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    Sarri says Birmingham are ready to ‘fight until the end’ to avoid relegation from the Women’s Super League

    VEATRIKI SARRI is backing Birmingham give it their all in a last-gasp bid to avoid a drop into the Championship. And club boss Darren Carter says his aces are ready to go “toe-to-toe” with Chelsea after their 3-1 defeat of Brighton.
    Birmingham have three games left to try and save their top tier status following their defeat of BrightonCredit: Rex
    A win against the WSL leaders next Sunday for Birmingham and against Manchester City three days after, would be a huge boost for Blues’ survival hopes.
    The result against the Seagulls saw them reduce Leicester’s lead to four points.
    And the Foxes face a tough trip to Man City with the club chasing Champions League qualification.
    Greece forward Sarri, who was on target with Birmingham’s opener against Albion, says she ready to keep up fight to stay in the top tier.
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Stories.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BOW OUT? .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Lee Bowyer in line for mega Birmingham payout if he’s sacked as manager
    The St Andrew’s ace said: “It’s an incredible feeling to get the win against Brighton.
    “It’s a massive boost and keeps us alive and I’m really proud of the girls.
    “Mathematically it’s not over yet so we’re going to fight until the end.
    Birmingham chief Carter said: “It’s a daunting task against Chelsea with them pushing for the title and that match is back-to-back against Man City.
    “It’s going to be interesting how we game-plan for those two.
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    “I’m always saying to the players believe in yourselves, be confident.
    “Yes, you’re coming up against world-class players, but make them go and earn the right.
    “Against the top teams, we don’t want to back down, we’ll go toe-to-toe.”
    Following the match Carter reflected on conversations with a individuals who had written off Birmingham’s hopes of avoiding relegation.
    And the St Andrew’s gaffer believes his side are more than capable of pulling off a great escape.
    Carter added: “Over the last three weeks, I’ve had probably three, four or five people speak to me and – I don’t know if they’ve realised it but – they’ve kind of said ‘oh, how are you going to rebuild? how are you going to come back?’
    Darren Carter wants his team to fight until its mathematically impossible for them to avoid relegationCredit: Reuters
    “I’ve had to check them a little bit and say ‘well, we’re not down yet’.
    “It does feel like a lot of people have written us off and have done for a while, especially in these last few weeks.
    “But this group have got fight in them and spirit. I’ve seen in football you can expect the unexpected.
    “It would be very nice for me to go back to those people at the end of the season, if we did pull it off, and say ‘there’s lessons learnt – don’t write people off until it’s mathematically impossible’.
    Brighton, who were celebrating Hope Powell’s 100th game in charge, began the stronger of the two sides and had the majority of shots on target.
    But it was Birmingham who struck first with Sarri dribbling past her marker to net a vital opener for the visitors.
    From then on Blues weathered a number of attempts on goals with Emily Ramsay pulling off a string of saves
    This included parrying a first-half shot at the near post from Lee Geum-min.
    The second spell saw Whelan replaced by Danielle Carter who fired an effort wide before Louise Quinn doubled Birmingham’s lead with a 70th-minute header.
    Hope Powell’s Seagulls aim to bounce back from their loss in their final two games this season against Man City and EvertonCredit: Rex
    Julie Zigiotti pulled a goal back for Albion in the 83rd minute before Quinn poked home to seal her brace and the win.
    Powell said: “Credit to them, they fought for everything. It felt like they wanted it more.
    “I’m not saying we didn’t try, but it just wasn’t enough.
    “We created enough chances to win the game, but you’ve got to be clinical, and they were.” More

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    Powell says Brighton will treat Birmingham with respect with rivals chasing first win in the WSL since January

    HOPE POWELL refused to write off Birmingham’s WSL survival hopes with the club in the final stages of their battle to avoid relegation.However, the Brighton chief warns relegated sides face a huge task returning to the top-flight due to fierce competition in the Championship.
    Brighton hope to finish in the WSL’s top five after finishing sixth last seasonCredit: Reuters
    Today Albion host their bottom of the table opponents who are in desperate need of a win having earned a point from their last seven games.
    The club, who have notched one win from the 18 matches played so far, are seven points behind league strugglers Leicester.
    Powell, 55, said: “Mathematically isn’t over, they’re still in the league and we still need to play the game and treat them with respect.
    “Being relegated is not position we want to be in and one we haven’t been in.
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    “The Championship is getting harder and harder with the professional status of a lot of the teams in there.
    “Many are full time which has raised the standards, so for any team that gets relegated it’s a challenge to get promoted straightaway.
    “Liverpool have done it and they’ve got huge resources and an exceptional squad of players, but for any team that gets relegated it’s quite a challenge.”
    Birmingham, who were one of the founding team of the WSL, have never been relegated from the league since its creation in 2011.
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    The two-time FA Cup winners, who competed in the Champions League ten years, ago have struggled with their WSL form in recent years
    The club finished second from bottom in the WSL in the last two seasons.
    Interim boss Darren Carter wants his side to “put their foot on the gas” with four games left for them to maintain their to-flight status.
    Carter, 38, said: “There are a lot of things that need to change and will change at the football club.
    A win for Birmingham against Brighton would see them reduce Leicester’s lead to four pointsCredit: PA
    “I want to drive this team back to the height and some of the successes of previous years gone by.
    “I want the players to represent the club as they have done, giving their everything.
    “We’ve got to get points now and put them on the board and we’re more than capable.” More

