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      Leah Galton scores late leveller as Man Utd peg back Chelsea to fire warning to WSL rivals

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      LEAH GALTON fired a warning to the WSL top dogs with Manchester United’s late leveller – after Sam Kerr’s strike for champions Chelsea.
      The Red Devils winger coolly tapped in Jackie Groenen’s low cross on 79 minutes.

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      Man Utd winger Leah Galton shows her joy at rescuing a point against ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Leah Galton shows perfect timing as she tucks Man Utd’s equaliser past Chelsea keeper Carly TelfordCredit: PA:Press Association
      Boss Casey Stoney roared: “It was really pleasing to see my players remove their fear and stand up to Chelsea.
      “I knew it would take every ounce we had as they are a quality side.
      “Some of my players won’t have played against world-class players before and we needed that first 45-minutes to get rid of any anxiety and fear.
      “I’m not a person that likes being locked in, being out there and watching the players and being on the touchline is where I belong. I can’t heap enough credit on my players.”

      Hosts United had the first sniff on goal when skipper Katie Zelem flashed a shot agonizingly wide.
      AUSSIE RULES FOR BLUES
      The champs bit back and Kerr fired inches wide from the far-post – but it was only a matter of time before she got the breakthrough.
      Fran Kirby whipped in a low cross to the Australian strike sensation, who slotted home on the 25th minute.
      United were let off just moments later when Kerr had a goal chalked off for straying a fraction offside.

      But the lethal Blues striker wasn’t done pummelling Mary Earps – who did well to then keep out a rasping half-volley from the Aussie.

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      Aussie striker Sam Kerr turns home the Chelsea opener before soon having a goal ruled out for offside Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Chelsea’s ruthless predator Sam Kerr celebrates her breakthrough strike for the WSL championsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Red Devils came close to clawing one back on the stroke of half-time when Galton flicked a header onto the woodwork.
      And in the second-half, a fierce drive from Ella Toone stung the hands of Chelsea stopper Carly Telford – who did well to tip it over the bar.
      The Blues hit back strongly, with Erin Cuthbert denied a chance to double the lead by a superb save from Earps.
      But Chelsea were made to pay for not cashing in on a great chance to finish the hosts off, as moments later Galton nabbed the equaliser.

      Blues’ manager Emma Hayes said: “It has been the poorest performance from my team.
      “We had an off day and if you play poorly and create chances you have to finish those chances off.
      “That’s what I’m demanding from our team and that’s what I expect. We’ve just scratched the surface, we feel there is another gear with us.”   More

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      Brighton boss fears ‘middle class’ structures are blocking minority talent

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      HOPE POWELL  fears ‘middle class’ structures in women’s football are blocking new black and ethnic minority talent.
      The Brighton women’s boss made history by becoming the first black female manager of an England side when she was Lionesses chief.

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      Hope Powell believes hybrid football centres could help unearth more talented black and ethnic minority playersCredit: PA:Press Association
      But Powell believes the current structure at grassroots level is limiting access for aspiring footballers from minority backgrounds.
      She said: “The representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic players on the pitch isn’t as great at the moment.
      “I couldn’t really tell you the numbers, but it is all about opportunity.

      “There are some real challenges in order to make sure that girls’ football, and the women’s game, has a far enough reach so more players with potential can play it.

      My concern is the game is becoming a little bit middle class with the structures.
      “The local grassroots game is so important to access.”
      Powell’s comments came after the Telegraph revealed black  footballers make up an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of Women’s Super League players.
      It says this percentage is incredibly low, considering the number of black and non-white stars in the Premier League.

      BAME players account for roughly a third of footballers in the men’s top flight.
      Powell believes having more training centres in diverse areas and affiliated with top clubs could help the women’s game unearth more talent.

