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      Bethany England ready to ‘embrace’ Tottenham challenge after breaking British transfer record with move from Chelsea

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      BETHANY ENGLAND is relishing the challenge of helping Tottenham attempt to fulfil their ambitions after calling time on her seven-year Chelsea spell. The Lionesses striker’s stunning Spurs move, reported to be for a fee of around £250,000, is thought to have seen her become the WSL’s most expensive British player. 
      Bethany England has helped Tottenham boost their attacking options with her move to the club from league leaders ChelseaCredit: Getty
      England’s switch to Rehanne Skinner’s Spurs side has reportedly seen her become the most expensive British player in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Getty
      England has become the second Blues player to join Tottenham in the past seven months following Drew Spence’s switch from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Today the Blues confirmed England, 28, who has made more than 150 appearances for the Kingsmeadow giants, would be departing for their London rivals. 
      Her move sees her become the second Chelsea star in the past seven months to seal a Tottenham transfer with former Blues ace Drew Spence joining Spurs last June. 
      And the WSL star is determined to help her new club and boss Rehanne Skinner to reach new heights. 
      England said: “I’m excited to get going and the club’s got a lot of ambition so I’m hoping that I can add to that and hopefully get the club where it wants to be. 
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      “When you look at the facilities that you’ve got, it’s coming up. 
      “In the women’s game there’s not many teams that have got such great facilities to start with and speaking with Rehanne – she has been a big part in this. 
      “Her drive and what she wants to achieve out of this club (shows) she has got great aspirations like myself. 
      “The club has got a nice homely feel and it makes me want to come and do a great job here.”
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      Skinner’s side, who take on Aston Villa in their first game of 2023, have at times struggled with finding the back of the net this term. 
      This is despite the team smashing eight goals past Brighton at the end of October in one of their biggest ever top tier match wins.
      However Spurs, who are currently eighth after losing six of their first nine WSL matches this term, have scored just once in their last four games across all competitions. 
      And that goal, netted by Nikola Karczewska, came during a 1-0 defeat of Championship outfit Southampton in a Continental Cup group stage game in December. 
      Reflecting on her North London switch, England added: “Moving from the other side of London is again very different for me but it’s an amazing chapter for me. 
      “Hopefully I can bring a lot of goals to the club, my experience and just a bit of leadership in the front line, and I am quite driven, I’m quite a strong person and can be a loud character. 
      “I do want to do my best and I’m extremely competitive even in a game of cards or bingo.
      “I have no doubt they’ll figure that out quite quickly.
      “I’m not shy about saying how I feel about making sure everyone’s achieving the same goal and wants the same things.”
      In England, Tottenham, who finished fifth last term, have acquired one of the most clinical finishers in the WSL in recent years.
      Her move comes a week after the Daily Mail reported the striker’s Spurs transfer would see her become the most expensive Lionesses player in the league.  
      The forward was named the PFA’s Women’s Player of the Year in September 2020 after netting 14 goals in 15 WSL games in the 2019-20 season.
      However the Lionesses striker has at times struggled  to secure a starting spot in Emma Hayes’ star-studded Blues side making just two starts in her eight WSL appearances this term. 
      One of her most famous strikes for her former club came during Chelsea’s opening game that term at Stamford Bridge
      England netted a stunning goal against Tottenham in September 2019 during the Blues’ 1-0 defeat of the team at Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      In September 2019 she walloped home a stunning left-footed long range effort in a 1-0 defeat of Spurs. 
      The striker began her senior playing career at Doncaster Rovers Belles in 2011 before joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan later that year. 
      She then joined Chelsea in 2016 with one season spent on loan at Liverpool from 2017 to 2018. 
      During her time with the Blues England netted 74 goals in 163 appearances.
      And she helped them to win four league titles, two FA Cups, a league cup trophy and a Community Shield. 
      England and her Spurs team-mates will play Aston Villa away in their first WSL game of 2023Credit: PA
      Reflecting on the striker’s efforts Blues manager Emma Hayes, 45, said: “Bethany has given tremendous service to the club. 
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      “She has contributed to all of our success over the past seven years and she leaves a winner and a Chelsea legend.
      “We wish her the very best for the next stage of her career.”  More

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      Real Madrid rumoured to be keen on Manchester City ace Hayley Raso according to reports

