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      Sam Kerr quit ‘hostile’ social media while fans and pundits criticised performances since high-profile Chelsea transfer

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      SAM KERR confessed she quit “hostile” social media amid claims she has been firing blanks since joining Chelsea.
      The strike sensation, 27, paved the way for high-profile superstars ditching life in the sunny leagues overseas for England’s gruelling top-flight, when she joined the Blues in November.

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      Chelsea’s Sam Kerr has come in stick from critics for some of her performances in front of goal despite being in scintillating formCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      She still boasts the all-time goal-scoring record in America’s NWSL (77) and Australia’s W-League (70) despite not playing in either division for almost a year.
      Kerr’s arrival at Kingsmeadow sparked a fan frenzy and huge expectation that the Aussie would drench the Blues with goals.
      But by August, Kerr was in the firing line when critics blasted her for failing to convert chances.

      Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis described the striker’s performance in the Community Shield as “painfully bad”.

      But Kerr told SunSport: “Whenever I miss a chance, whether it’s a big chance or a little chance, I’m not going to sit here and cry about it.
      “I go back on the training field and get better for it.
      “The most pressure I feel is from myself, outside noise to me is just outside noise.
      “Social media can be quite hostile so I’ve actually been off it in the last few months, other than Instagram.”

      The Perth-born ace’s two-year deal in West London is said to be worth nearly £1million – making her one of the highest earners in the women’s game.  

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      Sam Kerr’s Chelsea’s transfer sparked sensation amongst fans and punditsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Her arrival in England was a huge coup for the WSL at the time, before the likes of Alex Morgan and Pernille Harder made the switch.
      She had broken records in the United States and Australia, made her international debut at just 15 and already captained her country at a World Cup.
      But off the pitch Kerr is just a regular girl who loves trips to her local coffee shop and riding her bike.
      So it’s no surprise that amid all the craziness surrounding her switch to Chelsea she just wanted to fade into the team without the fanfare.
      The Aussie added: “Don’t get me wrong, it was a really amazing thing to be a part of.
      “I don’t think there had been that much buzz around a signing before so I felt really proud that we had generated that much kind of interest.
      “But at the same time, I just wanted to kind of slip into the team and come in as my own person rather than this big superstar the media had made me out to be – which I’m really not.
      “Pernille and also Niamh Fahey coming in from Liverpool, it has been cool to support them because I went through it six months ago.
      “There’s no doubt when I first got here it was difficult, a new apartment, just getting settled into a new place.
      “I’d be lying if I said it was all smooth sailing, it’s been tough and there’s definitely cultural changes.
      “But that’s part of it and that’s why I came here, I came here to challenge myself.
      “And since we had a bit of a break I feel like now this is my home.”

      Kerr has been in scintillating form this term, already silencing the critics with two league goals in just three games while Chelsea continue their unbeaten run in the WSL.  
      The striker hails the club’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich for plowing investment into shiny training facilities for the women alongside the men at the shared hub in Cobham.
      She added: “You can feel that just being in and around the club, what we have and what we’re provided with here is like no other.
      “I also think you know the club and the girls have really earned it so I definitely feel that we have the support from above.
      “But at the same time I think the girls definitely deserved that.”
      Chelsea host Manchester City on Sunday after the teams played out a crazy 3-3 draw in their most recent league clash.
      City boss Gareth Taylor said: “It was a great spectacle. A lot of goals and  excitement. Who knows what could happen this time?”

      Chelsea have suffered a blow as Edouard Mendy gets injured on international duty More

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      Aston Villa forced to axe WSL fixtures with Bristol and Chelsea due to positive coronavirus test

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      ASTON VILLA have confirmed that an unnamed player in the women’s first team has tested positive for Covid-19.
      The shock test result has forced the West Midlanders to postpone their upcoming WSL clash with Bristol this Sunday and Chelsea on October 17.

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      Aston Villa manager Gemma Davies and her side will have to wait a month until their next fixture due to positive Covid-19 test in the squadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      As reported on the Villan’s website, several other members of the squad have gone into self-isolation in accordance with Government guidelines.
      The club’s statement read: “Aston Villa Women can confirm that a member of our first-team squad has tested positive for COVID-19.
      “Several other members of the squad will also enter a period of self-isolation.
      “Due to these developments, we have since agreed with the FA to postpone our next two fixtures, against Bristol City (October 11th) and Chelsea (October 17th).

      “Aston Villa’s main priority is the health and safety of our players, staff, and opponents.”
      Since the coronavirus outbreak, the women’s side had been training separately from the men’s team.
      Gemma Davies’ newly-promoted side have lost all three of their matches so far this term and sit second from bottom in the WSL table.

