Women’s Super League

ERIN CUTHBERT hopes Chelsea can silence Ajax fans when they take on the Dutch giants in the Women’s Champions League quarters.And the midfielder says it “would mean everything” if the Blues reached the contest’s in Emma Hayes’ last season at the helm.Erin Cuthbert (centre) warns Ajax will be fearless foes for Chelsea with the Dutch side playing the Women’s Champions League last eight for the first timeCredit: GettyThe Blues duel with Ajax, who are second in the Netherlands’ top tier, comes four days after their defeat of Arsenal in the WSLCredit: GettyAjax have become the second team from the Netherlands to reach the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals for the first timeCredit: AlamyCuthbert was speaking to reporters on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s first-leg duel with their rivals at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday.It’s the Dutch team’s first taste of the contest’s last eight phase. The club progressed to the knockout phase after finishing second in Group C above Bayern Munich and Roma. A record crowd for a women’s club game in the Netherlands is expected at their Amsterdam ground with 34,200 tickets sold so far.Read More Football Stories While Chelsea will draw on experience of performing in front of big crowds in Europe, Cuthbert warns they may face a fearless Ajax.The Blues ace, whose side will face their rivals at Stamford Bridge in the second leg next Wednesday, said: “It’s their first time at this point in the competition.”We can certainly use that experience as one sort of advantage factor.”As a player, I certainly know that if I was in the competition for the first time, I’d be playing without fear.Most read in Football”We need to be wary that they can play without fear, they’ve got nothing to lose, and we’ve got everything (to lose).”We’ll be giving it everything to try and bring a result back to Stamford Bridge that we’re happy with.”Boss Emma Hayes, added: “We’ve only had yesterday to prepare for this game.”But the players’ experiences of being at this tournament have to count, because it is intimidating to play in front of 35,000 at a tight arena.”For us, let’s draw on our experiences because it is important that we come through this tie in a really strong position.”A last eight knockout of Ajax would see Chelsea pitted against either SK Brann or two-time contest winners Barcelona in the semi-finals.Last year was the last time the Blues reached the tournament’s semis where they fell to a narrow 2-1 aggregate loss to Barca.And the Catalan giants were the victors when both clubs reached the final for the first time back in 2021.The biggest trophy for Europe’s elite clubs remains the only major piece of silverware to have so far eluded Hayes.And Cuthbert hopes the Blues will fulfil their wish of lifting it with their gaffer before for her departure for a new job as boss of the USA Women’s team later this year.She adds: “It would mean everything to get to the final and to go on and win it.”But I’ve been at this club so long, it’s all about a process.Emma Hayes’ players hope to reach this term’s Champions League semi-final where a two-leg test against SK Brann or Barcelona awaitsCredit: Getty”We’re in the quarter-finals now and it’s two ties that lie aheadREAD MORE SUN STORIES”Two tough games against a really tough team who have more than proved themselves at this level.”We’re under no illusions, it’s going to be a tough game, but of course it’s hard not to dream a little bit.” More

VIC AKERS insists Arsenal’s kitman will learn from the sock clash scenario that stalled a televised Women’s Super League duel.The ex-Gunners Women’s boss was at Stamford Bridge watching the club’s WSL side’s 3-1 loss to Chelsea on Friday night.Former Arsenal Women’s boss Vic Akers was among the spectators watching Gunners in action against Chelsea at Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Press AssociationArsenal are due to take Chelsea in this year’s Conti Cup final on March 31Credit: PAAkers led Arsenal to a quadruple trophy win in 2007Credit: GettyThe duel between the title rivals, aired live on Sky Sports, was pushed back by 30 minutes following a sock colour clash spotted three minutes before kick-off.It led to Arsenal players changing the white socks they were wearing and putting on black and blue pairs obtained from Chelsea’s club shop.The FA is reviewing the incident in line with WSL competition rules which state a kit clash may lead to a fine.Akers, 77, who blazed a trail as Gunners Women’s boss, was once a kitman for Arsene Wenger’s Prem sides.Read More Football Reflecting on the kit clash and his memories of managing players’ apparel for more than two decades, he said: “It’s one of those things.”At the end of the day, having been in that position as a kit manager, the job is not easy, but he will learn from this.”I was fortunate enough to have been in the job for many years so I know if I went to Chelsea, I would take two sets of socks.”With Chelsea they would either be wearing white, or they may wear a different colour.Most read in Football”But in general they wear white so that meant you had to take the red ones.”You get into a rhythm in all fairness as to what clubs (will wear) and how they change and who is doing what (kit-wise).”Akers, who established Arsenal Women in 1987 and led them to 32 major trophy wins including the Champions League, has been following the Gunners’ WSL stars progress this season.  