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      Fiorentina 0 Man City 5 (agg 0-8): Ellen White and Sam Mewis score two each as visitors cruise into quarter-finals

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      GARETH TAYLOR praised Manchester City for clinically dispatching Fiorentina to cruise into the Champions League last eight.
      Their opponents looked helpless as they were beaten 5-0 on the night, with Ellen White and Sam Mewis netting braces and Caroline Weir adding a penalty.

      Manchester City are hoping to reach the finals of this term’s Champions League tournamentCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Serie A side put up a fight, but they could not cope with the Manchester giants’ ruthlessness and lost 8-0 on aggregate over the two legs.
      On his players’ performance, Taylor said: “The words I used afterwards with the girls was very professional.
      “We played with humility, played with maximum respect to Fiorentina who played with high energy and maximum pressure.
      “I think the way we challenged the balls, the way we were professional. The way we managed the game from the first to last minute was excellent.”

      Despite going into the game with a four-goal cushion, City started ferociously and went ahead through Ellen White who linked up well with Lauren Hemp in the first 10 minutes.
      The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Esme Morgan’s headed cross was handled in the box
      And Caroline Weir made it 2-0 with her cool finish from the spot.
      White doubled her tally after being set-up again by Hemp to make it 3-0.

      Man City boss Gareth Taylor praised his team’s work rate after they beat Fiorentina 5-0 to reach the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Not to be outdone, Sam Mewis went on a dazzling solo run before smashing the ball past Katja Schroffenegger to extend City’s lead just before the hour mark.
      But she wasn’t done yet and latched onto a Chloe Kelly pass 12 minutes before full-time to complete Fiorentina’s humiliation.
      The way City disposed of the Italian side has made them serious contenders for the coveted European trophy this season.
      And Taylor’s side will find out who their next opponents in Europe will be in the Champions League quarters draw on March 12.
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      And Weir, who gave the Serie A Women’s outfit a headache, for believes her team can go all the way.
      The Scotland playmaker said: “The last two seasons I’ve played in the Champions League we’ve been knocked out fairly early by Atletico Madrid.
      “So yeah I’m desperate to go far in this competition and I think we’ve got the squad to go and do it.”
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      Chelsea 1 Atletico Madrid 1 (agg: 3-1) Blues book Champions League last eight spot after Atletico miss penalty

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      CHELSEA sealed their Champions League quarter-final place after Atletico Madrid missed a THIRD penalty over the two-legged tie.
      A Maren Mjelde spot-kick helped the Blues snatch a 1-1 draw and a 3-1 aggregate win – with England striker Toni Duggan smashing her penalty onto the crossbar.

      Chelsea are through to the last eight of the Women’s Champions League after beating Atletico Madrid 3-1 on aggregateCredit: Rex Features

      Maren Mjelde was on target from the spot for Chelsea in their second leg clash with AtleticoCredit: Rex Features

      But the Blues’ march to the competition’s next stage was overshadowed by a clash of heads that forced Beth England off in the first half.
      And Blues boss Emma Hayes reckons her side may be feeling the effects of hard-fought victories against West Ham in the WSL and Atletico in Europe. 
      Hayes said: “I think my team were a bit leggy. I think the domestic league in England is so tough, so when you’re playing West Ham away it takes something out of the players. 
      “Plus, we played with ten players last Wednesday and completed some physical stats that for some players were season-highs, so it was going to take its toll. 

      “I’ve been in this competition enough to tell you that PSG away, Bayern Munich away, Lyon away – in my time as manager – they’ve all been really challenging games.
      “I think we saw a truer reflection of Atletico today, I thought they played a good game. 
      “I’m really pleased to come through this knowing that we weren’t at our best.”
      Atletico, beaten 2-0 in the first leg, went on the attack in the opening stages with Silvia Meseguer forcing Mjelde to charge down her sixth-minute strike. 

