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      Servette 0 Chelsea 7: Kerr and Kirby net braces as Mjelde returns with Blues crushing Swiss outfit

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      CHELSEA made mincemeat of Servette in a devastating Champions League group stage display.  The Blues shredded their opponents’ back line with four goals in 20 minutes with Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby nabbing braces in a 7-0 demolition.  
      Chelsea moved to the top of their Champions League group after trouncing Servette 7-0Credit: EPA
      And fans saw Maren Mjelde return to competitive action for the first time since sustaining a serious knee injury in the Blues’ Conti Cup final triumph in March.
      After the game, Player of the Match winner Kerr said: “It was special seeing Maren on the pitch.
      “It’s not easy to be injured, everyone knows how hard it is, but we’re all happy for ourselves but more pleased for her.
      “It’s been a long journey and you can see it on her face after the game. It meant a lot to her to be out there.”
      Blues boss Emma Hayes added: “I’ve always thought that Maren is one of the most underrated players in the world. And I think you can see that in 20 minutes she played.
      “She’s a quiet leader who has been the mother hen of this group for a lot of years.”
      Before their away encounter at the Stade de Geneve, Hayes spoke of her desire for the WSL champs to be a ‘bit more relentless’ when putting games out of sight.

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      And within half an hour her team brushed their part-time Swiss opponents aside with a goalscoring masterclass in front of a crowd of 12,782.
      Melanie Leupolz opened the scoring in the eighth minute with Millie Bright setting up the Germany ace to slot in the Blues first past keeper Ines Pereira.
      And it took just seven more minutes for Servette’s defences to be carved open again with Kirby netting following a through ball from Kerr.
      The Australia captain got on the score sheet herself just two minutes later.
      Her first came via Guro Reiten’s lofted cross to Leupolz who knocked it down in the box for Kerr to net.
      The floodgates opened again moments later with Kerr notching her brace after receiving a diagonal Kirby cross.
      The Blues playmaker bagged her own brace after Jessie Fleming darted into the box to tee-up her team-mate who was left unmarked close to the half-hour mark.
      Melanie Leupolz opened the scoring for the visitors inside the first 15 minutesCredit: Rex
      Kirby would later return the favour with Fleming finding space in the penalty area to wallop in Chelsea’s sixth close to half-time.
      The second spell saw Hayes shuffle her deck with five substitutions with Sunday’s crunch clash with Manchester City in mind.
      The changes included Mjelde for Jess Carter in the 66th minute.
      But there was no let-up in attack from the visitors with Guro Reiten burying their seventh goal in the second half’s early stages before being replaced by Georgia Fox around the 55th minute.
      Servette made a rare foray forward in the 72nd minute with Jade Boho evading her marker to cross into the box, but there was no one there to take advantage.
      Fran Kirby was on target twice for ChelseaCredit: Rex
      But the Blues held their opponents at bay to wrap up the 7-0 victory and move top of Group A.
      Hayes added: “They worked their socks off in the first hour. I said to my assistants who were in the gantry you have no idea how quick that (performance) was.
      “With the movement, the finishes, the execution of every action, it could have been 7-0 at half-time, so credit to the players.
      “They really decided they wanted to go up a level.”
      Maren Mjelde made her return to competitive action for ChelseaCredit: Getty
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      One in five women receive ‘unwanted physical attention’ at men’s football games, says supporters’ survey

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      WOMEN are becoming less tolerant of sexist behaviour at football matches.And one in five say they have been on the receiving end of ‘unwanted physical attention’ whilst at men’s games, according to a Football Supporters Association survey.
      Fifty-nine per of respondents to the FSA’s survey want to see clubs condemn people exhibiting sexist behaviourCredit: Getty
      More than 2,000 match-going female fans were questioned as part of the study carried out by the national body for supporters in England and Wales between August and September this year.
      And nearly half (49 per cent) say that seeing sexist behaviour in action infuriated them.
      This is a rise from one in three (29 per cent) respondents to a similar FSA survey of match goers carried out in 2014.
      Back then, one in four women (24 per cent) say they would brush off sexism they saw at a game by laughing it off.
      But this figure has now dropped to one in eight (12 per cent).
      And four in ten women (39 per cent) say they would like to see sexists thrown out of football grounds compared to 26 per cent seven years ago.
      The FSA say it is encouraging that fans are becoming less accepting of sexism and abusive behaviour at men’s football matches.

