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    ‘We’re not here for a laugh, we’re here because we want to win’, says Lauren Hemp after Man City defeat Arsenal

    LAUREN HEMP reckons Manchester City’s aggressiveness gave them an edge as they dented Arsenal’s title chase and turbocharged their own.The forward was relentless alongside Khadija Shaw and Chloe Kelly, grabbing her 50th City goal during a 2-1 win.
    Lauren Hemp netted for Man City as they avenged their loss to Arsenal in the Conti Cup by beating the Gunners in the WSLCredit: Getty
    The 2-1 win for Gareth Taylor’s side saw them leapfrog Arsenal to go thirdCredit: Getty
    The Gunners pulled a goal back with Rafaelle’s second-half headerCredit: Alamy
    The result saw Jonas Eidevall’s aces drop points for the second weekend in a row.
    And it saw the Citizens avenge their midweek league cup loss moving up to third before the international break.
    They also went level on points with Manchester United, who are second, and just two points behind leaders Chelsea.
    Their neighbours are set to face Spurs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at midday on Sunday.
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    After the game Hemp said: “We were really aggressive which is important.
    “We carried that out throughout the game, not just in the first time half like we did on Wednesday (in the league cup).
    “We had the upper hand and we wanted it more than them.
    “We fought more than them and sometimes it comes down to that especially in the last few minutes.
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    “We played 120 odd minutes on Wednesday, so a lot of us are still recovering from that.
    “But I think it’s that fight that takes us to the end of the game and we had that more than them.
    “There’s still a long way to go, we know that and there’s so many more games.
    “We need to make sure we win every single one to keep us in contention for the league (title) but that result put us in a really good position
    “We want to show teams that we’re not here for a laugh, we’re here because we want to win.”
    The hosts looked a completely different side to the one shut out by Arsenal during their 1-0 Continental Tyres trophy last four defeat on the road in midweek.
    Steph Houghton and Laura Coombs started in place of Alanna Kennedy and Deyna Castellanos with Yui Hasegawa playing in a slightly deeper role.
    It proved to be a tactical trump card with the trio putting in a solid shift and making some key interceptions.
    Arsenal got on the attack early with Frida Maanum firing narrowly wide at the near post in the third minute.
    But they were caught on the counter with Kelly’s cross teeing up Hemp’s tap-in.
    After Roebuck caught Kim Little’s 11th minute shot, it was City who had the best attacking moments in the first spell.
    And they exploited space on the flanks with the Gunners opting to play a back three.
    The hosts threatened with Shaw’s header hitting the crossbar moments after Hemp’s opener.
    They eventually doubled their lead with Shaw harrying Arsenal’s defence, winning possession and squaring for Kelly to score in the 43rd minute.
    Eidevall shuffled his deck in the second spell with Lotte Wubben-Moy and Caitlin Foord replaced by Lia Walti and Katie McCabe.
    The visitors pulled a goal back with Rafaelle heading Maanum’s free-kick beyond City keeper Ellie Roebuck.
    The hosts weathered some pressure and came close to netting a third with Hasegawa’s shot hitting the crossbar in the 59th minute.
    And they held out to seal a win to turn up the heat on their title rivals.
    City chief Gareth Taylor said: “We were on it from minute one.
    “It’s a testament to the girls to take it to another level from the game the other day.
    “We should’ve been four or five up at half time. The mistakes we forced, it was impressive.
    “When a team plays a back three, there are subtle changes to Bunny’s (Khadija) role, but the top end players created a lot of havoc without the ball.”
    On this side moving into the WSL’s top three, Taylor added: “We’ve put ourselves in a good position but we’re not getting carried away.
    “We have to play Man Utd again, Arsenal and Chelsea.”
    The Gunners next’s league encounter will be a March 5th duel with Liverpool after a fifth round FA Cup duel with the Blues.
    Jonas Eidevall’s players will face Liverpool in the league next month following an FA Cup clash with ChelseaCredit: Reuters
    Of their loss to City, Arsenal boss Eidevall said: “It is one hundred per cent my responsibility that we do not win, so I take that and that’s why I need to look at the game.
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    “We have enough players in the squad.
    “We have to all believe in the way that we want to play and then we can create great things together.” More