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      HAYLEY RASO is thought to be attracting interest from Real Madrid with the club reportedly eager to boost their attacking ranks.  The Manchester City ace, 28, is rumoured to be a summer transfer target for the Liga F side, according to Spanish media outlet Marca.
      Hayley Raso’s performances have seen her attract interest from Real MadridCredit: Getty
      The Australia forward has played in seven WSL games for Man City so far this termCredit: Getty
      It is claimed the club, who are currently third in the women’s top-flight in Spain, are looking to create a more competitive squad to strengthen their push to win silverware. 
      And it is thought the club have identified Raso as a potential target with her current City contract reportedly set to expire this summer.
      Speculation comes six months on from Madrid, signing former City forward Caroline Weir.
      The Scotland star has netted seven goals in 15 top tier and Champions League appearances this term.  
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      Marca say Madrid have nine players in their senior squad whose contracts are due to expire at the end of June. 
      They include 30-year-old forward Esther Gonzalez who notched up 14 goals in 27 top-flight appearances last season. 
      And Marca claim Real, who knocked the Citizens out of the Champions League earlier this season, could look to swoop for the Raso in the summer.
      Last term Raso, who won the 2017 NWSL Championship with former club Portland Thorns, made 13 WSL appearances for Gareth Taylor’s side. 
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      However the versatile forward, who won league titles in Australia with Brisbane Roar and Canberra United, has so far played in seven top-flight games for City this season. 
      And the WSL ace has come off the bench as a substitute in six of those games. 
      Raso has netted nine times in 20 WSL appearances for City since her August 2021 move from Everton.
      Raso netted a late winner for Man City when the club beat Liverpool 2-1 in the WSL in OctoberCredit: Alamy
      The forward, who began her senior playing career at Australian side Canberra United, joined the club on a two-year deal.
      Since her move Raso helped City, who are fourth and play West Ham in the WSL on January 15, to a league cup trophy win last March.
      And her 89th minute equaliser helped the club take last year’s FA Cup final into extra time before they were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea at Wembley.  More

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      ‘My goal is to implement a winning culture and bring top teams into a struggle’, says Brighton boss Scheuer