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    Barcelona 5 Wolfsburg 1: Putellas nets a brace as LaLiga champs crush Wolfsburg in front of a record 91,648 crowd

    BARCELONA delivered an attacking masterclass Wolfsburg are unlikely to forget in hammering their rivals 5-1 in the Champions League.The LaLiga Queens trounced their opponents at the Nou Camp with the crowd attendance surpassing the record set during their duel with Real Madrid.
    Alexia Putellas scored in both halves for Barcelona with the team bagging a hefty win against WolfsburgCredit: AFP
    Aitana Bonmati (pictured after the game) netted Barcelona’s openerCredit: AFP
    And Barca’s victory – played in front of 91,648 fans – was their first in Europe against the two-time winners of the contest.
    Wolfsburg, who are currently leading the pack Germany’s top-flight, came into the game off the back of a 3-1 a defeat of Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal Cup.
    But in this match, they were outclassed by their opponents’ quick passing and midfield dominance.
    The last duel between the sides ended in a 1-0 victory for Tommy Stroot’s side in August 2020.  
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}ALL TO PLAY FOUR .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Arsenal vs Utd can give one shot in arm for top four – or end their season
    But this clash was an altogether different story. It took just two minutes for the hosts to get off the mark.
    They did so with Aitana Bonmati latching on to a free-kick launched forward to whip in the opener.
    And Fridolina Rolfo gave her old side a scare moments later firing wide of goal.
    But the game was only eight minutes in before the home side went two-nil up.
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    This time with Caroline Graham Hansen punishing her former club slotting home after a neat exchange with Ana Maria Crnogorcevic.
    Wolfsburg had their first shot on goal with Svenja Huth’s first effort blocked before the Germany ace forced a classy clearance off the line from Irene Paredes.
    This came moments before Wolfsburg keeper Almuth Schult took a ball to the face after a team-mate attempted to clear a cross.
    Barca went 3-0 up near the half hour point with Jenni Hermoso burying an effort after a neat cutback from Torrejon
    And the LaLiga champions made it four close to half-time with Alexia Putellas walloping the ball in at close range after her shot struck Schult and the post.
    The second half saw the visitors attempt to up their game with Sveindis Jonsdottir firing a shot from distance.
    Jill Roord was on target with a consolation goal for Wolfsburg in the second halfCredit: Getty
    More than 91,000 fans watched the game on Friday night at the Nou CampCredit: Getty
    And the hosts had a goal disallowed as offside around the 49th minute before Huth attempted to lob Sandra Panos several minutes later.
    The She-Wolves pulled one back towards the game’s closing stages with Jill Roord netting on her 25th birthday.
    But Barca soon restored their four-goal advantage.
    They did so with skipper Putellas netting from the spot after Dominique Janssen, who endured a tough night, conceded a penalty.
    And the result put the Catalan club in cruise control before their second leg clash on April 30th.   More

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    Iceland ace Gunnarsdottir ‘disappointed’ by Euros venue chosen for her national team’s group stage duels

    SARA BJORK GUNNARSDOTTIR slammed Euros organisers’ decision to hold two of Iceland’s group games at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium.The Lyon star described the choice to field her nation’s clashes with Belgium and Italy at the ground as “disrespectful”.
    Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir (right) believes Euros organisers were not prepared for Iceland’s matches selling more than 4,000 ticketsCredit: Getty
    The Academy Stadium, which is the home of City’s WSL side, is one of nine English venues set to host Euros fixtures this July.
    The ground, which also hosts matches for the Citizens’ senior academy sides, has a capacity of 7,000.
    And the Iceland international reckons contest coordinators “should 100 per cent reconsider” their decision given the fast rate of ticket sales for fixtures.
    This week it was revealed all the tickets for Iceland’s games against Belgium and Italy had been purchased.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}ETI-GLAD .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Haaland wowed by Etihad as striker ‘agrees £500k-a-week deal to join Man City’
    And Uefa confirmed tickets for the Women’s Euros finals at Wembley have also sold out completely.
    Gunnardottir, 31, told Their Pitch Podcast: “It’s shocking.
    “Playing in England there are so many stadiums, and we have a training ground from City taking what, 4,000 spectators.
    “It’s embarrassing. It’s not the respect (we deserve). Watch women’s football today, they are filling out the stadiums.
    “You see Barcelona and Madrid, 95,000 watching the game (at the Nou Camp).
    “They (Euros organisers) are not prepared that we will sell more tickets than 4,000.
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    “It’s disrespectful towards women’s football because it’s so much bigger than people think.
    “You think women’s football is getting two steps ahead but then something comes up like that it’s just a step back.
    Other Euros venues include Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium and Manchester United’s Old Trafford home which have capacities of 73,200 and 31,600.
    Uefa says tickets for England’s group stage clashes with Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland have sold out entirely.
    The Lionesses’ opening fixture against Austria will take place at Old Trafford with their remaining group games to be held at Brighton’s Amex home and St Mary’s.
    With some some women’s matches seeing a growth in fan attendance this season, Gunnarsdottir believes the venue for her team’s Euros group games should be reviewed.
    Her comments come three weeks after Barcelona smashed the crowd attendance record for a women’s club game.
    A total of 91,553 turned up to watch their Champions League second leg 5-2 trouncing of Real Madrid.
    Iceland are set to play Italy and Belgium at the Academy Stadium in two of their Women’s Euros group gamesCredit: PA:Press Association
    Gunnarsdottir, who has 136 senior international caps, added: “They should 100% reconsider it because of the reaction and just see how fast tickets are going.”
    “I don’t know what’s going on in their heads or even if they follow women’s football.
    “If you did, it’s common sense, just follow women’s football today it’s exploding. It’s getting so much better.” More