      They were 1-0 winners over Sheffield United in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday.

      It is understood the Blades’ upcoming games are still set to go ahead as planned.

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      How Man Utd women became a top four side in just TWO years with England legend Casey Stoney at the helm

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have come a long way since dreaming of Women’s Super League stardom when the club was built from scratch just TWO years ago.
      The Red Devils have enjoyed a meteoric rise – becoming the fourth best side in England in just their first top-flight season and attracting some of the biggest names in the game.

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      Manchester United women have become the fourth best side in England in just two seasonsCredit: Rex Features

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      Casey Stoney has been in the top job at the Red Devils since the women’s side was reformed in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Former England and Arsenal legend Casey Stoney, 38, has been at the helm of the club since it was reformed in 2018 after a 13-year hiatus.

      She had just four weeks before pre-season to build a whole team, recruit her backroom staff and attract 21 players.
      But it didn’t take her long to capture the imagination of the fans and her squad when the club stormed to the Championship title in the 2018/19 season, with 18 wins in 20 games.
      United ace Lucy Staniforth, who played for Birmingham at the time, saw her ex-teammate and pal win the hearts and minds of Manchester in just weeks.

      The midfielder, 28, forged a reunion with Stoney after arriving at United this summer on a two-year deal.
      She said: “I thought United starting a women’s side was really intriguing because I’d had a few conversations with Casey at the time they started.
      “It definitely caught my attention and I thought wow what an exciting moment for women’s football – Manchester United being a part of it.
      “I think what also caught my attention last year was how well they performed.

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      Lucy Staniforth forged a reunion with her former teammate Casey Stoney after signing for United this summer Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “I don’t think anyone expected them to finish as high as they did in the table when they first joined the league – it being there first season who would think that?
      “From the outside looking in you think yeah it’s a big club in England and the world but once you’re a part of it you realise how big it is.
      “So when they first got a team I thought wow this is going to be great but I didn’t realise how big it would be in years to come.”
      THE STONEY APPROACH
      Lionesses and Man City ace Alex Greenwood was among the exciting crop of youngsters recruited when the women’s team was formed.
      The defender was even willing to drop down a league to join the club, hailing Stoney as the main reason for her decision, just like Staniforth.
      The midfielder added: “Casey is someone that I hold in real high respect, I love her passion, I love the way she carries herself, everything she wants from her team she does herself.
      “I know her from playing with her beforehand so I guess that’s made it a bit easier to come in and work.
      “I thought she was a wonderful leader and I knew that she would probably step into that position when the time came.
      “With Casey what you see is what you get. The way she played is the way that she leads and manages.
      “She’s a great leader and a really strong person to be in charge of such a big football club.”
      The United boss was capped more than 100 times for the England women’s national football team after making her debut in 2000.

      The club’s transfer business had been fairly-modest amid their maiden WSL campaign, while Chelsea were snapping up the likes of last year’s record-signing Sam Kerr.
      But this summer Stoney’s side fired a huge warning shot to their rivals after landing USA back-to-back World Cup winners Christen Press and Tobin Heath.
      Heath said at the time of signing: “Any footballer’s dream would be to play for Manchester United.”
      The duo also have a huge impact off the pitch – with their shirts outselling EVERY player in the men’s squad in the first three days of their release.
      The shirts even outstripped the likes of Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
      Boss Stoney said: “I think it says a lot about the women’s game, this football club and those players in terms of what they’ve achieved in the game,
      “And the fan base they’ve got across the US and how well known they are.
      “It’s massively positive because not only does it mean that people are putting female players’ names on the back of their shirts, it means that there’s revenue coming back in and that helps us as a club.”