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      JENS SCHEUER is not expecting to “set the world on fire” in the early stages of his reign as Brighton Women’s chief. But the head coach who led Bayern Munich to title-winning glory in Germany in 2020 is determined to turn the Seagulls into one of the WSL’s most feared sides. 
      Jens Scheuer says it is an ‘honour’ to be the first German coach to manage a club in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Brighton will take on Leicester in the WSL in their first match under their new head coachCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Scheuer, whose appointment on a three-and-a-half year contract was announced this week, will oversee his first game in charge when Albion play Leicester in their first match of 2023. 
      Their clash with the Foxes, who are currently bottom of the top-flight, is one of five WSL games taking place on Sunday 15 January when top tier action returns that weekend. 
      And the head coach is relishing the challenge of helping his team climb up the table with Brighton currently seven points and one place above the Foxes in the league.  
      The Albion boss said: “In two weeks, you can’t change everything. 
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      “For me, my main goal is to implement a winning culture, and real hunger on the pitch. 
      “We can decide who we want to be. Do we want to be a lovely, nice (team) that gives three points to their opponents?
      “Or we will fight for the three points with all we have and with all which is allowed on the pitch.
      “My way is to choose the second way.
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      “That is give everything to support my team, to motivate them and to keep them hungry. 
      “The first (training) session I saw was good and the first meeting we had 10 minutes before was also good.
      “I looked into the eyes of the girls and I think they agree with me.”
      When asked to elaborate on the culture he hopes to instil, Scheuer added: “We shouldn’t be satisfied with getting a draw or if we’re losing we’re losing (narrowly) 2-1 or 1-0 against Chelsea or Arsenal. 
      “That’s not my goal. My goal is to bring the top teams into a struggle (against us) and to steal the points.
      “The best (feeling) will be (our opponents) saying ‘oh my God, we have to go to Brighton’ and they’re not happy to play us because we’re aggressive and playing intensively.
      “This is my goal on the pitch and around it.
      “I want us to be honest together with good behaviour and when you’re wearing the shirt to show that you’re proud and you’re professional.
      “I’m sure with this culture here in the club, with these people in the club, we are going to achieve this.”
      Scheuer’s arrival comes a year and seven months after Brighton secured their highest ever finish in the WSL.
      The team claimed sixth spot in the 2020-21 season under former boss Hope Powell. 
      It was a season that also saw the club become the only side to win in the top tier against eventual champions Chelsea with a battling 2-1 victory at Kingsmeadow. 
      This season the club’s fortunes on the pitch have so far been mixed with Brighton picking up two wins from their first eight games in the WSL
      Results included an 8–0 home loss to Tottenham on October 30 which was followed by Powell standing down from her role.
      However the team have rallied since then registering two wins and a draw across all competitions under the temporary stewardship of interim manager Amy Merricks.
      And Scheuer insists the input of Merricks and Brighton’s coaching staff will be key going forward. 
      The Seagulls head coach added: “Amy has helped me a lot the last three days. 
      “We had a lot of meetings together, and her experience is high in the club. 
      Scheuer insists Amy Merricks has a big part to play in his plans for BrightonCredit: Getty
      “She has been here a really long time and knows the way it’s going here at the club. 
      “For me, it’s a big help. I’m not coming here and being a one-man show.
      “I’m a part of a coaching team, and she’s a big part for me, but the other guys are also a big part too.”
      Fifteen years before his move to the WSL, Scheuer began his managerial career at 30 as player-coach of German side FC Bötzingen
      He then coached fifth-tier side Bahlinger SC for a season before returning to Bötzingen in 2012.
      The former centre-back switched to managing women’s football teams in 2015 when he took charge of SC Freiburg.
      In 2019 he became the head coach of Frauen Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
      And he led the four-time German top-flight champions to their fourth top tier crown in the 2020-21 season before leaving the club in May this year.
      During that term the team also reached the Champions League semi-finals where they were beaten by Chelsea. 
      The Seagulls’ appointment of Scheuer has seen him become the first German to take charge of a WSL side since the league’s inception in 2011. 
      The Brighton boss said: “For me, it’s an honour and it’s also a pleasure for me to be here as the first German coach for an English women’s football club.”
      “The biggest reason why I’m here was the project from the club and I had a really great talk with the owner of the club and with all the management. 
      “From the first time we spoke together, I talked to my agent and said to him, please don’t do something wrong.
      “I want to come here and I want to work with these guys. I think we had a really, really good connection
      With the winter transfer window opening on January 1 some Albion fans may be expecting Brighton to strengthen
      On Friday Scheuer revealed he had just eight players in training due to illness and injury.
      In the summer the club bid farewell to 10 players including eight members of their first team squad. 
      Among the departures were Maya Le Tissier, Emma Koivisto, Aileen Whelan and Ellie Brazil with the quartet moving to Manchester United, Liverpool, Leicester and Tottenham. 
      Scheuer says Brighton will be adopting a careful approach with any business they do in the January transfer window.
      Scheuer insists Brighton will be cautious in regard to bringing in any new players in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      The Seagulls boss added: “We should do something for the squad to make it a little bit bigger but it must make sense to sign a player 
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      “We have to be careful when choosing new players because you have to choose well and intelligently, because every new player you bring in could be a problem.
      “We will take our time with carefully selecting which player is good for Brighton with the quality but also the mentality for the club.” More

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      Former Bayern Women’s chief Scheuer excited by Brighton challenge after becoming boss of Seagulls’ WSL side

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      JENS SCHEUER is relishing helping Brighton climb up the top tier after taking charge of the team who are one place above the WSL’s relegation spot.The former Bayern Munich boss, 44, has become the Seagulls’ new head coach on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
      Brighton are due take on Leicester on January 15 in their first game under new head coach Jens ScheuerCredit: Alamy
      Scheuer takes over a Brighton side who have won two of their first eight WSL games this seasonCredit: Reuters
      Scheuer’s appointment, subject to a work permit,comes almost two months after the departure of former Albion chief Hope Powell who led the side for five years.
      It also comes ahead of the team’s first top tier clash of 2023 with the Seagulls due to visit league strugglers Leicester City.
      The German-born head coach, who spent three years in charge of Bayern after managing rivals SC Freiburg from 2015 to 2019, had been linked with a move Albion, 
      Scheuer, who led Bayern to a league title in 2021, said: “I had good talks with (the club’s technical director) David Weir. 
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      “The first time we spoke it was clear for me that I wanted to come here and build a team which can grow and move up the table. 
      “I’m very excited for the future and can’t wait to get started.”
      During his four-year stint at Freiburg Scheuer led the club to a German football cup final in 2019 with the team third in the Women’s Bundesliga in the 2017-18 season. 
      And the coach led Bayern to the Champions League semi-finals in the 2020-21 season. 
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      The team claimed a 2-1 first-leg home victory over Emma Hayes’ Chelsea before falling to a 4-1 loss in the second leg defeat.
      Michelle Walder, chair of Brighton’s women’s team added: “Jens was our number one target from the start, and the process was similar to the one we recently undertook when appointing Roberto De Zerbi as men’s head coach.
      “He has great experience at the very top level of women’s football in Europe: winning the Bundesliga in 2021 at Bayern Munich. 
      “He consistently finished in the top two during his three seasons there and guided them to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2021.”
      Under former boss Powell Brighton achieved their highest ever finish in the WSL when they ended the 2020-21 season in sixth spot. 
      During that term the Seagulls ended Chelsea’s 33-game unbeaten run back in February 2021 when they claimed a 2-1 win away against the Blues at Kingsmeadow. 
      However this season the Seagulls have struggled at times in the league losing five of their first eight games this term
      And a hefty 8-0 home loss Tottenham preceded Powell opting to stand down from her role as Albion head
      Since November Brighton assistant Amy Merricks had temporarily taken charge of the side
      The interim Seagulls manager led the team to two wins and a draw in four games across all competitions.
      Walder added: “The excellent results during Amy’s time as interim coach and having the winter break took some of the time pressure off us, and allowed us to go through a thorough process which reaffirmed Jens as our first choice.
      Technical director David Weir added: “Amy, Perry (Northeast) and the staff have done an excellent job over the interim period
      Amy Merricks led the Seagulls to two wins from four games across all competitions following Hope Powell’s departure on October 31Credit: Getty
      “We picked up some important results with a win and a draw from the three games in the WSL, and a win in the Conti Cup, going into the Christmas break.

