Women’s Super League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Emile Heskey to take charge of Leicester Women’s training after Jonathan Morgan axed after horror start to season

      by

      LEICESTER CITY WOMEN are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Jonathan Morgan following eight defeats in eight WSL games.Foxes and Liverpool legend Emile Heskey will take training before their Conti Cup match against Manchester United.
      Emile Heskey will oversee Leicester Women’s training ahead of their league cup game against Manchester UnitedCredit: �MI News & Sport Ltd
      Jonathan Morgan has become the third WSL manager to be axed from their role this termCredit: Getty
      The former England striker was appointed as the club’s head of women’s football development in October.
      The Foxes have struggled in the top tier following their promotion from the Championship with the team yet to pick up a single point in the league.
      And their 1-0 home loss to Everton on Sunday saw them eclipse Yeovil Town and Doncaster Belles who are the only two sides to have lost their opening seven games in the division.
      Morgan’s assistant Michael Makoni and his sister Holly, who is first-team coach, will be also leaving their roles at the club.
      In a statement, Leicester said: “All three have played an important role in the development of LCFC Women, particularly since the club turned professional following its acquisition by King Power in August 2020.
      “The football club would like to place on record its thanks to Jonathan for everything he has helped the club to achieve during his time as manager, which included promotion to the WSL.

      “Retention of its WSL status is central to the club’s vision for the long-term development of women’s football in the city.
      “The Club feels a change in leadership is now necessary to give the team the best possible chance of achieving this in the remaining months of the season.”
      On the Foxes’ website, Morgan added: “This Club has been part of mine and my family’s life for 12 years from when my sister Holly Morgan joined as a young player.
      “To have taken Leicester from the Midlands Division 1 to a FAWSL club gives me nothing but pride.
      “Earning promotion last season in the manner we did will always be a memory I can share with the fans and the city.
      “This season has been disappointing, with injuries contributing to a difficult start, but we haven’t achieved the results we had hoped for.
      “I wish the Club, the staff and the players my very best.”
      Morgan, who took charge of the club in the 2014-15 season, oversaw Leicester’s storming run in the Championship last season with the team winning a historic promotion to the WSL.
      And the Midlands side, who lost just two of their second-tier games last term, enjoyed an impressive run to the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals, last year before falling to a 2-1 loss to eventual tournament winners Manchester City.
      Morgan’s departure comes seven days from Birmingham’s sacking of Scott Booth with their team having picked up just a point from eight games.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Leicester are yet to pick up a point in the WSL after losing their first eight games in the top tierCredit: Rex
      The nominees for the 2021 Women’s Ballon d’Or from UK teams More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Kerr wants ‘lasting legacy’ on world stage and to make football history like ex-Everton ace Cahill

      by

      SAM KERR is on the brink of surpassing Tim Cahill as Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer.And the Chelsea ace wants to leave her mark on the game like the Goodison Park icon.
      Sam Kerr is on course to surpass Tim Cahill as Australia’s all-time top scorer in international footballCredit: AFP
      Former Everton striker Cahill scored 50 goals for the SocceroosCredit: AFP or licensors
      Kerr, 28, is just one goal shy of equalling Cahill’s tally of 50 goals in a national vest, a record the former Everton star set in November 2013 when the men’s team beat Costa Rica in a 1-0 friendly.
      The WSL star, who signed a new Chelsea deal this month, told the Australian Associated Press: “Growing up watching him, I think everyone in Australian football if you asked who’s their favourite Australian footballer, they’d say Timmy.
      “It’s such a crazy one for me because Tim Cahill, to me, is just on another level
      “What he did for the Socceroos is amazing and honestly it will just be really surreal for me.
      “I can’t believe that I’m going to hopefully tie his record at some point and then to go beyond it, it’s going to be crazy.”
      Kerr, who will skipper the Matildas when they play the United States on November 27, currently has 49 goals in 102 senior international appearances.

