Women’s Super League

OLLI HARDER praised Kate Longhurst’s ‘invigorating’ pre-match speech as West Ham sealed an injury-time draw with Tottenham.The forward’s header saw the 10-woman Irons throw a spanner in the works of Spurs’ top three bid with a 1-1 result at The Hive.
Katie Longhurst netted her first WSL goal this season as West Ham shared the spoils with TottenhamCredit: PA
And the draw denied Skinner’s aces the chance to go second and just two points behind leaders Arsenal.
Longhurst, who is a lifelong Hammers fan, said: “That was my first goal since my debut for West Ham in the WSL, which was a few years ago.
“You want to score against the teams you don’t like and that’s what I managed to do.
“We’ve really struggled against Tottenham since we’ve been in this league so it’s nice to be unbeaten against them this season.”
Hammers boss Harder added: “She was pumped for it. Of course, if anyone was going to do it (score a goal), it was going to be her. Her team talk was invigorating.” 
The hosts had some decent chances early on with Rosella Ayane’s fifth-minute shot prompting a decent stop at the far post from keeper Anna Leat.
Spurs looked to hit the Hammers on the break around the quarter-hour mark with Ayane driving forward but unleashing a tame shot on the edge of the box.
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And the striker burst forward again near the half-hour mark beating Abbey Stringer with her pace before Leat came out to clear the ball away from danger.
The first spell saw ref Amy Fearn dolling out three yellow cards including a 30th-minute caution for Cissoko
Her team-mates had a decent scoring chance close to halftime with Dagny Brynarsdottir nodding down a corner kick for Grace Fisk who sent her shot over the bar.
The second half saw Cissoko concede a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Tang Jiali with Ayane netting from the spot in the 54th minute.
And the France centre-back saw red moments later following a foul on Jessica Naz.
Tottenham came close to going two up late on with Ashleigh Neville’s unleashing a shot that was blocked and cleared by Lucy Parker in the 73rd.
Ashleigh Neville came close to extending Tottenham’s lead in the second halfCredit: Getty
And Longhurst’s looping header saw the visitors level in the 92nd minute to deny the hosts a win before their duel with Man United. 
Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner said: “We had a great amount of possession, we’ve dominated the game and dictated everything, but we’ve not finished chances. 
“And then towards the end of the game, you give somebody a chance to get back into it. We just got to make sure we have put the game beyond teams.” More

LYDIA BEDFORD hailed her players for putting their bodies on the line as Leicester gained an upper hand in their WSL survival fight.Shannon O’Brien’s match-winning strike paved the way for a 1-0 defeat of Brighton and a second Foxes victory from 12 games.
Shannon O’Brien netted her first-ever WSL goal during Leicester’s narrow defeat of BrightonCredit: Alamy
The result saw Leicester move off the foot of the table before their Aston Villa duel with Birmingham returning to the drop zone.
Bedford said: “From front to back in the last 10 to 15 minutes Brighton piled on the pressure. They’ve got a very good coach.
“It was about finding our luck and sometimes luck has got to go your way.
“In those final moments, it was on our side with some great clearances and big headers.
“The fact they were willing to put their bodies on the line for this result shows where they are as a group.”
The hosts had the better scoring chances in the first half after an unsettled start.
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And they almost went ahead through Abbie McManus’s 24th-minute volley with Megan Walsh to tip the ball away.
Jess Sigsworth missed a decent shooting chance after finding space in the box with Inessa Kaagman clearing the ball out of danger.
At the other end, Danielle Carter’s shot was deflected for a corner before Lily Simpkins tested Demi Lambourne from distance near the half-hour mark.
The second spell saw Leicester break the deadlock with Samantha Tierney’s stunning long ball finding Sigsworth whose cross was slotted home by O’Brien.
And the Foxes survived a late flurry of attempts on goal before Brighton fell to their fourth loss on the bounce.
Albion boss Hope Powell said: “We were really fighting to get something out of the game in the second half, but Leicester were resilient. By our standards, we weren’t good enough.”  
Kayleigh Green came close to levelling for Albion in the second halfCredit: PA More

MARK SKINNER wants Manchester United to stop worrying about the battle for third after bringing Birmingham down to earth with a bump.  Leah Galton nabbed a brace in the Red Devils’ blistering 5-0 thumping of their rivals with three of their goals scored in just SIX minutes. 
Leah Galton was on target twice as Manchester United moved to third in the tableCredit: Reuters
Alessia Russo netted United’s fifth goal in a dominant performance at Leigh Sports VillageCredit: Reuters
The result saw United leapfrog Tottenham to third in their first game of the year with both teams vying for a Champions League place.  
Galton, whose side play Arsenal in the Conti cup next, said: “I’ve been lacking a few goals and being a bit clinical, so it’s nice to start the year off with a goal and two assists.
On United’s fourth straight win, boss Marc Skinner said: “It (the game) wasn’t a banana skin, but it was something that could have easily thrown us if we didn’t attack it in the right way.
“All we have spoken about all week is our mentality. 
“If we want to win, we need to stop worrying about the final (Champions League) places, stop worrying about being top of the table, stop worrying about getting to the finals and start concentrating on each game.
“It’s our first game back and it’s another five goals and another clean sheet which is excellent.”
United piled on the pressure early getting their first corner in the second minute.
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Moments later Birmingham were forced to clear the ball off the line following Emily Ramsey saving an earlier Vilde Boe Risa shot.
But the 0-0 scoreline lasted until the 12th minute with skipper Katie Zelem putting the hosts ahead after Galton’s cut back from the byline.
United went on to double their lead with Galton poking the ball home four minutes later.
The hosts, who dominated possession, made it three goals close to the 20th minute with Galton burying her second following a swift cross from Ella Toone.
The second half saw United bring on Ivana Fuso and Maria Thorisdottir for Ona Battle and player of the match Galton.
Darren Carter’s side came close to pulling a goal back with Lucy Quinn’s effort hitting the woodwork in the 60th minute.
Darren Carter will be hoping his side will bounce back when they play ReadingCredit: Reuters
But Alessia Russo’s late diving header sealed United’s second successive 5-0 victory with Birmingham facing Reading next.
Carter said: ”I’ve played plenty (of times) in my career where you get a fantastic result one week and then the game has got a funny way of knocking on your backside the next.
“We came out flat and sluggish in the first 20 minutes. To concede three goals in six minutes is criminal.” More