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      Atletico ace Toni Duggan saw her penalty strike hit the crossbarCredit: Rex Features

      And the visitors hit back moments later with Pernille Harder rifling a shot wide of Hedvig Lindahl’s post.
      The WSL champs seemed content to allow their LaLiga Women’s opponents to dominate possession. 
      And the Spanish club had a chance to take the lead shortly before the half-hour mark with Deyna Castellanos’ shot dipping over Chelsea’s bar. 
      Ann-Katrin Berger was forced to pull off a diving save with Toni Duggan unleashing a late first half shot destined for her bottom right corner. 
      The second period saw a couple of dramatic moments with Atletico yelling for – but failing to get – a spot-kick following Niamh Charles’ challenge on Ludmila.
      And the Blues starlet later received a yellow card for a handball with referee Stephanie Frappert pointing to the spot in the 73rd minute. 
      But Atletico were unable to capitalise with Duggan’s strike bouncing off the bar and out of danger. 
      And moments later a pen for the Blues minutes saw Mjelde score her second goal of the round 16 encounter.
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      Emma Hayes and her players will find out who they play next in the Champions League on March 12Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      It was a somewhat controversial moment with the ball appearing to have struck Sonia Garcia Majarin’s side but perceived to have been a handball by ref Frappert. 
      A late goal for Emelyne Laurent saw Atletico grab a consolation. 
      Chelsea will find out who their next opponents will be in the Champions League quarter-final draw on Friday 12 March.

      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Lionesses interim boss Hege Riise confirmed as Team GB’s women’s football team head coach

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      HEGE RIISE will lead Team GB’s women’s football squad when they compete at the delayed Tokyo Olympics later this year. 
      Riise’s appointment comes two months after she became the Lionesses temporary manager following Phil Neville’s departure for Inter Miami. 

      Hege Riise will coach Great Britain’s women’s football team at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Riise, 51, led England’s women’s team to a 6-0 defeat of Northern Ireland in a game that saw Jill Scott become the side’s second most-capped player.
      The clash in February was the Lionesses’ first international match in almost a year and their first win under their temporary boss who won a gold medal with Norway’s women’s team at the 2000 Olympics. 
      It is thought Riise’s success at England’s training camp led to football chiefs’ decision to appoint her along with Rhian Wilkinson as her GB assistant. 
      Riise said: “I know first-hand as a former player just how huge the Olympics are as a tournament and I am enormously proud to have this opportunity to lead the GB squad into the Games. 

      “We will go there to give everything we have to be successful and I hope we can also use the power of the Games to help women’s football continue to grow in popularity. I thank The FA for their trust in me. 
      Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, said: “We could not have been more impressed with the impact that Hege and Rhian have had in such a short space of time with England  Women, particularly during our recent international camp at St. George’s Park. 
      “I am in no doubt that their  Olympic experience and management expertise will provide the squad with the best possible opportunity  to succeed at the Tokyo Games.” 

      A Great Britain women’s football side will be competing in the Olympics for the first time since London 2012Credit: Alan Walter – The Times

      Team GB will be one of 12 international football sides taking part in the tournament in Tokyo.

      Matches are due to take place between 21 July and 6 August. 
      And it will be the first time Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be represented at the Olympics since the London 2012 games. 
      A final squad of 18 is expected to include players from across the home nations with the team qualifying for the tournament through England reaching the 2019 World Cup semis.
      And Team GB will learn who they will face on 21 April when the draw for the women’s tournaments are held in Tokyo.
      So far nine other countries have been confirmed as taking part in the contest.

      Riise and Team GB will find out in April who they will face at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      They are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United States, and Zambia.
      The remaining spots will go to the victors of play-offs being held next month between Cameroon vs Chile and Korea Republic vs China.
      Before then Riise will oversee England’s friendly clash Canada, who are led by former Lionesses assistant Bev Priestman.
      The match is due to take place on April 13.

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      Ex-Chelsea star Claire Rafferty reckons it’s ‘best time’ for Blues to lift Champions League trophy

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      CHELSEA legend Claire Rafferty thinks that this is the best time ever for her former side to win the Champions League.
      Rafferty, 32, believes this is the best squad the Blues have assembled over the years.

      Rafferty believes this is the Blues best chance to win the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That along with the fact that they’ve been in great form recently puts them in pole position, according to Rafferty.
      Their main European rivals, last year’s winners Lyon, and Wolfsburg have been in stuttering from in contrast to the Blues.
      When asked if Chelsea can achieve Champions League glory, she told SunSport: “I think now’s the best time ever, this is the best squad that Chelsea have ever had.
      “If you look at the competition, it’s probably the best time to play the likes of Lyon and Wolfsburg based on the form that Chelsea have been in been and also the momentum that they’ve picked up.