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      Hope Powell’s Brighton side face Birmingham in their first game of the new Women’s Super League seasonCredit: Rex Features
      And the Peckham-born boss admits she was fortunate 40 years ago — when a  football coach spotted her potential as  a kid.
      Powell, 53, said: “I was playing at a very young age and fortunately there was a local club where I lived.

      For some who can just about afford to feed their family, they might not be able to afford to send their young daughter to our wonderful training centre, because it’s an hour away
      Hope Powell

      “The reason I managed to get to training is because the guy who was a coach went out of his way to take me home.
      “At Brighton, we’re a tier-one club for finding regional talent in girls’ football. To be able to get to us can be a problem for players’ parents who can’t afford to drive, or put their kid on a train.
      “For some who can just about afford to feed their family, they might not be able to afford to send their young daughter to our wonderful training centre, because it’s an hour away.
      “I know that from my own experience as a kid. When you have got less money, it’s hard.
      “Hybrid centres would be a help. Our club may be based in Brighton, but that doesn’t mean that we couldn’t have a centre based in Peckham, for instance.
      “I think there needs to be more work on that, but then it’s finances as well.”
      Diversity and race equality in the game is always a major talking point.
      In June, Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling led calls for more management opportunities for black stars.

      The Premier League and PFA are funding a scheme this season for six BAME players to be put on a 23-month coaching placement at EFL clubs.
      Powell, whose Brighton side face Birmingham today, hopes this helps.
      She added: “I guess the argument would be it makes you more ready for an opportunity which would be a good thing.”

      Fans return to English football for first time in six months as Brighton host Chelsea in friendly at Amex stadium More

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      Chelsea star Fran Kirby set for emotional return to WSL after being told she may not play again

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      FRAN KIRBY is set for an emotional return to the WSL after being told she may never play football again.
      The Chelsea star, 27, has been out of league action since last  November  when she learned she had a rare heart condition.

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      Fran Kirby is set to return for Chelsea after being told she may have to retireCredit: Rex Features
      Pericarditis — an inflammation of the lining around the heart  — left Kirby with severe chest pains and unable to do even basic  tasks.
      She was sofa-ridden at her home during the long, crippling months she battled the illness.
      The England forward revealed: “There was a period where I was told by the cardiologist that if I didn’t slow down, I could become chronic and never play again.
      “I remember reading about the illness because I had no idea what it was when I was diagnosed.

      “I never read any stories where someone had overcome it.

      It has been a tough journey but it’s definitely shaped me into who I am now. It made me realise how precious these moments when you play are
      Fran Kirby

      “But I wanted to show to myself that I could get over this and I had a positive story to give.
      “It has been a tough journey but it’s definitely shaped me into who I am now. It made me realise how precious these moments when you play are.”
      The forward hailed Chelsea boss Emma Hayes for being her “rock” as she struggled to recover.

      And her Chelsea pals, who would visit her for a cuppa, bring her snacks and even helped her build a puzzle to take her mind off things.  
      Kirby added: “Emma made sure that I was protected from everything. At the beginning, I wanted my illness to be very private.

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      Fran Kirby’s team-mates say she looks like a ‘new signing’ for the WSL title-holdersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      She was the one who was questioning the doctor all the time, saying, ‘Can we try this? Can we try that?’ She was always trying to find answers.
      “They also respected when I wanted to be left alone.
      “They knew if I went to lie on the physiotherapy bed in training, that was my time where I needed to be left alone.”
      “When I wasn’t feeling great, I could just go into her office and cry in front of her and not feel embarrassed about it.
      “And my team-mates would always make an effort to come round, even if I wasn’t in the best frame of mind.”
      Kirby says she feels good as she turns her attention to facing Manchester United  for Chelsea’s opening fixture.
      Her team-mates reckon she looks like a “new signing” alongside the likes of Sam Kerr, Beth England and now Pernille Harder in the Blues’ star-studded attack.
      She said: “They were definitely the reason I kept pushing.

