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      Chelsea 0 Juventus 0: Hayes issues player safety call after Kerr is cautioned for pitch invader push

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      EMMA HAYES wants player safety in the women’s game looked into after a pitch invader disrupted Chelsea’s clash with Juventus.Joe Montemurro steered the Italian aces to a gritty 0-0 draw in the Champions League against his old WSL foe.
      Chelsea will be looking for a win against Wolfsburg in their final group stage gameCredit: Getty
      Sam Kerr ended up shoulder barging a pitch invader at KingsmeadowCredit: Prime Media
      But the match was momentarily paused when a male spectator darted onto the grass at Kingsmeadow with Sam Kerr sending him tumbling to the turf.
      And the Australia ace was cautioned by the ref for shoulder barging the individual who ran on late in the second half and appeared to be attempting to get a selfie with Magda Eriksson.
      Hayes said: “He could have waited until the end to have a photograph if he really wanted one. But jokes aside, we do have to think about player safety.
      “We’ve seen with the growth of the game there is this sense of the players being more in demand.
      “It should serve as a reminder to us all in our stadiums and with our stewards that we’ve got to put player protection first.”
      The scoreless result denied the Blues the win that would have seen them reach the Champions League quarter-finals after five group games played.
      But Hayes is confident her side will be able to get the outcome they need to reach the contest’s next stages after their final group stage game.
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      The Chelsea chief added: “I’m extremely proud of the players playing a game of this magnitude so soon after the FA Cup Final
      “We got a point and we’re in the driving seat going into the last game in the position we want to be in.
      “We know Wolfsburg is a difficult place to go, but we believe in our ability and we’re confident.“
      The Blues flew out of the blocks clocking up 14 first-half shots
      Erin Cuthbert forced Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to tip her fierce right-strike over the bar inside the first minute.
      Moments later Fran Kirby saw her effort smothered by the France stopper.
      One of the best scoring chances fell to Sam Kerr with the forward outmuscling her marker before seeing her 27th minute shot whizz across the goalmouth
      Pauline Peyraud-Magnin pulled off some fine stops to keep Chelsea at bayCredit: Reuters
      And the Australia ace thought she put the hosts ahead early in the second half only to see her goal ruled offside. 
      Juventus had a rare foray forward with Lina Hurtig finding space to unleash a tame shot easily claimed by Ann-Katrin Berger in the 66th minute.
      And Millie Bright blazed a late shot over the bar much to her annoyance.
      Tempers flared late on in the game with Berger getting cautioned after reacting angrily to Barbara Bonansea’s kick on Erin Cuthbert.
      And Kerr went into the book after barging the pitch invader.
      The game finished 0-0 with Chelsea staying top of Group A with 11 points and Juventus third but level on points with Wolfsburg.
      Should Wolfsburg lose to Chelsea and the Serie A leaders beat Servette it would see Juve progress to the competition’s quarters.
      Montemurro said: “We did what we had to do to get the point that we needed and it’s great.
      Joe Montemurro is targeting a win against Servette in Juve’s last Champions League group stage gameCredit: Getty
      “Chelsea are a fantastic team and for them not to be able to score against us shows we’re on the right track
      “I’ve always enjoyed going to Kingsmeadow because you’re going to get a top-quality game.
      “You’re going to get the level of football that I believe women’s football is at.”
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      ‘It’s not just about stopping us getting relegated’, says Leicester boss Bedford as Foxes plot fightback

