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      Chelsea 5 London City Lionesses 0: Leupolz and Spence on target as Blues waltz into fifth round of Women’s FA Cup

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      MELANIE LEUPOLZ helped Chelsea trounce London City Lionesses with a thunderous strike as the Blues reached the Women’s FA Cup fifth round.The Germany ace’s boomer and a Drew Spence brace were among the goals in a 5-0 win with a title decider against Man City up next. 
      Melanie Leupolz netted a thumping goal for Chelsea against London City LionessesCredit: Getty
      Drew Spence scored her first two goals of the season to help Chelsea reach the fifth round of the Women’s FA CupCredit: Getty
      And a clash with Durham or Everton awaits Chelsea in the next round of the FA Cup. 
      Blues boss Emma Hayes said: “We have found a level where everybody in the group is contributing at a high standard all of the time, not some of the time.
      “That’s one of the hardest things to achieve in football, so credit to the players for putting in that effort.”
      Chelsea, who have already won this season’s Conti Cup, are looking to rack up an additional hat-trick of trophies with the WSL title, Champions League and FA Cup in their sights.
      Hayes made seven changes to the side that defeated Wolfsburg in their Women’s Champions League quarter-final second leg with teenagers Jorja Fox and Agnes Beever-Jones (both 17) starting. 
      Hayes added: “I thought the young players came in and showed why they are deserving of their chance at this level. 
      “Jorja Fox had an excellent game and I thought Drew was outstanding throughout. 
      “After an international break sometimes you’re not really sure how the team are going to come back, but I thought we were outstanding in everything we delivered.” 
      Jorja Fox started in Emma Hayes’ revamped Chelsea side against London City LionessesCredit: Zuma Press

      The Blues threatened as early as the tenth-minute with a delightful dummy and a dangerous cross into the box from Erin Cuthbert.
      Moments later London City Lionesses keeper  Shae Yanez was forced to come sprinting out of her six-yard box to pinch the ball off Beever-Jones. 
      The 0-0 scoreline lasted until the 20th minute with Niamh Charles curling her effort round keeper Yanez following a lovely through ball from Hannah Blundell. 
      And Chelsea doubled their lead minutes before the half-hour mark with Jess Carter volleying the hosts two ahead following a fine Cuthbert corner kick. 
      Hayes’ side would go on to extend their lead with a thumping 30-yard strike from Melanie Leupolz five minutes later. 
      The second spell began in a simillar fashion to the first with the Blues hemming their visitors in their own half.
      London City’s Atlanta Primus started against her old sideCredit: Rex
      And they picked up a fourth goal with Drew Spence side-footing the ball into the net close to the 60th minute. 
      Melissa Phillips’ side had a fine opportunity to nab a consolation goal with Hannah Bennett’s header sailing narrowly over the crossbar. 
      And Spence wrapped the win up for the hosts guiding her second goal into the net following a neat cutback from substitute Beth England. 
      London City Lionesses will take on Liverpool in their final Championship game of the term. 
      Melissa Phillips’ team will play Liverpool in their final Women’s Championship game of the seasonCredit: Rex
      And Chelsea head to Man City for what could be the biggest game in the battle for this season’s WSL title. 
      Hayes says her champs will be preparing for their pivotal clash with the City as they would any other game. 
      The Blues gaffer added:  “We’ve been preparing for this moment all season. You can’t build things up, or play them down.
      “You just have to treat every game as the same and I think I’ve been in this position so many times. I know what’s at stake.
      Emma Hayes and Chelsea will take on Manchester City next in the WSLCredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      London City aim to make Cup duel ‘difficult’ for Chelsea in clash with WSL giants