      “I wasn’t a player any more, I was a fan of them, and I really enjoyed going through that switch with them.
      “There was nothing that made me think, ‘Well, this is going to be chronic’.  I knew I was going to get over it, whether it took two weeks or six months.
      “And If I’m honest, I actually feel better.”

      Go behind the scenes as Kai Havertz becomes Chelsea’s sixth signing of the summer More

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      Aston Villa vs Man City to kick off new Women’s Super League season as full fixture list is announced

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      ASTON VILLA have the honour of kicking off the highly-anticipated Women’s Super League season against Manchester City.
      The full fixture list of the women’s top-flight was announced on Friday after the Covid-19 shutdown.

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      Newly promoted Aston Villa will play Man City at Villa Park to open the 2020-21 WSL season Credit: Rex Features
      And Gemma Davies’ newly promoted side have a tough test against Gareth Taylor’s runners-up to get things off and running in 2020-21.
      The Villans are hoping to push on from their unbeaten run in the Championship.
      And they will play live on BT Sport 2 – available for free – at 2.30pm on Saturday September 5.
      On Sunday, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea travel to Manchester United for a tasty match-up – and the game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and online from 2pm.

      Arsenal vs Reading will be available live on the BBC red button on Sunday at 12.30pm.  
      While all other games can be viewed on the FA Player website or app for FREE.

      Saturday, Septemeber 5
      Aston Villa vs Manchester City, 2.30pm

      Sunday, September 6
      Arsenal vs Reading, 12.30pm
      Brighton & Hove Albion vs Birmingham City 2pm
      Bristol City vs Everton 2pm
      Manchester United Women vs Chelsea 2.30pm
      Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham United Women, 2pm
      Saturday, September 12
      West Ham vs Arsenal, 5.20pm
      Sunday, September 13
      Chelsea vs Bristol City, 12.30pm
      Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur, 1pm
      Reading vs Aston Villa, 2pm
      Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion, 2pm
      Birmingham City vs Manchester United, 2pm
      Sunday, October 4
      West Ham vs Reading, 2pm
      Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion, 2pm
      Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur, 2pm
      Birmingham City vs Chelsea, 2pm
      Aston Villa vs Everton, 2pm
      Arsenal vs Bristol City, 2pm
      Sunday, October 11
      Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United, 2pm
      Reading vs Birmingham City, 2pm
      Everton vs West Ham, 2pm
      Chelsea vs Manchester City, 2pm
      Bristol City vs Aston Villa, 2pm
      Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal 2pm

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      Man City ace Georgia Stanway pays tribute to sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease ahead of Aston Villa clash

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      GEORGIA STANWAY emotionally paid tribute to sufferers of Motor Neurone Disease as she remembered her close friend who passed away from the illness last year.
      During lockdown, the cheeky Manchester City striker, 21, proved she could be a star both on and off the pitch as she rallied support for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

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      Georgia Stanway and her family have helped raise £15,000 over lockdown to help the find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

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      Stanway’s close family friend Peter Fell (Felly) passed away from the disease in August last year
      The charity was set up by City skipper Steph Houghton’s husband – Stephen Darby and his friend Chris Rimmer.
      The pair both have the debilitating disease, which mercilessly attacks the muscles and has no cure.

      There is no cure and we have to find one because a lot of people are suffering
      Georgia Stanway

      Former Liverpool full-back Darby was told of his shattering diagnosis only months after his wedding to Steph in 2018 – and has been given just years to live.
      Stanway’s close pal Pete Fell, from her hometown of Barrow-in-Furness, tragically passed away in August last year, just five months after his diagnosis.  

      The City striker said: “I’m proudly a patron of the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation on behalf of Steph and Stephen.
      “My family grew up with a very, very close friend called Felly and unfortunately he died a year ago. We raised a lot of money for him and wanted to do our bit to help find a cure.
      “When Stephen created his foundation we were able to put the money that we’d raised for the Felly into finding a cure for MND.