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      LYDIA BEDFORD is under no illusion of the huge WSL survival battle facing Leicester City.It is a challenge the England Women’s Under-17 boss is relishing with her secondment underway at the club who are bottom of the table.
      Lydia Bedford is looking to ‘spark Leicester’s confidence’ as they target their first win in the WSLCredit: Getty
      This week Bedford, 34, who is making her first foray into club management, started her new job as Foxes first team manager at Leicester’s Belvoir Drive training ground.
      The facility – one of the most hi-tech in the women’s game – was occupied by the club’s men side for 56 years before their move to a £100million complex in Seagrave.
      The new boss arrives with the team, who face a daunting trip to Arsenal, without a point from eight games in the top tier.
      Bedford said: “I think you have to be realistic. We are at the bottom of the table.
      “But having watched their last two games against Everton and Brighton, the players showed real character.
      “This gave me the confidence to think we have enough here.
      “It’s my job to really spark that confidence and give them structure and an edge.”
      The situation facing Leicester three months into their WSL debut term is in stark contrast to their red-hot streak in the Championship last season.
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      Under former gaffer Jonathan Morgan, the club lost just TWO games in a storming 20-match run that saw them gain promotion to the top tier for the first time in their existence.
      But it has been an entirely different story this term with Leicester becoming the third side in WSL history to lose their opening eight matches.
      It is a run that led Foxes chiefs to drop the axe on Morgan’s reign.
      But Bedford, who recently brought her adorable cockapoo Baxter with her to Belvoir Drive, is confident their current form can be reversed.
      And the team had a boost from a Conti Cup penalty shootout triumph over Manchester United with the Foxes winning 4-3 via the spot-kicks.
      I look at what Hope (Powell) has done at Brighton, and she’s been given time and she’s grown it graduallyLydia Bedford
      “It was brilliant for the girls, and they really deserved it. It’s been coming in the games that I’ve watched up to this point,” she added.
      “They were resilient in their performance and the way that they set up really frustrated Man United.”
      Bedford, who has been working for the FA since 2014, obtained her Uefa pro coaching licence in 2019.
      The coach will have Brent Hills in the Foxes dugout as her number two.
      Hills brings 11 years’ worth of experience as an England senior women’s team assistant stint.
      Leicester’s only win of the season so far has come in a Conti Cup clash with Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex
      Bedford is also taking some inspiration from another top-flight boss with Lionesses expertise who led her side to WSL promotion.
      The Foxes chief said: “I look at what Hope [Powell] has done at Brighton, and she’s been given time and she’s grown it gradually.
      “But she’s been chipping away over three, four seasons to get where they are now where they’re competing with some really good results in the WSL.
      The transfer window opens in January so that’s when we can be active, but I don’t want to make any rash decisions Lydia Bedford
      “When I spoke to the club it felt like a very similar project with a real long-term desire for this women’s team to be competing in the WSL.
      “It’s not just about stopping us from getting relegated but then bumbling around the bottom three for the next three or four years.
      “It’s about the women’s team progressing and moving up the table and that excites me.”
      Bedford’s approach to coaching is themed around a motto she describes as ‘our goal, your role, and team first.’
      And one little adjustment introduced includes encouraging the players to have half an hour of breakfast together.
      Leicester will take on Arsenal away in their first game under BedfordCredit: Rex
      But the Foxes chief will not be making hasty choices when it comes to the squad. This includes any ‘rash’ January transfer moves.
      Bedford added: “My first priority over the next few weeks is to assess where the squad is at.
      “The transfer window opens in January so that’s when we can be active, but I don’t want to make rash decisions.
      “I want the players to have the opportunity to show us what they’re about.” More

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      Chelsea clinch BT sports gong after beating Arsenal with Lauren James honoured ahead of Juventus clash