The former head coach, who managed the side for 22 years, hoped to see the team maintain the form that led them to beat Aston Villa 4-0 in the Conti Cup semis.  But goals from Sjoeke Nusken and Lauren James dented Arsenal’s title charge leaving them six-points behind Emma Hayes’ Chelsea.And James’ opening goal and player of the match shift in attack is among the Chelsea performances that impressed Akers on Friday.The ex-Gunners Women’s chief, who led Arsenal to a 2007 quadruple with Hayes as his assistant, said: “Emma is on the charge at the moment so good luck to her “Lauren James was outstanding and Chelsea were the better side and much of that was down to her. “She was on our (Arsenal’s) books as a youngster but was let go, which was quite incredible. But this happens, and she’s had a couple of clubs since.”Now she is at a club where she is most wanted, and that bears out in her game.”Lauren James is among the players who impressed for Chelsea in their last league outingCredit: Getty”Chelsea’s win against Arsenal saw Hayes oversee her last WSL match at Stamford Bridge at the Blues’ helm.The Camden-born gaffer will take charge of the United States women’s team later this year ending a 14-year reign which includes six WSL title wins.And Akers hopes to see Hayes depart her current role on a high.He added: “There’s one part of me that wants Arsenal to win (the title) because I’m an Arsenal man.”But there’s another part saying, ‘Emma, you’re still on for this quadruple the same as what we did before’.”It would be lovely as well for her to go to America on the strength of that. But there is still a lot of football to play.”Emma is Emma and I think she will get bigger and better and be a success in America.Akers believes Hayes will lead the USA’s national women’s team to more successCredit: Getty”I would have loved to have seen her in the England job in the past, but it’s America’s gain.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It will be a tough job but it’s something that Emma will love, and she’s got the same assistant from club who will go with her.”She will give it her best shot and she’s excellent at what she does. I’m sure the girls in America will respond to that.” More

EMMA HAYES brushed off Arsenal’s kit clash error as “an earnest mistake” after Chelsea dispatched the Gunners.Lauren James and Sjoeke Nusken shone as the Blues beat their title rivals 3-1 following a 30-minute kick-off delay.Emma Hayes’ Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the WSL with their defeat of ArsenalCredit: ReutersA clash sock colours for the rivals resulted in the Gunners having to wear obtained from the Blues’ club store at Stamford BridgeCredit: ReutersLauren James and Sjoeke Nusken were on target netting Chelsea’s three first-half goalsCredit: GettyAll initially appeared to be going smoothly in the build-up to the Friday night duel with a crowd of 32,970 watching Hayes’ last WSL match at Stamford Bridge.But the game was unexpectedly disrupted due to a kit clash with both sides wearing similar coloured socks.Before kick-off Arsenal players donned the white and red socks worn with their home kitAnd they could be seen in them during warm-up ahead of the scheduled 7:00pm start of the match.But three minutes before the clash began, the visitors were instructed they were not permitted to wear them.This was due to clash in colour with the socks worn by their hosts.The scenario saw the Gunners having to buy Chelsea’s blue and black away ones from the club’s store.But the North London giants had to cover the over the Nike logo on the socks due with grey tape due to the club being sponsored by Adidas.Most read in FootballThe garment clash prompted a bemused reaction among some observers with former Chelsea ace Karen Carney describing the scenario as “embarrassing”.However Hayes insisted it was an “earnest mistake” and hopes Arsenal’s kitman won’t be thrown under the bus.The Blues chief said: “Because of who I am, I’m not going to throw the kit man under the bus. He will be feeling terrible this evening.“It’s a mistake made regardless, he’s a new guy into the position. It happened.