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      MELISSA PHILLIPS hopes London City Lionesses can give Chelsea a run for their money in their Women’s FA Cup fourth round battle.And the Princes Park boss is excited by competition in the second tier becoming more fierce with two extra teams joining the division next season. 
      Melissa Phillips and her London City Lionesses are ready to test themselves against ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are going for a quadruple trophy win this seasonCredit: Rex
      Phillips was speaking to reporters ahead of her side’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea which precedes an end of season game against Liverpool. 
      And the US-born coach is targeting a strong finish to the season for her Women’s Championship side who have picked up one win and one draw from their last five outings. 
      Phillips said: “I think regardless of what line-up Chelsea puts out, due to the international break and players being away, they’re going to be a strong opposition. 
      “It’s going to test us in ways that we’ve not yet been tested so far this year. 
      “We take a lot of pride in being difficult to play against this season.
      “We’ve not given up many goals in the run of play, and that’s just due to preparation, everyone understanding their roles, being on the same page but most importantly competing.
      “It’s our goal to be competitive in every game we play against regardless of the opponent. 
      “The mission and the goals are the same this week. It’s just going to be a test against a much higher quality.”
      “The exciting part to the end of our season is that we’ve played Leicester, who are the champions of our league we’ve got Chelsea and then we’ve got Liverpool. 
      “How lucky are we to finish off our season that way and learn so much about ourselves moving into the next one and where we need to grow and what we need to work on. 
      London City Lionesses are looking to finish their season well and will play Liverpool in the Championship after ChelseaCredit: Rex

      Phillips’ reflections come days after FA women’s game director Kelly Simmons confirmed the expansion of the second tier from ten teams to 12 for the 2021-22 season.
      Two clubs from the third are expected to make the jump to the third tier of the sport via an application process following London Bees’ relegation this term.
      Phillips, whose team are fifth, said: “I think it’s exciting to see the Championship grow in the midst of what has been a challenging year. 
      “There have been a lot of announcements within our league over the past two seasons about clubs going with a full-time structure. 
      “You see that with teams like Charlton and Coventry and others who want to make the women’s game more professional. 
      “The growth of the game and being able to play against top-quality opponents and to challenge and test ourselves is important because that’s what it will take to achieve our goals and ambitions.”
      Chelsea, who are top in the WSL, are targeting a quadruple trophy haul this term following their Conti Cup triumph. 
      And Emma Hayes says her players will not be taking their fourth-round FA Cup opponents lightly with a mammoth title clash with Man City to follow in five days. 
      Atlanta Primus and the London City Lionesses hope to give Chelsea a run for their money in the Women’s FA CupCredit: Getty
      Hayes told Chelsea’s web site: “We are really excited to start the FA Cup campaign at home against a local London rival.
      “It’s the first of many games that become critical to the outcome of our season.
      “It’s the magic of the FA Cup, it inspires everyone. I’m sure they’ll be putting everything into disrupting us and making it difficult.
      ‘I hope that the experience we’ve got in our group doesn’t take anything for granted and we will focus on getting our game right.”
      Emma Hayes and her players will face Man City next in the WSLCredit: Rex
      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Scotland star Cuthbert hopes Chelsea performances will help her land a Team GB spot

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      ERIN CUTHBERT hopes helping Chelsea bag a quadruple will nab her a place in Hege Riise’s squad for the Tokyo Olympics. And the Blues ace told the BBC it would be a dream to play for Team GB’s women’s team at the games this year. 
      Erin Cuthbert says it would be ‘a dream’ to be in the Team GB football squad competing at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      The Scotland star is contention for spot in Team GB coach Hege Riise’s squadCredit: The Sun
      Cuthbert, 22, whose club will play London City Lionesses in the Women’s FA Cup, was reflecting on watching North Korea defeat Colombia in the first match played at the London 2012 games. 
      And the midfielder, who has 36 senior Scotland caps, says winning a Team GB spot, the Champions League, FA Cup and WSL title would be the perfect round-off to this term.
      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland: “I never thought I would have the opportunity to be selected. 
      “I know it would be an amazing journey and experience, but at the same time, I am focused on Chelsea. 
      “I want to win the league, I want to win the FA Cup and I want to win the Champions League.
      “I am living the dream without a doubt. It is a little bit of a fairytale.”
      Cuthbert, who moved to Chelsea in 2017 after spending 2015 to 2016 at Glasgow City, has made 16 WSL appearances this term, netting once and providing six assists. 
      Her club side have already bagged one piece of silverware winning the Conti Cup trophy this term.
      And the midfield star, whose father hails from Northern Ireland, says the Euros qualifying success of Kenny Shiels’ side made her reflect on the heartbreak of Scotland missing out on a place in the 2022 tournament. 
       The Women’s European Championship hopes of Cuthbert and her national team-mates were ended following a 1-0 loss to Finland. 
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      Cuthbert told BBC Scotland she was delighted to see Northern Ireland reach the 2022 Women’s European ChampionshipsCredit: Getty

