said: “Chelsea stand in our way and that’s no easy task. We should respect them but never fear them. 
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“That’s got to be the message because they’re an unbelievable side. 
“They’ve got an abundance of world-class talent. We know that but this is a one-off game. 
“The match before the international break will probably help us a lot, we’ve learned an awful lot from it. 
“It’s about taking that now into this game and trying to seize the opportunity.” 
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The tie is set to attract one of their biggest crowds to Bescot Stadium.
At least three stands at the 11,300-capacity ground are expected to be filled. 
Ward will hope to exploit the silverware-winning experience of players such as Scotland’s Rachel Corsie, Daly and Nobbs, the former Arsenal star who won four FA Cups in North London. 
Boss Ward added: “This is a big, big occasion and we’re going to need big players to step up and do everything they can to help everyone pull through. 
“There are also our internationals that have played on the big stage. 
“We’ve got players that have been in this position and we’ve got players that haven’t been.
“We’re going to need to rely on those that have been for their experience and also those that haven’t to really enjoy the moment.”
Villa’s run has been cheered on by their Premier League counterparts with men’s boss Unai Emery stating the club “has to be proud”. 
And the prospect of reaching the final brought back fond memories for Ward from her playing days.
She said: “I would be lying if I say I haven’t dreamt about it. It would be a huge moment for us. 
“I got to the third-round proper when I was at Newquay — I think we lost 9-0 to Arsenal. 
“But it felt like the greatest day ever, in front of what then was about 2,000 people but sounded like 22,000 people. 
“You always remember these moments in the FA Cup and now here we are with an opportunity to get ourselves there.”
A win for Chelsea could see them move a step closer to lifting a fifth FA Cup under Hayes.
However, they will be without defenders Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan with the Canada centre-back having picked up an injury during the international break. 
Hayes expects her side will face an aggressive challenge from Villa. 
The Blues chief, 46, said: “Every year it gets harder because other teams get hungrier.
Emma Hayes’ aces hope to win a third successive FA Cup having lifted trophy in 2021 and 2022Credit: Getty
The winner’s of today’s clash will face Man United at Wembley in May after Rachel Williams’s goal helped the Red Devils reach the finalCredit: Getty
“Carla has done a great job. She has built a team that against the top teams have been very efficient — particularly from set-pieces and transition. 
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“I’d expect an aggressive Villa performance at home. 
“It will be a much different game, a difficult game — and anything can happen.” More