      The striker, who is last term’s WSL’s Golden Boot winner, made her senior Matildas debut at just 15 coming on as a sub during a friendly loss to Italy.
      At 16 Kerr would go on to score her first goal in a Women’s Asian Cup draw with North Korea.
      The Kingsmeadow star is also part of a group of Australia Women aces who won a battle for better pay and work conditions after a players’ strike with football bosses agreeing to their demands.
      This year Kerr is due to play in her first-ever Women’s FA Cup final after the international break.
      Kerr and her Chelsea team-mates are due to face Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup final after the international breakCredit: Prime Media
      The clash will see the Australia star’s Chelsea side take on Arsenal in the delayed final of last term’s contest.
      The Blues aim to win the Cup for the third time in their history.
      Should Chelsea triumph it will see Kerr win her fifth major trophy in England since sealing a high profile move to the club in 2019.
      And the forward, whose country will co-host the 2023 World Cup, wants to help change how the women’s game is seen in Australia.
      Kerr added: “If I’m honest, I’d like to have a lasting legacy, like someone like Timmy is going to have
      “I don’t just want to be a player that was good for a certain amount of years.
      Kerr hopes she and the Matildas can help change perceptions of women’s footballCredit: Getty
      “I want to have a legacy, that people talk about this time in football that we as the Matildas and me as a player changed the way the Matildas are seen and the way that women’s football is seen and the way women’s sport is seen.
      “For me, those things are done on the field, but also off the field and I’m really lucky, the whole team is pushing that way.
      “I hope that in 50 years’ time when people look back on the Matildas they see this decade as the turning point in women’s football because I feel like it is.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Sam Kerr has big ambitions after extending her Chelsea contract by two years More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Millie Bright ‘humbled’ to be England skipper and relishing fairytale return to Doncaster ground

      by

      MILLIE BRIGHT was left ‘stunned’ and ‘humbled’ when Sarina Wiegman made her Lionesses captain before the team’s clashes with Austria and Latvia.And the Chelsea ace is relishing the chance to lead England at the Doncaster ground where her senior playing journey started.
      Millie Bright will lead England in their World Cup qualifiers against Austria and LatviaCredit: Reuters
      Bright, 28, will skipper Wiegman’s team in two upcoming World Cup qualifiers following injuries to Steph Houghton and Leah Williamson.
      Arsenal ace Williamson, 24, who was acting as a stand-in for Houghton, 33, is currently sidelined with an ankle issue for the rest of this year.
      Of her captain’s role, Bright said: “I’m just very humbled and honoured to be given the opportunity.
      “I was a little bit stunned at first as we’ve got a lot of leaders and experience in the team.
      “We’re all gutted for Leah. It’s a big loss and she was really coming into her own in the role and she did a fantastic job at our previous camps.
      “But that’s part of football, you have to be ready when you’re called upon.
      “And I’m ready for the challenge this week and this camp and hopefully I can continue the good work that has been done previously.”

      Bright, who is vice-captain of WSL champs Chelsea, intends to “remain herself” when she leads England in qualifiers against Austria and Latvia.
      Sarina Wiegman’s side go into this game off the back of a 4-0 defeat of Northern Ireland and 10-0 hammerings of Luxembourg and Latvia.
      The Group D clash with their Austrian opponents will take place at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light at 12:30 pm on Saturday 27 November followed by a 7:00 pm November 30 duel with Latvia.
      And the match with Austria will be the Lionesses’ sternest test so far with their unbeaten rivals currently sitting second and two points behind them. 
      Arsenal keeper Manuela Zinsberger and her club-mate Victoria Schnaderbeck are among the players in their opponents’ squad.
      Arsenal’s Manuela Zinsberger is likely to feature in goal for AustriaCredit: Getty
      Centre-back Bright, who has 43 international caps, added: “We don’t underestimate anyone.
      “Austria will be our toughest opponents and everyone’s looking forward to seeing how we do in that game.”
      England’s game on Saturday could see Ellen White, 32, make her 100th senior international appearance.
      And the Man City hotshot, shortlisted for a Fifa award, is just three goals short of eclipsing Kelly Smith’s all-time international record of 46.
      It’s been a rollercoaster journey. To go back there (Keepmoat Stadium) and lead the girls out will be a moment my family and me will be proud ofMillie Bright
      Bright said: “She’s coming up to these unbelievable achievements, but I can tell you now, Ellen’s focus will purely be about the team and that’s just Ellen down to a tee.
      “I’m confident she’s going to keep breaking barriers and records.”
      Bright’s national team-mate Ellen White is in line to make her 100th senior England appearanceCredit: PA
      England’s second game against Latvia will see the squad head to Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium.
      It is a ground that remains dear to Bright who began her senior playing career at 16 with the Doncaster Rovers Belles.
      And the WSL star has fond memories of her time with the Belles including hefty defeats which taught her the importance of bouncing back.
      Bright added: “I suffered many losses at the Keepmoat, some heavy, heavy defeats.
      “I remember my dad driving me all the way back from a holiday and we got beat 8-0. Then a week later, I suffered another 8-0 loss.
      “But it’s those games and those experiences that made me the player I am.
      Bright is looking forward to playing for England at the home of her former club Doncaster Rovers BellesCredit: Getty
      “It’s about never staying down when you’re knocked down, it’s always getting back up and fighting back.
      “But for me looking back at Keepmoat, that was my first real experience playing in a big stadium and that’s where the dream started.
      “It’s been a rollercoaster journey. To go back there (Keepmoat Stadium) and lead the girls out will be a moment my family and I will be proud of.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      The nominees for the 2021 Women’s Ballon d’Or from UK teams More

