Women’s football

JONAS EIDEVALL saluted Arsenal’s fearlessness after their derby day trouncing of Tottenham in front of a record-breaking WSL crowd at the Emirates.More than 47,000 fans watched the Gunners pummel Spurs 4-0 with Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead netting on Saturday afternoon.
Beth Mead netted Arsenal’s opener at the Emirates and was applauded by the crowd later in the gameCredit: Getty
Vivianne Miedema scored twice for Arsenal who have kept eight successive clean sheets in the leagueCredit: Getty
Katie McCabe made her 100th league appearance for Arsenal and her 158th in all competitions.
The Ireland captain holds the record with Mead for the most appearances.
Not since Boxing Day in 1920, when Dick, Kerr Ladies took on St Helen’s Ladies has a women’s club football game in England pulled in a crowd of more than 50,000.
The Gunners – who had sold 53,000 tickets – came close to reaching the 50,000 mark with 47,367 present at their derby battle yesterday.
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This was the highest number of fans at a match between two top-tier women’s sides in the country since Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat of Manchester City in May recorded a 49,094 attendance.
Yesterday’s game at the Emirates saw Arsenal surpass the WSL match attendance record set in November 2019.
Back then 38,262 fans watched Spurs play Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
On the record being broken, Gunners’ boss Eidevall said: “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I don’t think we should compare attendance figures in terms of tickets given away and tickets sold.
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“I don’t think it’s fair when you’re doing that comparison.
“This game is the best advertisement there can be for people coming.
“This is what it’s about – for people to come here and to feel proud of the team and the players, and wanting to come here to support
“We really felt that with the supporters who came and we really hope that many of them come back and bring a friend so we get a sell-out.”
Kelly Simmons, the FA’s women’s professional game director said: “The atmosphere at The Emirates was absolutely incredible.
“Seeing 47,367 fans in the stadium shows just how much the women’s game has grown.
“I hope this momentum can continue throughout the whole campaign.”
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The result for Arsenal was the perfect antidote to their midweek 2-2 draw with Ajax in the Champions League.
The Dutch side snatched a late Round 2 first-leg equaliser at Meadow Park.
Eidevall, whose team play Ajax in the return leg on Wednesday, added: “For us, it’s really important that we give 100 per cent when we play. We shouldn’t have any other gear.
“With our positioning we made Spurs look less aggressive in their press.
“They are a very good team, but we didn’t concede one single goalscoring opportunity against them.
“After the Ajax game, I told the players we played poor defence that night.
Jonas Eidevall’s team are top of the table after two wins and take on Ajax next in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
“I said there is no team sport where you can play poor defence and expect to win
“But here we played great in defence, and we now have eight clean sheets in a row in the WSL.
“This is very, very impressive and a big testament to the players.
“The fearlessness that the players did it with, I was so impressed with that.
The Gunners took just five minutes to get off the mark as they looked to hem the visitors into their own half.
Beth Mead opened the scoring by latching onto a threaded pass before curling in the opener beyond Rebecca Spencer.
The hosts looked to make it 2-0 with Katie McCabe firing an effort over the bar before Spurs began to settle a little and made one of a few forays forward.
Manuela Zinsberger made a comfortable stop from Celin Bizet Ildhusoy’s attempt in the 38th minute.
Arsenal doubled their lead moments close to half time with Miedema scoring her first league goal of the season.
They went three up with Rafaelle’s towering 54th-minute header before Miedema’s second goal 15 minutes later.
The contest became a little tetchy with Caitlin Foord cautioned for a challenge before Tottenham’s Ashleigh Neville and Amy Turner were booked.
Spurs boss Rehanne Skinner hopes her side will take some lessons from the result ahead in their Conti Cup duel with Reading.
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Skinner said: “I don’t think we did it ourselves justice, so that’s disappointing for everybody involved.
“But it’s definitely something that we need to take the lessons from and improve on for the game next week.”
Caitlin Foord was among the standout performers for Arsenal against TottenhamCredit: Getty
Rehanne Skinner is targeting a win for Tottenham against Reading in the Conti CupCredit: Getty More