VEATRIKI SARRI has warned Birmingham’s rivals they are now a ‘dangerous’ threat after claiming the scalp of WSL leaders Arsenal.Sarri and her team-mates visit Marc Skinner’s Manchester United today following a gutsy win over the Gunners, which followed a run of just one point from ten games.
Veatriki Sarri believe Birmingham’s rivals will be taking the team more seriously following their defeat of ArsenalCredit: Getty
The 24-year-old Greek international — who scored in that 2-0 victory — feels Blues are now on a high.
Former Leeds, Fylde and Sheffield United ace Sarri told SunSport: “Giving everything and not getting the results is heart-breaking.
“But we’ve proved we can be dangerous. Teams will start taking us more seriously. Hopefully, we can still pose a threat to our opponents.”
Sarri, who joined Birmingham last January, started out at Greek side AO Chania aged six, before moving to England at 18.
The striker who switched to the Midlands club under former gaffer Carla Ward, has faced a few battles with injuries during her career.
These include a knee ligament rupture during a one-term spell with third-tier club Fylde which saw the Greece-born forward play just three times in the 2017-18 season.
But the now fit forward has emerged as a key figure in Birmingham’s attack this season.
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And she says that a childhood Christmas present of a book on Arsenal and England legend Kelly Smith helped with her own journey to the pro game.
Sarri said: “When I was younger, I didn’t realise you could make it as a female player. Reading about Kelly’s life story was very inspiring.
“Her experiences helped me realise I could make it professionally.”
Birmingham, who are coached by interim boss Darren Carter, are battling to avoid relegation from the WSL.  
The team have been in the top tier since 2011 and are one of the division’s founding clubs.
United boss Skinner was at the Blues helm for three years and thinks his old club can beat the drop.
He said: “I back Birmingham to stay in the WSL — however we’re going to try and dent their efforts.”
Marc Skinner reckons Birmingham will avoid relegationCredit: Getty More

TRINITY RODMAN could be set to make her first senior appearance for the USA Women’s football team in February.The Washington Spirit starlet, and daughter of maverick NBA hero Dennis, received her first senior call-up to a training camp with the team.
Trinity Rodman could be in line to make a USA appearance at the SheBelieves CupCredit: AP
Trinity’s father Dennis Rodman is considered one of the NBA’S greatest players.Credit: Getty – Contributor
Rodman, 19, will be part of the 25-strong USA squad taking part in the USA’s first training camp of the year in Texas this month.
The forward – seen as one of her nation’s most promising talents – could feature for the side against the Czech Republic, New Zealand and Iceland in the SheBelieves Cup.
US head coach Vlatko Adonovski told USA Today: “(Rodman) was one of the most exciting players in the league this past season, and she proved that she can be impactful at the professional level in (National Women’s Soccer League).
“She is still a young player, but we do want to expose her to the environment where she can get her feet wet a little bit
“And hopefully she can continue growing and show what she was able to do in the league she can do at the international level.
“We don’t want to rush anything. We’ve got to be patient.”
Rodman, who began her journey as a club player at the age of 10, has blossomed into a rising star of the NWSL, the top tier of the women’s game in the United States.
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The California-born forward notched up five goals and six assists in 22 games for the Spirit in 2021, helping them win their first top-flight Championship crown last November.
And that triumph came two months on from the sacking of head coach Richie Burke following an investigation into allegations of harassment and abuse of players.
Last January, Rodman, then 18, became the youngest player ever to be recruited by a professional US women’s football side.
Dennis Rodman played for the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael JordanCredit: Reuters
And her eye-catching performances saw her named the NWSL’s Rookie of the Year as well as receiving a US Soccer Young Female Player gong.
Rodman, who turns in 20 in May, is the youngest daughter of NBA Hall of Fame hero Dennis.
The five-time NBA title winner, 60, is widely regarded as one of the best power forwards in basketball history.
His career highlights include three title wins with the Chicago Bulls in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and two with the Detroit Pistons.
In recent years Rodman has sparked controversy with his highly publicised friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
And the Chicago Bulls star was invited to visit North Korea in 2013. More