Women’s Super League

MARC SKINNER reckons the “punch in the face” of Manchester United’s fourth place finish last term is fuelling their title push.The Red Devils are three points clear at the summit before their clash with Tottenham later having exceeded last season’s points total.
A win for United on Sunday will see them move six points clear at the top of the table before Man City’s game against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
United host Tottenham this afternoon one week ahead of battling Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
Tottenham will be hoping to get a result against United having drawn 2-2 with Brighton last time outCredit: Getty
An FA Cup final clash with Chelsea awaits the WSL leaders next Sunday, with the team eyeing a first-ever major-trophy Double.
However, they face a serious challenge from Manchester City, Arsenal and the Blues, with Emma Hayes’ side just four points behind with two games in hand.
On what has spurred Man Utd’s push, boss Skinner said: “I think metaphorically being punched in the face last year and the year before.
“It hurts when you don’t win and it hurts when you let yourself down.

“This season it’s about learning from all the things that we didn’t like  and how you don’t want to feel that way again.
“We’re all human and we all feel like that.
“What I believe about the squad this time is whether we win, lose or draw, as long as we’ve given everything then I think we can be proud of ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham are set to host their first-ever WSL and Premier League double-header on May 20. 
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
Vicky Jepson’s side face relegation-threatened rivals Reading in the WSL at 4.15pm.
The match will take place after Ryan Mason’s European hopefuls’ clash with Brentford earlier that day.
Mason said: “I think it’s great for women’s football.
“The national team have done this country very proud and they’ve helped grow the game.
“If we can help contribute to that as well, then it’s great.
“We want to do that because it’s important for this country and it’s important for women’s football.”
Spurs have also been given a fitness boost with midfielder Ramona Petzelberger’s return from injury.
And striker Bethany England is rested and recovered after feeling poorly ahead of their 2-2 draw against Brighton last time out.
Interim gaffer Jepson said: “Beth wasn’t feeling 100 per cent going into the Brighton game.
Read More on The Sun
“After she scored that second goal, she said to me she felt a little bit sick, so health comes first.
“We got her off to rest and recover and made the changes that we had to. Beth’s in a good place.”
Vicky Jepson’s side will take on Reading on May 20 in a pivotal match in this season’s battle to avoid relegationCredit: Getty More

SAM KERR fired up Chelsea’s title hopes with a strike at the death to dispatch Liverpool.Just as a draw looked on the cards, the Blues hotshot pounced on a rebound to seal a 2-1 win.
Kerr’s shot saw Chelsea strengthen their hopes of retaining the title after they overcame LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
Emma Koivisto gave the Reds an early lead at KingsmeadowCredit: Getty
Niamh Charles netted Chelsea’s equaliser late in the first spell following some stoic defending from the visitorsCredit: Getty
The result saw the Australia star’s side go four points behind leaders Manchester United and one off Man City in the WSL.
A run of victories in their five remaining games – including a duel with Arsenal – would see them win a fourth successive crown in one of the most closely fought title races. 
Following the Reds’ chastening 4-0 loss to the Foxes Beard shuffled his deck making four changes.
These included a league debut for Faye Kirby in goal in place of Rachael Laws. 
Read More Football Stories
The last clash between the rivals saw Liverpool claim a surprise win after going a goal down in two minutes
This time around it was the Reds who caught their hosts cold in the second minute.
Kovisto netted gave them the lead volleying home Natasha Dowie’s whipped cross. 
Chelsea cranked their attack soon after prompting a string of classy saves from Kirby. 
Most read in Football
These included a stunning fingertip stop following a Sam Kerr header. 
The hosts eventually broke their opponents’ resistance with ex-Red Niamh Charles’ heading home close to half-time.
The second spell saw Hayes alter her line-up with Jelena Cankovic and Pernille Harder replacing Erin Cuthbert and Lauren James. 
And Harder came inches away from burying Guro Reiten’s cross before Sam Kerr, who had a quiet night by her standards, blasted a shot over the bar. 
Despite hemming the Reds deep into their own half late on the Blues struggled to create clear cut chances. 
Harder was denied the chance of getting on the end of another dangerous cross with Gemma Bonner – a rock in defence – heading the ball away. 
Hayes had another throw of the dice with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd coming on for Melanie Leupolz.
Emma Hayes’ side will face Everton next with the Toffees visiting Kingsmeadow on SundayCredit: Getty
Just as it looked as if a draw was destined, Chelsea showed their title-chasing class
Read More on The Sun
Jessie Flemming hit woodwork with a thunderous shot late on
And Kerr fired home the rebound from her effort in the 84th minute to wrap up the win before the Blues’ clash with Everton on Sunday.  More