      “We will also have our new women’s and girls’ managing director Zoe Johnson, who is joining us from Sheffield United, starting with us early in the New Year.                 
      “Both appointments underline our chairman Tony Bloom’s and the club’s commitment to women’s football.” More

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      Stunning Aston Villa star Alisha Lehmann looks sensational as she poses in series of tiny bikinis on Miami beach break

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      ASTON VILLA women’s star Aisha Lehmann looked sensational as she hit the beach in Miami wearing tiny bikinis.The Swiss 23-year-old was introduced to English football at West Ham in 2018.
      Villa star Lehmann visited Miami to have a breakCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      The 23-year-old stunned in a range of bikinisCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Swiss star Lehmann is newly singleCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Leopard print as also a choice of the footie star’sCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Fans likened Lehmann laying on the beach to a mermaidCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Since then, she gained tens of millions of followers across all social media platforms.
      Lehmann is popular both for her unbelievable football skills and her good looks.
      And to enjoy time away from Villa and a football pitch, Lehmann jetted off to Miami, Florida.
      She captioned one of the posts: “Just relaxed with nothing on my mind.”
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      The Blonde Bombshell stunned in a range of bikinis on the sun-kissed beaches.
      Lehmann took the Sunshine State by storm in pink and black, as well as leopard print, leaving tongues wagging.
      A fan said: “Is that a mermaid?”
      Another replied: “Dream girl right here.”
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      To any lucky chancers, Lehmann is newly single.
      She split from Villa men’s star Douglas Luiz last month.
      The fairytale didn’t last long despite being smitten from the moment they met in 2021.
      Lehmann being in demand off the pitch strained their relationship – especially when she jumped at the chance to show off her sexy side with a calendar.
      Before Luiz, she had dated fellow Swiss women’s star Ramona Bachmann.
      Lehmann has millions of followers on social mediaCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      The Villa ace is prominent on TikTokCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Blonde bomshell Lehmann was dating Villa star Luiz until November this yearCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Lehmann jumped at the chance to star in a sexy calendar and it spelled their end of their relationshipCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7
      Lehmann looking pretty in pinkCredit: Instagram / alishalehmann7 More

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      Who is football pundit Karen Carney and what team did she play for?