      Their opponents, who went on to qualify for the contest, scored a stoppage-time goal at Scotland’s turf at Easter Round in December 2020. 
      Cuthbert added: “My dad is Northern Irish, so he is a little bit happy. 
      “I’m delighted for them, it’s an incredible achievement, but it is gut-wrenching that we had such a good team and we are not going to be at the tournament. I’m jealous.
      “We have not had a debrief. I can’t put my finger on it, but there were a catalogue of things – we dominated games against Portugal and Finland but just couldn’t score and we have to put that right.”
      Putting things right on the pitch against Europe’s top clubs is something Cuthbert and Emma Hayes’ other players aim to do in the Champions League campaign this term.
      The Chelsea star was part of the Blues team beaten by Lyon in the semis two years ago and is determined to see her side progress beyond that stage this season. 
      It’s an ambition shared by Kingsmeadow boss Hayes, 44, with her WSL title holders looking to become the first English side to reach a Women’s Champions League final since Arsenal in 2007. 
      Cuthbert added: “I’ve experienced the heartache of being so close and not reaching the final, so I know what it feels like. 
      “I’ll remember that and I don’t want to experience that again.”
      The final 18-strong squad set to represent Great Britain in the women’s football tournament at the Olympics is due to be announced in May.
      Cuthbert and Chelsea will play London City Lionesses in the fourth round of the Women’s FA CupCredit: PA
      Cuthbert wants to help Chelsea win three more trophies this term following their Conti Cup triumphCredit: Getty
      Four extra players will be invited to travel to Tokyo as reserves.
      Players, who can be chosen from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will be coached by Hege Riise at the games. 
      The Norway-born coach, 51, was part of a Norwegian side who won gold at the Sydney 2000 games by dispatching tournament favourites the USA with an extra time golden goal.
      Riise’s Team GB players will compete in a 12-team tournament in Tokyo taking place from 21 July to August 6.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Hege Riise will select an 18-strong Team squad to compete in the women’s football tournament at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
      Chelsea aces Bright, Cuthbert and Telford reveal their favourite karaoke songs and netflix shows to binge More

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      Tears and tweets of joy for Northern Ireland Women stars who made Euros dream come true

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      SIMONE MAGILL shared a touching post on Twitter hailing the heroic efforts of Northern Ireland who will compete in the 2022 Women’s Euros. The Everton striker is among the players who have been sharing emotional posts about their Northern Ireland side becoming the first to reach a major women’s football tournament. 
      Simone Magill paid tribute to her team-mates calling them a ‘special, special group’Credit: Inpho
      The Toffees ace, 26, included a green heart emoji in her post to more than 6,000 of her Twitter followers. 
      Magill, who has made 56 international appearances, wrote: “There are some moments in your life you know you’ll remember forever.
      “Last night was one of them. What a special, special group.” 