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea’s Berger up for Fifa Keeper gong with Kerr, White and Miedema nominated for player’s prize

      by

      ANN-KATRIN BERGER is among the top stoppers shortlisted for Fifa’s Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.And Berger’s Chelsea team-mate Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema are two of seven WSL stars in the running for the Best Women’s Player prize.
      Ann-Katrin Berger is one of four keepers from Europe’s top clubs vying for a Fifa prizeCredit: Getty
      Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema is among the WSL stars named on the Best Women’s Player shortlistCredit: Alamy
      Denmark captain Pernille Harder and South Korea’s Ji So-yun are among the Kingsmeadow stars in contention along with Sweden centre-back Magdalena Eriksson.
      And England and Manchester City aces Ellen White and Lucy Bronze are also among the group of 13 vying for the Fifa gong.
      Other stars of the game shortlisted include Jenni Hermoso, Aitana Bonmati and Caroline Graham Hansen who were all part of the Barcelona team that defeated Chelsea in this year’s Champions League final.
      However, one major WSL name surprisingly missing from the list is Chelsea’s Fran Kirby who enjoyed a standout trophy-winning season with the Blues last term.
      The in-form Kingsmeadow ace netted her 100th goal for Emma Hayes side when they hammered Birmingham 5-0 to keep pace with Arsenal.
      And the England forward racked up 16 WSL goals and 11 assists last season, before winning the PFA Women’s Player of the Year Award.

      Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman are among the five managers nominated for Fifa’s Best Women’s Coach Award.
      The Chelsea and England bosses will be up against Canada chief Beverley Priestman, ex-Barcelona manager Lluis Cortes and Sweden boss Peter Gerhardsson.
      Former Netherlands boss Wiegman, who was the winner of last year’s Women’s Coach gong, has led the Lionesses to four World Cup qualifying wins since taking charge of the side in September.  
      An online ceremony for the award winners, who will be chosen through a public vote, is due to take place on Monday 17 January 2022.
      England manager Sarina Wiegman is in the running for Fifa’s Best Women’s Coach gongCredit: PA
      Winners will be chosen by an international panel of ten Fifa-appointed experts from across the sport.
      The group includes former England and Chelsea star Eni Aluko, Spain-born ex- Birmingham boss Marta Tejedor and former Arsenal and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Emma Byrne.
      Public voting for nominees will run online until the deadline of Friday 10 December.
      Fifa’s 2021 Best Women’s Player and Goalkeeper shortlist Best Women’s Player nominees
      Stina Blackstenius, (Sweden/BK Hacken), Aitana Bonmati (Spain/Barcelona), Lucy Bronze (England/Manchester City) Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden/Chelsea), Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway/Barcelona), Pernille Harder (Denmark/Chelsea), Jennifer Hermoso (Spain/Barcelona), Ji So-yun (South Korea/Chelsea), Sam Kerr (Australia/Chelsea), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands/Arsenal), Alexa Puttellas (Spain/Barcelona), Christine Sinclair (Canada/Portland Thorns), Ellen White (England/Manchester City)
      Best Women Goalkeeper nominees
      Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany/Chelsea FC Women), Christine Endler (Chile/ Paris Saint-Germain/Lyon), Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden/Atletico Madrid), Alyssa Naeher (USA/Chicago Redstars).
      Best Women’s Coach nominees
      Beverley Priestman (England/Canada Women’s team), Emma Hayes (England/Chelsea), Lluis Cortes (Spain/Barcelona), Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden/Sweden Women’s team), Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands/England Women’s team) More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Skinner hails ‘supportive’ Solskjaer after Man United sacking following the Prem team’s shock Watford loss

