Women’s Super League

MILLIE BRIGHT is backing the Lionesses to build momentum after they charged into the World Cup knockouts Lauren James bagged a brilliant brace in the 6-1 demolition of China on Tuesday with England set for a last-16 duel with Nigeria.
Millie Bright looked solid against China with a bulldozing display in England’s defence in their final World Cup group stage gameCredit: Getty
Lauren James shone for England in a playmaker role with Sarina Wiegman altering her starting line-up and formationCredit: Getty
Rachel Daly impressed in an attacking position on the wing bagging her first goal of the tournamentCredit: Getty
Alessia Russo netted her first World Cup goal ending a run of six games without an England goal since FebruaryCredit: Getty
Their ruthless shift in which they shredded their rivals defences, saw them equal their record for a highest World Cup match win.
The last time England won by a 6-1 scoreline in the tournament was back in 2007 when they trounced Argentina. 
The result in Adelaide, Australia saw them answer critics of their recent slim wins and open play scoreless run.
Skipper Bright said: “We got a lot of criticism in the first two games but we’re not concerned at all. 
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“I would happily take a clean sheet and a 1-0 win because when you have to grow into tournaments you get your momentum. 
“Things start to click and you start to get your rhythm. 
“There is no bigger emotion than leading the girls out no matter what the score is.
“Win, lose or draw, I’m always proud to lead them.”
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The defeat of China saw VAR controversy rear its head in either halves including decisions to award China a pen and to disallow an England goal. 
Lucy Bronze, who hit the woodwork with a thumping header, was involved in both moments. 
The full-back was judged to have been offside when James curled in a stunning late first half strike which was chalked off. 
And she received a booking for a handball that led to China netting a second half spot-kick. 
Bronze said: “I knew it hit my hand, but it wasn’t deliberate. Unless I cut my arm off I don’t know how I get my arm out the way.
“If I was trying to hit the ball away I would have hit my hand in the air.
“I knew it wasn’t deliberate but I guess the referee just wanted to give me a yellow card for fun.
“I had more go against me than anyone else. It wasn’t a fun game in that respect.
“I was quite disappointed with that game to come off with that performance.
“But the most important thing is we won, we’re through to the next game, no one else got injured.”
On James’ disallowed goal, Bronze added: “I feel sad for LJ because I don’t know why it’s been called offside.
“If Hempo (Lauren Hemp) scored the cross I wouldn’t have been offside.”
England’s hefty win at Hindmarsh Stadium saw them avoid group stage embarrassment that befell Germany and Spain.
The European giants, among the contests favourites, found themselves on the wrong end of losses to Colombia and 2011 World Cup champs Japan.
Futoshi Ikeda’s aces thrashed Spain 4-0 despite having just 23 per cent of posession while a late goal saw Germany beaten 2-1 on Sunday. 
And the United States were held to a scoreless draw by stubborn Portugal.
Katie Zelem made for first appearance for England in a World Cup tournament playing alongside Georgia Stanway in midfieldCredit: Alamy
Bright said: “This tournament is going to be one of the tightest. It’s anyones for the taking. 
“We’ve seen that with some of the results so far
“It’s why we stay in our lane, focus on ourselves and make sure we are the best prepared team on the day.”
England boss Sarina Wiegman, whose team will face Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on August 7, added: “I’m very proud of the team.
“I think we’re really growing into the tournament.”
The Lionesses’ Group D performances saw them concede just once across the three games with no goals netted against them in open play. 
A penalty converted by China’s Wang Shuang saw England number one Mary Earps concede for the first time in the tournament.
Bright added: “It’s massive first and foremost as an English team that we take pride in defending and good marking. 
“We want to keep clean sheets and as Karen Carney once said, ‘clean sheets mean championships’. 
England will face a tricky against Nigeria who beat tournament co-hosts Australia on their way to reaching the World Cup’s knockout stageCredit: Getty
“We got criticism in the first two games for not scoring a goal.
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“But I think we have shown how ruthless we can be at the other end. 
“It is tournament football, you’re going to concede at times, but other than that I thought we were pretty tight in defence.” More

KEIRA WALSH has not sustained ACL damage following her knee injury during England’s win against Denmark on Friday.However, the midfielder has been ruled out of the Lionesses’ World Cup Group D clash with China on Tuesday.  
Keira Walsh sustained a knee injury during England’s Group D clash with Denmark after her studs appeared to get stuck in some turf at SydneyCredit: Getty
A medical scan revealed the England midfielder has not sustained an ACL injuryCredit: Alamy
The update on Walsh’s condition followed initial fears the Lioness ace had ruptured her knee ligament. 
The FA confirmed the news following a scan yesterday afternoon after Sarina Wiegman’s side’s 1-0 defeat of the Danes.
Walsh’s knee examination was carried out a day after she was stretchered off in tears during England’s duel with Denmark at Sydney Stadium. 
The Barcelona ace saw her involvement in the game ended after her studs appeared to get stuck in the turf. 