KATIE MCCABE says Arsenal are ready for a physical battle with Tottenham in front of the biggest crowd to date in WSL history.More than 51,000 fans are expected at the Emirates today – a number that will smash the league’s previous match attendance record.
Katie McCabe is relishing the prospect of playing in front of a record-breaking WSL crowdCredit: Getty
Arsenal are yet to lose a game to Tottenham in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Getty
In November 2019, 38,262 fans watched the teams in action at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Back then the Gunners defeated their opponents 2-0.
Arsenal are yet to be beaten by their neighbours in the top-flight since Spurs’ 2019 promotion to the WSL.
The last match between the sides saw Jonas Eidevall’s team clinch a 3-0 win with five players booked during the feisty encounter in May.
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And last November Spurs shared the spoils of a 1-1 draw at home.
Reflecting on that encounter McCabe, 26, said: “It was a tough game away from home for us.
“We’d done well to get the equaliser and kept playing.
“But they looked to frustrate us and to be physical and that’s what a derby game is all about.
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“But it’s up to us to control our mentality and let the ball do the work.
“We’ll be ready for any physicality that will be thrown at us.
“But ultimately, it’s about playing football and playing our way which is the Arsenal way.
“We’ve seen Spurs investing in their women’s team over the last few years.
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“They’ve done a great job of that and with that, you get more quality within the games.”
On the ticket sold for today’s derby which kicks off at 1:30 pm, McCabe added: “I think the club have done a terrific job of tapping into that (crowd) momentum from the Euros.
“Fifty-one thousand tickets sold is unbelievable.
“That’s off the back end of a fantastic Euros and the Lionesses getting the win there.”
The last time a women’s club game in England attracted a crowd of more than 50,000, was on Boxing Day in 1920.
Back then Dick, Kerr Ladies took on St Helen Ladies at Goodison Park, in front of a crowd of 53,000.
A year later, a ban on women playing football on FA-affiliated pitches was introduced which lasted for 70 years until 1971.
McCabe added: “There’s an obvious frustration there that we’ve been held back for so long but we can’t dwell too much on the past as we need to charge forward.
“The drive from all the clubs in the WSL is fantastic and we need to take that momentum from the Euros and let this not just be a one-off.
“I was part of the game with the first WSL record crowd back in 2019 and that was such a special day. This should be the standard going forward.”
Jonas Eidevall is keen on seeing more WSL games played in larger stadiumsCredit: Getty
Gunners boss Eidevall said: “More than fifty thousand sold tickets is really special because that means doing in a way that is sustainable,
“The investment that the club has put in and the (efforts) that past teams before have (put in) to help us get to this stage here is phenomenal.”
McCabe, who skippered the Republic of Ireland to a historic World Cup play-off spot this month, is a highly regarded player amongst Arsenal fans.
And the versatile wing-back counts Alex Hleb amongst the Gunners heroes of the past she enjoyed watching.
The WSL ace added: “I loved his doggedness. I loved how he carried himself on the pitch and his presence.
“He was one of those players that didn’t play every single game, but I really enjoyed watching him.”
Rehanne Skinner’s Spurs will be looking to cause an upset having picked up a win against Leicester last Sunday.
And the Tottenham boss says her players are relishing the prospect of playing in front of a record crowd.
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Skinner, 42, said: “It’s an opportunity to play in front of a volume of fans that some of the players have not done before.
“It’s something they have been looking forward to. It’s the route we all want to go down.” 
Rehanne Skinner’s side are targeting a first win against Arsenal in the top tierCredit: Rex More

KADEISHA BUCHANAN is relishing being pushed “to the max” by Emma Hayes following her June switch to Chelsea from Lyon.And the Blues centre-back says watching Premier League action was part and parcel of family life for herself and her 11 siblings.
Kadeisha Buchanan says her Chelsea move came at the right stage of her careerCredit: Getty
Buchanan, 26, was speaking to reporters before the WSL champions’ first duel of the season with Manchester City.
The title rivals fell to unexpected losses to Liverpool and Aston Villa during enthralling season-openers away last Sunday.
And Buchanan – who helped her former club to six top-flight title wins in France – reckons the competitive edge of England’s top tier was among the factors that influenced her move.
The Chelsea star said: “You can’t take a team for granted.
“You can’t just be relaxed and complacent, so you have to work hard every game, every day.
“You have to earn it, every single game, it’s not going to be given to you and that’s why it’s so competitive. I love that about the WSL.
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On how Blues chief Hayes influenced her decision to move to the club, Buchanan added: “It was the perfect moment.
“It was definitely a mutual agreement. I felt it was the right time
“The conversation was like ‘welcome, but I’m going to push you to the max.’
“Emma is already on to me about how I can improve and the ways I can. 
“I love that in a coach – when whatever is needed – they will say it and they are not afraid to do so.
“I’m definitely not in my comfort zone here. I feel like every day I’m learning something new.
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“It’s just the little details now that they’re bringing out.
“They really watch the training every day here and there is a lot of staff to help with our games, so that’s a big part.
Buchanan, who has made 123 senior international appearances for Canada, says football is part of family life for herself and her relatives.
Her father, who like her mother was born in Jamaica, is an avid Prem follower.
The defender, who helped Canada to a Tokyo Olympics gold medal win last August said: “Football isn’t as big a sport (in Canada).
The Blues centre-back is enjoying the competitive edge of the WSLCredit: Getty
“But having a Jamaican father who loves the English Premier League, we would all wake up at 7:00 am to watch the games there.
“My dad supports Manchester United, but I’m an all-rounder fan. I just love to watch football.
When asked whether her family enjoyed playing the game as well as watching, Buchanan added: “Out of 11 siblings I think about four or five of us played.
“My older brother played, my father played, and my mum also played later on when she got into it,
“Taking us to soccer every day she was like ‘ah, let me get in there too’, so she started playing.
Buchanan is targeting a Champions League trophy win with the Blues having won the contest five times with LyonCredit: Getty
“We’re a football family and a very athletic one, a couple of my sisters did track, and basketball. We’re an all-round sporting family.”
Buchanan, who began her senior playing career in 2005, made her move to Europe in 2017 joining Lyon.
The defender’s five-year spell at the club saw her help the French side lift five of the eight Champions League trophies they have won between 2010 and this year.
Claiming the prize for top clubs in Europe is among the targets for Chelsea with the team having won six WSL titles since 2015.
Buchanan believes Chelsea are “not far off” from achieving their goal of winning the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
And Buchanan believes the Blues, who fell to a narrow Champions League semis defeat to Lyon in 2019, have what it takes to triumph in the competition.
The Canada centre-back added: “We are not far off.
“When I see Chelsea play and when they’re at their best, they’re the best team. It’s just about getting that consistency.” More