      by

      MARC SKINNER paid a warm-hearted tribute to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hours after Manchester United fired the Norwegian coach.The 13-time Premier League champs dropped the axe on the club legend’s three-year reign following their disappointing 4-1 defeat at Watford.
      Marc Skinner says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was ‘nothing but supportive’ of the Red Devils women’s sideCredit: Getty – Pool
      Solskjaer’s departure comes in a week of high-profile sackings in the men’s and women’s top flights with Birmingham ending Scott Booth’s five-month tenure as boss of their WSL side.
      United Women’s gaffer Skinner, 38, said: “Ole will remain the legend of this club.
      “He was nothing but supportive of the women’s team and he was a very good person in doing that
      “This happens in football, doesn’t it? He will be missed.
      “I’m pretty sure that wherever he goes into his next job he’ll be successful.”
      In a frank, emotional interview shared by Man United’s official Twitter account, Solskjaer, 48, reflected on recent United results and admitted it was time to “step aside”.

      The Prem giants have installed Carrick as their temporary boss and hope to appoint a permanent replacement in the summer
      Solskjaer said: “I wanted us to take the next step to challenge for the league, to win trophies and I only think it’s right that it comes from the horse’s mouth.
      “This club means everything to me and together we’re a good match, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the results we needed and it’s time for me to step aside.”
      Skinner added: “Ole continues to be a great person that everybody at Manchester United will remember as a great individual.
      “It’s a sad day but it’s part of football and Olli more than anyone will know that.”
      Skinner says Solskjaer will always be remembered as a ‘great individual’ at UnitedCredit: Getty
      Skinner, who is almost four months into his reign of the Red Devils Women’s side, was speaking after his side’s 4-1 home loss to Arsenal.
      And the Red Devils gaffer, who spent three years in charge of Birmingham, believes former WSL rival Booth will bounce back from his Brum departure.
      The Midlands club, who were thrashed 5-0 by Chelsea, have appointed ex-West Brom Women’s boss Darren Carter as interim head coach.
      And former Blues Women boss Marcus Bignot is set to support Carter with his managerial duties.
      Before United’s clash with Arsenal, Skinner said: “I’m pretty sure Scott will use this to fuel his career as well as where he wants to go from there. 
      “It’s certainly tough (in the WSL) and it’s only going to get tougher.”
      Skinner’s Leigh Park Village stars will hope for maximum points from their next league fixture having one win and three draws from their last five fixtures.
      “I was never going to come in and it’d be a magic wand waved. We will keep investing so we can keep challenging.Marc Skinner
      And the home defeat to Arsenal saw United drop to sixth in the table after being leapfrogged by West Ham who beat Tottenham 1-0.
      The club are due to visit Brighton for their next league game after the international break.
      Man United will be hoping for three points when they face Birmingham after the international breakCredit: Alamy
      And Skinner hopes to have side strengthened with new additions in the January and summer transfer windows next year.
      The Red Devils gaffer added: “We have to add depth so on game three [of the week], we still have energy. We will keep investing so we can keep challenging.”
      “I was never going to come in and it’d be a magic wand waved. We lost a lot of forwards in the summer.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Solskjaer fights back tears in emotional first interview since Man Utd axe More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Manchester United 0 Arsenal 2: Skinner wants transfer spree as Miedema makes history in Gunners win

