Women’s Super League

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

JONAS EIDEVALL and a number of WSL bosses have criticised player and manager relationships in football, with the Arsenal boss calling them “inappropriate”. Aston Villa gaffer Carla Ward echoed Eidevall’ stating they made her very angry.Jonas Eidevall says football’s governing bodies need to take a strong stance on player-coach relationshipsCredit: GettyCarla Ward believes relationships between managers and players should be a sackable offenceCredit: GettyEidevall, 41, was speaking ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Friday. His title chasers, who are third, will take on Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea.The clash comes a week after Willie Kirk was suspended by Leicester while the club investigates allegations of a relationship with one of their players.It also comes over a month after Jonathan Morgan was sacked from his Sheffield United Women’s boss role. Read More Football StoriesHis departure followed information coming to light “concerning a relationship with a player” during his Foxes tenure.When asked about the idea of relationships occurring between coaches and footballers, Eidevall flagged concerns about player welfare.The Arsenal boss, whose side are third and three points behind Chelsea, said: “It’s very inappropriate for a number of reasons.”But I think it’s a clear ‘no’ with relationships between player and manager.Most read in Football”If you look at women’s football, when you look in the past, and there’s no doubt, if you look, and you read the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) reports that there are major issues within the game.”And there have been major issues in the game in the past as well, which probably, unfortunately, tells you that there still are issues at some places for it. “And that concerns me from a player-welfare perspective.”Eidevall’s comments come almost 15 months after the USA-based NWSL and the league’s players’ association published a report raising concerns around inappropriate player-coach relationships.Following a 14-month investigation into misconduct within the division, it called for an end to consensual relationships between managers and players or team staff.On the need for governing bodies to look into safeguarding, Eidevall added: “I absolutely think that governing bodies, leagues, clubs, associations need to be strong on that because I do think it’s very inappropriate.“I think it goes out over the player welfare, which is very, very sad.”In most situations where it would be like do you have whistle-blower mechanisms in place? “What different ways of communicating do you have if you feel that inappropriate things are going on in the environment you are in?“Or are you in a closed environment where you feel you don’t have any good way out?“That’s just to make sure that players in this instance have the relevant communication ways to be able to report if anything inappropriate is going on.”That could be inappropriate relationships, but it could also be other things. It’s safeguarding and making sure people are safe.”Ward, 40, whose eighth-placed Villans take on Everton on Saturday,  was asked if player-coach relationships should be a sackable offence.In response she said “yes” and added: “When you talk about, ‘where does the line get drawn? “I think it’s very simple – when the game got professionalised, you can’t cross that line.“There’s talk of pre-professionalised, there was a social aspect.“When I was a player, it was a very social aspect but now we’re talking about levels that are parent-teacher in my opinion. You can’t do it.”Spurs Women’s boss Vilhamn, whose team host Leicester on Sunday, also insists it’s not acceptable for players and managers to be in relationships. The Tottenham head coach said: “Me as a coach, I am in a power position with players and staff. “I think it’s very unprofessional. For me it’s unacceptable. Emma Hayes shared her thoughts on the issue and also believes relationships between players in teams can be improper. The Chelsea manager said: “We have to look at it in the context of where the game has come from. Emma Hayes believes football needs to have high standards when it comes to player safeguardingCredit: Getty”We have say, look, we’re in a professional era now where the expectations in place for players and coaches is such that all of our focus and attention has got to be on having the top standards. READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s why I’ve always been an advocate of making sure clubs have minimum standards whether it’s code of conduct, player safeguarding, player welfare. “I don’t think it’s just in and around player-coach relationships.” More