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      Man Utd sold more shirts with Christen Press (pictured) and Tobin Heath on the back than ANY player in the men’s squadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Tobin Heath has won back-to-back World Cups with the USACredit: Getty Images – Getty
      United have been in scintillating form this term, they are unbeaten in the league and drew with top dogs Chelsea on the opening weekend.
      Meanwhile, the men’s side were mauled by Spurs in a humiliating 6-1 loss at Old Trafford last time out.
      But Stoney’s side have a chance to salvage the club’s pride and turn the tables on Tottenham this Saturday.
      World Cup superstar Alex Morgan could make her long-awaited Spurs debut having recently signed for the North Londoners on a short-term deal.
      She is another American icon who is arguably bigger than the club, given her 9.2MILLION Instagram followers –  more than Spurs’ official account and just shy of Harry Kane’s 9.8million.
      Stoney continued: “I give credit to Karen and Juan (managers of Spurs) for what they’ve done at Tottenham, as a club are constantly pushing on every year, as we are.
      “In terms of the club itself we are one of the biggest clubs in the world. So everybody knows the brand, everyone knows the name.
      “For me, pressure is a privilege. If people aren’t talking about you, then you’re not doing the right thing.
      “It’s now down to us to get to those levels consistently every week.
      “We’ve got some learning to do from our League Cup loss to Liverpool because we need to realise that it doesn’t matter where we turn up, there’s a target on our back.”
      BARMY ARMY
      Staniforth reckons a lot of players are attracted to United for their die-hard supporters known as the “Barmy Army”.
      She said: “To be able to play in front of some of the best fans in England who will you on to do well is exactly why you play football.”
      United were attracting an average crowd of 2,000 in the Championship while most WSL sides were lucky to get just under 1,000.
      Before the coronavirus crisis the supporters followed the club up and down the country, carrying a songbook filled with chants tailored to each player.
      And they have even managed to get flags printed for new signings Press and Heath already put up in the women’s ground – the Leigh Sports Village.

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      Before the coronavirus crisis United were followed up and down the country by their die-hard supporters known as the “Barmy Army”Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      United’s first top-flight game saw the WSL’s attendance record smashed as 31,213 turned up at the Eithad for the first women’s Manchester derbyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tottenham signing Alex Morgan shows off her skills on the training pitch More

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      Christen Press and Tobin Heath shirts outsold EVERY Man Utd men’s player in the first three days

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      MANCHESTER UNITED sold more shirts with Christen Press and Tobin Heath on the back than ANY player in the men’s squad.
      Shirts for the USA World Cup Winners were so popular in the first three days of their release that they even outsold the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

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      Heath (pictured) and Press jerseys were the club’s most popular of any player, male or femaleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Christen Press chose the number 24 shirt as a touching tribute to the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant Credit: Getty Images – Getty

       The American superstars arrived at the Red Devils last month, in a major coup for the Women’s Super League.

      The pair have made a combined 306 appearances for their country and were both members of the 2015 and 2019 World Cup-winning squads.
      Los Angeles-born Press opted for the number 24 shirt in homage to late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
      She said: “I’m not someone that holds too much luck or significance to a number.

      “But when I wasn’t able to wear my normal number, I chose this with a little nod to Kobe, because I’m an LA girl.”
      Heath usually dons the number 17 but it was taken by Ona Batlle so she chose 77.
      United fans were left drooling when the duo made their highly-anticipated debuts last Sunday in the 3-0 win over Brighton on home soil.

      Heath even provided an inch-perfect cross to Jane Ross in the 90th minute for the Red Devil’s final goal.

      The 32-year-old is actually a huge Arsenal fan and would often watch the Premier League on TV when she was growing up.
      The forward said: “Pretty much my whole footballing education and introduction was through English football.
      “When TV rights started becoming more prominent in the US with all the games, it was something as a football fan that was just a dream to be able to watch.”
      Other big-name US arrivals who have made a temporary switch to the WSL include Tottenham’s Alex Morgan and Manchester City’s Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle.
      United will face Spurs and possibly Morgan, who is yet to make her long-awaited debut, for their next WSL fixture on Saturday.

      Tottenham signing Alex Morgan shows off her skills on the training pitch More

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      Chelsea ace Fran Kirby says she is still ‘building confidence’ after her illness ahead of Arsenal League Cup tie

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      FRAN KIRBY revealed she is still rebuilding her confidence after being told she may never play football again due to a rare heart condition.
      The Chelsea and England star, 27, has been on fire since her return, hitting twice in all three of the Blues’ top-flight games so far this season.

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      Fran Kirby has scored twice in the opening three games of the WSL

      Kirby was diagnosed with pericarditis – an inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the heart – in November.
      She made an emotional return to football in the Blues’ win over Manchester City in the Community Shield at the end of August.
      The West Londoners are preparing to defend their Continental Cup trophy against last year’s finalists, Arsenal, in their opening tie on Wednesday.
      And the strike sensation told Chelsea’s official website : “I feel 100 per cent fit. I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t,

      “That’s the most important thing I’ve learned over my career. I need to make sure that I’m looking after myself and that every time I step on the pitch I’m 100 per cent ready to go.
      “I’m feeling really good, so hopefully I can keep building on that and I’ve properly pushed myself to the limit this year. I’m in a really good place.
      “When I know that we’ve got so many good players who can come into the game and make an impact, it’s exciting for me to be a part of and I want to keep growing and building my confidence.”
      Some clubs will be streaming the games live and the FA Player will have all matches available to fans for the day after.