      And Sarah Robson, who has 60 Northern Ireland caps, echoed Magill’s sentiments.
      The Durham forward, 33, tweeted: “All the sacrifice, the setbacks, many doubters, the girls that didn’t get the opportunity, 15 years of making up the numbers is finally over.
      “We have inspired a country and we are only getting started. We’re going to the Euros, we going to the Euros.”
      All the sacrifice, the set backs, many doubters, the girls that didn’t get the opportunity, 15 years of making up the numbers is finally over, we have inspired a country and we are only getting started… We going to the Euros, we going to the Euros naa naa naaa naaaaaaaaa #GAWA https://t.co/pbBxJwYcDg— Sarah Robson (@Sarahmacmac) April 14, 2021

      Northern Ireland reaching the Women’s European Championships is the highlight of a spectacular 17-year journey for a side that only reformed in 2004.
      And their qualifying squad features players who have been out of action since December 2020 – with the exception of a friendly against England – due to pandemic restrictions. 
      Kenny Shiels, 64, and his backroom staff – who include son Dean – have been winning plaudits since taking over the side ranked 49th in the world 20 months ago.  
      Despite contending with injuries and players’ club seasons being kiboshed by Covid, they became the final nation to qualify for the Euros next year. 
      And skipper Marissa Callaghan, who plays for Cliftonville, paid a moving tribute to boss Shiels and her team-mates. 
      Kenny Shiels’ Northern Ireland aces will compete in the Women’s European Championships in 2022Credit: Pacemaker
      Holding back tears Callaghan, 35, said: “We didn’t win games and then Kenny Shiels, his son Dean and their backroom staff came in and they believed in us and we believed in ourselves. 
      “We have an unbelievable squad which includes eight members who are injured who started this campaign. 
      “They couldn’t play and we got more into the squad who stepped up 
      “I just knew this was going to happen, I knew it. 
      “I have my wee son’s name on my wrist and I said I’m going to kiss it and when I did I just had that belief. 
      “We wanted to go the Euros and we’ve done it. What’s happened is unreal.” 
      And Liverpool and Northern Ireland midfielder Rachel Furness, 32, added: 
      “I’m just so proud to wear the shirt. I’m proud of every single one of the girls and we’ll enjoy it because we deserved it. 
      Skipper Marissa Callaghan says she is ‘proud’ of every single one of her team-matesCredit: Inpho

      “And we look forward to creating more history.” 
      Northern Ireland will be the lowest of the Fifa ranked nations competing in the Euros in England in 2022. 
      Shiels’ team are currently 25 places behind Russia who booked their spot in the tournament this month.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Rachel Furness is looking forward to creating ‘more history’ with Northern Ireland at the Women’s EurosCredit: Press Eye
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      ENGLAND 0 CANADA 2: Riise rues players’ lack of chances as team fall to second friendly defeat

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      ENGLAND’S hopes of bouncing back from a loss to France were dashed by Canada nabbing a dramatic win at the Britannia Stadium. Two goals including a Nichelle Prince effort after a Karen Bardsley error saw the Lionesses succumb to two defeats in five days.
      Hege Riise believes her side did not create enough chances to score against CanadaCredit: Getty
      Nichelle Prince wrapped up Canada’s win with a second goal following a defensive errorCredit: Getty
      England boss Hege Riise, 51, said: “We play the ball well but we don’t finish the chances. 
      “What I’m most disappointed in is that we don’t create enough chances. 
      “In both games, we had some fantastic opportunities.
      “Today we had fewer chances than we did against France, so that’s the bit that we need to work on.
      “When we play against opposition like Canada we need to be more relentless in our passing,
      “We also need to work on how we create the chances that we need and want and always look for the opportunity to go straight in behind or switch play.”
      Riise – who made six changes to her starting line-up – saw her aces get off to a dodgy start going behind after two minutes.
      Evelyne Viens, who was on target in Canada’s win against Wales, caught Demi Stokes in possession before slotting home. 
      England, initially struggling with Canada’s press, were eager to make up for the defensive error.
      And they had a couple of decent chances to level early on. 
      Lauren Hemp was one of England’s best performers against Canada at the Britannia StadiumCredit: Getty