      Ally Simcock, an FSA board member and Port Vale fan said: “I’ve been going to men’s football for a long time now and have heard my share of sexist comments, but a lot has changed recently.
      “Things like the #MeToo movement have helped change people’s perceptions about what they’re willing to put up with, and what is or isn’t acceptable.
      “It is heartening to see the change in attitudes over recent years, with fans less likely to be accepting of sexist behaviour, or willing to just brush it off or excuse it as banter.”
      Other findings from the survey reveal that:

      59 per cent of match-going fans who are women want to see clubs denounce people engaging in sexist behaviour at games.
      Seeing sexism at matches makes one in 20 female football supporters not want to attend in future.
      51 per cent of fans say high ticket prices as a barrier to going to men’s games. with 45 per cent also citing cost and distance to games as an issue.

      Meanwhile, 48 per cent of respondents flagged cost and travelling as the biggest issues preventing them from going to women’s matches.
      In response to the survey, the FA says it is committed to tackling discrimination at games.
      It is disappointing to see so many female supporters being subject to inappropriate and unacceptable conduct from fellow fansEFL Spokesperson
      An FA spokesperson told Sky Sports: “We recently launched A Game For All, our new equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, which outlines our commitment and plans to deliver a game free from discrimination.
      “This commitment includes ensuring the increased inclusivity of women, as well as creating safer venues for all, by using innovative tools to deter antisocial behaviour, developing training programmes for employees and stewards, and taking appropriate action against anyone found guilty of abuse within our venues.”
      An EFL spokesperson said: “It is disappointing to see so many female supporters being subject to inappropriate and unacceptable conduct from fellow fans.
      “As with any insight or feedback we receive, we will consider how it can help improve matchday operations and inform steward training going forward.
      48 per cent of survey respondents say costs and travelling distance are among the biggest barriers preventing them going to women’s gamesCredit: PA
      “The League and member clubs have worked extensively over the years to grow the diversity of our collective fanbase and ensure that is reflective of the communities in which clubs reside.
      “As ever, we will continue to work with the FSA, football’s stakeholders and campaigners operating in this space.
      “Having launched our Together Against Discrimination matchday campaign at the start of the season, our message is clear: sexism and discriminatory behaviour is not acceptable – those who do not agree are not welcome.”
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      Chelsea boss Hayes expects Swiss rivals have learned lessons from losses to Juventus and Wolfsburg

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      EMMA HAYES reckons Chelsea’s next Champions League opponents may have to suffer to progress in the contest.But her WSL champs will not take Servette lightly.
      Emma Hayes says her side will not underestimate ServetteCredit: Alamy
      The Swiss top-flight side hope to reach the competition’s last 16 for the first time and also play an English team for the first time.
      However, they are currently rooted at the bottom of Group A following crushing 5-0 and 3-0 losses to Wolfsburg and Juventus in their opening two group games.
      Hayes, whose Blues are second in the group, said: “To become streetwise, you have to suffer, you have to experience something. Usually, that’s when you’re defeated.
      “For them, as a team, they are not going to be at our level just yet.
      “But they’re worthy of being in this competition, and they will no doubt learn from their two previous games.
      “From those learnings, I think they’ll add even more in this game.

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      “They are always a danger, unknown teams, that have lots to gain playing [at home] with a packed crowd. But competition really, really matters.”
      Blues skipper Magda Eriksson added: “We know that any team in this competition can cause a threat if you’re not on it from the start.
      “We have to be tidy at the back, we have to be ready for anything they might throw at us and be flexible tactically as well.”
      Hayes, 45, revealed spectators are unlikely to see Lauren James make her Champions League debut with Chelsea carefully managing the Blues striker’s return to action.
      Hayes says it is unlikely fans will see Lauren James in action against ServetteCredit: Getty
      The Blues starlet, 20, named in Uefa’s ‘ten to watch’ female players list this year, was included in the Blues squad that took on Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
      Hayes added: “I’m probably leaning on giving her another 75 minutes on Thursday rather than the gamble for tomorrow because I think we need to just keep the long game in mind.
      “Having her available for selection is great, but I think she needs more training days and more physical work.
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      Arsenal 4 West Ham 0: Little reaches half-century of WSL goals as Gunners trounce Hammers to extend lead at top

