Women’s Super League

JOE MONTEMURRO has warned Arsenal cannot take their remaining games lightly as their fight for a Champions League spot heats up.And the Gunners are looking to turn the tables on Man United when the teams go head-to-head. 
Montemurro says Arsenal are looking to make Borehamwood a fortess when they take on Man UnitedCredit: Getty
Montemurro, 51, was speaking ahead of Arsenal’s clash on home turf with Casey Stoney’s Manchester outfit.
The last encounter between the opponents ended in a 1-0 win for United with Montemurro describing the performance of his side as “poor”. 
And the Arsenal chief is wary of being on the wrong end of a shock loss with tricky duels with Brighton and Everton to come.
Montemurro said: “This run is not just hinged on this game. There are a lot of games still to play and a lot of teams that could potentially unlock us.
“That’s why my focus has been to make sure that if any team is going to beat us, it’s going to be teams that are at our level or fighting with us.
“Sustainability and consistency in a league that is so short is critical and crucial.
“I don’t know if it’s revenge but there is a real positivity at the moment.
“Last time (against United) we knew we let ourselves down, technically and tactically, silly errors and mistakes in a game that we should have come away with something. 
“We know we let ourselves down and the club down that day. 
“Now being at Borehamwood we want to make sure we keep it as a fortress and we keep winning games there.” 
Arsenal will be going for a win after suffering a 1-0 away defeat to United in NovemberCredit: Getty

The Red Devils are third and six points ahead of the North London giants who have a game in hand.
And Casey Stoney, who has contended with injuries to several players, has been boosted by the return of defender Kirsty Smith and striker Lauren James. 
But the team will be without the services of Brazil starlet Ivana Fuso, 20, who damaged her ankle in a freak accident. 
Stoney, 38, said: “When she went down on Tuesday, I had my head in my hands, 
“I just couldn’t believe it. One player slipped, bumped into her and she rolled her ankle. 
“For her on a personal level, it has been so difficult.  Let’s not forget, she’s not English speaking, she’s away from home in COVID times and can’t go home
“She has been out the entire season with three different injuries, but Ivana is a fantastic young player with a great mentality. 
“We’ll work hard with her during this time to make sure that we give her every opportunity to be in the best position for Olympics selection for Brazil.”
Stoney, whose side will play at Old Trafford for the first time next month, hopes to make history by securing a Women’s Champions League spot with the team. 
The Red Devils will be without Ivana Fuso who has picked up an ankle injuryCredit: Getty
Should they finish inside the WSL’s top 3 the Red Devils will compete in Europe’s elite football club competition for the first time in their existence. 
And Stoney said she would consider it a “failure” for her personally if her side were to miss out on a place in the contest. 
Stoney added: “For me as a head coach, I would see that as a failure. 
“But I would never say my players fail because they give 100% effort all the time.”
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Casey Stoney and her players are battling to qualify for next season’s Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters
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ALESSIA RUSSO has vowed to let her football “do the talking” as she targets a return to Manchester United and England action.The WSL ace is one of seven squad members who have been battling with injuries that have left Casey Stoney’s ranks depleted.
Alessia Russo is eager to help Manchester United qualify for next season’s Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
Russo, 22, was speaking to talkSPORT 2’s Women’s Football Weekly Show ahead of United’s upcoming tussle with Arsenal.  
Stoney’s side, who are third, are six points ahead of the Gunners who have a game in hand.
Both sides are vying for a spot in next term’s Champions League with only the top three WSL teams eligible to qualify.  
Should United finish third they will reach the top football competition for women’s clubs in Europe for the first time in their history. 
Russo told talkSPORT 2: “We set targets at the start of the season and our target was that we wanted to get into the Champions League. 
“It’s our second season in the league and I think we’re confident we can do that and that’s been the goal throughout the season and what we’ve been working towards in every session and in every game.
“We started the season in great form and we’ve been going well, but we’ve still got a massive end to the season. 
“It’s so close at the top of the table, so it will be a really exciting end to the season for women’s football.”
Russo is on the brink of making a comeback for United following an operation on a hamstring injury in November 2020Credit: Getty