      First through Georgia Stanway’s hefty drive glancing narrowly wide of Stephanie’s Labbe’s post in the 11th minute. 
      And then with Arsenal ace Jordan Nobbs’s fierce free-kick forcing Labbe to tip the ball over the bar moments before the half-hour mark.
      The second half saw Riise make some changes with Ella Toone and stopper Karen Bardsley coming on for Fran Kirby and Carly Telford. 
      And there were a few nice spells of attacking play.
      This included Lauren Hemp’s superb dart down the left in the 73rd minute.
      But there were no team-mates in penalty box to capitalise on her dangerous cross. 
      And the Man City ace came close to levelling with nine minutes of normal time remaining before seeing her effort superbly blocked by Vanessa Gilles who had lost possession. 
      There were moments of late drama with Hemp picking up a cut above her eye after a clash of heads with Gilles. 
      Hemp played with a bandaged head in the late stages of the game after bumping heads with Vanessa GillesCredit: Getty
      And a mistouch from Bardsley following a dodgy back pass from skipper Millie Bright saw Canada double their lead through Prince to seal a memorable victory. 
      Man City ace Georgia Stanway believes it’s a case of few minor alterations that England need to make to return to winning ways
      Stanway, 22, said: “I personally feel like we’re heading in the right direction and hopefully it looks like that for those watching.
      “But we’re just not quite getting there in the final third. 
      “Our build-up and creating is there, but it’s just that final ball into the box or that final end product that we’re still working on.
      The international break has seen England fall to back-to-back losses following captain Steph Houghton absence due to an Achilles injury. 
      Georgia Stanway reckons England need to do more work on finishing in the final thirdCredit: Getty
      Riise added: “Steph has been captain for England for many years, so of course you miss a player and a leader.
      “But I feel like it was more of a mistake today and you can never predict that.
      “I feel the team effort was good. We must hold together as a team and fight.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Riise says Steph Houghton’s presence was missedCredit: Getty
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      Shiels warns of ‘onslaught’ as Northern Ireland team aim to make women’s football history

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      KENNY SHIELS is expecting Northern Ireland to face a barrage from Ukraine with his players on the brink of reaching the 2022 Women’s Euros. Should they defeat their opponents – who are 25 places above them in Fifa’s world rankings – they will become the first Northern Ireland women’s team to reach a major international tournament. 
      Kenny Shiels’ Northern Ireland side are one win away from reaching the 2022 Women’s EurosCredit: Pacemaker
      Shiels is urging his players to go on the attackCredit: Press Eye
      Shiels’ players’ first leg win against Ukraine – currently the 24th best side in the world – has been considered a mammoth upset.
      And the former Derry City boss warned his team not to settle for a draw at Seaview tonight despite the result being enough to guarantee them a Euros spot.
      Shiels, 64, said: “Ukraine were unbeaten in six matches going into that match, and they will be annoyed at that run coming to an end. 
      “We must be ready to repel any backlash. 
      “While it is good to be ahead in the tie I believe a single goal margin will not be enough against strong opponents.
      “We simply can’t play for a draw. It’s not in our make-up to do that and I will be urging the players to get on the front foot. 
      Shiels, whose squad includes Durham ace Sarah Robson and Birmingham City’s Chloe McCarron and Rebecca Holloway, is planning to use attack-focused formation against Ukraine. 
      And Everton’s Simone Magill is likely to be leading the line following her goalscoring heroics in Northern Ireland’s 2-1 win at Kolos Stadium.
      Shiels added: “As the underdogs, we undoubtedly caused an upset, however, I have not allowed the players or coaching staff to get carried away with the result.
      “The commitment and desire shown by my team in the first leg really pleased me, and we will have to dig deep once again tonight if we are to book a place at the Euros in England in the summer of 2022.”
      Sarah Robson and her team-mates secured a 2-1 away win against Ukraine in the first leg of their play-offCredit: Press Eye
      McCarron, 23, whose Birmingham side will take on Coventry United in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, backed her boss’ view on the tough challenge posed by Ukraine. 
      However, the WSL midfielder, who has made 10 appearances for Birmingham following her 2020 switch from Linfield, is hopeful her team will come out on top. 
      McCarron told BBC Sport: “Two years ago we never thought we would be sitting in this position, and I don’t think many other people expected it either so it is nice to make people eat their own words.
      “We’re going to make the best of the occasion and hopefully we come out the right side of it.
      Chloe McCarron says Northern Ireland will be adopting a ‘level-headed’ approach against UkraineCredit: Press Eye

