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      ‘Gutted’ Coventry United captain Wilkinson pleas for help for team-mates’ ‘livelihoods’ after club enters liquidation

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      KATIE WILKINSON ‘is praying’ football chiefs can help Coventry United Ladies players and staff following the collapse of the Women’s Championship side. Accountants are overseeing the ‘voluntary liquidation’ of the club with their squad and employees left without jobs TWO days before Christmas.
      Coventry United Ladies have gone into voluntary liquidation despite turning professional at the start of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Coventry players were left shocked by the news of the collapse of the Women’s Championship club
      This is despite the club becoming a professional outfit at the start of this season and giving players full-time contracts.
      A statement on club’s website said: “With regret, the board of directors have instructed BK Plus Limited to assist with placing the company/club into creditors voluntary liquidation.”
      The news is reported to have shocked Coventry players and backroom staff with several with many expressing their dismay on social media platforms.
      And The Telegraph reports players and staff were only informed of the club’s predicament earlier today.
      Squad personnel and the team’s other employees are reported to have been released.
      In a post shared via her Twitter account, Wilkinson, 26, wrote: “I’m truly lost for words and absolutely gutted and heartbroken for this group of players and staff.
      “We had absolutely no indication that the club was in such financial difficulty.
      “It just feels so cruel that at what should be one of the happiest times of the year, our livelihoods, our financial security and our club has been taken away from us just two days before Christmas.”
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      Wilkinson, who is a two-time Women’s Championship golden boot winner, joined Coventry on a two-year deal in July this year following a two-term stint at Sheffield United
      The forward, who began her senior career at Birmingham in 2013, played for Blues, Aston Villa and London Bees previously.
      In her tweet, the Cov United striker added: “What’s hard to swallow right now, is that I know many of my team-mates have sacrificed amazing jobs, careers, homes, families and more to become full-time professional footballers for Coventry United.
      “I just hope and pray the FA, the PFA, clubs, players and fans within our amazing football community can come together and support my team-mates in finding new clubs to play the game they love.”
      Coventry became a professional side after business officials Steve Quinlan, Darren Landon and Paul Marsh bought a 49 per cent stake in the club.
      The trio own cleaning and hygiene products firm Mirius which is based in the city.
      The Midlands outfit were established in 1991 and moved to Butts Park Arena in 2015 – the home of Coventry’s rugby union side.
      And last term the team won their fight to avoid relegation from the Championship after finishing five points above bottom-placed London Bees.
      Coventry United Ladies entering voluntary liquidation has left its players, staff and other figures across the women’s game stunned.

      The club’s goalkeeper and Wales international Olivia Clark described the situation as ‘heartbreaking’.
      In a comment published on her Twitter page, Clark said: “I have no words.
      “To come into work and to find out that you no longer have the job that you’ve always dreamed of is heartbreaking.
      “Thanks for making me a professional footballer and for the best two seasons.
      “The best group of girls you could ask for, Red and Green forever.”
      Coventry United Ladies’ liquidation comes just eight days on from their Conti Cup clash with TottenhamCredit: Getty
      And Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner was disheartened to see the problems facing Coventry just eight days after her side’s 3-2 defeat of the team in the Conti Cup.
      In a tweet, Skinner wrote: So disappointing to see the situation at Coventry Utd Women. We were just there Weds last week.
      “Dedicated players and staff trying to drive the game forward, now hit with this before Christmas.
      “Shouldn’t still be in a position where teams can disappear overnight, feel for all involved.”
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      Russia ace Abdullina becomes newest Chelsea signing as Emma Hayes boosts defensive ranks with Blues chasing WSL title