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    Emma Hayes aims to keep Chelsea evolving with Blues targeting Conti Cup final win against Arsenal

    EMMA HAYES wants Chelsea to remain serial winners after they fired a Conti Cup final warning to Arsenal. Her side bagged four goals in 46 minutes with Sam Kerr netting four on Thursday in a 7-0 dismantling of West Ham.
    Emma Hayes’ side have won two of the last three league cup finals dating back to 2020Credit: Getty
    Sam Kerr netted a first-half hat-trick before netting a fourth goal against West Ham with Chelsea reaching their fourth Conti Cup finalCredit: Getty
    Fran Kirby got on the scoresheet before coming off shortly before half-time following a knee impingementCredit: PA
    At times the WSL striker looked unstoppable with her team-mates at their clinical best away from home at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. 
    Fran Kirby, Lauren James and Guro Reiten got in on the scoring with the Blues set to face Arsenal in the final at Selhurst Park on Sunday 5 March. 
    On Kerr’s performance, Hayes said: “You know my opinion on Sam, she is the best without a shadow of a doubt.
    “It’s not just for the work she does in possession, it’s what she does out of possession and she’s relentless with it. 
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    “Her team behaviours and team actions are second to none
     “All the other things around the box speak for itself.
    “Because of the person she is and the work she gives every day to the team, for me that’s what sets her apart from anyone else.”
    The match saw Hayes rejig her line-up with Ann-Katrin Berger back in goal. 
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    Eve Perriset and Magda Eriksson were back in defence and with Kirby also back in their starting 11.
    Kerr opened the scoring in the fourth minute for the WSL leaders poking home Guro Reiten’s free-kick after evading her marker. 
    Kirby doubled the lead six minutes later, slotting home following a pass from Lauren James.
    Kerr took advantage of a loose pass from the Irons defence to wallop the ball past goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold with Chelsea 3-0 up in 23 minutes. 
    That lead became 4-0 when some nervy Irons defending ended with Kerr notching her hat-trick with a close range effort. 
    Three second-half goals including Kerr’s fourth and James’ thumping finish saw the visitors race to a 7-0 lead with 25 minutes of normal time left.
    On Chelsea’s display and result, Hayes added: “We’ve shown that through this block we can develop players.
    “We’ve done that and we’ve given a lot of younger players opportunities to play. 
    “We know everything about our seniors and you can see that from this performance. 
    “But I believe in serial-winning and to be a serial winner I don’t want to get stuck with just one team all of the time. 
    “I have to keep evolving them.
    “This has been about evolving us and developing more players to play at the top level. 
    “We want to keep winning and for me it doesn’t matter who you play in the final and it’s always a top game. 
    “We know at the last Continental Cup final we performed poorly. 
    “The expectations on the return will be that we’ve got to be fully prepared to face an in-form Arsenal team.”
    An injury to West Ham defender Lucy Parker saw her shift come to an end in the 58th minute
    And Kirby made a late first half departure moments after she was seen clutching her knee. 
    Hayes said: “It’s just a little bit of an impingement in her knee
    “I think she will be alright. It might take a few days to settle down but I don’t know anymore than that.
    “The doctor has to analyse it.”
    West Ham hope to bounce back when they face Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup
    Paul Konchesky is expecting a positive reaction from his players in that match on Sunday  26 February. 
    The Irons boss said: “It’s disappointing the way we’ve gone out and lost.
    “But I think it will bring us together and make us stronger for the rest of the season.”
    Paul Konchesky wants to see West Ham bounce back from their loss when they face Aston Villa in the FA Cup after the international breakCredit: Getty
    “The worst thing for me now is most of the team will go away on international break.
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    “I won’t see them until two or three days before the FA Cup and a massive game against Aston Villa.
    “We just have to dust ourselves down and get back to work on Monday with the girls staying behind and we will get working.” More