“If we would have had blue socks, and if this was an away game, we would have had white and blue.”But because it was a home game we knew three weeks in advance we’d be wearing white socks, we’re the home team.“But because we didn’t have blue, I couldn’t just say don’t worry about it, we’ll put the blue socks on because we didn’t have them.“We are also in a day and age – and God knows why, – they cut everything out.  There’s a whole process within all of that.“It’s an earnest mistake. I’m certainly not going to pile in on him.”The hosts took just thirty-two minutes to race to a 3-0 advantage with the result giving them a six-point lead over the Gunners in the league.Arsenal found themselves overwhelmed at times with James, Nusken and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd combining efficiently. On the Gunners donning Chelsea socks, Hayes added: “I was delighted to see lion crests on Arsenal’s legs in the first half.“Maybe that gave my players motivation, I do not know.”Ahead of the game Hayes spoke of demanding a “Chelsea standard” performance from her sideAnd that is precisely what she got with the team going 3-0 up in 32 minutes.Lauren James opened the scoring with 13th goal in 14 top-flight games this term.The forward ran onto Nusken’s pass wrongfooting her markers to fire over goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger in the 15th minute.The visitors’ tough start got worse with Nusken slotting the ball beyond the Arsenal shot-stopper just six minutes later.And the Gunners were caught out again with Rytting Kaneryd pouncing on the ball following Leah Williamson’s free-kick, before making a powerful run to the box.And her effort was deflected home off Nusken.The second half saw Alessia Russo, Frida Maanum and Emily Fox introduced in place of Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Stina Blackstenius.They had a free-kick that was fired at Hannah Hampton with 29 minutes of normal time minute shortly before James forced an impressive save from Zinsberger.The visitors nabbed a late consolation through with Kim Little’s strike deflected in off Catarina Macario.Defeat for Eidevall’s side resulted in the Blues opening up six-point gap over the GunnersCredit: AlamyBut the WSL leaders held out to seal the win denting Arsenal’s title hopes.READ MORE SUN STORIESGunners boss Jonas Eidevall said: “We should be unsatisfied with the way we performed as a team because that’s not our levels.“I need to take accountability for that, we need to learn from that and we need to go next week.” More

ARSENAL became a laughing sock as they were forced to make a late dash to the Chelsea megastore ahead of tonight’s 3-1 defeat.The heavyweight WSL showdown was due to kick off at 7pm but the action was delayed at Stamford Bridge due a kit clash.Arsenal’s clash at Chelsea was delayed due to a sock issueCredit: PAArsenal wore white socks when they took on Chelsea, who wore blue, at home in DecemberCredit: PAThe Gunners had to buy black Chelsea socks and cover the Nike logo in blue tapeCredit: PAThe visitors bought these reduced socks from the megastoreCredit: Chelsea megastoreChelsea were playing in their blue shirts while Arsenal were lining up in their red ones, leaving supporters bemused at what the hold up was.Along with a series of laughing emojis, one post read: “One team plays in blue. One in red.“Delayed due to kit clash. Only in the Barclays WSL.”Another asked: “Kick-off has been delayed due to a kit clash. It’s not clear yet how long kick-off has been delayed for????? Eh? How?”READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Total joke,” commented another while a fourth called it “amateurish”.And a fifth wrote: “The match won’t begin at 7pm as scheduled, apparently because of a kit clash. Eh? Don’t they wear blue and red?”However, the problem soon emerged that both teams had white socks on, leading to referee Rebecca Welch to intervene.During the previous meeting at the Emirates, due to being hosts, Arsenal wore white socks with their red kit while Chelsea had blue.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThat was due to be switched around this evening, with even Mikel Arteta’s Gunners donning red socks when they played Mauricio Pochettino’s side there in October.However, Arsenal had allegedly forgotten about the change and had not brought their red ones – which led to a trip to the Chelsea megastore.Fans ask ‘WTF is this?’ as light show is performed from Old Trafford ‘leaky roof’ before Man Utd’s WSL defeat to CitySoon the away team were back out on the pitch going through a second warm-up wearing black Chelsea socks, which had been purchased from the Blues’ club shop, with tape over the Nike logo. The socks were on offer at a reduced price of £12.99 a pair.Arsenal legend Ian Wright was quick to slam the scenario, posting on X: “Embarrassing this. Ridiculous.”While