      “A few nerves will be expected, it’s a big occasion. Everyone is level-headed and we know it is going to be a hard game.
      “We need to blackout the importance of the game, stay focused and prepare the same way like it was any other game.
      “We just need to relax when we are out on the pitch. We are all tight-knit as a group and we all mix in together, both staff and players.”
      Northern Ireland v Ukraine will kick-off at 7:45 pm this evening (April 13).
      Viewers can watch by clicking the Red Button on BBC iPlayer.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Northern Ireland are currently the 49th best women’s national team in the worldCredit: Press Eye
      Dion Charles talks about international duty for Northern Ireland More

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      FA coy over WSL partnership future as Hall of Fame announced on league’s tenth anniversary

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      KELLY SIMMONS remained tight-lipped over whether the WSL’s megabucks partnership with Barclays is set to continue beyond 2022.And The FA’s women’s game director says two third-tier teams will make the step up to the Women’s Championship next term.
      The Women’s Super League is celebrating its tenth birthdayCredit: Getty
      FA women’s game director Kelly Simmons says a WSL Hall of Fame is set to be createdCredit: Getty
      Simmons was speaking to journalists before the launch of a Barclays Women’s Super League Hall of Fame today to mark the tenth anniversary of the division.
      Her comments come just over two years on from the finance giants agreeing to a three-year WSL sponsorship deal with the FA worth in excess of £10million.  
      And the addition of two clubs from the women’s game’s third division to the Championship will see the number of second-tier teams increase from 11 to 12.
      Simmons told reporters: “We are in various stages of discussions in terms of what the next partnership might look like. 
      “I can’t say any more than that at this stage as it is too sensitive, but we’re in discussions. 
       “I think it’s really important (for the Women’s Championship) to go to 12 (teams). 
      “Because the seasons (below this division) have not been completed, clubs can join via the application process. 
      “We don’t want another season – assuming we can get two clubs that can meet the criteria – with an odd number of teams in the Championship.”
      Over the past decade, the Women’s Super League has evolved from an eight-team, semi-pro contest, into a full-time professional 12-team league competition.
      The FA are tight-lipped over the future of their Women’s Super League partnership with BarclaysCredit: Rex

      Last season saw the division’s first-ever North London derby break the record for the biggest crowd at a WSL clash with 38,262 fans watching Tottenham take on Arsenal.
      And the record attendance for that game – which Simmons described as her favourite – was a far cry from the number at the WSL’s first-ever fixture. 
      On that day a then 19-year-old Gilly Flaherty scored the winner for the Gunners in front of a crowd of 2,510 fans at Tooting and Mitcham’s Imperial Fields ground.
      [embedded content]
      Reflecting on the game West Ham skipper Flaherty, 29, told BBC Football Focus: “There was a lot of hype around the game with the WSL starting. 
      “It was a massive day and a massive occasion. It’s something I dreamed of scoring the first WSL goal because I’m a defender. 
      “The forwards were thinking ‘that could be me, I’m going to get the first goal in the WSL’, but I robbed it off them. 
      “You don’t think until years down the line how significant that goal was.”
      Gilly Flaherty scored the first ever goal in the WSL when Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 on 13 April 2011Credit: Rex
      Simmons added: “I could never have envisaged the league having been on such a journey of growth and development when we launched it ten years ago. 
      “The support we have received from clubs, the media, fans and stakeholders has been overwhelming.
      The biggest game for me was Tottenham v Arsenal with the record crowd. 
      “The fans were phenomenal but the atmosphere was incredible, 
      “You could hear the Arsenal end and the Spurs end. It really created a special atmosphere, a spine-tingling one
      “I was sat in that game and I thought that’s what, over the next 10 years, women’s football can become regularly. 
      Simmons cited Arsenal legend Kelly Smith, 42, and Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, 27, as two of her favourite players from the past decade. 
      Simmons says Arsenal heroine Kelly Smith is one of her favourite WSL playersCredit: The FA – Getty Images
      Simmons said: “I think Kelly Smith was just unbelievable to watch, just so technically gifted and personally for me just an incredible, incredible footballer.
      “And then there are players like Fran Kirby, who have had to come through such adversity and still play with such great passion and a smile on face. 
      “So many of them work so hard off-pitch to promote the game and be a wonderful role model and inspire girls to play.”
      Next season will see the top-flight take another massive leap forward with at least 40 WSL clashes due to be broadcast on Sky Sports and the BBC next season.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Women’s Super League clashes are due to be aired on Sky Sports and the BBC in the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Rex
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      Riise urges England aces to be clinical against Canada as Team GB selection battle heats up