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      Steph Houghton’s husband Stephen Darby (left) and his close friend Chris Rimmer (right) set up the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation Credit: Rex Features

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      Stephen found out about his diagnosis just months after his wedding to England and City captain Steph in 2018

      “In lockdown, me, my dad and my step mum wanted to do a 100k in May and we had a lot of interest from people in Barrow.

      “We had about 400 people that all donated a tenner and walked or ran the 100k with us.
      “Each month my dad has loved creating a new plan and new exercises for the town to do to raise money.
      “It’s been good because it’s allowed people in the town to focus on something and enjoy something.
      “We also did ‘Steps for Stephen’ which was a walk of the distance of the football clubs that Stephen has played for.
      “Steph is a close friend of ours and Stephen is too. It’s a horrible disease, we can only do our little bit to support them and this is us doing our bit.”
      Thanks to Stanway and her family, the people of Barrow raised a staggering £15,000 for the charity during lockdown.

      Looking back on yesterday and an amazing few months of fund raising for @DarbyRimmerMND … 100k in May- £12,838. David Goude raffle- £1150. Steps4Stephen- £598.98. @fellys_fund £523.24. Total- £15,110.20. The people of Barrow are amazing!! THANK YOU ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zHWh7CC2Qq
      — Georgia Stanway (@StanwayGeorgia) August 31, 2020

      The England forward is proud to have raised awareness in a bid to help others battle MND.
      She added: “People aren’t actually aware of the symptoms, how you can develop it, how it gets worse, how it makes you feel.
      “That was the key thing for us to get across. That it’s uncontrollable and there is no cure and we have to find one because a lot of people are suffering.
      “Whether we give £100 or £10, every little helps.
      “I think it’s unbelievable how much we have created and obviously, we’re going to go for as much as we can.
      “It’s a massive credit to my dad and my step mum who have thought of the idea and pushed it.”
      Today, the striker turns her attention to the Women’s Super League and City’s first match against newly promoted Aston Villa.
      The Manchester outfit narrowly missed out on the title last season after the top-flight was axed and the table was determined by points-per-game, with Chelsea crowned champions.
      But Stanway insists Gareth Taylor’s side are back with a vengeance after the March Covid-19 shutdown.
      She continued: “Everyone is just so excited to get going. I feel like this has been the longest pre-season ever.
      “It’s the longest time I’ve ever spent with my family and I’ve had enough of them now and I’m ready to get going.
      “I’m used to just seeing my family on a Sunday at the game, so I’d love that to happen again.
      “But we’re ready to get back out there and showcase the work we’ve been putting in during lockdown.”
      USA World Cup winners Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle are set to make their WSL debuts for Gareth Taylor’s side today, while Lauren Hemp is out with a hamstring injury.
      Click here to donate to the Darby Rimmer Foundation.

      Steph Houghton has revealed she is prepared to sacrifice her World Cup dream for husband Stephen Darby More

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      Reading ace Jess Fishlock urges people to ‘focus on football in the WSL’ over financial support from men’s clubs

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      JESS FISHLOCK believes the Women’s Super League has made great “strides” since her Bristol Academy days. 
      And Reading’s loan star hopes this season’s match action gets more attention than debates on whether men’s sides should pour cash into the women’s game.

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      OL Reign midfielder Jess Fishlock will return to the WSL this season with Reading
      The 5ft 2’’ midfielder, who made a temporary switch from the NWSL in the United States, once saw the WSL as “lacking in tempo”.
      But the 33-year-old now reckons the gap is closing between top-flight women’s football in England and the USA.
      The Wales international said: “When I was at Bristol there were four players who were full time. 
      “Now it’s all full time, great facilities, great training grounds. Everything has taken strides since I was last here. 