      Group Stage 1 of the Continental Cup
      Wednesday, October 7
      Liverpool v Manchester United – 2pm
      Tottenham Hotspur v London City Lionesses – 3.30pm
      Chelsea v Arsenal – 7pm
      Durham v Coventry United – 7pm
      Manchester City v Everton – 7pm
      Aston Villa v Sheffield United, 7.30pm
      Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United – 7.30pm
      Reading v Charlton Athletic – 7.30pm
      Bristol City v London Bees – 7.30pm
      Lewes v Crystal Palace – 7.45pm
      Thursday, October 8
      Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City – 7.45pm

      Watch Arsenal ace Vivianne Miedema score incredible goal against Reading More

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      Sam Mewis sends Citizens into FA Cup final after Steph Houghton’s brilliant free-kick opener

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      SAM MEWIS fired Manchester City into the final of the FA Cup with her first goal in English football.
      Citizens skipper Steph Houghton opened the scores by curling in a peach of a free kick mid-way through the first-half.

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      Steph Houghton celebrates after giving Arsenal the leadCredit: Rex Features

      The Gunners hit back and Jordan Nobbs drew the North Londoners level after unleashing a fierce drive from 25-yards out.
      But just TWO minutes later World Cup winner Mewis slotted home thanks to Ellen White cutely nudging the ball backwards in the box after being mowed down by Leah Williamson.
      City were let off in the dying moments when Katie McCabe whipped the ball across goal, but no one was there to make the crucial touch.
      Boss Gareth Taylor said: “I pride myself on the football we play, someone told me we were the holders of the competition and it confused me!

      “It’s great to be going back to Wembley.”
      Arsenal boss Montemurro accepted defeat after her side failed to meet their usual standards.
      She said: “They dominated the first 60 mins, they were better than us, we have no excuses.
      “It’s disappointing because we have the capacity to play well and tonight wasn’t the night.”

      And Gunners golascorer Nobbs added: “The first half they were the better team, we didn’t keep the ball well and that was the crucial point.
      “In the second half we showed we could play football and if we’d done that in the first half we’d have been a better team.
      “We didn’t do enough tonight so congratulations to Man City.”

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      The Citizens skipper curled home a free-kickCredit: PA:Press Association

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      World Cup winner Rose Lavelle set for Man City debut in FA Cup tie against Arsenal, hints Gareth Taylor

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      GARETH TAYLOR teased the prospect of World Cup winner Rose Lavelle making her debut for Manchester City in their Women’s FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
      Taylor’s players face the Gunners on Thursday in the semis of a contest delayed from last term because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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      Rose Lavelle could be set to make her debut for Manchester City on Thursday evening Credit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

      His team, which includes Lavelle, 25, and her US teammate Sam Mewis among their new signings, are vying for a place in the final of a competition they have won twice.
      And the City boss reckons the USA playmaker, who helped knock the Lionesses out of the World Cup last year, is “keen” to make her mark.
      Taylor, 47, said: “Rose has been training hard. What we’re trying to do with her is just make sure that when she is introduced –  which is hopefully over the next couple of games, that she’s ready –  because she is quite slight in stature and she had an issue when she first came to us with a slight injury.

      “She has been really keen to get back in and start joining in the matches.
      “It’s just been a case of keeping the reins on her slightly, just before we let her go and do her thing so, hopefully, we start to see that and, again, it gives us another option, which is great.
      Taylor’s players, who defeated a high-energy Leicester City in the quarter-finals, will host Joe Montemurro’s Arsenal at the Academy Stadium.
      The North London side, who lost to Chelsea in the finals in 2018, have won the cup on 14 occasions.

      And the Gunners boss, whose line-up is likely to include Lisa Evans, the hat-trick hero from their win against Tottenham, says his team will take a “do or die” approach.

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      Lavelle (right) and her USA team-mate Alex Morgan are among several NWSL stars who joined Women’s Super League clubs this term Credit: Reuters

      Montemurro, 51, said: “There needs to be a level of patience also tomorrow, because they are a very good ball playing side, and we just need to be smart in terms of picking our times and our ability to win the ball back.
      “But it’s a do or die and there are moments in the game that we need to make sure we’re prepared for and don’t let ourselves down.”
      “The team that get into their rhythm as quick as possible and is able to control and dictate is going to be very very important because we are similar footballing sides.”

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