DEANNE ROSE has been ruled out for an extended period after sustaining an Achilles injury during Reading’s loss to Manchester United.The Royals ace, 23, had to be subbed off 20 minutes into the game with the Red Devils sealing a 4-0 win against their rivals.
Deanne Rose sustained her injury during the Royals’ season-opening game against Man UnitedCredit: Reuters
Rose’s injury led to her coming off during the first half of Reading’s match against the Red DevilsCredit: Reuters
The club says scans show the forward – who moved to Reading from US college side Florida Gators – had ruptured her Achilles.
Of her injury Rose, whose team play Brighton on Sunday, said: “I really don’t have many words to describe the disappointment that I’m feeling.
“However, I have the determination, faith and a mindset to come back stronger both mentally and physically. 
“It has meant a lot to see all of your messages of support, loving prayers and positivity as I now begin my road to returning.”
Rose, who made 21 WSL appearances last season, has emerged as one of the Royals’ brightest prospects since making her move to England last July.
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The player netted five goals across all competitions including the winner against Chelsea during the Royals’ 1-0 defeat of the Blues last December.
Meanwhile, Hope Powell’s Albion hope to bounce back from their 4-0 loss to Arsenal with a win at the Amex on Sunday.
But the club, who are missing four players due to injury, will be without the services of defender Emma Kullberg.
The Seagulls ace, 30, is serving a suspension after being sent off for clipping the heels of Stina Blackstenius during Albion’s clash with Gunners.
Powell, 55, said: “We tried to appeal the red card for Emma Kullberg but it was upheld.
“It’s a tough ask to play Arsenal when you’ve got 11 players, let alone ten.
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“I was proud of the team’s efforts in the circumstances.”
Brighton summer signing Elisabeth Terland hopes to get off the mark for her new club having come close to scoring against the Gunners.
And the “deep-thinking” Norway international forward is eager to sharpen her finishing.
Last term Terland scored 10 times in 14 games in Sweden’s top-flight for former club Sandviken IF.
Powell added: “She’s got a really good strike, she connects well, she was really bitterly disappointed (that she didn’t score against Arsenal).
Elisabeth Terland is eager to open her goals account for Brighton with the team hosting Reading nextCredit: Getty
“Elisabeth reflects quite deeply for a young player. She’s quite a deep thinker who really wants to do well and wants to improve, you know.
“She said to me straightaway (after the Arsenal game), ‘Right. I want to do some finishing (practice). I need some dedicated time to do some finishing.”
“She wants to be a top striker for club and country. She’s prepared to put in the work.” More

REBEKAH STOTT vowed to bounce back even stronger after undergoing reconstructive surgery on her ankle. The Brighton defender underwent the operation ahead of Brighton’s Friday night WSL season-opening clash with Arsenal.
Rebekah Stott has undergone an ankle operation following her return to Brighton in JulyCredit: Getty

The New Zealand star returned to Hope Powell’s team this July which is a year and six months after receiving treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
The Ferns ace was diagnosed with stage three of the cancer – which affects the body’s lymphatic system – last February.
And she went into remission last July following four months of treatment which she received after returning home.
Reflecting on her ankle operation in a tweeted message, Stott wrote: “Absolutely shattered that I had to undergo an ankle reconstruction on the eve of returning to football in England.
“I’m incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the best people possible to bounce back even stronger.
In the post which included an image of a smiling Stott with her ankle bandaged, the defender added: “I know it won’t be as soon as I desperately wanted.
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“But I’m well into my rehab and I can’t wait to get back to doing what I love.
“I appreciate all the love and support from my family, friends, team-mates and my club over the past month. I’ll be back.”
Stott’s ankle op comes nine months on from the defender’s return to match action when she played for Australian club Melbourne City last year.
And the WSL ace returned to the international stage after being named in Zealand Women’s squad in February this year.
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Brighton, who host Reading next, hope to pick up their first win of the season after falling to a 4-0 loss to the Gunners last time out.
The Seagulls were reduced to ten players in the seventh minute of the game after Emma Kullberg was shown a red card.
The Sweden player was sent off for clipping the heels of Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius with the striker through on goal. More