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      KIM LITTLE kept Arsenal’s unbeaten show on the road with West Ham falling prey to the relentless Gunners.The Meadow Park captain notched up her 50th WSL goal as the league leaders snuffed out the Hammers’ bright start to win 4-0.
      Kim Little bagged a brace during Arsenal’s defeat of West HamCredit: Focus Images
      Dagny Brynarsdottir had a shot blocked as the Irons attempted to get on the score sheet at Meadow ParkCredit: PA
      And the home side kept their fifth clean sheet in the top-flight this season.
      Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “I thought Kim Little was brilliant. She’s so dynamic in midfield and with her defensive runs.
      She takes the best positioning and it really glues the different units together. 
      “Kim is so impressive with her dynamics when she gets on the ball.
      “She’s a very hard player to defend against and played a huge part in the victory
      On the clean sheet, Eidevall added: Everything in football starts with having a solid defence and not conceding easy goals.
      “I want us to work very hard, every game to keep a clean sheet.”
      The Irons – who stunned Man City last time out – were hoping to end a top-flight losing streak with their hosts having beaten them in all five of their WSL duels.

      They began positively pressing Eidevall’s juggernauts early on.
      And they came close to netting inside the fifth minute with Claudia Walker aiming to take advantage of temporary disarray in Arsenal’s defence before a Tameka Yallop chip was caught by Manuela Zinsberger.
      But Arsenal began to take control with Caitlin Foord forcing a quality reaction save from Mackenzie Arnold in the 20th minute.
      And their dominance paid off with Beth Mead teeing up Little who breezed past her marker to bury Arsenal’s opener close to half-time. 
      The second half began much like the first with the Irons making a good start with Dagny Brynarsdottir evading Leah Williamson to head over the bar.
      But the hosts extended their lead with Little bagging her 50th Women’s Super League goal in the 51st minute, her eleventh across all competitions this term. 
      But the hosts came close to conceding shortly after when Williamson lost possession before Brynarsdottir’s shot was blocked and Yallop sent a curled strike wide.
      At the other end, Mead prompted another classy save from Arnold who got her fingertips to the forward’s shot.
      But there was little the Australia keeper could do about Mead’s next attempt with Nikita Parris finding her in space with the England ace punting in Arsenal’s third.
      And a Grace Fisk own goal wrapped up a clinical performance for the Gunners who moved three points clear of Chelsea before their trip to Tottenham.
      The result saw the hosts extend their lead at the top by three points with West Ham sitting sixth ahead of their clash with Reading.
      Beth Mead turned from provider to scorer to net the Gunners’ third goalCredit: Rex
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      Leicester 1 Manchester City 4: Walsh and Hemp strike as City bounce back from tough start to season

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      KEIRA WALSH netted a wondergoal as Man City trounced Leicester 4-1 to recover from their worst ever start to a WSL season.The midfielder’s rocket and a Lauren Hemp strike were among the goals that saw the Foxes fall to a sixth consecutive defeat.
      Keira Walsh netted her first WSL goal of the season Man City’s win against LeicesterCredit: Getty
      The victory saw City bounce back from a first-minute defensive howler to go seventh and one spot above Everton before their clash with Chelsea.
      On Walsh’s goal City boss, Gareth Taylor said: “We know she’s capable of that and it was nice to see her arrive there on the edge of the box.
      “Keira is a player who needs rhythm, who needs games, and she’s not had that consistently. 
      “But the more she plays and the more game time she gets under her belt, I’m pretty certain we’re going to see performances like that.”
      Coming in this game the Citizens had picked up just four points from their opening five league games.
      And their opponents got off to a dream start at the King Power stunning City in the process. 
      Ex-Manchester United striker Jess Sigsworth opened the scoring capitalising on an error from Jill Scott to put the hosts ahead after 59 seconds.

      However, the visitors went on the attack swiftly in response, with Georgia Stanway testing Kirstie Levell with a 20th-minute shot skimming the crossbar.
      And they got their equaliser with Caroline Weir whipping in a low effort past Levell following a cross from Hemp moments before the half-hour mark.
      Leicester made an early substitution with Sophie Howard coming on for Georgia Brougham in a bid to nullify the threat of Hemp.
      But the hosts went behind again with Walsh walloping in her first league goal of the season on the edge of the 18-yard box close to half-time.
      Lauren Hemp got on the scoresheet with Man City’s third goal of the gameCredit: Getty
      The second half saw no let-up from the visitors.
      Jess Park forced a save from Levell with the starlet outpacing Molly Pike before unleashing a shot aimed for the top-left corner.
      And Stanway stung the palms of the ex-Everton keeper in the 55th minute. before she pulled off a stunning acrobatic save to keep out a Hemp strike moments later.
      However, the winger got on the scoresheet to bury City’s third in the 70th minute before Laura Coombs made it four in the closing stages.
      Taylor added: “Lauren is a fantastic outlet for us.
      “I think at times we overuse her and one of the challenges we’ve tasked her with is to connect in the final third and up her ratio of goals and assists.
      Jess Sigsworth netted her first goal for Leicester since sealing a summer switch to the Foxes from Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      “She produced a lot of numbers in half a season last year. I thought in this game she looked so dangerous from the start and took her goal really well.”
      The result leaves Leicester without a point after six games following a tough introduction to life in the WSL.
      Foxes boss Morgan said: “We were just a bit short in terms with our quality out of possession. I think we just need to build on our quality out of possession as well as with the ball.”
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      Mace relishing the chance to show ability at Manchester City and hopes to play alongside idol Houghton