      “There’s a few small cracks forming in these top teams, that’s just my opinion.”
      Chelsea have never won the Women’s Champions League.
      Arsenal are the only English side to have won the tournament, defeating Umea 1-0 over two legs in April 2007.
      Rafferty continued: “I think it’s all about the mental side of the game, and the attention to detail, and that tactical investment from the squad.

      The ex defender played over a 100 games for the club and picked up three FA Cup trophiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “And those are the reasons why, for the first time ever, I can say I believe that this team can go on and win the Champions League.”
      The West Londoners face Atletico Madrid for a second round of 16 tie on Wednesday.
      They go into the match as favourites after an emphatic 2-0 victory over the Spanish giants last week with just ten players.
      Emma Hayes side managed to reach the semi-finals in 2018 and 2019, but haven’t been able get past that hurdle.
      Rafferty, who is now commercial director at the club, and non-executive director at Lewes FC, had a glittering career while at Chelsea, making over a 100 appearances and winning several trophies, including three FA Cups.
      BT Sport has live coverage of Chelsea Women v Atlético Madrid Women in their round of 16 second leg fixture in the UEFA Women’s Champions League from 12.15pm on Wednesday 10th March on BT Sport 2.

      Emma Hayes gets stuck into Chelsea training More

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      Women good enough to be in football and not as a ‘tick box’ says Prem ref Massey-Ellis

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      SIAN MASSEY-ELLIS has brushed off suggestions that women are ‘out of their depth in the world of football’. 
      And the Premier League assistant ref opened up on fears of her career on the pitch ending early after giving birth to her first child. 

      Sian Massey-Ellis says the perception’ that women don’t understand the offside rule is always thereCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Massey-Ellis was speaking to the Prem’s website about negative stereotypes she encountered over the course of her 11-year stint as an assistant referee.
      And her reflections come months after a Women in Football survey found that 66 per cent of women working in the sport experienced sexism, but only 12 per cent of incidents were reported. 
      Massey-Ellis, 35, said: “The challenge of the perception that we don’t know what we’re doing – it’s always been there. 
      “It’s always been, ‘Women don’t know the offside rule. Women don’t know what football’s about so they shouldn’t be involved’.

      “That’s the stereotype I would want to challenge -that we are good enough to be there and if we’re there, we’re not there as a tick-box. 
      “For me, I’ve come through exactly the same pathway and exactly the same tests and challenges as male referees.” 
      Massey-Ellis has been working in the top tier of men’s football since December 2010. 
      And the Coventry-born PE teacher made football history when she became the first English woman to officiate in a men’s match in Europe in October 2019.

      Massey-Ellis took charge of a Europa League clash between PSV Eindhoven and Austrian club Linzer ASK alongside referee Chris Kavanagh, fellow assistant Dan Cook and fourth official Peter Bankes.
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      Massey-Ellis says women are not in football just to tick a boxCredit: Paul Marriott – The Sun

      And the former WSL ref, whose husband Robert also works as a match official, defied her doctor’s orders to return to action after giving birth to daughter Harriet in 2016. 
      Massey-Ellis added: “Coming back from having a baby was really difficult. 
      “The doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to return to refereeing, that I wouldn’t be able to do the fitness work again.
      “It was probably the biggest moment in my life where I actually thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I don’t know if I’ve lost my career’.
      “They (the FA and The Professional Game Match Officials) gave me the opportunity to come back step by step. 
      “I did go back through the leagues again and that was what I needed, that support.”
      Massey-Ellis, who refereed a Women’s Premier League Cup final game between Leeds and Everton in 2010, is encouraging more women and girls to get into match officiating.
      And the school tutor says this is a goal she wants to pursue when she eventually retires.

      Massey-Ellis wants to see more women take up refereeing in the gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Massey-Ellis added: “I want to be able to support other referees coming through. 
      “I always say that once I’ve finished my career I want to be making sure we’ve got the next generation of referees and sportswomen coming through.
      “It’s really important we create an atmosphere where they feel safe, an environment where they feel safe.
      “When I said, ‘Can I be a referee?’, that shouldn’t be a question any other female has to ask any more.”
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      Stoney unaware of FA Cup draw until reveal of Man United’s potential fourth-round opponent

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      CASEY STONEY says she was “out of the loop” on the Women’s FA Cup draw until after Man United’s fourth-round opponents were announced.
      And the Red Devils gaffer believes the contest’s return and finals being aired on national television will be massive for the women’s game.