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    Arsenal 1 Manchester City 0 (AET): Blackstenius’ winner sees Gunners dash Citizens’ Conti Cup final hopes

    STINA BLACKSTENIUS broke Manchester City’s resistance as Arsenal bounced back from a 0-0 WSL draw to reach the Conti Cup final. The striker’s bundled effort thwarted City’s hopes of league cup glory in back-to-back seasons as her side sealed a 1-0 win. 
    Stina Blackstenius broke the deadlock for Arsenal coming off the bench and scoring in extra timeCredit: Reuters
    The Gunners nullified the threat posed by Khadija Shaw who is currently the WSL’s leading scorer this term with 10 goalsCredit: Getty
    Sabrina D’Angelo put in a solid shift in goal for ArsenalCredit: PA
    It saw Jonas Eidevall’s side reach their first cup final under the head coach with a chance of a first piece of silverware on the horizon this term.  
    They clinched victory in the first duel of their double header with the Citizens with the teams set for battle in the WSL at the Academy Stadium on Saturday.    
    A final at Selhurst Park with Chelsea or West Ham on Sunday 5 March awaits Arsenal who are the contest’s most successful side having won it five times. 
    Tomorrow night will see the Irons take on Emma Hayes side who were beaten by the Citizens in last year’s final.
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    Before tonight’s clash, City boss Gareth Taylor said reaching this term’s Conti cup decider could be a catalyst for the season. 
    It appeared to be the case for his side as they pressed their hosts high early on. 
    Gunners goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo, who put in a solid performance, was  forced to push Chloe Kelly’s fourth minute cross away from goal. 
    But Arsenal grew into the game quickly with Lotte Wubben-Moy and Rafaelle nullifying the scoring threat posed by Khadija Shaw 
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    And Laura Wienroither tested Sandy MacIver after a swift counter following Kelly’s cross, forcing a reflex save from the Man City keeper. 
    It was end-to-end stuff at times in the first half with Kelly’s low shot, after a cut inside, claimed,by D’Angelo.
    In the 27th minute Shaw half-volleyed an effort wide after a Hemp cross.
    Some lovely trickery saw Hemp whip the ball around Wienroither before teeing up Kelly who blazed it over the bar. 
    And the City forward ended up picking the first of seven yellow cards shown to players by referee Abigail Byrne after clipping Katie McCabe’s heel.
    Close to half-time Arsenal had one of their best chances of the first spell. 
    This came in the 37th minute with Foord, slightly off balance hitting the woodwork after Kathrine Kuhl’s pass from the edge box.
    And Kelly received some words of warning from the ref after catching McCabe on the shin with the duo vying for the ball. 
    The second spell saw Arsenal up the ante in attack with Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius coming on for Victoria Pelova and Kuhl in the 65th minute. 
    It was a tactical change that proved decisive with Hurtig hitting the crossbar moments later and heading wide with 15 minutes of normal time left. 
    Some injury-time chaos ensued when MacIver spilled the ball with City managing to clear before Blackstenius to get a toe on it 
    But the striker eventually broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute.
    She did so by forcing the ball over the line after Frida Maanum won possession with Hurtig later teeing up her Swedish compatriot.
    A win against Arsenal in the league for Gareth Taylor and his players would see Man City move up to third in the WSL on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    Extra time saw Taylor have a last throw of the dice bringing on Laura Coombs for Kerstin Casparij
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    And Mary Fowler came on for Filippa Angeldahl after the Swede forced D’Angelo to tip her shot around the post. 
    But the hosts held out to claim a result that could pave their way to their first Conti Cup win since 2018. More

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    Wiegman pleased to see WSL aces get more game time, but says selection for Lionesses duty is not guaranteed

