Women’s Super League

ASTON VILLA have made one of the biggest signings of their season with a stunning swoop for Japan skipper Mana Iwabuchi. 
The former Bayern Munich forward is set to join the side in January in a bid to boost their firepower as they battle to avoid the drop.

Mana Iwabuchi is set to join her Aston Villa team-mates in January Credit: Alamy Live News

Villa, who have been prolific up top in league cup clashes, have struggled to find the net in some of their games in their debut WSL season.  
The club, who are second from bottom, are set to face title-chasers Arsenal in their first WSL game in January.
Their current highest scorer in the top-flight is Ramona Petzelberger who has netted three times across eight league encounters. 
It is hoped Iwabuchi, a former Arsenal target who has scored 29 times in 72 appearances for her country, will give the Villans a sharper edge. 

Villa boss Gemma Davies said: “We are exceptionally excited that a player of Mana’s calibre will be joining us in January. 
“Not only will she bring a wealth of experience to the squad, but she will also add a different dimension to our attacking play. 
“She is a very technical player that thrives in tight spaces and we cannot wait to see her continue to develop at Aston Villa.”
Iwabuchi, 27, cemented her reputation as one to watch when she burst onto the international stage at the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in 2008. 

Mana Iwabuchi was part of Japan’s 2011 World Cup-winning side Credit: Getty – Contributor

The then 15-year-old starlet won the tournament’s Golden Ball after wowing fans with her attacking displays for Japan, who eventually lost to England in the quarter-finals.
Iwabuchi would later go on to represent her country’s senior side at the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
There Japan made history by becoming the first Asian team to win the tournament by defeating the United States.
And this year Iwabuchi sent fans wild when she netted an outstanding volley against Spain after slipping on the pitch at the SheBelieves Cup.

Ramona Petzelberger (right) is Aston Villa’s top scorer in the WSL after eight gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Iwabuchi, who plied her trade with Japanese club INAC Kobe Leonessa, will wear the number 20 vest when she makes her Villa debut.   
Villa Women’s sporting director Eniola Aluko said: “Mana is an exciting and creative goal-scorer who will bring World Cup-winning experience to the Club. 
“I am delighted Mana has chosen to join Aston Villa Women to drive us forward in our Barclays FA Women’s Super League journey.”

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JESS FISHLOCK hailed Reading for snuffing out Brighton’s momentum to seal a feisty victory on the Seagulls’ home turf.
A brace from the Wales star was among the goals that helped the rampant Royals grab a gritty 3-1 win. 

Jess Fishlock was outstanding in Reading’s midfield alongside team-mate Natasha HardingCredit: phcimages.com

Jess Fishlock’s brace helped the Royals secure their third away win this seasonCredit: phcimages.com

And the result saw the visitors – who consigned Albion to their third league defeat on the bounce – move a point behind fifth-placed Everton.  
Fishlock told BT Sport: “Our performances have perhaps not got the result they deserved, so today was all about the result – and we got that – so we can go into Christmas now feeling a little bit happier.
“We were really disappointed that we conceded the goal. It kind of came from us and our own mistakes and that is frustrating. 
“I thought we deserved to go (into halftime) up and I’m glad we got the second goal at that time because it kills a little bit of their momentum.”

Kelly Chambers’ players, who have picked up 9 points from 15 on the road, showed their intent to overwhelm their opponents from the get-go.
And at the heart of their swashbuckling attack was OL Reign loanee Fishlock, who was on fire for the visitors in midfield. 
It was the Wales ace who put the Royals ahead with a bottom corner strike in the 17th minute. 
But the hosts gave as good as they got winning a penalty four minutes later following Deanna Cooper’s foul on Ellie Brazil. 

And it was Dutch ace Inessa Kaagman who levelled from the spot for Albion. 
However, the 1-1 scoreline did not last too long with Fishlock latching on to a deflected cross to smash in her second close to half-time. 
The early stages of the second spell were a different affair with Hope Powell’s players pressing high in an attempt to pull the game level.
But Reading wrapped up the win with Rachel Rowe’s stoppage-time effort adjudged to have crossed the goal line before bouncing off the post. 
Albion boss Hope Powell said: “The result is pretty demoralising because at times we played well.  
“We came back 1-1, but then we gifted them their second goal from overplaying at the back. 

The Royals are now a point behind Everton who lost 4-0 to ArsenalCredit: Jane Stokes/News Images
“At this level, you have got to be smart enough to know when to play under pressure and when not to.
“They’re (Reading) a good side but we created a lot of our own errors. 
“I think in spells we played quite well, but it’s just that final pass and that final execution which we’ll have to keep working on until we get it right.”

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MIKEL ARTETA could learn a thing or two from Arsenal’s high-flying women on how to do the business over Everton.
Goals from Jordan Nobbs, Caitlin Foord, Jen Beattie and Beth Mead sent the Gunners to second in the table and snapping at the heels of leaders Manchester United.

Jen Beattie (far right) hit her first goal since opening up about her breast cancer diagnosis Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Australian superstar Caitlin Foord found the net as Arsenal demolished Everton Credit: Getty Images – Getty

It was just one day after the hapless men dropped ever closer to the relegation zone after a trip to Goodison Park.
There has been a rot at the club among both sides, with Arteta’s team suffering their worst start to a campaign since 1974-75.
While the women had limped to just one win in their last five games prior to hosting the Merseysiders – having been used to dominating the division’s elite for over three decades.
But a crucial victory today handed boss Joe Montemurro’s title ambitions a major boost.