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    Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2: Hayes not interested in revenge on Man City as WSL leaders defeat Gunners to reach FA Cup final

    EMMA HAYES insists payback will not be on the agenda when Chelsea face Manchester City after crushing Arsenal’s FA Cup final hopes.A Ji So-yun stunner – scored seven years after her Cup final winner against Notts County– helped the Blues seal a 2-0 victory.
    Ji So-yun struck to give Chelsea a 2-0 advantage in their FA Cup semis duel with ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Guro Reiten’s thumping second-half strike gave Chelsea the lead against ArsenalCredit: Getty
    The result paved the way for Chelsea’s May 8th Wembley date with City despite the Gunners’ spirited efforts.
    It also saw the Gunners’ trophy double chase ended with their rivals facing off in their second cup decider clash this term.
    Hayes said: “I’m never preoccupied with revenge type things. I don’t think about that.
    “I just know (in the Conti Cup final) we were our most vulnerable back then when we had a lot of players out.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}CHELSEA 2 PALACE 0 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Blues book FA Cup final date with Liverpool through Loftus-Cheek & Mount
    “We’re in a really good space really in a good space, we’ve got players coming back into the group. This is a team in form, but so are City.”
    Chelsea came into the game without the mercurial skills of Fran Kirby with the forward ruled out for the rest of the season.
    But the Blues’ ace’s midfield colleagues ensured their side came out on top winning the battle in the centre of the park.
    Hayes added: “Midfield is where we won the game. In the game where we drew they beat us in this area.
    “But in this match, Erin (Cuthbert), Sophie (Ingle) and Ji So-yun were so dominant. That was also helped with our back three being superb.”
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    At a packed Borehamwood, Arsenal began the brighter of the sides with Mead looking to shoot around the fifth minute.
    And the Gunners forward took a hefty whack to the face from a ball with play stopped momentarily before she continued after treatment.
    Stina Blackstenius fluffed a cutback for Miedema after evading Aniek Nouwen on the left in the 13th minute.
    This was moments before Leah Williamson cleared Ji’s lofted cross into the cross.
    At the other end, Miedema fired narrowly over the bar from just outside the 18-yard box after a purposeful charge into the area around the 20th -minute.
    Later Cuthbert saw her shot from distance saved by Manuela Zinsberger.
    Vivianne Miedema sent a shot over the bar in the first halfCredit: Getty
    And Ingle’s long-range effort was cleared out of danger by Williamson shortly after the half-hour mark, before Niamh Charles prompted a stop from Zinsberger near halftime.
    The second spell saw Arsenal take things up a notch with Mead firing inches wide after deftly sitting Aniek Nouwen down with a pirouette.
    But Chelsea dealt a sucker punch seconds later with Guro Reiten walloping a classy left-footed opener past a full-stretched Zinsberger in the 48th minute.
    The hosts looked to hit back swiftly with Miedema releasing Caitlin Foord before the Australia ace was flagged offside near the 50th minute
    And England came close to scoring after receiving a long ball forcing Zinsberger to parry the ball wide of her post.
    Hayes’ aces doubled the lead with around half an hour remaining with Ji whipping in a top corner past the Gunners keeper.
    And the Austria number one was forced to intercept a pass intended for England with 16 minutes of normal time remaining
    Arsenal came close to nabbing a consolation at the death with Ann-Katrin Berger saving with her feet to keep a cleansheet.
    And Chelsea closed out the game to reach their fifth FA Cup final in eight years.
    Jonas Eidevall wants Arsenal to focus on a strong league finish this season with the WSL title still in contentionCredit: Getty
    The result leaves Jonas Eidevall’s aces’ chances of silverware resting with their chase for the title.
    The Gunners boss said: “I’m very disappointed in the match (result) but I’m very motivated in doing everything to finish off the season as strongly as possible.
    “That’s what we need to do and that’s most the important thing.” More