those watching from home were left twiddling their thumbs, the Stamford Bridge DJ entertained the crowd with some classic tunes such as Failure by Swans, The Beast in Me by Nick Lowe and Gravity by Coldplay. But finally, after a half hour delay, the action finally got underway at 7.30pm in the bumper WSL title clash.And the cheeky Chelsea social media admin even turned Wright’s frown upside down as they posted a sock emoji at kick off along with the words: “Ready to work our socks off.”Arsenal’s Leah Williamson pictured wearing the white socks during the warm upCredit: PAThe star and her team-mates then had to wear the black ones with tape for the gameCredit: GettyA record crowd of 32,970 then watched on as Sjoeke Nusken helped Chelsea sock it to Arsenal.While the kit clash caused chaos, there was nothing chaotic about Emma Hayes’ side display.The Blues boss demanded a Chelsea standard performance and that is precisely what she got with the team going 3-0 up in 32 minutes.Lauren James opened the scoring running onto Nusken’s pass wrongfooting her markers to fire past goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.Arsenal’s tough start got worse with Nusken poking the ball beyond the shot stopper with the visitors looking shellshockedThe Gunners were caught out again with Rytting Kaneryd pouncing on the ball following Leah Williamson’s free-kick before making a powerful run into the box, and her shot was deflected home by Nusken.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe second spell saw Alessia Russo, Frida Maanum and Emily Fox enter the fray in place of Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Stina Blackstenius.The Gunners nabbed a late consolation through a Kim Little volley but the league leaders held out to seal the win and open a six-point gap over Arsenal.Chelsea’s players reacted to the delay the fastest as they raced into a 3-0 leadCredit: PASjoeke Nusken was the star of the show for the BluesCredit: Reuters More

EMMA HAYES admits she will miss pitting her wits against Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall.And the head coach expects nothing less than a “Chelsea standard” performance from her players at Stamford Bridge.A win for Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side will see them open up a six-point gap over Arsenal at the top of the WSLCredit: ReutersJonas Eidevall’s team hope to end Chelsea’s four-game unbeaten run at home against the Gunners in the leagueCredit: GettyThe Blues and third-placed Arsenal go toe-to-toe tonight in a clash that will be among the most pivotal in this term’s title race.A win for Hayes’ side at Stamford Bridge, would give the team a six-point lead over the Gunners at the top of the WSL. Victory would also move her aces three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City.Hayes, who leaves Chelsea at the end of the season to take charge of the USA Women’s national side, told reporters: “I’ll miss these games, that’s for sure. Read More Football Stories”I always enjoy my time with Jonas anyway, not during the game, because of course, we’re rivals. But I’m looking forward to the game.”When it comes to (business) on the pitch, Jonas and I have played against each other plenty of times.“I think – and don’t get me wrong – he can be a pain in the backside on the touchline to the fourth officials. “But I think he’d acknowledge that.Most read in Football“Off the pitch, we’ve had many conversations around the growth of the game around things we might have done in each other’s environments to learn from each other. “I’m sure we’ll do more of that after my time at Chelsea.”I have huge respect for him and the work that he’s done at Arsenal.”Hayes revealed her team could be without Lauren James, who is sick and potentially Fran Kirby.Striker Mayra Ramirez, defender Nathalie Bjorn and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin will all be absent.Hayes, whose side are playing eight matches this month, including a Champions League duel against Ajax, added: “The accumulation of games has definitely taken its toll.”However, when you get a single game week, like this week, you get a couple more days recovery so we are fresher going into the game but it’s a slog.”I will not accept a performance less than a Chelsea standard no matter who plays for us.”The last WSL clash between the title rivals saw the Gunners run riot at the Emirates sealing a memorable 4-1 win.However, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four WSL home battles with Arsenal.And Eidevall hopes Gunners fans will spur his side to a win with the club having sold all their away tickets for the game.Catarina Macario netted the match-winning goal for Chelsea when the team knocked Everton out of the FA Cup last time outCredit: GettyThe Sweden-born coach, 41, said: “Our fans have been lifting us through the whole season home and away and we hear them.”We’ve had a few of those really good performances (like our win against Chelsea) in the last two seasons, but I’m under no illusion.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We will need to get a performance like that again to be able to win the game.”Chelsea vs Arsenal in the WSL can be watched live on Sky Sports Showcase or Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm this evening. More