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      CHELSEA have been named BT Sports Team of the Year after their FA Cup trouncing of Arsenal.Blues starlet Lauren James claimed the channel’s Rising Star prize with her side now eyeing a second win against Juventus in the Champions League.
      Chelsea will play Juventus after their FA Cup and BT Sports award winsCredit: Rex
      James, 20, was among the female stars being celebrated at a ceremony in London that saw tennis ace Emma Raducanu named BT Sports Action Woman of the Year.
      The British number on, who is 19, stunned the tennis world by winning the US Open without dropping a single set in September.
      And Kingsmeadow starlet James, who is the sister of Chelsea full-back Reece, made history after becoming the first woman to score at Old Trafford for former club Manchester United
      The starlet netted for the Red Devils during their 2-0 defeat of West Ham in March.
      The award wins for James and Chelsea comes a day after the WSL champs claimed their third FA Cup trophy.
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      They did so by dispatching Arsenal 3-1 in a dominant display at Wembley watched by a TV audience of 1.3miillion viewers.
      Fran Kirby netted the opener with Sam Kerr bagging a brace just 24 hours after arriving back in England from international duty in Australia.
      And the match saw the Blues exact revenge on their title rivals who beat them in 3-2 on the opening weekend of the WSL season.
      A Champions League clash on home turf with Juventus, managed by ex-Gunners chief Joe Montemurro, is up next for Emma Hayes’s side.
      The last game between the rivals ended in a 2-1 away win for the WSL queens.
      However, the Blues will be wary of the threat by Montemurro’s club who are second in Group A and just three points behind Chelsea who are top.
      The Italian outfit are in pole position in Serie A having won all ten games played so far this term.
      And they stunned two-time Champions League winners Wolfsburg by beating them 2-0 in Germany in November.
      Joe Montemurro will be looking to stun Chelsea following Juventus’s shock win against WolfsburgCredit: Getty
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      Kirby hopes for repeat of ‘dream’ FA Final Cup goal at Wembley against Arsenal in trophy duel between title rivals

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      FRAN KIRBY says scoring at Wembley felt like a ‘dream’ – as Chelsea beat Arsenal to clinch the 2018 FA Cup. And the England ace is relishing the chance to repeat that feat when the sides face off at the stadium later today, live on BBC1.
      Fran Kirby hopes to score against Arsenal at Wembley after netting against the Gunners in the 2018 FA Cup finalCredit: REUTERS
      The two WSL title chasers will battle out in this year’s delayed FA Cup Final, with the game pushed back to December due to the Covid pandemic.
      And Chelsea will be hoping for a rerun of their 3-1 Cup win in 2018, with Kirby netting their third goal.
      The Blues ace, 28, said: “Wembley is a stadium you dream about scoring in when you’re growing up.
      “To be able to do it is a dream come true. I really enjoyed that final back in 2018.
      “I recall that moment they scored in the second half and there was a bit of pressure with me thinking are they going to come back and get another one.
      “But I was really pleased to score there, it was an honour.”
      Scoring for the Blues has not been too much of an issue for Kirby of late.

      The playmaker passed the 100-goal mark for the WSL champions in November.
      Her brace in the 5-0 demolition of Birmingham saw her become Chelsea Women’s all-time top scorer.
      And it’s an achievement that the Reading-born forward is particularly proud of following her battles with injuries and the heart condition pericarditis.
      Kirby said: “I think a lot of my time at this club has been cut short because of injury and illness.
      “So for me to be able to score 100 goals is really, really special.
      “I think from everyone’s reaction because you can see how happy people were for me. I was super proud to do it.”
      Among those who will be at Wembley cheering on Kirby and her team-mates is the former Blues skipper Katie Chapman.
      The ex-Fulham, Charlton and Arsenal ace, who played in her first FA Cup final at 14, will be among the Cup-winning captains being celebrated at Wembley later as part of the contest’s 50th anniversary.
      Katie Chapman says it was daunting to play the Cup final at Wembley in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Emma Hayes’ side defeated Notts County 1-0 with Ji So-yun netting the winner.
      And the London-born Blues star has fond memories of the moment she made history as the first skipper to lift the Women’s FA Cup at Wembley.
      Chapman said: “It was quite daunting, and it was also really exciting because it’s the home of English football.
      “Before then female players had never had the opportunity to play the Cup final there and to have it at Wembley every year now is fantastic for the women’s game.
      “Being the captain, my mindset was, I want to be the one walking up those stairs to pick up the trophy.”
      A win for Chelsea would see them achieve a delayed treble following their WSL and League Cup triumphs earlier this year.
      But a victory for their London rivals Arsenal would see them pick up their 15th FA Cup trophy.
      Arsenal will be hoping to win their first major trophy under Jonas Eidevall at the FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      It would also be a first under new manager Jonas Eidevall. The club currently holds the record for the highest number of trophy wins in this competition.
      The Swede, 38, spoke about his fear of black cats when asked, ahead of the final, if he had any superstitions.
      Eidevall joked: “I do have some superstitions. I don’t like letting black cats cross my way . . . ever.
      “If Emma Hayes sees us arrive, she will probably buy a thousand cats with all the money they have at Chelsea.
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      Chelsea boss Hayes says FA Cup prize money for women’s teams isn’t ‘where it should be’ ahead of historic final