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      RUBY MACE reckons it is ‘crazy’ that she could one day be playing alongside her childhood idol Steph Houghton.And the versatile Manchester City centre-back is eager to prove herself following her high profile move north from Arsenal this summer.
      Ruby Mace has impressed with her performances for Man City in the Conti CupCredit: Getty
      And the former Gunners starlet, who some have talked of as being the next Houghton, admits the long-serving City captain is a player she hopes to emulate.
      Mace, who is 18, said: “I’ve idolised Steph since I was younger.
      “She has always been someone I’ve admired, especially when watching the Arsenal matches when she used to play for them and England matches.
      “Steph is someone that I always wanted to be like (on the pitch) so having her in and around me right now is crazy.
      “I used to sit down with my family and watch her in games and she’s someone that my parents said that I should look up to.
      “I haven’t spoken much to Steph yet but she has given me advice. With her being injured at the moment I don’t want to disturb her rehab.”

      Mace, who began her football career in Arsenal’s academy, also competed as a sprint hurdler for her school at county level.
      The defender, who can also play in midfield, earned plaudits for eye-catching Birmingham performances whilst on loan there from the Gunners last term.
      The East London-born starlet, who did some of her training at Hale End with Arsenal’s under-15 boys’ side, netted two goals in 11 top-flight appearances helping Brum to beat relegation.
      The Man City centre-back, who hopes to help England Under-19s win the Uefa Women’s Under-19 Euros next year, is yet to make her WSL debut for Gareth Taylor’s team.
      But she is eager to play her way into contention after impressing in the club’s 5-1 and 3-0 Continental Cup match wins against Everton and Durham this term.
      Mace helped Birmingham avoid relegation during her loan spell at the club last seasonCredit: Alamy
      Mace added: “I want to improve as a player and – when I get my chance – prove that I’m good enough to be here and that I am willing to work hard and show my ability to everyone.
      “If I get the chance to perform in the matches where I can be a part of this season’s Conti Cup and FA Cup, I will do my best to help the team.
      “When I was looking to move to the club I had a look at who had come through their academy.
      “Many players have come through and I’ve seen the development work Manchester City put in with players like Jess Park.
      “That’s something that I wanted to be a part of. I want to be in and around the best players as training with the best is going to help me develop the most.”
      City, who hope to pick up their first win in the top-tier since their 4-0 demolition of Everton look set to be without Khadija Shaw with the striker recovering from a painful foot injury.
      The progress of players from Man City’s academy is one of the things Mace looked into prior to her moveCredit: Rex
      Meanwhile, Leicester will be without the services of Hannah Cain with the forward ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing her ACL
      Jonathan Morgan is confident his side will eventually pick up points following five losses from their first five games in the league.
      The Foxes boss said: “The points will come when they come. We’re not putting ourselves under any pressure.
      “A season isn’t defined by the first quarter. Our aim is to stay up and get more points than the bottom team.”
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      Brighton go third behind Arsenal and Chelsea after beating Everton in the Women’s Super League

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      AILEEN WHELAN and Brighton ruined Jean-Luc Vasseu’s first game in charge of Everton.Rampaging forward Whelan combined to clinical effect with Danielle Carter as Albion leapfrogged Tottenham to third with a 1-0 win.
      The Seagulls have moved to third ahead of their game against LeicesterCredit: Reuters
      Aileen Whelan netted Brighton’s winner against EvertonCredit: Getty
      The result saw Everton’s tough start to their WSL season continue with the club beaten for the fourth time in six games.
      It was also their first loss this term to a side that finished outside the top three last season.
      The Seagulls were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing the last time the two sides met with the Toffees trouncing Albion at their home ground.
      It was Hope Powell’s visiting side who had the upper hand this time with Whelan close to putting them ahead early on.
      Her goal-bound header hit the post before being cleared out of danger by the hosts in the 15th minute,
      One of the Toffees’ best chances came through Toni Duggan taking advantage of a poor back pass before forcing a comfortable save from Megan Walsh moments before.