Her injury occurred whilst she attempted to retain possession for the Lionesses with Denmark attempting to mount a counter attack. 
And Walsh was spotted mouthing the words “I’ve done my knee” with England’s medics later coming to her aid.  
The midfielder, who helped the Lionesses win last summer’s Euros, will remain at the squad’s base in Terrigal to continue her recovery. 
England will play China next in their final Group D game in Adelaide in AustraliaCredit: Getty
Her injury will continue to be assessed by England’s medical staff.
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It is not yet known whether she will be able to feature for the team should they progress to the World Cup knockout stage. 
The team are currently top of Group D and will be aiming to seal a win against China at Hindmarsh Stadium. More

RACHEL DALY admits being filled with dread whenever the letters ‘A’, ‘C’ and ‘L’ are mentioned with England assessing Keira Walsh’s injured knee.Daly and Mary Earps are backing the World Cup chasers to bounce back from their injury woes, just like Arsenal did in the WSL last term. 
Rachel Daly says the Lionesses have “everything crossed” for Keira Walsh following her knee injury during England’s 1-0 defeat of Denmark in the World CupCredit: Reuters
It is thought Walsh’s knee injury is currently being assessedCredit: Getty
England are currently top of Group D ahead of their clash with China having won their first two group gamesCredit: Getty
Daly and shot stopper Earps have been reflecting on the knee problem that left Walsh on crutches during England’s 1-0 defeat of Denmark on Friday. 
The FA say they have “no news” on the status of Walsh’s injury.
The player was stretchered off close to half-time after her studs got caught in the turf at Sydney Stadium.
The midfield star looks set to miss the Group D leaders’ clash with China in Adelaide on Tuesday.
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An England win will secure their spot in the World Cup knockout stage.
However, The Observer reports that it’s hoped her knee issue is not as serious as it looked amid initial fears she had sustained anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage. 
On whether the spate of knee injuries in the women’s game is a worry, Daly said: “For me, those three letters (ACL) scare the absolute you-know-what out of me. 
“There’s always more work to be done in and around injuries and anterior cruciate ligament (issues in the women’s game).
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“We all have our fingers, toes, everything crossed for Keira, but that’s football isn’t it. It’s tough.
“You have your highs and your lows and you just hope that everything is alright.”
Walsh, 26, was stretchered off six minutes before the half-time whistle during England’s duel with Denmark.
The Barcelona star looked tearful and is thought to have said “I’ve done my knee” as England’s medics came to her assistance.
Earps added: “It’s always sad when you see your team-mate go down and I hope it is nothing too serious.
“You could see it disrupted our rhythm in the first half (against Denmark).
“Keira was with the medics so we were just concentrating on what was in front of us.
“It’s the talk of the town – that more research can be done. Hopefully that will definitely happen.”
England have had rotten luck with losing players to injuries ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
Star trio Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson are currently working their way to fitness following knee issues. 
And Earps is backing the Lionesses to rally from their injury woes just as Arsenal did on the domestic stage last season. 
The Gunners won this year’s Conti Cup without the services of Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead. 
And they qualified for next season’s Champions League despite the absence of their star forwards as well as Williamson, full-back Laura Wienroither and skipper Kim Little. 
Daly praised Laura Coombs’ display for England with the midfielder coming on against Denmark after Walsh’s exitCredit: Getty
Earps said: “We saw it with Arsenal a little bit towards the end of the season. 
“They were down and out but rallied (despite their injuries). 
“We are a resilient group. We’re going to keep going and fighting and put our best foot forward as we always do.”
Daly added: “This group is special, it’s got some unbelievable characters. 
“It’s not just about what you see in performances on the pitch.
“The girls off the pitch are special, special people and the staff are as well. 
“Sarina (Wiegman) has built a squad around that, she doesn’t just think of the team that plays.
“It’s everyone as a whole and there is character on and off the pitch. 
“Coombsy (Laura Coombs) stepped in (for Keira) and did phenomenally.
“There are other players that are ready to go and are available.”
Daly is willing to play in “any position” for England after starting as a left-back against DenmarkCredit: Getty
England’s game against China at Hindmarsh could see gaffer Sarina Wiegman retain Daly in a left-back role with the team keeping a clean sheet against Denmark on Saturday. 
The Aston Villa ace, wearing the Lionesses’ No9 shirt for the World Cup, finished as the WSL’s top scorer last season.
However, last summer Daly started as a full-back in all six of England’s Euros games, with the team winning the tournament. 
And the WSL Golden Boot winner insists she is happy to start in any position despite playing as a striker for her club last term.  
Daly said: “It’s an honour to put on the (England) shirt whenever I can and I’ll play in any position. 
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“It’s not the one I’ve been playing in regularly for my club, but it’s something that’s still familiar. 
“There are tweaks I need to make on my game in that role, but I will learn from it.” More