Russo, who switched from Brighton to Man United in August 2020, has been earning praise for her performances in the team’s attack. 
The England starlet, who spent the 2016-17 season at Chelsea before moving to Albion, has netted 3 goals in four WSL games for United this term.
And one of her efforts was against the Seagulls when they lost 3-0 to Stoney’s aces in October. 
But after picking up a hamstring injury in training that required surgery in November, Russo has been out of action. 
However, the Maidstone-born striker is reportedly on the verge of making a comeback. 
Russo’s United team-mates are due take on Arsenal away in their 17th WSL game this termCredit: Getty
Russo added: “Injuries are not nice for anyone but it’s part of football, unfortunately. It was a massive learning curve for me.  
“I learnt a lot about my body, what works and what doesn’t work and I also tried to focus on how I could best support the girls in other ways rather than being on the pitch, which, unfortunately, wasn’t possible.
“It’s been quite a long process, but one I take day-by-day. I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch and being better than I was.”
This week United have been boosted by the return of Scotland defender Kirsty Smith and England striker Lauren James’ recovery from a quad strain.
Right now, my priority is to get back on the pitch for United and hopefully let that do the talkingAlessia Russo
Other players missing through injuries include Leah Galton and Ivana Fuso who have both been sidelined with ankle problems. 
Meanwhile, Tobin Heath is targeting an April return following ankle damage with her USA team-mate Christen Press missing United’s win against Aston Villa as a precaution. 
Russo, who made her senior England debut at the SheBelieves Cup in February 2020, hopes to get back to her best for club and country. 
United have been boosted by the return of Lauren James ahead of their trip to ArsenalCredit: PA
Russo said: “In the front line, everyone is in great form for their clubs and have been doing so well.
“There was the international friendly weeks ago where we got a great result against Northern Ireland and I think, yes, I would love to get myself back in the England squad.
“Right now, my priority is to get back on the pitch for United and hopefully let that do the talking.
“It’s been a long time out and I just can’t wait to be back playing with the United girls.” 
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HOPE POWELL hailed Aileen Whelan’s “scrappy” performances for Brighton who are targeting a fourth win since beating Chelsea.And the Albion boss warned her players not to take their foot off the gas with the team aiming to leapfrog Reading.
Brighton boss Hope Powell wants her players to maintain their unbeaten runCredit: PA
Powell was speaking ahead of her side’s clash with Aston Villa who are third from bottom and battling to avoid relegation. 
The Seagulls head coach wants her team to maintain the form that saw them end the champions’ 33-game unbeaten run. 
And the former Lionesses chief says Brighton – who finished ninth last term – are pushing for a higher spot in the table this season. 
Powell, 54, said: “I think Inessa (Kaagman) summed it up when she was interviewed after our win against Tottenham. 
“Now we can start to look up (the table) as opposed to looking down
“But we want to look up and jump higher, that’s our position.
“We want to keep improving, picking up points, winning where we can and not losing where we can.
“So nobody’s taking their foot off the gas. I will not allow it and the players don’t want to do that. 
“I think they’ve really got the bit between their teeth and just want to do well and keep improving and that’s the most important thing.” 
Powell, who won the WSL Manager of the Month Award for February, has overseen an impressive turnaround in Albion’s form.
The Seagulls hope to leapfrog Reading who are sixth in the WSLCredit: Jeff Mood/phcimages.com