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      The second half saw Brighton threaten again with Maya Le Tissier’s half-volley forcing a quality save from Sandy MacIver.
      Albion eventually broke the deadlock with Whelan heading them in front courtesy of a pinpoint cross from Carter with an hour on the clock.
      Everton came close to getting a leveller when Valerie Gauvin flicked the ball narrowly wide in injury time.
      But Brighton wrapped up a win to leave the Toffees eighth before their clash with Manchester United.  
      Brighton are set to take on Leicester at home in one of six Women’s Football Weekend next week.
      Jean-Luc Vasseur will hope for better luck Everton in their next game which is against Man UnitedCredit: PA
      Earlier, Emma Hayes saw her players notch up a hard-fought 1-0 win against Aston Villa ahead of their Champions League clash with Servette and a top-flight duel with Manchester City.
      Jessie Fleming’s first-half strike led Chelsea to their fifth win from six WSL games – although they had to withstand some late forays forward from Carla Ward’s side.
      After the game, Hayes said: “I felt calm (about the narrow lead) because there is experience in the group.
      “They knew what the game was, like I said at 1-0, you’re away from home, the opponent is going to be buoyed by the opportunity.”
      Ward, whose side play Birmingham next, added: “They’ve competed against world-class players out there af you look at that last 10-15 minutes, we were the ones on top, pushing them back and you could see a little bit of nerves in them.
      “Had there been another five minutes, you never know. I’m massively proud of the girls.”
      Ji So-yun, Magda Eriksson and their Chelsea team-mates are now level on points with leaders ArsenalCredit: Getty
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      Brighton’s Powell reckons Vasseur faces a ‘big task’ with helping Everton to reach the Champions League

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      HOPE POWELL believes Jean-Luc Vasseur is facing a huge challenge in leading Everton to their dream of battling with Europe’s top sides.And the Brighton gaffer wants her players to enforce her ‘hard to beat’ mantra on the pitch with the team facing the Toffees and their new boss later.
      Hope Powell believes there will be huge expectations of Jean-Luc Vasseur with Everton’s hopes of playing in the Champions League
      The Walton Hall Park clash will see the hosts play their first WSL game under the ex-Lyon chief who took charge of Everton after Willie Kirk’s sacking following three losses from five top-flight matches.
      Powell, 54, said: “I think Jean-Luc Vasseur has a big task ahead with the expectations quite high.
      “But he has had that experience with the Champions League before and he has good quality players so I guess everyone will be assuming that he will fulfil the stuff he fulfilled with Lyon.
      “The expectation was certainly to push on and I guess the future aim is finishing in the top three.”
      Vasseur steered Lyon to their seventh Champion League crown and three major silverware wins in 2019-20 before the club dropped the axe on his reign after a trophyless run last term.
      Powell added: “They have brought somebody in with a track record. They spent a lot in the summer and brought in some bright players with a good pedigree.”
      Brighton, who are currently fifth and three points and four places above, Everton who nabbed two draws from her last three away duels with the Toffees.

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      And the latest Opta statistics reveal the club have won nine of their last 14 WSL games with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City the only teams to have won more matches.
      On Albion Vasseur, 52, said: “I have watched footage of Brighton, they’re a good side. We have to stay vigilant and prepare in the best way possible.” 
      Meanwhile, Brighton’s Lee Geum-min could be set to make a return to the Seagulls starting 11 after coming on as a sub during Albion’s loss to Arsenal in the semi-finals of last season’s delayed FA Cup.
      And the South Korea ace, who made her loan move from Manchester City to Brighton permanent this summer, has scored five times in her last six WSL appearances.
      Powell believes Lee Geum-min’s form for Brighton has improved following her permanent switch to AlbionCredit: Getty
      Powell said: “Initially when Lee came to us from Man City, she wasn’t in the best physical condition that we thought she should be in. 
      “She’s worked very, very hard, she’s a highly technical player and has just got better and better and better. 
      “We are really pleased that she chose to stay with us after her loan period. She brings so much not just on the pitch, but also off it.”
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