      Stoney is unhappy that the draw for the FA Cup was made without her knowledgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Stoney was speaking days discovering who her players may face when WSL sides join the contest in the fourth-round in April.
      Ties had been put on ice in January due to the coronavirus lockdown with the competition’s first three rounds being classed as ‘non-elite’ sport. 
      On the FA Cup’s resumption, Stoney said: “I didn’t even know there was a draw, let’s put it that way.
      “So that was interesting that was done without the knowledge of the clubs.

      “Obviously, we’ve drawn teams that aren’t even currently training.
      “So, that fixture will only go ahead if those teams are tested and those grounds are Covid safe otherwise it will have to be reversed.
      “It’s obviously a big day in the women’s calendar. But the safety of my players is always my priority.
      “I just would have liked to know there was actually a draw going ahead.

      “We should never be out of the loop when we’re having fixtures made or draws put in.
      “So yeah, I’d like a little bit more transparency on that next time.”
      The FA Cup’s first round will resume on March 31, with the second and third rounds taking place on April 4, and April 11.

      Stoney stressed her United team will not feature in the tie if grounds are not made Covid safeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Stoney wants FA Cup to be well-structuredCredit: Reuters

      And fourth-round games are set to go ahead on April 18.
      Sheffield United, who are third in the Women’s Championship, are one of four teams the Red Devils could play in April.
      The three other teams are Burnley, Fylde and Sunderland who ply their trade in the third tier of the women’s game.
      The final of the tournament will be held at Wembley next season with the FA due to confirm a date for the match at a later stage.
      And the Cup final clash is set to be aired on the BBC.
      The Red Devils boss added: “I think the FA Cup is huge for the women’s game, with the fact that the finals at Wembley and televised live, so I can understand them wanting it to go ahead.
      “I understand commercially why there’s a need for it to go ahead.
      “I think it needs to be structured very well now in terms of when those games are and not to front-load the start of next season after a massive tournament.
      “So it does raise a few concerns for me, but I do understand why the FA want the cup to go ahead.”

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      Kirsty Hanson hails ‘honest’ boss Casey Stoney as reason she has stayed loyal to Man Utd

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      KIRSTY HANSON has become part of the furniture at Manchester United.
      Both her and the club have come a long way since the women’s side was built from total scratch in 2018. 

      Kirsty Hanson is just one of seven former academy aces to return to Manchester United after the club reformed its women’s side in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd celebrated their promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2019

      United finally applied for a licence after a 13-year hiatus amid criticism for their absence at the top of the WSL. 
      Manager Casey Stoney then had just ten days to create a team – and Hanson was one of the first people she turned to. 
      The Halifax-born, 22-year-old, revealed: “I was over the moon when I found out that Manchester United were creating a women’s side as I had been waiting years for that moment to come.
      “The club means so much to me as I have grown up as a United fan, played in the girls’ academy,

      “And I’m now part of the senior side competing in one of the most competitive leagues in the women’s game, which is a dream come true. 
      “I’m proud of the way the club has developed over the last few years and I feel like I’m improving as a player every single day.
      “That’s down to the excellent environment we have here.” 
      The Scotland star stayed loyal to her childhood club, despite the senior women’s team being booted out in 2005.

      Hanson is just one of seven former academy players to return to the Red Devils, and she credits straight talking boss Stoney for the reason she returned.
      She continued: “Casey is a legend.
      “She is a very motivational manager and likes to get involved in the training sessions, which is something you don’t always see. 
      “Most importantly, she is honest and this is something that I prefer. 
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      Hanson credits boss Casey Stoney for the reason she returned to the clubCredit: PA:Press Association

      The Red Devils stormed to the Championship title in the 2018/19 season, with 18 wins in 20 gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “I’d rather be told if I needed to improve a part of my game instead of being told I’m doing good when I’m actually not.
      It has helped me massively as a younger player.”
      The journey since then has been nothing short of meteoric and the miraculous rise in just two years has United within touching distance of the champions Chelsea. 
      They are also on the verge of bringing Champions League football to Leigh Sports Village, in a tiny corner of Greater Manchester next season. 
      Hanson reckons the Red Devils are more than capable of springing a surprise in the title race.
      She added: “We would absolutely love to win the league and believe we have the quality to do so, but the Champions League spot is what we are really aiming for. 
      “Champions League football would mean a lot to me and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do at some point in my career. 
      “I’ve already got my name out there playing with Manchester United and Scotland, 
      “But now I want to test myself against some of the biggest teams around the world and hopefully, that’ll bring the best out of me as well.” 