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      EMMA HAYES reckons Women’s FA Cup prize money is nowhere near what ‘it needs to be’ as Chelsea gear up to battle Arsenal for the trophy.And the Blues boss wants more attention paid to equal access to football and the struggles of the game’s pioneers.
      Emma Hayes and her Chelsea side hope to win their third FA Cup on SundayCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea take on Arsenal at Wembley with Jonas Eidevall hoping to win his first major trophy with the GunnersCredit: Getty
      Hayes was speaking before the delayed finale of this year’s contest – which comes just over 50 years on from the first one in 1971 when Southampton Ladies defeated Stewarton Thistle.
      Covid restrictions saw the showdown between the Gunners and Blues moved to this Sunday with a record crowd of between 45,000 and 47,000 expected at Wembley.
      Hayes, 44, said: “Why is it we don’t get more prize money? We need more being invested so it can trickle all the way down.
      “We need more prize money for everyone, not just the winning team.
      “I don’t think the prize money is anywhere near where it needs to be.
      “It’s the same with TV money that journey has begun but when it comes to prize money, I don’t think it’s anywhere near what it should be.
      “It is nowhere near what the men’s game is.”
      Hayes’s comments come in a week in which Clapton FC resorted to launching a Crowdfunder to cover travel and accommodation costs for their players in the third round of this season’s FA Cup.

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      The team became the first ever seventh tier women’s side to reach this stage of the contest in November.
      However mounting costs for the club – who say they receive no financial support – have proved to be a concern.
      On their Crowdfunder page, the team say they have earned £2,900 for their four wins in the contest with the club set to play Plymouth Argyle next.
      This is in stark contrast to the £65,629 a team would earn when reaching the third round of the men’s competition.
      Hayes added: “If we want to invest in our game further down, we need that money need that money to provide more opportunity at a grassroots level.”
      Chelsea will take on Arsenal at Wembley precisely 100 years on from the day the FA banned women’s football at its grounds in the belief the game was ‘quite unsuitable for females.’ 
      To have the game on a poignant date in the women’s football calendar will serve as a reminder that this game won’t be banned again. Never.Emma Hayes
      Before that, the game was becoming increasingly popular amongst fans.
      On Boxing Day in 1920 more than 53,000 crammed into Goodison to see Dick, Kerr Ladies take on St Helen’s Ladies in a charity match for soldiers wounded during World War One.
      Hayes hopes the anniversary of the ban which put the brakes on the game’s development, will lead to greater recognition of the work of the sport’s pioneers.
      The Kingsmeadow boss added: “It’s about the recognition of everybody that’s come before.
      “I think to have the game on a poignant date in the women’s football calendar will serve as a reminder that this game won’t be banned again. Never.
      “We’re two fabulous teams both vying to win, but the FA Cup final is about history.”
      Hayes team could seal a belated treble should they win on Sunday.
      But while Pernille Harder is fit the Blues chief revealed she is not expecting Maren Mjelde to feature in the final.
      Hayes said: “I think we will continue to bring her back slowly. She still needs a little bit more time.
      “But Maren for the long term is far more valuable than Maren immediately.”
      Pernille Harder could make a return to Chelsea against Arsenal in the FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
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      England boss Wiegman reckons high-scoring defeats are not good for development of women’s game