    SARINA WIEGMAN warns there are no guaranteed Lionesses spots after leaving Bethany England and Jordan Nobbs out before this month’s Arnold Clark Cup. And the head coach believes it is “too early” to consider a World Cup campaign without Beth Mead. 
    Bethany England is among the notable absentees from Sarina Wiegman’s latest Lionesses squadCredit: PA
    Jordan Nobbs, who has 69 senior England caps, has also been left outCredit: Getty
    Laura Coombs’ tenacious midfield shifts have seen her called up to England’s camp for the first time since November 2020Credit: Getty
    Nobbs, and Tottenham ace England, 28, are the notable top tier stars absent from the Lionesses chief’s 26-strong group.
    Nikita Parris, 28, Lucy Staniforth and Hannah Hampton, 22, also missed out. 
    However the squad announcement does see Laura Coombs, 32, make her return to the international fold for the first time in just over two years
    And Coombs’ call-up comes on a day the Manchester City midfielder signed a new two-year deal with the club. 
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    Wiegman’s squad selection comes just over a month after former Blues striker England sealed a Tottenham transfer from Chelsea.
    It was a switch that reportedly saw her become the WSL’s most expensive British player. 
    The 2019-20 PFA Women’s Player of the Year moved in search of a new challenge and more minutes before this summer’s World Cup. 
    Prior to joining Spurs, England had made two starts in eight WSL appearances for the Blues this term.
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    Since her transfer she has netted twice in three games across all competitions.
    Goals include a clinical finish against her old club during Tottenham’s 3-2 loss to the league title-holders on Sunday. 
    And Nobbs and Staniforth, both 30, sealed Aston Villa switches last month which has seen them notch up three starts in the three top-tier games for their new club. 
    Matches that saw Villa register one win and two draws including first WSL point against Man City. 
    When asked why the trio were not in the squad, Wiegman, 53, said: “They’re competing for selection and  they’re in a good place. 
    “They’ve moved to clubs and they’re playing a lot more now, getting settled and that makes it good for competition. 
    “But you can’t control what your competitors (for England places) do, or what choice I will make together with my technical staff.
    “And that’s the situation they’re in right now. 
    “We can at least see now where they are at, how they are improving and what their situation is
    “And then we look at how their competitors do and then we make a choice. 
    “Yes, it’s good they get minutes, that makes their position better, but that doesn’t guarantee that you’re being selected.
    “They have to compete with the others too.”
    England, who are the winners of last year’s Arnold Clark, take on the Korea Republic, Italy and Belgium in this year’s contest. 
    When asked if it would be difficult for players to make it to the squad if they are not playing at the tournament, Wiegman added: “Everyone has to prove herself.
    “But we’re going to try out some things and see some more players that we might not have seen a lot before.
    “Everyone has to show consistency in their performances, so it’s not set in stone now.
    “But it’s of course a big step forward because we (will have played three games).”
    Wiegman’s player picks ahead of the Arnold Clark Cup sees City ace Laura Coombs receive her first national squad call-up since November 2020. 
    The selection caps off the Kent-born midfield ace’s resurgence on the pitch. 
    The in-form player, who made just six WSL starts last term, has emerged as a first-team regular for Gareth Taylor,
    This season Coombs has made 12 starts in the 12 top tier games City have played so far this season. 
    Wiegman added: “Laura has shown so much consistency with Man City.
    “She’s in midfield but can also play a little higher and a little deeper.
    “We need a little more of that balance in midfield.”
    The Lionesses will be without the services of Beth Mead when they play the Korea Republic, Italy and Belgium this month.
    The Arsenal forward is currently recovering from a knee injury that saw her rupture her anterior cruciate ligament last November. 
    And in January, the Gunners star revealed her mother June had “passed away peacefully” after “a long and brave battle against ovarian cancer”. 
    Wiegman believes it is too soon to consider a World Cup campaign with the Lionesses without Mead. 
    The Lionesses head coach added: “It’s a little early to say, but I don’t want to push it.
    “She’s had so many things going on in her life.
    “We’ll see you know, how her recovery goes and rehab goes.”
    Wiegman’s squad picks sees skipper Leah Williamson make her first international return after missing last November camp due to injury. 
    Wiegman believes it is too early to consider a World Cup campaign that does not include Beth Mead as an optionCredit: AP
    Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey has been called up for senior Lionesses duty for the first time in her careerCredit: Getty
    Fran Kirby, Jess Carter, Lauren Hemp and Lucy Bronze are also back following their returns to fitness and action at club level.
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    And shot stopper Emily Ramsey has been called up for senior England duty for the first time in her career. 
    The Man United goalkeeper starlet, on loan at Everton this season, is yet to be capped.  More