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      CHELSEA have strengthened their defensive options with the signing of Russia star Alsu Abdullina.The left-back, 20, joins the Blues on a two-year deal following a one-season spell with Russian Super Cup Winners Lokomotiv Moscow.
      Alsu Abdullina has become the second defensive player to sign for Chelsea this year
      The contract for the defender – who already has 30 senior international caps – will run until June 2024.
      And the player is expected to link up with the WSL giants in the New Year.
      On her Kingsmeadow move, Alsu said: “This is a big change in my life, a new challenge.
      “I am very proud to be part of this team, which has so many great players.
      “I want to continue to develop as a player and progress in London.
      ‘I want to help the team to win as many trophies as possible. I am so happy to join Chelsea.”
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      Alsu is thought to be the first women’s player from Russia to make the move to England’s top-flight.
      The defender began her senior career at Chertanovo in 2017 before a 2020 move to rivals Lokomotiv – for whom she scored six goals in 36 appearances.
      The full-back started out in Chernatovo’s academy at the age of 14 before going on to make her first-team debut three years later.
      And the starlet went on to win a bronze medal with the club in Russia’s Women’s Football Championship.
      Alsu, who is considered adept at playing in other left-sided positions, made her senior international debut for her country in 2017.
      Since then, she has scored three goals and featured for Russia in qualifying matches for the 2022 Euros and 2023 World Cup.
      Of her newest signing, Blues boss Emma Hayes: “Alsu is a very good young player who has accumulated a lot of club and national appearances for her age, including winning the league a number of times with Lokomotiv.
      “Alsu is a versatile player who can play any position on the left, adding more depth to the squad.
      “We look forward to seeing how she develops in our environment over the next couple of years.”
      Alsu helped her old side Lokomotiv to win Russia’s Super Cup earlier this year. 
      And the starlet has become the second defensive player to join Chelsea this year following their swoop for Netherlands starlet Aniek Nouwen in May.
      Emma Hayes has strengthened her left-flank choices with Abdullina joining her squadCredit: Reuters
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      Arsenal draw Wolfsburg in Champions League quarter-finals with winners facing tricky Barcelona or Real Madrid duel

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      ARSENAL will battle it out with Wolfsburg for a spot in the Champions League semis this term.And the quarter-final duel with the team that trounced Chelsea could see the Gunners face their former striker Jill Roord.
      Arsenal will play German giants Wolfsburg in the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: Pacific Coast News
      The two-legged tie could see ex-Gunner Jill Roord take on her former Meadow Park team-matesCredit: Rex
      The first leg of the knockout tie between the WSL leaders and the German giants will take place at Arsenal’s home on March 22 or 23 next year.
      And the away leg between the rivals is due to be held on March 30 or 31.
      Arsenal, who are currently the only English side to have won a Champions League title, have lost four of their most recent encounters with Wolfsburg.
      The German team, who won the title three times, knocked the Gunners out of the 2012-13 contest before going on to win it.
      The victors of the duel between Jonas Eidevall’s side and the Women’s Bundesliga leaders will face Barcelona or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
      Before then the Catalan giants will go head-to-head to with domestic rivals Real for a place in the Champions League final eight.
      And the Johan Cruyff Stadium club have already beaten Madrid once this term, in a 3-1 away win in Spain’s top tier.
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      Barca, who won last term’s trophy, trounced the Gunners twice in the group stages this season with 4-1 and 4-0 victories.
      Arsenal’s other potential semi-final opponent Real are playing in the tournament for the first time this term.
      And the Spanish side pulled off a shock earlier this term when they knocked Manchester City out in the qualifying rounds
      The Gunners reached the quarters of this term’s contest despite being thrashed by Hoffenheim in a 4-1 defeat on the road – their final group game encounter this season.
      A semis clash with Barcelona could be on the cards for Arsenal if they knock Wolfsburg out of the contestCredit: Getty
      And they will be the only side representing the WSL following Chelsea’s group-stage exit after a 4-0 loss to Wolfsburg.
      Other teams vying for a semi-final spot include Bayern Munich, Juventus, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.
      Juve, who are managed by ex-Gunners chief Joe Montemurro, are facing a tough quarters fight with seven-time contest winners Lyon.
      The victors of that tie will go up against French champions PSG or German title-holders Bayern Munich.
      Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final Draw
      Arsenal vs Wolfsburg
      Barcelona vs Real Madrid
      Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain
      Juventus vs Lyon

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      Bedford ‘buzzing’ after Leicester’s first win in WSL and Tottenham knock Man United off third spot