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      SARINA WIEGMAN thinks top sides demolishing minnows in women’s international games is harmful to the sport’s development.  The Lionesses boss was reflecting on her team’s 20-0 crushing of their opponents, the highest-scoring win EVER for an English national side. 
      England recorded the biggest ever international win with their 20-0 thumping of LatviaCredit: Getty
      The whopping scoreline comes in a month in which five teams fell to double-figure drubbings in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.
      Results include Belgium’s merciless 19-0 thumping of Armenia with the team ranked 109 places below their victors in Fifa’s rankings. 
      And it prompted questions on whether lower-ranked sides – new to international competition – should have to pre-qualify to battle top teams for a World Cup spot.
      Wiegman said: “You want competitive games and these are not competitive games. 
      “You want to develop the well-developed countries already and the countries that are not that far. I think we have to look at it. I’ve said that before.
      “In every country, you want to develop the women’s game but I don’t think it’s good that the scores now are so high. 
      “I know that has the attention of the federations and Uefa and Fifa, and that’s good because I don’t think a 20-0 game is good for the development of anyone.”

      Wiegman’s sentiments on hefty drubbings on the world stage were echoed by ex-England forward Lianne Sanderson.
      And the football pundit suggested it may take time to quell negative stereotypes and comments in response to high scoring victories in women’s games. 
      In a comment published on Twitter, Sanderson wrote: “I don’t know what the answers are because you can only play and beat what’s in front of you, so well done England – but 20-0 isn’t good for the women’s game at all. 
      “Unfortunately, it’s going to take a while to shake stereotypes because whenever there is a high-scoring women’s game, people react differently to if it’s a men’s game. 
      “Or if a goalkeeper makes a mistake people again react differently. That’s just the reality, unfortunately.”
      England had four players notch up hat-tricks in their defeat of Latvia at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium.
      Ellen White was among the quartet who bagged three goals to take her international tally to 48.
      Ellen White became the Lionesses all-time top scorer during England’s defeat of LatviaCredit: Rex
      The Manchester City striker made history by breaking Kelly Smith’s record of 46 goals become to Lionesses all-time leading scorer. 
      The hefty victory comes five weeks after they beat their opponents 11-0 away. 
      And it left Wiegman eagerly looking ahead to a round-robin February tournament with the Lionesses facing Germany, Spain and Olympic Gold winners Canada. 
      Wiegman added: “We really need some top-level games now which we’re going to have because then we’ll really know where we are. 
      “I do think we have done very well and we’re doing very well but we know we need those high-level games to really know where we stand.
      Northern Ireland beat Macedonia 9-0 at their Seaview home groundCredit: Getty
      “I’m really positive about that. But we have to see.”
      Elsewhere in Group D Northern Ireland thrashed North Macedonia 9-0 in front of a full house of their home fans at Seaview. 
      The game, which followed an 11-0 away rout of their rivals, saw Liverpool’s Rachel Furness surpassing David Healy to become Northern Ireland’s all-time top scorer with 38 goals. 
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      Wiegman urges England to be ‘aggressive’ against Latvia as team prepare for clash without Parris

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      SARINA WIEGMAN wants England to show no mercy in front of goal against Latvia when the two sides clash in Doncaster later. And the head coach praised Ellen White’s consistency with the Man City ace two strikes short of becoming the Lionesses’ all-time top scorer.
      Sarina Wiegman’s England side will play Latvia next following their 1-0 win against AustriaCredit: Getty
      Wiegman’s aces face Latvia in their second World Cup qualifier this month and following a 10-0 thrashing of their opponents back in October. 
      The England chief, 52, told reporters: “It’s about just getting our game to the next level again.
      “So, speed up the game, have a high ball tempo, but also being patient, having runs behind the defence – we’re just putting emphasis on those things all the time. 
      “And then in the final third, stay aggressive, keep scanning and composed, and of course, ruthless, to get the ball in the net.
      “The team has to collaborate really well, stay connected and co-operate well so we can create many, many chances and score these goals.”
      The hosts, who have opened up a five-point gap at the top of their qualifying group, will be without the services of Nikita Parris. 
      The Arsenal forward, 27, has returned home from the camp for a few days’ rest amid worries of her being overplayed. 