WILLIE KIRK would rather see Leicester have a dull mid-table end to their season instead of the relegation fight facing his players.And the Foxes gaffer is backing his side to move off bottom spot once again when they face Liverpool at home this lunchtime. 
A win against Liverpool for Willie Kirk’s Leicester would see them leapfrog Brighton and Reading ahead of their rivals’ games against Tottenham and Manchester CityCredit: Getty
Leicester midfield starlet Monique Robinson signed her first professional contract with the Foxes ahead of today’s gameCredit: Getty
Leicester picked up three points against Reading at the King Power last time outCredit: Getty
Leicester are in the midst of a four-way fight for WSL survival with Brighton, Tottenham and Reading also battling to maintain their top-flight status. 
Just three points separate the bottom-placed Foxes from Tottenham with Kirk’s side lying 12th and Spurs sat four places above them.
The Leicester City chief, 44, said: “I’d rather have a boring end of the season, and be sat in seventh or eighth,
“But the biggest motivator has been that everybody wrote us off and said Leicester was down. 
Read More Football Stories
“So that’s been a motivator internally, and now the table is looking more healthy.”
 Leicester’s only WSL clash with the Reds saw them snatch a 1-0 win on the road in  February – their second victory in the top tier this term. 
But Kirk is confident his players can beat the drop with the race to avoid relegation hotting up with games against Brighton and West Ham coming up in May. 
Kirk, whose side beat Reading last time out before the international  break, added: “We came off the bottom once. 
Most read in Football
“I did say there was a chance we could be back down there, with so many games until we play again. 
“But the fact we’ve done it once already will help us to do it again.
“We were very aware of the results around us. 
“We’d like the players not to focus on that too much but we’re not silly, we watch the games.
“It’s in our hands, and if we hit our target we know we’ll be safe.”
The Foxes will be without the services of Jess Sigsworth. 
The forward, 28, who returned to fitness following knee ligament damage, is currently sidelined by injury. 
Kirk added: “It’s really frustrating for her. We hoped she would build on the Reading performance but it wasn’t to be.”
Meanwhile Liverpool have suffered an injury blow with Melissa Lawley ruled out for the rest of this season. 
Matt Beard says Liverpool winger Melissa Lawley could be out of action for six months due to a hip issueCredit: Getty
It is thought the winger, 29, may have to undergo surgery on her hip.  

Reds Boss Matt Beard, 45, said:  “Unfortunately, Mel is going to be out with a hip problem and she is probably going to need an operation.
“Without going into the ins and outs, she is probably going to be out for six months all in all, post-operation.” More

VICKY JEPSON reckons Tottenham’s top form against Brighton will have little bearing on the clash between the rivals later  And the interim Spurs boss was tight-lipped on her chance of taking her role on permanently with her focus on helping her side beat the drop 
Tottenham will be hoping for a repeat of the performance that saw them beat Brighton 8-0 last OctoberCredit: Getty
Vicky Jepson reckons Melissa Phillips has rallied the Seagulls who are currently one point behind SpursCredit: Getty
A win for Brighton would see them leapfrog Tottenham and move to ninth spotCredit: Getty
At 5:15 pm Jepson’s side will face Seagulls at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Albion rivals have impressed with their efforts on the pitch in recent games. 
However the last clash between the teams saw them thrashed 8-0 in one of their heaviest home losses in the top tier. 
And that result was later followed by former Brighton boss Hope Powell standing down from her role last October. 
Read ,More Football Stories
Jepson, 36, said: “We’ve played them already in the season and it was 8-0.
“We can’t hold on to that, you’re only as good as your last game. 
“Our last game was against Villa and there are still things we need to get right. 
“We will focus on those things as well as the things that we did very well and make sure we apply them in the game against Brighton.”
Most read in Football
Tottenham’s home record against Albion has been pretty solid in the WSL. 
The last three duels between the rivals at Spurs’ home has seen the hosts come out on top including a 4-0 trouncing in February last year. 
However Brighton have picked up three points from their last two league games following the Melissa Phillips’ appointment as manager earlier this month. 
Jepson added: “Home form, away form, that kind of goes out the window a little bit.
“Brighton have got a new manager and it’s fantastic to see another female manager come into the WSL in Mel (Melissa Phillips). 
“She’s a great coach and has certainly rallied them up and given them a clear direction.”
A win for the Seagulls would see them leapfrog Tottenham to go ninth in the table ahead of a home clash with West Ham. 
Albion boss Phillips, 35, said: “We’re really focused on our action plan and how we get to where we want to be. 
“We’ll be making it as competitive a performance as possible (against Tottenham).”
Brighton have picked up three points from their last two WSL games since Melissa Phillips has taken chargeCredit: Getty
Spurs’ results have been mixed in their last four games with the team registering a win, two losses and a draw from their last four games. 
Read More on The Sun
However the club saw a nine-game losing run ended after Jepson’s first game in charge as interim boss. 
When asked about possibly becoming the team’s permanent head coach, Jepson said: “If we keep this team in the WSL, then that is fine by me, that’s all my focus is” More