      by

      MARC SKINNER will press for transfer reinforcements for Manchester United who suffered their third defeat in four WSL duels with Arsenal.A history-making Vivienne Miedema strike was among the goals that saw the Gunners beat United 2-0 in view of England boss Sarina Wiegman.
      Vivianne Miedema became the first player in WSL history to score against every single team she has come against in the leagueCredit: Reuters
      Marc Skinner is keen to strengthen his side in the next two transfer windowsCredit: Getty
      Miedema’s shot was among the efforts that saw the league leaders seal a win that momentarily extended their points tally over Chelsea.
      The strike saw the Dutch star become the first player in Women’s Super League history to net against every single club she has faced in the division.
      The result put a dent in the Red Devils chase for a Champions League spot
      And the club are now ten points behind the Gunners with Skinner hinting at January and summer transfer window reinforcements.
      The United chief, whose team play Leicester next, said: “We’re going to try in January for the right players.
      “I expect over the next two windows, you’ll see more players come in that will help this group with the talent they have.”
      United’s loss to Arsenal was the second time they were beaten by a top-two side this term with the Blues trouncing them 6-1 in September.
      When asked if there was a gulf in class in between United and the title-chasers, Skinner replied: “No, there was a gap in moments.

      “I’ve been in the league a long time. I remember when Chelsea didn’t have Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder up front.
      “I remember when Arsenal didn’t have Miedema and Nikita Parris and Tobin Heath.
      “We have this wonderful badge, this wonderful team and wonderful club and, of course, expectations are super high, but I won’t diminish those expectations, but we have to be realistic.
      “Our players will need those reinforcements if we’ve got tough games like this.”
      Skinner also sympathised with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the Norwegian was sacked as the club’s Prem boss earlier in the day.
      The Leigh Park Village boss added: “Ole will remain the legend of this club. And he was nothing but supportive of the women’s team.
      “This happens in football and he will be missed.”
      United had a decent start early on and some positive forays forward with Alessia Russo’s shot from distance prompting a block around the fifth minute.
      But the visitors swiftly grew into the game moments with Beth Mead cracking the woodwork from inside the box after wrongfooting her marker.
      England boss Sarina Wiegman watched as Arsenal defeated Man United 2-0Credit: Reuters
      Ella Toone, who signed a new United deal, worked her way into good space into the right in the box but was unable to threaten with her 18th-minute cross.
      And the league leaders forced a classy save from Mary Earps with the Red Devils stopper tipping Kim Little’s strike over the bar near the half-hour mark.
      The England stopper also easily dealt with a Noelle Maritz shot following some fine build-up play involving Miedema and Steph Catley moments later.
      The second half saw Jordan Nobbs come on for Little with the Gunners captain thought to have suffered a groin injury.
      And the Gunners upped the tempo with Miedema evading Katie Zelem to wallop in the visitors’ first past Earps in the 47th minute.
      A few late challenges began to fly in momentarily with Katie McCabe cautioned for a heavy late challenge on Kirsty Hanson.
      And McCabe was sent tumbling to the turf herself in the 54th minutes with Aoife Mannion conceding a pen which the Republic of Ireland star dispatched with ease.
      The final half-hour saw United battling to get a goal back. They came close to netting with Zelem forcing a close-range stop from Manuela Zinsberger in the 62nd minute.
      Katie Zelem forced a goos save from Manuela ZinsbergerCredit: Zuma Press
      And the Gunners, who had another penalty shout, before seeing out a 2-0 result to stay top before the international break.
      Team boss Jonas Eidevall said: “From a personal point of view, I’m still learning the league, the club the players. Of course, I’m very pleased with the results [this season]
      “We don’t view this as a finished project. We need to develop and perform every matchday.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      The nominees for the 2021 Women’s Ballon d’Or from UK teams More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Skinner hopes for intense Man United WSL rivalry with Arsenal and reflects on Fergie’s contest with Wenger

      by

      Marc Skinner wants Manchester United to one day have a fierce WSL rivalry with Arsenal — similar to the famous one between the men’s sides in the early Noughties.Skinner said: “I hope we get that intense rivalry that’s great to watch, so long as it’s not fisticuffs on the pitch but two teams giving everything.
      Man United will play their first game against Arsenal against under Marc SkinnerCredit: Getty
      The rivalry between Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United teams kept fans enthralled for yearsCredit: Eddie Keogh
      “One day maybe we hope to have such an epic battle that it’s replayed on Sky and BBC for years.”
      Skinner has also called on his players to embody Fergie’s teams’ ‘never-say-die attitude’.
      He added: “Whenever you see the magnificent games, whether they be women’s or men’s, theManchester United spirit is a never- say-die attitude right until the last minute.”
      In a pre-match boost to Skinner, forward Ella Toone, 22, signed a new United deal until 2025.
      On Toone’s new contract Skinner said: “She has been an integral part of the squad.
      “She is so versatile as a player, and her ability to find pockets of space and manipulate the ball in tight areas is where she really shines as an attacking force.
      “There is so much room to grow with Ella too. We know if she continues to work hard she will have such a bright future.”