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      LYDIA BEDFORD praised her players for riding a storm on their way to a 2-0 defeat of Birmingham and a precious first win in the top tier. A powerful Sam Tierney header was among the goals that helped the Foxes jump from rock bottom in their battle for WSL survival.
      Leicester picked up their first win and points in the WSL after nine straight defeatsCredit: Rex
      Bedford hopes the result will give her side a boost in their bid to avoid relegationCredit: Getty
      The result saw Bedford notch up her first victory from her second WSL game at the helm.
      The Foxes boss said: “It’s a massive relief and I’m really buzzing for the girls
      “It was a great team effort keeping a clean sheet and putting that performance in across nine minutes. I’m so proud of them.
      “The second half of the season is going to be critical for us.
      “The girls have got to remember that, but the three points makes a massive difference to our journey
      “Hopefully the belief that it will create over Christmas and the mentality for the girls coming back in January will help us to jumpstart the New Year
      The hosts took the lead with Sophie Howard’s curled effort in the 18th minute.
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      And they came close to doubling their advantage moments later when Natasha Flint set up Jess Sigsworth who sent her strike narrowly wide.
      The visitors had a decent chance to level when Libby Smith teed up Jade Pennock before the winger sent the ball over the crossbar.
      Leicester doubled their lead in the second half with Molly Pike’s corner finding Tierney with the defender heading in her first top-flight goal in the 74th minute.
      They shut out their rivals to secure the victory with a trip to Reading up next in the New Year.
      The defeat for Birmingham leaves Darren Carter’s side in the drop zone before Christmas and a daunting January duel with leaders Arsenal.
      Elsewhere Tottenham regained their grip on the WSL’s coveted third spot with a narrow home defeat of Everton.
      Jessica Naz’s second-half shot helped Spurs nab a 1-0 win and a two-point advantage over Manchester United.
      Jessica Naz was on target for Tottenham as they moved back to third in the leagueCredit: Prime Media
      And Rehanne Skinner wants her players to maintain momentum for the rest of the season.
      The Tottenham boss said: “You have to be consistent in this league otherwise you don’t get anything out of it
      “Last year for us was very different us. This year we’ve only had two games where we’ve not been at the races at all.
      “We showed a great amount of resilience and character to get points out of this match.”
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      Man Utd 5 Aston Villa 0: Skinner praises ‘hunger’ as Red Devils turn up heat on rivals in race for Champions League spot

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      MARC SKINNER hailed his players’ hunger after Manchester United demolished Aston Villa in a 5-0 drubbing.An Ella Toone brace was among the goals that helped the club pile pressure on their Champions League chasing rivals.
      Ella Toone and her team-mates moved to fourth in the WSL ahead of ChristmasCredit: Rex
      Man United will travel to West Ham for their first league game in JanuaryCredit: Rex
      The result saw them momentarily leap to third before Tottenham snatched a 1-0 home win against Everton.
      And United opened up a three-point gap on Brighton – and five points on Man City – with both teams having a game in hand.
      Skinner said: “I’ve just said to the players, Merry expletive Christmas! The players are hungry to counter, hungry to set traps.
      “We create momentum throughout the season – we have players of real quality here, long may we continue to invest in that.
      “I can’t ask more of the players. I said to (the players) at the end we’ve given absolutely everything, that’s all I ask.”
      Toone’s goals in each half saw her take her WSL tally to three in nine appearances this term.
      Skinner added: “Ella has that quality and it’s my job to keep pushing her and seeing what ceilings she can break.
      “She has great tenacity, great qualities with the ball. She’s going to be wonderful for Manchester United and for England.”
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      The clash at Leigh Park Village was one of only three games to go ahead on Sunday with coronavirus issues seeing three fixtures axed. 
      And the home side were without full-backs Ona Battle and Hannah Blundell with both testing positive for Covid.
      Villa had a couple of decent forays forward in the opening minutes with Maz Pacheco almost reaching Emily Gielnik in their rivals’ box.
      But Man Utd began to dominate possession and went ahead around the eighth minute with a Vilde Boe Risa teeing up Toone for her swept-in goal.
      And they went on to double their lead around the quarter hour mark with skipper Katie Zelem netting from the spot, after Hampton was adjudged to have fouled Hayley Ladd in the box.
      Villa thought they had a penalty themselves moments later with Remi Allen appealing for handball against Zelem after Chaney Boye-Hlorkah’s ball into the penalty area.
      But their calls were dismissed by referee Rebecca Welch.
      The visitors looked to cause problems with a corner around the half-hour mark with Maz Pacheco’s dangerous ball into the box.
      Aston Villa’s last win in the WSL was against Birmingham in NovemberCredit: Zuma Press
      Carla Ward’s team will take on Everton in their first game back after the Christmas breakCredit: Reuters
      But they were unable to take advantage with keeper Mary Earps deemed to have been fouled.
      The Red Devils – who had the bulk of possession – went close to getting a third after the half-hour mark with Ladd’s shot deflected wide.
      And Alessia Russio saw her effort superbly cleared off the line with Carla Ward’s side battling to keep the score line 2-0.
      However, the second spell saw United go three up in the 50th minute with Lucy Staniforth’s curled effort.
      And Villa’s problems were compounded with Hampton coming off with just under half an hour remaining following the effects of a first-half injury.
      United heaped more pressure on their rivals going 4-0 up as Kirsty Hanson danced past her markers to set up Martha Thomas in the 73rd minute.
      And Toone wrapped up the win by knocking in a rebound following Elisha N’Dow’s clearance of Alessia Russo’s cross.
      It leaves the Villans, who face Everton in the New Year, without a point from their last three games.
      Villa boss Ward said: “After Christmas, we need to reassess the system we play and how we’re going to play, because quite honestly, recently, we’ve come unstuck a little bit.
      “We have to go back to basics, we have to get that right.”
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      Red Devils boss Skinner hopes to thwart former protege Hampton in Manchester United’s duel with Aston Villa