      “Everyone’s on a professional contract; we’re training every day, not twice a week. It still has a way to go but it’s definitely taken strides.
      “I’ve said from day one the WSL lacks tempo and it lacks competitiveness, but I think right now that probably goes out the window.  
      “I don’t think you can say that any more. The one thing I’d like to see is everyone just talk about the football.
      “I think we talk too much about men’s clubs investing in women’s teams or the women’s crowds.”

      Fishlock, who is currently the most-capped Welsh footballer of all time, joined the Royals on loan in August from Washington-based club OL Reign. 
      The midfielder, who battled back from a serious knee injury she picked up in July, is one of four summer transfer additions to Kelly Chambers’ new-look Reading side. 
      The NWSL star is the second OL Reign player to make a short-term move to England’s top tier, with World Cup-winning US star Rose Lavelle agreeing to a one-year deal with Manchester City in August. 
      Fishlock added: “Seeing people like Rose play here at club level will be pretty special. City, Chelsea, look great, we look great.
      “It’s exciting. It’s really exciting for WSL. It’s closing that gap massively.”
      Bridging the gulf between the league’s established top three and the rest of the table is something Fishlock and her new teammates aim to do this term. 
      And the Royals, who finished fifth last season, have made some astute signings ahead of their highly-anticipated season-opener against Arsenal. 
      Among the big names who will be helping them challenge the dominance of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City is former Gunners golden girl Danielle Carter.

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      Danielle Carter spent 11-years at Arsenal and made 184 appearances for the clubCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The fleet-footed forward, 27, is hoping to make her comeback following two devastating ACL injuries that put the brakes on her playing career for two seasons. 
      And the former Arsenal star,  who spent 11 trophy-laden years with the former WSL champions, is looking forward to playing alongside Fishlock and her old Gunners teammate Fara Williams. 
      Carter, 27, said: “Fara and Jess have got so much experience in the women’s game and have been around for a while.
      “That experience and their quality can hopefully benefit me with them playing behind me.
      “Reading have high ambitions to challenge and bridge that top-three gap because they have been a top-four, top-five team consistently.
      “So now it’s a case where they want to do what they can to bridge it as much as possible.”
      The Royals face Arsenal away in a behind closed doors game on Sunday.
      The last time the two sides faced each other in the league was in December 2019 with the Royals losing 3-1 at home. 
      And the North London team have won the last four of the two clubs’ WSL clashes against each other. 
      Carter added: “When we used to play Reading, they were always like a bogey team just in terms of how hard they work and almost how annoying they were.
      “Now being amongst it (at Reading), it’s just a case of we need to carry that on and now push with the quality side of things to really compete with the other teams.” 

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      Birmingham ace Harriet Scott studies medicine to one day save lives like NHS coronavirus heroes

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      HARRIET SCOTT wants to save lives on the NHS frontline after hitting the big time at Birmingham City.
      The Republic of Ireland defender, 27, juggles Women’s Super League football with a full-time medicine degree at Keele University.

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      Harriet Scott juggles football in the English top-flight with a full-time medicine degreeCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

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      Scott bagged a degree in physiotherapy from the University of the West of England in 2014Credit: Instagram @harrietascott
      She is about to embark on the third-year of her studies, just as the top-flight gets underway this weekend.
      The Blues will take on their fellow relegation scrappers of last term, Brighton, for their first taste of competitive action since the March Covid-19 shutdown.
      Scott said: “I’m really enjoying the balance. People always ask me, ‘how do you do it? How do you manage it?’
      “But if you want to speak to anybody in football, they say that you should have something outside of the sport.

      “And if you speak to anybody in medicine, they say you should have something outside of medicine.
      “When I’m studying really hard and it’s getting a bit stressful and I’ve got exams, I throw myself into football.
      “I compete as much as I can as it takes my mind off it.
      “If football is really hard, I can throw myself into a book. It’s the way that my balance works at the moment.”