The team have won three matches on the bounce since their defeat away at Bristol in January. 
The results follow a winless six-game run that saw the Seagulls collect just a point between December 2020 and the end of January. 
Powell praised her side for showing their “resilience” by bouncing back with wins Chelsea, West Ham and Tottenham.  
And the Brighton boss believes Aileen Whelan – who has netted twice in the Seagulls’ last three games – deserves credit for her performances.
Whelan has made 53 Albion appearances since moving to the club from Everton in 2017. 
The Stafford-born forward, 29, was beaten to this month’s WSL Player of the Month by Man City ace Lucy Bronze. 
Powell praised “unsung hero” Aileen Whelan for her scrappy work in Brighton’s attackCredit: Jeff Mood/phcimages.com
Powell told SunSport: “Aileen would continue running if she had a broken leg.
“She will do the hard jobs, the scrappy jobs and will run her legs off. 
“She probably covers more ground than any player, but more importantly, she scores goals. 
“She throws herself at anything, can score goals – quite often scrappy ones -but she scores.
“I think she probably goes under the radar quite a bit so it’s quite nice to see that she was nominated for Player of the Month. 
“In my view – I would be very biased –  it’s a shame she didn’t win it.”
Brighton, who travel to Aston Villa, have won their last two matches away at the Villans’ home ground. 
However, the last clash between the sides in November ended in a 2-0 home loss. 
And Powell is expecting her side to face a stern test at Bescot Stadium. 
Powell reckons the Seagulls cannot afford to underestimate Mana Iwabuchi and Aston VillaCredit: Getty
Powell added: ‘We can’t be under a delusion that they’re not decent. They will work. 
“We lost to them at home which was very disappointing for us, but credit to them. 
“They’ve got a couple of new players including Mana Iwabuchi who is a world-class talent.
“It’s not going to be easy. They’re new to the league and want to stay in the league. We’re expecting a fight and we will have to be ready for that.”
Hope Powell won February’s WSL Manager of the Month award
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KAREN HILLS has taken up the reigns as boss of Women’s Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic.  The role is Hills’ first coaching job since being axed by Tottenham in November – just over a year after helping the club reach the WSL. 
Karen Hills has been appointed as head coach of Charlton Women
Hills’ appointment as head coach comes days before the club’s derby with Crystal Palace, with the team looking to pick up their second win of the year. 
It also comes just over a month after Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaard agreed on terms for a historic takeover of Charlton Women.
The move has seen the women’s and men’s teams brought under the same ownership for the first time since 2007. 
Hills said: “I am looking forward to adding my experience and knowledge to what is already a great staff, and a fantastic group of players here are the group.
“We are looking to build something special with Charlton and I can’t wait to get started.”
Hills, 45, who was sacked by Tottenham in November 2020, is a highly regarded figure within the Addicks’ hierarchy. 
The former centre-back led the team to a Women’s FA Cup win against Everton in 2005, and four finals during her six-year Addicks playing career from 2001 to 2007.
And the ex-WSL gaffer, who jointly managed Tottenham alongside former colleague Juan Amoros, was named the Manager’s Player of the Season in her debut term at Charlton. 
Hills also played an influential role in the growth of Tottenham’s women’s team during her 11-year managerial stint at the club from 2009 to 2020.
Charlton are looking to pick up their second win of the year in the Women’s ChampionshipCredit: Zuma Press

And the ex-Spurs boss oversaw a series of promotions as the club transformed from an amateur side into a full-time professional Women’s Super League outfit. 
The Addicks, who are ninth and three points above bottom in the Women’s Championship, have ambitions of reaching the top-flight. 
And Sandgaard believes Hills has the expertise to take them there.
Sandgaard said: “Charlton were one of the leading clubs in football in Karen’s playing days and that is where we want to get back to. 
“Going full-time and the appointment of Karen are two real statements of intent as we look to move the team forwards.
“She has a great history with our club from her playing days and managed the transition to full-time at Tottenham Hotspur excellently. 
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Hills’ appointment as Addicks’ Women’s boss comes months after her departure from TottenhamCredit: Getty
Club owner Thomas Sandgaard believes Hills has the expertise to guide Charlton to the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: PA
“Our ambition is for Charlton to be challenging in that top tier of the FA Women’s Super League and I am looking forward to watching the team grow.”
Charlton Women’s coaching staff, led by Riteesh Mishra are expected to remain in place. 
Hills will meet first-team players this week ahead of her first training session with the club.
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