MARIA THORISDOTTIR says her time in English football has been a “roller coaster”.But now the centre-back, 30, is thriving at Brighton, seven years after leaving her comfort zone and moving to England from Norwegian club Klepp.Maria Thorisdottir hopes Brighton will have better luck against Man Utd in the FA Cup following a narrow 3-2 semi-final loss to them last yearCredit: PAThe Norway ace is enjoying life with the Seagulls and a consistent role as a centre-back for the teamCredit: GettyThorisdottir, whose Albion side play her old club Man Utd in the Women’s FA Cup quarter-final later, is among the WSL’s more experienced pros.The Norway defender made 94 Chelsea and Red Devils appearances prior to her move to the south coast last summer.She said: “I’ve been here for a long time and on a journey from 2017. “This is one of the best leagues in the world at the moment, especially in Europe.”For me, there have been some ups and downs and a lot of challenges.”But I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown as a player. “I’ve played different positions, played in different teams and had to adapt a lot to changes. But right now, I’m just loving it.”September 2017 was when Thorisdottir, took the plunge and decided to leave Klepp, the side where she got her first experience of football at a senior level.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The Norwegian club, based in a seaside town that shares its name, was a team she expected to play for “forever”.Her first taste of life in the women’s game here was a three-year stint at WSL giants Chelsea.Fans ask ‘WTF is this?’ as light show is performed from Old Trafford ‘leaky roof’ before Man Utd’s WSL defeat to CityThe player, born in the city of Stavanger in southwest Norway, made 26 appearances in her first season helping them win a league and FA Cup double.However, injuries and surgery on her ankle, disrupted the later stages of her Blues spell with the player leaving for Man United in January 2021 before joining Albion last August.Thorisdottir, who has 68 senior international caps, added: “Coming to Chelsea first was a big step from my home club (Klepp).”I never thought of moving away from Norway at all.”I was always thinking I’m going to stay at home and play for Klepp the whole of my life.”But I felt ready to try something new and going to Chelsea was a big step.”I went there as a centre-back, but I didn’t really play centre-back that much. I played in other positions and had to adapt.”I moved to United and was brought in by Casey (Stoney the club’s former boss) as a centre-back but played more as a full-back. “Then Marc (Skinner) came in and it was more of the same.”At Brighton, I have played in one position. With consistency in one position, it gives you confidence and you grow as a player.“You kind of wish that happened before but there’s also positives to playing in different positions. It’s been a roller coaster, but I have enjoyed it.“I’m not the loudest (player), but I do like to help lead the team in a quieter way.”A roller coaster would describe the ride Brighton have been on this term with the sacking of former women’s boss Mel Phillips after ten months in charge.Last season under their old boss the team won their fight to avoid the drop last term finishing five points above and one place above relegated Reading.The Seagulls also pushed Man Utd all the way in the battle for an FA Cup final spot losing 3-2 to Marc Skinner’s side.And they picked up a surprise 1-0 away win in the league against United’s second-placed title chasing neighbours Man City last November.A performance that led Phillips to describe Thorisdottir as a player who functions as a coach on the pitch.The Norway star added: “It’s always an honour to get comments like that from a manager.“I have learned a lot along the way so it’s nice especially to help players around you“I’ve known myself when I was younger, how important it was (being around) the players that were experienced at that time.“Being a role model, or at least someone that can step up, and help is important.”Today’s clash between Albion and the Red Devils will see Thorisdottir face her old club in the FA Cup for the first timeCredit: GettyBrighton, who were from second bottom at the time of Phillips’ departure have moved up to ninth under interim gaffer Mikey Harris.This evening the Seagulls take on a United side who have faltered in the WSL this term and are currently nine points off a Champions League spot.Her old club’s 1-1 draw with West Ham in the top last Sunday has seen Red Devils boss Skinner come in for criticism from fans.And the FA Cup quarters duel follows Brighton’s 7-3 drubbing of Bristol City last Sunday.Mikey Harris wants Albion to build on their 7-3 thrashing of Bristol, one of their biggest match wins of the season so farCredit: GettyThorisdottir’s team had six different players on the scoresheet including her Norwegian compatriot Elisabeth Terland.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe added: “United have been up and down this season, but we know they are a good team.”They really want to win a trophy, and this is their chance. We’re going to do everything we can to beat them. But it’s going to be tough.” More

FARA WILLIAMS reckons Manchester United may be victims of their success from last season with the team facing a battle to finish in the WSL’s top four.And Lioness heroind hopes demands for equal football access for schoolgirls will inspire more to get involved in the sport on and off the pitch.Fara Williams is backing a campaign to provide girls with equal access to football in schoolsCredit: AlamyApproximately 300,000 girls are expected to take part in this year’s Let Girls Play football session – aroundCredit: PAWilliams, 40, who is England’s most-capped footballer with 172 international appearances, was speaking ahead of this year’s Let Girls Play event.Taking place on Friday 8 March, which is International Women’s Day, the event is expected to involve more than 4,000 schools.According to the FA an estimated 300,000 girls are likely to participate in what they describe as the biggest ever football playing session.Williams, who is backing the campaign, said: “When I when I was coming through, I was playing out on an estate, not really knowing anything about women’s football opportunities.Read More Football Stories”There were very limited opportunities for me to participate or even be coached within a very organised set-up.”If I’d had this kind of activity in my time, my journey probably would have been a little bit different to how it was.”When asked what more could be done to encourage more girls to get involved in football, Williams spoke of the need for activities away from the pitch as well as on it. The former Liverpool, Arsenal and Reading ace, who retired in 2019, added: “For me it’s not just about playing, but finding plenty of ways for females to get involved in the sport.Most read in Football”There have to be opportunities out there for girls to get involved in football off the pitch., “There should even be opportunities for those aspiring to become groundswomen, as we’ve seen with Arsenal using a whole team groundswomen for the first time on Sunday.Williams, who presents the Boots, Balls and Bras podcast, was sharing her thoughts days after doing punditry during the Gunners 1-0 defeat of Spurs in the WSL.The result saw Arsenal open a nine-point gap on fourth-placed Man United who dropped points ahead of their duel with Bristol next weekend.And Marc Skinner’s side who face Brighton in the Women’s FA Cup are currently level on points with Liverpool.Williams added: “I think the top three spots will be claimed by Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal.”For Man United, now it’s whether can they finish fourth.”If they do anything less than that now, given the success they had last year in the league and the FA Cup, it’s a failure for them.“Liverpool will push them and could potentially get that fourth spot come the end of the season.“United haven’t performed this year as they performed so consistently last year.Williams is backing Reds boss Matt Beard to push Man United all the way in the race to finish in the WSL’s top four this termCredit: Getty“I do my podcast every week and I have Man United Women’s fans on at me questioning Marc Skinner.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s difficult when you overachieve, which I think Man United did last year, and to try and do that again.”I certainly don’t put that down to just Marc Skinner.” More