KEIRA WALSH reckons the influence of Pep Guardiola has put some pep in her step in midfield battles for England.And the Lionesses star, 26, relishes boss Sarina Wiegman giving her more responsibility on the pitch at this year’s World Cup. 
Keira Walsh believes playing in Spain’s top-flight has helped in improve her game for club and countryCredit: Getty
Walsh and her team-mates hope to seal a second win in Group D when they take on Denmark in SydneyCredit: Getty
Walsh says she enjoys the challenge of attempting to outdo opponents in tight midfield situationsCredit: Getty
The Barcelona ace will resume pulling England’s strings in midfield when they take on Denmark in Australia on Friday.
A victory for Wiegman’s side in Sydney combined with a draw between China and Haiti would see the Lionesses claim their place in the tournament’s knockout stages.
Their duel comes six days after Walsh and her team-mates were harried by a fast-paced, counter-attacking Haiti who pushed the Lionesses all the way in their contest opener
It was a game that saw Walsh come under pressure in midfield from the Group D minnows.
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On whether she feels more targeted by England’s opponents, Walsh said: “I don’t necessarily think it’s just me,
“A lot of teams are trying to stop holding midfielders in general because that’s where football is going now, a lot of teams play through midfield.
“We have a lot of other top players so if I’m marked, that’s one less player for them in and around the space. 
“But I want to be playing in those tighter situations and really testing myself. I enjoy the challenge.”
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On how she handles attempts to muscle her off the ball, Walsh adds: “It’s about picking up smarter spaces and dropping into different areas and maybe not staying so set in the middle.
“The game has changed as a whole, but I’ve got more influence from Spanish players in terms of how they’ve always played.
“The Pep influence has always helped me in that respect.
“In general football I think more people do try and play through the central midfielder. 
“Maybe teams think I don’t like the physical game as much but from playing in Spain, they are more tactical like that and look to do that a bit more.
“The training we do in the gym is a lot more focused on holding players off when you have the ball.
“That’s something I’ve got better at and hopefully I can keep improving on.
“When I know I’ve got Lucy (Bronze), Millie (Bright), Alex (Greenwood) and Jess (Carter) behind me it helps.
“I know they are all so aggressive and powerful. That makes my life easier knowing if the ball goes over me, they will be there.”
One of Walsh’s tasks against Denmark will be nullifying their attempts to control the midfield and build their attack from there.
And the England ace, who won Champions League and LaLiga Women’s crowns in her debut term at Barcelona, is wary of seeing Pernille Harder Denmark’s biggest threat.  
The 60-capped Lioness said: “Harder is a top player, very composed in and around the box and she’s the type of player you want to be playing against.
“But Denmark are a top team. Everyone talks about Harder but they have some very good players and work really hard. It will be a tough game.”
Under Wiegman Walsh’s role as one of the Lionesses most dependable players has grown.
Last summer saw her play a significant part in England’s Euros triumph, including delivering an inch perfect assist for Ella Toone’s finish in last year’s final.
And Walsh enjoys the responsibility that Wiegman has put on her and some of England’s longest-serving players.
She adds: “She encourages the more experienced players to coach a bit and put more onus on us on the pitch.
Walsh likes England chief Sarina Wiegman giving senior Lionesses more responsibility on the pitchCredit: Getty
“If we feel things that she can’t then she is more than happy for us to help and find solutions.
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“I’ve probably noticed that a little bit more at this tournament with her.
“It’s nice to be pushed that way and for older players to have that responsibility.” More