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      HEGE RIISE says England’s clash with Canada will not be the last chance saloon for players fighting for a Team GB squad spot. And the Norway-born coach wants her side to be more clinical in attack as they look to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to France. 
      Hege Riise hopes England will be ruthless in front of goal against CanadaCredit: Getty
      The Lionesses are looking to recover from a 3-1 defeat to FranceCredit: Getty
      The defeat was the fourth for the Lionesses in their last seven international fixtures and their first since Riise, 51, took over as interim boss in March following Phil Neville’s departure. 
      Riise said: “We had chances (to score) and we need to get more goals as that builds confidence. 
      “I hope that’s something we can see against Canada.
      “When we see how clinical France are in finishing them, that’s the thing that we need to be better at. 
      “It was good to see the players up against the speed of a team like them to see how fast the game is and what we need to do physically and mentally to go further at the Olympics.” 
      The Lionesses’ duel with Canada, managed by former England assistant Bev Priestman, will be their last friendly fixture before the announcement of a final Team GB women’s squad. 
      Details on the aces who have made the 18-strong group to compete at the Tokyo Olympics are due to be revealed next month
      Players from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also available for selection. 
      Riise has no qualms as to whether Canada will have an advantage against England given Priestman’s knowledge of the Lionesses. 
      Ellen White and her team-mates will take on a Canada side managed by former England assistant Bev PriestmanCredit: Getty

      Riise added: “Bev knows all of our players, but also Rhian [Wilkinson] is with me, she knows all the Canadian players, so between those two they know quite a bit about our squad and Canada as well. 
      “But for the England players, [I want them] to just go out, have fun.  We’re still keeping an open mind (on selection for the Olympics. 
      “There will be other players out there who have three or four more games in the league to perform, so we will continue to watch all the matches.” 
      The Lionesses will face Canada at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium on Tuesday with the match kicking off at 7:15 pm and broadcast on BBC Four.
      Arsenal ace Leah Williamson, 24, hopes to see more defending from the Lionesses as a whole and on the transition. 
      And the Gunners centre-back, who has 16 England caps, believes her defensive partnership with Millie Bright, 27, could be a fruitful one despite the 3-1 loss to France. 
      Leah Williamson has high hopes for her defensive partnership with Millie BrightCredit: Getty
      Williamson said: “Millie and me are probably polar opposites in some aspects, which I think has always sort of worked in our favour. 
      “We’ve had successful games before, where we have not conceded too many goals so it’s a shame that there was three the other day, 
      “But I do think with the way Hege is setting up her team and the work that we’re doing in training, there’s a lot that we can get on the same page about which is good.
      “It gives you a good foundation to work off and then whoever’s playing there can slot straight in.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      England’s players will be vying for a place in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad for the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Lionesses in training More