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    England scores for Tottenham but it’s her old club Chelsea who seal important win in five-goal derby thriller

    EMMA HAYES joked she almost applauded after watching Bethany England and Drew Spence combine to cause Chelsea problems.Despite the Tottenham heroines haunting their old side– with England netting– it was the Blues who came away with a 3-2 win.
    Bethany England was on target for Tottenham with her first league goal against her former club after Chelsea took an eighth-minute leadCredit: Getty
    Lauren James’ stunning solo effort saw Chelsea restore their lead after England’s 16th-minute levellerCredit: Getty
    Hayes praised James’ “outstanding effort” but said the Blues want to be patient with her developmentCredit: Getty
    The victory, which included a classy Lauren James strike, saw the visitors return to top spot, with Manchester United held to a scoreless draw by Everton.
    However the title-holders had to withstand a late fightback from Rehanne Skinner’s side in the game’s dying stages.
    And they sealed another significant win in their push for a fourth consecutive WSL title.
    Of England scoring her first goal against Chelsea since her Tottenham move, Hayes said: “I nearly clapped.
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    “I’ve seen it thousands of times in training. I’m always proud of former players when they go on (to other clubs). 
    “When you have players that used to be part of your team, they’re going to have a point to prove.
    “I think our former players played very well and (Mana) Iwabuchi adds a lot of quality to them.
    “Beth has brought a lot to that team and for me Drew is unbelievable in their side.
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    Hayes jokingly added: “And I hope Rehanne doesn’t mind me saying this – their two best players are Chelsea’s players.  
    “On a serious note, I’m happy to see them thriving and I’m happy to see Tottenham are making this progression because Rehanne is a really good coach.
    “I’m glad to see that she’s been able to get an upturn in performance from her team.”
    Tottenham’s home clash with Hayes’ side came 11 days after the Blues knocked their hosts out of the Conti Cup.
    Spurs are yet to pick up a point against Chelsea in the league having lost their six previous encounters. 
    But they put in a battling first-half shift against the title holders.
    Hayes added: “There’s such a thing as home advantage and they played it to perfection. 
    “They knew their pitch, they knew the conditions and I thought they were aggressive
    “That’s something I know Rehanne has talked about wanting for her team. 
     “There’s always an expectation of, ‘oh it’s Chelsea, they’ve won lots and they’re going to dominate every week’.
    “But everybody else are professionals, everybody else has internationals, we should expect more of other teams.”
    Jess Carter opened the scoring for the visitors as they picked up their tenth win in 12 league games this termCredit: Getty
    Tottenham found themselves on the back foot in the eighth minute with an unmarked Jess Carter heading home from an Erin Cuthbert cross.
    But the visitors were caught cold on the counter eight minutes later.
    Some neat trickery from Spence was followed by her setting up England for a tap-in which the striker chose not to celebrate.
    The score remained level until the 27th minute.
    At that point James drove into the box from the wing with her shot deflected into goal off the post.
    And Guro Reiten doubled Chelsea’s advantage, slotting past Tinja-Riikka Korpela in the 64th minute.
    With two minutes of normal time remaining Nikola Karczewska nabbed a consolation for Tottenham who face Manchester United next.
    Spurs boss Skinner hailed England’s efforts and admitted to being frustrated not to see her side get something from the game.
    When asked if England gets enough credit for her clinical displays in attack, Skinner said: “The short answer is no.
    “Her stats prove it for themselves. I don’t think she has anything to prove.
    “She’s already done what she’s needed to over a number of years.
    Rehanne Skinner saysCredit: Getty
    “What she really needs is time on the pitch. We see straight away the goals she’s scored in a short space of time.”
    On if England should be in contention for a Lionesses spot with the World Cup looming, Skinner added: “If you’re playing well for club you have to be considered for your national team – it’s as simple as that.
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    “Obviously she’s going to keep working hard.
    “Everything we do here and what comes from that is out of her control she can only control what she’s doing here.” More