He joked: “Ah we’ve always got to save the club us girls don’t we?
“We love representing the club and it’s more important that we represent it with style, class and the integrity it deserves.
“Win, lose or draw we will always go out there and be the best we can be and we hope the fans appreciate that.
“Would I have liked a couple of extra points by Christmas which were there? Yes, I would love them.

“But it’s a great league to be part of and Everton are a very good team.”
For most of the afternoon Montemurro benched all-time WSL scorer Vivianne Miedema – who came on with half-hour to go.
The Australian manager added: “It wasn’t about a statement of intent, it’s about having the squad that understands the way we want to play.
“You have the options to make certain tactical adjustments you need to make per game.”

Jodan Nobbs scored on her first start since October having been dogged with injuries Credit: PA:Press Association

Gunners boss Joe Montemurro was thrilled to give Arsenal fans something to cheer about before Christmas Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The Gunners got the breakthrough just FOUR minutes in after Mead broke free on the right flank and fired an inch-perfect cross to Nobbs who slotted home.
It was the England superstar’s first start since October, having been dogged with injuries for much of the season.  
Kim Little then came steaming down the right again, with Caitlin Foord meeting her cross to send a rocket past Toffees stopper Sandy MacIver on 10 minutes.
Everton were gifted a golden opportunity to pull one back after Hayley Raso pounced on a kamikaze clearance from Leah Williamson – but she flashed her shot agonizingly wide.
Willie Kirk’s side have looked like a wounded animal since their bitter FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at the start of November, having failed to pick up a top-flight win since.
Jill Roord stung the hands of MacIver after the break and the young England keeper was made to pay.
A sublime Katie McCabe corner fell to an unmarked Jen Beattie, who nodded beyond MacIver on 61 minutes.
The Scot’s teammates poignantly huddled around her, as it was her first goal since opening up about her shattering breast cancer diagnosis a week ago.
The defender found a lump in her breast in October which left her fearing she would die – but that header was the best possible riposte to the debilitating disease.
Three minutes later Beth Mead tucked into the goal fest up as she sent a strike dipping and curling sweetly into the top corner.
Everton almost grabbed a late consolation as substitute Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah rattled the woodwork with a fierce drive.  
Toffees boss Willie Kirk refused to speak to the media after the final whistle.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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CHELSEA have been forced to axe their WSL clash with Tottenham tomorrow after a rise in positive Covid-19 tests among the women’s side.
The decision was agreed between both teams and the FA after a number of positive cases for Covid-19 were returned after the last round of testing.

Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side have scrapped their fixture with Tottenham after a rise of Covid-19 cases in the women’s camp

Those affected immediately began a period of self-isolation in accordance with Government guidelines.
The women share the Cobham training base with the men’s side and the academy squad – which have reportedly not been effected by the outbreak.
The women use different facilities at the Surrey hub and a separate canteen to Frank Lampard’s side.
In a statement, the club said: “The health and safety of our players and support staff remain paramount.

“The women’s squad will now begin their winter break, returning to training in the New Year.
“A revised date for the match will be confirmed in due course.”
The Blues will now have to wait until January 10 for their next game, when they will travel to Reading for a league tie.
Chelsea’s game with Spurs could have been the last chance for WSL fans to see USA superstar Alex Morgan in action.

She arrived at the North London outfit on a short-term loan deal until January 1 from Orlando Pride.
The WSL is now the destination for many elite American players in search of regular minutes in a bid to win a place in the US squad for the delayed Tokyo Olympics.
But there is huge doubt over whether she will extend her contract,
And Pride boss Marc Skinner reportedly hopes she will return in time to join his side next spring for preseason ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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KAREN HILLS has admitted she was “the end line was a sad moment” after she ruthlessly axed midway through November.
The surprise sacking of head coaching duo, Hills and Juan Amoros, came just two months after the club renewed their contracts until 2022.

Juan Amoros and Karen Hills were sacked by Spurs in NovemberCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The North London outfit had failed to pick up a win before the pair were axed, leaving them second from bottom in the table at the time.
Hills told the BBC: “The end line was a sad moment,
“We were in a better place as a team and a coaching team than we were last year, so the expectation was, ‘What can we do next?’
“We were a big-name club but we were building for something incredible and it wasn’t going to happen overnight.

“We organically grew it. It was a process that we were working through. Our work showed that throughout the years.”
The night before Hills and Amoros’ departure, they lost to rivals Arsenal on penalties in the League Cup after drawing 2-2 in normal time.
World Cup-winning striker Alex Morgan missed the decisive spot-kick.
Hills added: “Alex Morgan nearly scored the winner for us in that game.

“That moment is one that will bring closure to my Spurs career and I’m very proud of what we have achieved.

“I can only see [the women’s game] excelling. I want to be a part of that. There are options to explore so I’m keeping them open.”
Phil Neville’s former No2, Rehanne Skinner, has since taken charge of the club.
She toasted Spurs’ first win of the season on her debut and a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the following game.
Tottenham have recently allowed the women’s side to train at the men’s Hotspur Way base on a full-time basis for the first time ever.

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