      by

      MARC SKINNER admits there will be ‘no love on the field’ for Hannah Hampton when his side take on Aston Villa.The Manchester United boss gave keeper Hampton, 21, her senior debut during his three-year spell as Birmingham manager in 2017.
      Hannah Hampton will be looking to defeat her former boss in Villa’s clash with Man UtdCredit: Getty
      And the Birmingham-born stopper, 21, has gone from strength to strength, getting her first senior call-up to the England squad in February.
      Skinner, 38, said: “One of the things I always wanted Hannah to do is make big saves.
      “She’s doing that and she’s growing in confidence.
      “She’s a very good young goalkeeper but there will be no love on the field regardless of me giving Hannah her debut or not.”
      Villa have suffered a fitness blow to midfield trio Ramona Petzelberger, Remi Allen and Sarah Mayling.
      And boss Carla Ward, 37, reckons this is the worst time for her side to be facing United.
      She said: “The two clubs and squads are miles apart. It’s easy to say, ‘Go and get three points’ but we’re talking about a top-four side.”
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      Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Vasseur is confident Everton can close the gap on their top-three rivals in the battle for a Champions League spot.
      The Toffees travel to Tottenham and boss Vasseur, 52, said: “Anything is possible this year.
      “If we can maintain the gap on the teams above us, when we improve and play with more confidence, we will have the option to close the gap.”
      And Sophie Barker reckons Leicester’s clash with fellow strugglers Birmingham will not be the most pivotal game of their season.
      Both clubs are winless but defender Barker, 30, said: “We don’t want to rule our season out by this one game.
      “We don’t want to make it a big deal where it’s all eyes on this and we don’t get the result we want.”
      Sophie Barker and Leicester will be looking to pick up their first win in the league when they play BirminghamCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea’s clash with West Ham called off as Covid cases kibosh second Women’s Super League fixture

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      COVID continues to wreak havoc across football with Chelsea’s WSL duel with West Ham becoming the latest top-flight clash to be postponed.And the call-off of the match comes hours after Manchester City revealed their game against Reading will be rescheduled.
      Chelsea’s game against West Ham is being rescheduled due to CovidCredit: Reuters
      The announcement comes with the Citizens and the WSL champs reporting a number of positive Covid-19 test results in their sides before games that were due to happen on Sunday.
      A statement shared on the Blues said: “Chelsea FC can confirm that Sunday’s fixture against West Ham United Women will be rescheduled.
      “The decision was agreed between both teams and the FA after a number of positive tests for Covid-19 were returned within the women’s team set-up after the last round of testing on return to the UK.
      “Those affected immediately began a period of self-isolation in accordance with Public Health England and Government guidelines.
      “The health and safety of our players, support staff and fans remain paramount.
      “The Women’s squad will now begin their winter break, returning to training in the New Year.”
      It has been reported that 28 fixtures across the WSL, the Women’s Championship and the Premier League and EFL have been scrapped due to outbreaks.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Crystal Palace Women announced their second-tier duel with Lewes has been postponed ‘due to illness and Covid’ protocols.
      And Bristol City’s away clash with London City Lionesses has also been shelved.
      Emma Hayes warned the ‘stress and anxiety’ coronavirus is causing within her Chelsea squad with the team suffering a Champions League group stage exit following a 4-0 away loss to Wolfsburg.
      The club were without first-choice keeper Ann-Katrin Berger and midfielder Drew Spence with both testing positive for Covid before their match in Germany.
      Emma Hayes’ team will play next WSL on January 7 when they face TottenhamCredit: Reuters
      On Thursday night the Blues chief, 44, said:  I just feel like this is deja vu and we’re here again 12 months on after a really, really bad Covid outbreak at exactly the same time last year.
      “We had 20 cases last year that saw my entire team struck off and unable to go home to see their families.
      “They don’t earn hundreds of thousands of pounds every week. A few days ago, we had two players struck down with Covid.
      “Our heads are all over the place. We are human beings.”
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      Chelsea boss Hayes says Covid ‘stress’ affected players after Blues suffer Champions League knockout