      Hanson bagged her first senior international call-up with ScotlandCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      The growth and ambition of United helped tempt World Cup-winning United States superstars Tobin Heath and Christian Press to the club this season.
      On their arrival the duo’s shirt sales outstripped EVERY player in the men’s squad in the first three days of their release.
      Hanson said: “They are really athletic, fast, technically brilliant and very enthusiastic which is something you don’t see very often with the English players.  
      “They’re always positive, even when we are losing and are always encouraging us and tell us to be positive as we know what we are capable of. 
      “Some of the strikes they come up with in training and games are unbelievable and it’s excellent to train and play alongside them. 
      The 22-year-old’s impressive performances have earned Hanson Player of The Month recognition from non-other than Arsenal legend Ian Wright.
      She has also bagged her first senior international call-up with Scotland and most recently a new three-year contract with United until 2024. 
      Hanson added: “I wasn’t expecting that long of a contract to be honest, as there are players above me that are doing better than me,
      “But I think it’s just about learning from them and showing the manager I can be as good as them one day.”

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      Bristol City manager Beard hopeful of Salmon’s England progress and reckons ‘tough game’ pressure is on rivals

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      MATT BEARD thinks Ebony Salmon’s “raw talent” could see the Lionesses starlet excel on the international stage. 
      And the Bristol City boss reckons his relegation rivals will be feeling the heat with tricky clashes facing West Ham and Aston Villa.

      Matt Beard thinks Bristol City have an advantage with their game against Reading taking place after their rivals’ matchesCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

      The Robins are looking to pick up their second win in the Women’s Super League this seasonCredit: Rex Features

      Beard was speaking ahead of the Robins’ match with Reading which takes place a day after the Hammers host Arsenal, and Villa’s trip to Manchester United. 
      And the interim Robins boss believes the result against the Royals will not be vital to City’s top-flight survival despite them being bottom. 
      Beard, 43, said: “We know we need to pick points up because we’ve only got eight games left. 
      “But it’s not vital in the sense that if we don’t get anything out of it that it puts us in a lot of trouble.

      “There are a lot of tough games for the teams in and around us so we’ll be in a better position, knowing what’s going to happen on Sunday going into that game on Monday. 
      “I think for us psychologically it’s a benefit. And I think if you look at the results from last weekend in some of the catch-up games, obviously everyone around us played an extra game and nobody got any points”.
      Bristol City, who are 12th, have played one game more than Villa and West Ham who are tenth and eleventh. 
      Their clash with the Royals comes almost two weeks after Robins ace Salmon made her senior England debut in the Lionesses 6-0 drubbing of Northern Ireland. 

      Ebony Salmon will return to action for Bristol City after making her senior England debutCredit: PA:Press Association

      And the former United striker, 20, who left the Red Devils for the South West in 2019, is thought to have made a good impression on England Women’s coaching staff. 
      Beard added: “The thing with Ebony is she’s such a raw talent with her pace and power.
      “[England’s staff] wanted to know whether I felt she was ready. 
      “And of course I let them know that she could play not just down the middle but also wide. 
      “We’re putting a plan in place for her to make sure that she continues to be considered. But the feedback I have had is that she has done well.”
      A Conti Cup final date with Chelsea is up next for his side after they host Reading. 
      The clash at the home of Watford will be the first league cup final for the Robins in their 23-year history. 

      Salmon and her Robins team-mates are due to play Chelsea in the Conti Cup finalCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
      And it is a match Salmon, who has scored five times in 14 league games, is aiming to give her all in alongside her team-mates.
      Salmon said: “The results that we’ve got in the Conti Cup have given us the confidence and momentum that we needed to go and push on in the league which we’ve been doing recently.  
      “We’ve got a few results and we’ve picked up points. I think, for us, just the opportunity of taking part in a cup final is going to be huge. 
      “And I think the confidence and just the experience of that is really going to help us in our push to stay in the league.”
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