      In two previous league games United succumbed to late equalisers denying them victories in away encounters against Tottenham and Everton.
      But they come into this game following a Conti Cup group stage defeat of Man City, coming from 1-0 down to beat the Citizens 2-1.
      Skinner added: “When we conceded early against Manchester City, it would have been easy for our players to dip their heads.
      Man United are yet to defeat the Gunners in the WSLCredit: Getty
      “But this club has a special spirit, and it is about giving your all. I think that’s the true Manchester United spirit. That’s a requirement of being at this club.”
      Arsenal’s last trip to Leigh Sports Village ended in a 1-0 away defeat with the team then led by former gaffer Joe Montemurro.
      Gunners boss Eidevall said: “I expect it to be a tough game. We know it’ll be one of those matches determined by defence.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Watch Cristiano Ronaldo Jr in action for Man Utd in video posted by proud Georgina Rodriguez as dad thrashed by Watford More

    • 275 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Manchester City 5 Aston Villa 0: Raso bags brace as City trounce Villa to seal first home win in WSL this term

      by

      HAYLEY RASO helped Manchester City end their losing streak at home with the team sealing their first Academy Stadium win in the WSL this term.The super sub’s two-minute brace was among the efforts that saw City crush Aston Villa in a 5-0 rout.
      Two late goals from Hayley Raso were among the efforts that helped Manchester City defeat Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      The 5-0 win saw City move to sixth in the table and level on points with Villa before their game against BirminghamCredit: Getty
      And the hefty win and clean sheet was a welcome result for Gareth Taylor with his team leapfrogging the Villans to sixth before the international break
      On the performance of Raso and her team-mates, Taylor said: “With Hayley, we’ve got an exciting player who’s got bags of pace and bags of energy. 
      “I just think it was vital to win today and I spoke to the players about making sure we use this when we come back and remembering the positive energy that we showed.”
      Before the match, Carla Ward said Villa would aim to frustrate their opponents.
      And for the first 45 minutes, that plan appeared to work with City notching three shots on target.
      An Ellen White effort prompted a brave stop from Hannah Hampton, with the England keeper coming out swiftly to swipe the ball from her feet in the 16th-minute.

      And Keira Walsh’s curled effort flew over the bar several minutes later before Jess Park miscontrolled her volley in front of goal.
      The hosts had a glorious chance to take a lead minutes before the half-time with White’s dinked effort prompting stunning flying save from Hampton who turned 21 this week.
      The second spell saw City up the ante netting twice in two minutes.
      If we’d stayed in our shape we might have done differently, but you have to try and test yourselves against these teamsCarla Ward
      First through Caroline Weir slotting home in the penalty box after Lauren Hemp’s 48th-minute cutback.
      And then Georgia Stanway’s hooked effort following a corner kick.
      The visitors had a gilt-edged chance to reduce the deficit with substitute Emily Gielnik narrowly missing an opportunity to poke home Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s cross.
      City went on to increase their lead with Raso netting in the 77th minute followed by Hemp’s tap-in moments later.
      Lauren Hemp was on target for City along with Caroline Weir and Georgia StanwayCredit: Getty
      And Australia ace Raso wrapped up the win with her half-volley putting the hosts five up with Ward rueing formation changes to her side.
      The Villa boss said: “We come in at halftime and we’re happy, but we had a disastrous second-half. Five minutes in we catch ourselves 2-0 down and that can’t. happen.
      “If we’d stayed in our shape we might have done differently, but you have to try and test yourselves against these teams, and it’s not worked out this time.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      The nominees for the 2021 Women’s Ballon d’Or from UK teams More