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      EMMA HAYES was ‘gutted’ to see Chelsea suffer a shock Champions League group stage exit with Wolfsburg thumping her aces 4-0. And the Blues boss reckons the Covid surge – wreaking havoc across the sport in recent weeks – may have affected the mindset of her players.
      Chelsea fell to their second defeat in a week following their 4-0 loss to WolfsburgCredit: Reuters
      Tabea Wassmuth scored two of the goals that led to Chelsea’s exit at the contest’s group stageCredit: Rex
      A clinical Tabea Wassmuth brace was among the efforts that helped the German giants stun the WSL champs, avenging their March quarter-final loss to last term’s finalists.  
      The result comes in a week that has seen two Chelsea stars – Ann-Katrin Berger and Drew Spence – test positive for coronavirus.
      After the game, Hayes said: “I’m gutted for the players because we all know that was nowhere near a performance that represents my team.
      “I’ve got players being sick, they’ve got diarrhoea, they’re exhausted, and maybe some of that mental anxiety plays a part in it.
      “But I just feel like this was deja vu and we’re here again 12 months on after a really, really bad Covid outbreak at exactly the same time last year.
      “I think that played a major part in our performance tonight.”
      Chelsea’s loss to Wolfsburg comes days after a Conti cup game between Manchester City and Leicester called off due to a number of Covid-19 cases in City’s squad.
      On how the virus has affected her side, Hayes added: “We had 20 cases last year that saw my entire team struck off and unable to go home to see their families.
      “They don’t earn hundreds of thousands of pounds every week. A few days ago, we had two players struck down with Covid.
      “Our heads are all over the place. We are human beings.
      “The stress, the anxiety, the worry of having to perform in a game when you’re thinking, ‘I just want to go home. I haven’t seen my family, I’ve been to an Olympics. Oh, no, another Christmas alone.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Champions League.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      “I’m not making excuses for the players, but I can tell you in the last three days their heads have been all over the place.”
      The Blues defeat was compounded by the WSL aces’ losing skipper Magda Eriksson to injury early on in the second half
      At our usual best we wouldn’t be 4-0 worse off against a teamEmma Hayes
      And the result means the Blues have now gone three matches without scoring.
      Hayes added: “We’ve had lots of fantastic moments. In this club and this is not one of them.
      “When you’re faced with having to get the right result everything has to be so right and unfortunately it was not.
      Svenja Huth netted a brace for the Women’s Bundesliga leaders to help them reach the Champions League quartersCredit: AP
      “At our usual best we wouldn’t be 4-0 worse off against a team.
      “My team has been amazing for so long. Now’s not to leave each other we have to stick together in a really, really tough moment.”
      Chelsea came into the game needing to draw or win to book their place in the competition’s quarters.
      But Wolfsburg harried their visitors from the get-go with Svenja Huth latching onto a rebounded ball from a Shanice van de Sanden shot to put the hosts 1-0 up in the 16th minute.
      Fran Kirby prompted a comfortable save from Almuth Schult moments later before the German side doubled their lead.
      They did so with skipper Huth bagging her brace with a 23rd-minute tap-in past Zecira Musovic.
      Sam Kerr hit the woodwork near the half-hour mark shortly before Pernille Harder forced a save at the near post.
      Hayes looked to boost her attack by bringing on Ji So-yun close to half-time in place of Sophie Ingle.
      And the South Korea playmaker tested Schult from distance shortly before the whistle.
      The second spell saw Chelsea attempt to up the tempo of their play with a Kirby shot prompting a fine save from the keeper.
      Emma Hayes hopes to see her side bounce back from their loss and Champions League exitCredit: Reuters
      And they were forced to bring on Aniek Nouwen in place of Eriksson with the captain still the effects of her awkward landing earlier.
      The Blues’ efforts to fight their way back took a huge dent with Wassmuth slotting the ball past Musovic after Huth’s flicked on header around the 60th minute.
      And the Bundesliga goal ace sealed the 4-0 victory smashing in her second with around a quarter of an hour of normal time left.
      The German title-chasers saw out the win to book their place in the contest’s last eight with Chelsea having lost two of their last three games across all competitions. 
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