      The former Lyon star could be set to feature for the Gunners on Sunday when they take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final. 
      On Parris’ departure, Wiegman added: “Nikita has had so much load during the last two years, from (her move from) Lyon to England she hardly had any rest. 
      “We had some chats with her, also with the medical staff, and after the game we decided, together with her, it was good for her to have a few days off.”
      Nikita Parris has returned home from England’s camp amid worries of the forward being overplayedCredit: Rex
      Ellen White could be in line to start against Latvia with the forward aiming to break Kelly Smith’s all-time international scoring record of 46 goals. 
      On White potentially becoming England’s highest ever scorer, Wiegman said: “She has shown so much consistency, the way she lives football, that’s the only way you can do things like this.
      “It would be really nice if she scores a record goal, but we just have to score goals – it doesn’t really matter who scores the goals, as long as we score a lot of them.”
      The duel between England and Latvia, who have lost all four qualifiers they have played, will take place at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium, 
      The League Two club’s home has also been used by the Doncaster Rovers Belles, a team that has produced several top WSL players including Lionesses skipper Millie Bright.
      Former Doncaster Belle Millie Bright will skipper England against Latvia at Keepmoat StadiumCredit: Getty
      Wiegman added: “I learned a little about Doncaster – the Belles of course – about their tremendous history and them winning prizes in their earlier years. 
      “What (their past) players have done there makes the next generation take the next step. 
      “We should always be thankful for the generation of (England) players that have come through there.” 
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      England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman takes her first training session with the Lionesses More

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      England Under-17s coach Lydia Bedford reportedly a target for Leicester City Women’s job after Jonathan Morgan’s exit

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      LEICESTER CITY are reportedly considering Lydia Bedford as a candidate for their manager’s job following the sacking of Jonathan Morgan.The England Women’s Under-17 coach is thought to be among the frontrunners for the role, according to Telegraph Sport. 
      Lydia Bedford could be in line to replace Jonathan Morgan (pictured) after Leicester City parted company with the coachCredit: Getty
      Brent Hills, the FA’s ex-head of women’s development, is also thought to be a possible contender with the pair believed to be the Foxes’ leading targets for the position. 
      The Telegraph claims Bedford is the preferred choice for the manager’s post with officials hopeful that Hills could take up a supporting job. 
      Meanwhile, former Foxes and England striker Emile Heskey, – the club’s women’s football development chief – is managing the training of their WSL side as recruitment takes place. 
      And it is thought Manchester United Women’s academy boss Charlotte Healy could also be in line for a coaching role if Bedford and Hills are hired. 
      Leicester, who play Arsenal next, sacked former boss Morgan on Thursday ending his seven-year management of the women’s team.
      His departure followed a tough eight-game winless run in the top tier with the club yet to pick up a point in the division.

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      The Foxes boss led the side to a historic promotion to the WSL following their triumph in the Championship last season.
      During his tenure, Morgan, who took charge in 2014, led his team to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 2020 and to the semis of last year’s League Cup. 
      Leicester are currently bottom of the table in the top-flight but are just a point behind Birmingham City.
      Blues are set to host Manchester City after the international break in what will be Darren Carter’s first game in charge of the side.
      Meanwhile, Leicester face a daunting away duel with league leaders who are yet to lose a game in the WSL this term. 
      The Foxes and Birmingham will then go head-to-head on December 19 in what could be a pivotal match in the battle to avoid relegation this season.
      Emile Heskey is currently coordinating the training of Leicester City WomenCredit: PA
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      Claudio Ranieri praises the Leicester fans on his return to the King Power More