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    Eni Aluko says women’s football transfers will ‘eventually get to the £1million pound mark’

    ENI ALUKO believes the £1million barrier will soon be broken in the women’s transfer market.The WSL Hall of Fame heroine, 35, was sharing her thoughts last month prior to a dramatic January transfer deadline day. 
    Eni Aluko believes bigger transfer fees in the women’s game will help create a competitive economy within the sportCredit: Reuters
    Bethany England’s switch to Tottenham is reported to have seen her become the WSL’s most expensive British playerCredit: Getty
    A day on which Manchester United reportedly rejected a £500,000 Arsenal bid for Alessia Russo
    Today Aluko’s old club Chelsea head to Brisbane Road for a 12:30pm clash with Tottenham.
    The game is likely to see former Blues star Bethany England, 28, appear in her first London derby league match in a Spurs shirt.
    A moment that would also see the striker make her first top tier appearance against her old side following her switch for a reported fee of £250,000.
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     A figure that has reportedly made her the Women’s Super League’s most expensive British player.
    Aluko, who won two WSL titles and two FA Cups during her six-year second spell with Chelsea from 2012 to 2018, said: “In terms of how the transfer window has changed, it’s really the transfer fees.
    “You never used to hear of transfer fees before in the women’s game because there was just not the economy for it.
    “Clubs didn’t have the money, they didn’t have the budget, so players would just run their contracts down or mutually agree to leave.
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    “Now you’ve got the transfer fees, which are not the astronomical amounts you see in the men’s game, but we see with Keira Walsh’s move to Barcelona (from Man City) which was for £400,000.”
    In her past roles as director of recruitment for US side Angel City FC and as Aston Villa Women’s first sporting director, Aluko has overseen player transfers.
    Talents she recruited for Villa during tenure, from January 2020 to May 2021, include Japan ace Mana Iwabuchi who joined on a short-term deal in December 2020. 
    Last month a Fifa report revealed that four of the five biggest women’s football transfers of 2022 involved moves to and from WSL sides
    These include Keira Walsh’s world-record breaking switch to Barca last September. 
    Aluko, who is supporting the We See You network, a Chelsea-backed campaign, celebrating the achievements of women working in football. added: “Eventually, it will get to the million pound mark at some point.
    “Then we’ll start seeing bigger transfer fees. That’s something that is going to really help the game.
    “Clubs naturally are quite competitive, so the minute Tottenham buy a player in for £1million, then Chelsea might want to outdo them and buy a player for a higher figure.
    “It creates a sort of competitive economy that I think would be really healthy for the women’s game because it is value.
    “It’s all value exchange and it’s making sure the money in the game gets circulated and distributed and players get higher salaries, etc.”
    Tottenham’s swoop for England was followed by the club signing Iwabuchi on loan from Arsenal on January 18 and Spurs starlet Jessica Naz penning a new two-year deal on Friday.
    Today Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner will aim to get a positive result against Chelsea.
    Her side, who are currently eighth and finished fifth in the top tier last term, hope to pick up for their first win in the league this year.
    Rehanne Skinner’s side will be hoping to get a result against Chelsea laterCredit: Getty
    Tottenham’s clash with Chelsea comes two days after Jessica Naz signed a new two-year deal with the clubCredit: Getty
    But they face a tough task with Emma Hayes’ team having won their past six WSL encounters.
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    Skinner said: “We’re in a space where we want to try and improve results, not just performances.  
    “Going into this, we want to give it everything we possibly can.” More