CHELSEA star Jess Carter has let her social media do the talking following controversial comments by Blues boss Emma Hayes.Hayes criticised both player-player relationships and player-coach relationships in Women’s football on Thursday.Jess Carter has liked a string of tweets discussing comments made by Chelsea manager Emma HayesCredit: GettyHayes labelled player-player relationships as ‘inappropriate’ on ThursdayCredit: RexThe Chelsea manager, who is leaving her position at the end of the season, labelled both kinds of relationships as “inappropriate”.The 47-year-old said: “I think player-coach relationships are inappropriate, player-to-player relationships are inappropriate”.Player-player relationships are common in the Women’s game with Chelsea’s Carter known to be in a relationship with teammate Ann-Katrin Berger herself.Other high-profile stars are also in public relationships including Arsenal duo Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema as well as fellow Chelsea player Sam Kerr who is dating West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Carter appears to have made her feelings on her manager’s comments clear by liking a string of posts on X that criticised Hayes’ words.One read: “Beyond bonkers to bring player/player relationships into this conversation IMO.”While another stated: “You don’t have to justify what Emma said btw, it’s a flawed answer no matter how you spin it.”There’s a fundamental difference between player-player and player-coach relationships and that’s imbalance of power. She could’ve said anything but that.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALCarter is in a public relationship with Chelsea teammate Ann-Katrin Berger (left)Credit: AlamyCarter has liked a number of tweets discussing Hayes’ commentsAnother post liked by Carter read: “Anyone aligning coach x player relationships with player x player relationships is fundamentally misunderstanding the power imbalances at play.”There has been widespread criticism of player and coach relationships recently with other top level managers speaking out against them.Beth Mead poses with crutches on the red carpet as glamorous athletes arrive for BBC Sports Personality of the YearLeicester manager Willie Kirk was suspended last week after allegations of a relationship with a player in the WSL outfit’s squad.However it appears that Carter is taking more of an issue with the criticism of player-player relationships rather than player-coach relationships.When Hayes was probed further about her criticism of relationships between players she explained they present “challenges” to teams.She said: “I think it’s about the challenges it poses. One player is in the team, one’s not in the team.”One might be in the last year of their contract, one might not be. “One might be competing in a position with someone else, you don’t need me to spell that out, it presents challenges.”I think we all know those of us who have been in the women’s game for a long period of time, those things have been happening in dressing rooms. “I think longer term it would be ideal, in an ideal world, where you don’t have to deal with that.Berger and Carter have been dating since 2019Credit: GettyVivianne Miedema (Left) and Beth Mead (right) are another high-profile couple with the Arsenal stars dating each otherCredit: Getty”It’s quite challenging for coaching teams to have to deal with it. You talk about it from a hierarchical perspective, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t present challenges, it does,”I think you have to work an awful lot on how to manage those challenges in the locker room because they are far from ideal.”Listen, we’re dealing with human beings, and every office place has different challenges to deal with, that’s one of the challenges I have to deal with in my job, READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s the same things you have to deal with at work, I guess, it’s just I have to manage it and like I said it presents challenges.”We do talk about it internally, I think long term, in an ideal world, it’s something we didn’t have to.”Leicester City Women manager Willie Kirk was suspended last week following allegations of a relationship with one if his playersCredit: GettyEmma Hayes has said player-player relationships present ‘challenges’ for clubsCredit: Getty More