LIA WALTI hailed her Arsenal team-mates for playing Aston Villa “into the ground” in the Conti Cup semi-finals.Stina Blackstenius stole the show as Arsenal stormed their way into the final by thrashing their opponents 4-0 on Wednesday night.Stina Blackstenius’s first-half hat-trick put the Gunners in cruise control during their Conti Cup clash with Aston VillaCredit: GettyLia Walti impressed in midfield alongside Kyra Cooney-Cross with the hosts pinning Villa back for large parts of the first 40 minutesCredit: PAFrida Maanum got in on the scoring netting Arsenal’s third goal in the gameCredit: PATwo early goals in two minutes were among the efforts for the Swede at Meadow Park.And she bagged a first-half hat-trick during her side’s ruthless attacking shift.Walti revealed Jonas Eidevall’s aces had watched Arsenal men’s 6-0 trouncing of Sheffield United in the Premier League on Monday.And the WSL aces were eager to register a high-scoring triumph in last night’s game.The Switzerland midfielder, who made her 150th appearance for the Gunners in the match, said: “We all watched the men’s game a couple of days ago. “We said we’d like to be a little bit more comfortable at half-time.“We wanted to go (hard) from the start, run them over and the ball went in at the right time and then we took the momentum from Aston Villa.“We used the spaces they gave to us, and we were efficient in front of the ball in the first half and that made a difference.Most read in Football“You could just see the fresh legs in the team and we have such a good competition with Stina and Frida (Maanum) coming in and Kyra (Cooney-Cross) and Leah (Williamson).“They’re great players, they kind of can push the team for a better performance.“You could feel that we played them (Villa) into the ground, and they didn’t really have a chance.”The victory saw Arsenal reach back-to-back Women’s League Cup finals for the first time under head coach Eidevall.It also means a silverware double is still in their sights with the team just three points behind Chelsea and Manchester City in the top tier.Of the victory, Eidevall said: “We want to compete in every competition we are in.“Every competition we are in is very important and we do our best to win it. “We are happy to be in a final because that is the starting point when you want to win trophies.“Of course, going into finals is steps in the right direction.“It doesn’t mean we are fully developed yet but you can see with the (crowd) attendances we draw, we compete and go to (cup) finals.“We are competing in the league (for the title), these are positive signs and we can be encouraged and keep building on them, not just this year but for the future.”Eidevall opted to make four changes to the side that beat Tottenham at the Emirates in the WSL on Sunday.Leah Williamson, Frida Maanum, Blackstenius and Kyra Cooney-Cross all started with Laia Codina, Victoria Pelova, Caitlin Foord and skipper Kim Little on the bench.  And Villa were without first choice keeper Daphne van Domselaar with Anna Leat in between the sticks and Gunners’ loanee Noelle Maritz cup-tied.The hosts got off to a flier with a ninth-miunte opener via Blackstenius blasting the ball high into the net over Leat.It took the Swede two minutes to double Arsenal’s lead in with a tap-in much to delight of the home crowd.Villa, who seemed stunned by the scoreline, found themselves going 3-0 down with 18 minutes when Frida Maanum swept in a top-corner shot.And Katie McCabe almost made it four crashing the woodwork a little later before Blackstenius flicked a shot home close to half-time.The second half saw Villa shuffle their deck with Simone Magill coming on in place of Alisha Lehmann.Jonas Eidevall’s side will face either Manchester City or Chelsea in the contest’s final on March 31Credit: GettyAnd they came close to pulling a goal back with McCabe forced to clear a low dangerous cross from Ebony Salmon over the crossbar.READ MORE SUN STORIESShots of “we want five” rang out from fans towards the closing stages with the Gunners seeing out the game with a clean sheet.Tonight will see either Man City or Chelsea claim the remaining spot in this year’s Conti Cup decider with the rivals going toe-to-toe in the contest’s second semi-final. More