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    ‘The girls all want to be the next Alessia Russo’, says Manchester United ace’s former coach Colin Whitfield

    ALESSIA RUSSO has been at the centre of some boundary breaking football moments. From scoring during the Lionesses’ Euros triumph to netting a winner that saw Manchester United become the first WSL side to beat Arsenal at the Emirates in November.
    Alessia Russo’s former coach at Bearsted FC says the player’s efforts has led to more girls coming to train at the clubCredit: PA
    Whitfield recalls Russo scoring 76 goals in one season during her spell playing for Bearsted FC’s Under-10s sideCredit: Getty
    That stoppage-time header may have given the Gunners food for thought with the club reportedly making a world-record £500,000 bid for the 23-year-old,  which was rejected by United. 
    In March 2021 — five months after returning to fitness following a hamstring injury — Russo vowed to let her football “do the talking”. 
    She has done just that, contributing to the Red Devils’ title charge with five goals in nine WSL games so far this term as well as nine in 22 top tier appearances last season. 
    United are currently top of the table on goal difference from Chelsea ahead of today’s clash with Everton at 12midday.

    And Russo could potentially be a key figure in England’s World Cup campaign in the summer. 
    With her contract with United set to expire this year aside from the Red Devils other top clubs in Europe and the USA are thought to be chasing her signature. 
    One individual who is backing Russo to achieve more on the pitch is grassroots football Colin Whitfield
    The coach spotted the forward’s talent at Bearsted FC, the Kent-based club where she started playing at age six or seven. 
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    Of the Maidstone-born forward’s efforts for the club playing for their Under-10s, Whitfield said: “From the outset she was a phenomenal player. 
    “She was quick, she had quick feet, she would just sort of glide past players as if they weren’t there. 
    “Her shooting was just incredible. I remember when we played Crystal Palace in a match and she scored from the halfway line. 
    “It was mini soccer, so it was like a 30-yard shot, but she could score from anywhere. 
    “The season that she first played for us in our Under-10s, she scored 76 goals. 
    “These days she scores quite a few with her head — none of those 76 were headers!
    “She really was determined, and obviously gave up pretty much all of her time to the sport.”
    Whitfield, who played a leading role in establishing girls’ football teams at Bearsted, has watched Russo’s rise with pride. 
    He is also among those keen to see finances flourish in the women’s game — particularly in the transfer market. 
    Whitfield added: “It’s great to see the finances in the women’s game have started to creep up, and I say creep because they’re nowhere near the level of the men’s game. 
    “Personally, I’d rather watch the women play
    “I also think where Alessia’s concerned with the price tag, if it was ten years from now, I’m sure it would be a lot higher and I hope that’s the way that things will go. 
    “But she’s an extraordinary talent.
    “There are some talented footballers out there, but it’s unusual to get one that is so good with their feet, so good with their head, just an outstanding all-rounder.”
    According to Whitfield Bearsted FC had multiple girls teams during the time Russo was playing for their junior side.
    But as these players grew older, with some making the move to youth sides and women’s football development squads, the number of girls’ teams at Bearsted started to decline. 
    But Whitfield says the club, based in Maidstone, has seen a surge in interest in girls wanting to play football following the Lionesses’ Euros win last July.
    Alessia has inspired lots of people, not just at Bearsted. There’s a real sense of excitement. Colin Whitfield
    He also believes Russo’s success has benefitted Bearsted FC’s efforts to have a floodlit 3G pitch and training built for their players. 
    Whitfield says at present the club are paying £25,000 a year in fees to hire playing and training facilities for their teams.
    The club hopes to raise 20 per cent of the funds required to have a training area installed for their sides.
    Whitfield added: “With the girls, we had quite a few at the time Alessia was playing, but it petered out for a while.
    “When some of the players on my girls’ teams turned 18 and got into women’s football, there were no players coming up behind them.
    “We had a seven-year gap in the club with no girls teams
     “It’s great the current girls have started up and reinvented the girls’ side of the game in the club.
    “The girls in particular all want to be the next Alessia Russo.
    “She has inspired lots of people, not just at Bearsted. There’s a real sense of excitement. 
    “Off the back of her success, I can’t see it ever disappearing.
    Man United will be aiming for a win against Everton to maintain their spot at the top of the WSLCredit: PA
    “There’s so much interest from the girls. And that side of the game is really growing at the club
    “Before the Women’s Euros we put an application in for a floodlit 3G training area and that’s never really come into fruition 
    “But post-Euros the local councils and the Kent FA are really sort of pushing for that work to go ahead.
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    “At the moment the club are paying £25,000 a year in fees for for hiring facilities for the teams to use.
    “To be able have one of our own that we can use for our teams and also let the wider community use would be phenomenal.” More