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      The Birmingham City defender arrived at Damson Park in 2018 after three seasons with ReadingCredit: Instagram @harrietascott

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      Scott met women’s football icon Megan Rapinoe (right) after Ireland played the USA last year Credit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      Scott catches up on lectures in the evening after a day of training with the Blues.
      She dedicates her time to football on the weekends and sneaks in 1-1 sessions with the coaching staff to help her stay sharp on the pitch.
      The Irish defender already has a physiotherapy degree under her belt as she never thought she could make ends meet from football.
      And now Scott believes her calling in life is to save lives in hospitals after hanging up her boots.

      Her uncle works in a hospital and many of her course-mates volunteered to fight the coronavirus pandemic while the universities were closed.
      And after seeing NHS heroes battle the killer virus in crippling hospital conditions, Scott is “prouder” than ever as she gears up to one day join the front-line herself.
      The Blues ace added: “Covid-19 has made a lot of people realise having the NHS is such an amazing thing.
      “No one should have to worry and think that they won’t get the help they need for their health.
      “It has highlighted how grateful we are all for it. It’s a really difficult time because there is a lot of pressure on it, and I think we need to support it more.
      “I don’t have many family members that are in the healthcare sector, but I have a lot of friends that are working as physios, nurses, doctors.
      “A lot of people in my course volunteered and everybody tried to see where they could help.
      “It is really pleasing to see how many people were willing to put other people before themselves – that’s a really nice trait to have. 
      “All of the individual healthcare workers and key-workers have done amazing things and stepped up.
      “It’s people like that that have been able to keep everybody else safe at home and without them we wouldn’t be able to be in the good position that we are in.”
      Scott arrived at Damson Park in 2018 after helping Reading win promotion into the top-flight in 2015.
      The full-back made 11 WSL appearances last term, as well as reaching the quarter-final of the postponed FA Cup which is set to resume this month. 

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      Millie Bright helps Chelsea seal 2-0 WSL Community Shield win against Man City

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      GOALS from Millie Bright and Erin Cuthbert handed Chelsea the Community Shield over Manchester city after a 12-year absence from the women’s competition.  
      Bright broke the deadlock on 66 minutes after walloping a delicious 30-yard screamer beyond Citizens stopper Ellie Roebuck.

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      Chelsea defender Millie Bright netted the Blues first goal in their 2-0 win against Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The long-awaited opener came just FOUR minutes after City legend Jill Scott was sent packing after receiving a second yellow for a rash challenge on Ji So-Yun.
      And Scottish international Cuthbert wrapped up the day for Emma Hayes’ side after unleashing a fierce drive into the roof of the net in the second minute of injury time.
      Gareth Taylor’s side were let off very early on when Sam Kerr scuppered a peach of a chance and poked her effort into the side netting after breaking free in front of goal.
      The Sky Blues bit back but Georgia Stanway was snaffled up just as she was about to pull the trigger from 12-yards.

      The young forward tried her luck again from the edge of the box but stung the hands of Chelsea stopper Ann-Katrin Berger.
      City had a goal disallowed when ex-Everton ace Chloe Kelly charged through three Blues defenders and squared to substitute Janine Beckie who tapped it in – but the flag went up.

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      Chelsea have won their first Community Shield following the competition’s 12-year absence from women’s footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Manchester City conceded two goals following a second-half sending offCredit: Reuters
      Taylor’s side kept their foot firmly on the pedal as Georgia Stanway forced Berger into a sublime save.
      The German keeper palmed the ball onto an onrushing Kelly who rifled an effort into the near post.

      Moments after the break, star striker Kerr fluffed her lines again and flashed an effort agonizingly wide of the near post following a brilliant run from Fran Kirby.

      Stanway almost put the Citizens ahead but dragged an effort wide.
      And it was certainly proving a fiery affair with tackles flying in from both sides before Scott was sent off.
      City cranked up some late pressure but it was game over when Cuthbert hammered the final nail in their coffin in the dying moments. 

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