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    Gareth Taylor happy to see goals shared as Manchester City gain ground on title rivals before clash with Arsenal

    GARETH TAYLOR hailed Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s “special” header as her tenth WSL goal this term helped Manchester City beat Leicester.Just as it looked as if the Foxes might dent City’s title hunt, Shaw and Chloe Kelly netted to a 2-0 away victory. 
    Khadija Shaw opened the scoring in the 60th minute as Manchester City broke through Leicester’s stubborn defenceCredit: Getty
    Chloe Kelly doubled the visitors’ lead with her first WSL goal of this seasonCredit: Reuters
    Janina Leitzig impressed in goal for Leicester with a string of saves for Willie Kirk’s sideCredit: Reuters
    And the encounter saw Leicester goalkeeper Janina Leitzig put in an heroic shift in goal pulling off ten first-half saves.
    City chief Taylor said: “We were probably a bit wasteful in the first 20 minutes. The game could have been dead and buried. 
    “In saying that their goalkeeper was inspired.
    !It was going to take something special to beat the goalkeeper and it was a special goal from Bunny Shaw. 

    “It was a great ball in and a really good header from Bunny. 
    “If she puts more power into it, she probably misses the target so it was a really class header. Chloe’s (goal) was a great finish as well.”
    The result saw Man City go 16 games without a loss with Taylor’s side leapfrogging Arsenal to go third.
    They also went a point ahead of the Gunners before their rivals’ Sunday night trip to West Ham.
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    And their second finish saw Kelly opening her WSL goals account for this season. 
    Taylor added: “Sixteen games unbeaten with two draws in there is some going.
    “I think that’s amazing and you have to give full credit to the players
    “With Chloe’s goal, we’re really pleased for her, and we want to win. We don’t really care who scores
    “We put a big emphasis on Bunny Shaw this season and she has done amazing and the rest of the players will chip in.”
    Before the fixture Leicester had lost their previous three duels with City conceding eight times in their last two league encounters. 
    But this match was a different story with the hosts coming close to an early lead as Hannah Cain forced a flying sixth-minute save from Ellie Roebuck. 
    Sterling defensive work from the well-drilled Foxes side kept the scoreline 0-0 in the first spell.
    Ashleigh Plumptre, Sophie Howard, Courtney Nevin and Leitzig all impressive at the rear for the hosts.  
    And Leitzig, on loan from Bayern Munich, broke the record for the number of saves in a WSL match. 
    Her string of stops included one off her ankle from a close range 15th-minute Shaw effort, as well a stop from a Hemp strike in the 39th minute. 
    The second spell saw Laura Coombs enter the fray in place of Deyna Castellanos.
    Hannah Cain came close to netting an injury time goal for Leicester CityCredit: Getty
    And it was Coombs Cross that Shaw guided home with a looping header to break the deadlock in the 60th minute.
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    The visitors doubled their lead 14 minutes after with Kelly firing home with a powerful left-footed strike.
    Cain later prompted an injury time save from Roebuck before the final whistle with Leicester facing Liverpool next Sunday. More