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      KAREN CARNEY had an incredible career on the pitch that led to much glory.However, it is her work behind the desk that is now impressing as she was part of the ITV team that brought us the 2022 World Cup from Qatar.
      Karen Carney joined ITV for their World Cup coverage this winter.Credit: Getty
      Who is Karen Carney?
      Karen Carney was born in Solihull, England, on August 1, 1987, to parents Michael and Marie.
      Her mother Marie worked at Sainsbury’s and father Michael worked as a firefighter, raising her along with her other two sisters.
      The energy she had as a child saw her playing out with friends often which led to her interest in the beautiful game.
      Carney recalls playing football from the age of six but it was not until she was aged eleven that her mother saw her play for the first time.
      By the age of fourteen, she was a full-time footballer, and two years later she decided to move away to focus on her passion.
      She attended St Peter’s RC Secondary School before graduating from Loughborough University with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science in 2009.
      In 2013, Carney completed her Masters degree in Sports Psychology at University of Gloucestershire.
      She was named in the 2017 New Year Honours List, receiving the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
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      In 2022, Carney achieved her Masters of Business Administration with a distinction while studying at the James Lind Institute.
      In 2022, Karen was inducted into the Barclays Women’s Super League Hall of Fame.
      Who did she play for?
      Karen is one of England’s most capped players of all time and achieved success at three clubs during her glittering career.
      Attracting a lot of interest from the age of ten, there was only one club that Carney ever had interest in joining, Birmingham City who she supported.
      She made her senior debut at the age of fourteen and won the FA’s Young Player of the Year award in 2005, a year before her eighteenth birthday no less.
      It was a great year for the young talent as she made her England debut against Italy, coming off the bench to score in their 4-1 victory.
      Four months later, her last-gasp strike, secured victory for The Lionesses in their opening game of the European Championships against Finland.
      After nine years at Birmingham, she left her hometown club to join league and cup holders Arsenal.
      She enjoyed a lot of success with The Gunners before heading to Chicago Red Stars, following assistant Emma Hayes.
      In 2011, she returned to Britain to ply her trade, heading back to her spiritual home of Birmingham City.
      At Wembley that season, Carney put in a “woman of the match” performance against Chelsea that saw her score the winning spot-kick to secure Birmingham’s first FA Women’s Cup triumph.
      She remained at City until 2015, topping the league’s scoring charts in 2014, before reuniting with Emma Hayes at Chelsea.
      An integral part of the champion’s side, she won more honours with The Blues, including a Spring Series, league title and FA Cup.
      Across 14 years, Carney earned herself 144 caps for England, scoring 32 times in the process and becoming a Lioness legend.
      When did she retire and how long has she worked in punditry?
      Karen retired from football in 2019 after finishing fourth with England in the Women’s World Cup.
      The Lionesses lost 2-1 in the third-place play-off to Sweden.
      She started her broadcast career working with the BBC and BT, covering all football for their platforms.
      Carney is now Sky Sports’ lead pundit for the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, and part of the matchday team for the Premier League and the EFL.
      In 2019, she was the newly appointed Chair of the Future of Women’s Football Review for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
      In this role she will be looking into ways the government can nurture and expand the game in the UK.
      Karney then jumped across the pond to cover the UEFA Champions League, delivering nationwide commentary for CBS in America.
      Most recently, she was part of the ITV team that brought us the 2022 World Cup from Qatar.
      Is Karen Carney married and does she have any children?
      Despite much interest in her personal life, Karen has managed to keep the media spotlight off her.
      Constantly asked about her love life, despite being cagey on the matter, she confirmed that she is not married.
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      As to whether she is currently in a relationship, this seems to also be somewhat of a grey area but from what we gather she is currently single.
      Karen does not have any children. More

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      Hayes targets a winning end to 2022 for Chelsea and hails ‘explosive’ legacy of Women’s Euros

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      EMMA HAYES believes the success of this year’s Euros was an explosive moment for women’s football.And the Chelsea chief, 46, expects her players to maintain their winning mindset in their Champions League tussle with Paris Saint-Germain.
      Emma Hayes says Chelsea will be targeting a win against Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      Lauren James, Maren Mjelde and their team-mates have won four and drawn one of their last five Champions League group stage gamesCredit: Getty
      The WSL leaders go head-to-head with their rivals at Stamford Bridge at 8:00 pm on Thursday night.
      The Blues are looking to clinch a double group stage win against the French giants in their final match this year.
      At this point last year the Kingsmeadow side exited the Champions League following a 4-0 loss to Wolfsburg.
      A win against PSG would see Hayes’ aces seal a six-game unbeaten run at this phase of the tournament with their quarter-final spot already booked. 
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      The Blues chief said: “Last year was such a learning curve for the team. 
      “When you’re going into a game thinking ‘as long as you don’t lose by a certain number’, that’s a catastrophic head space and one I won’t entertain.
      “We play to win every game. If the team aspires for the biggest things it has to train with that application.
      “With that in mind, I expect my team to have the right approach and I will be disappointed if it is otherwise.”
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      Chelsea’s duel with PSG comes just over four months on from the Lionesses’ history-making triumph at the Euros with the team becoming the first England Women’s side to win the contest. 
      Their success saw the squad named as the Team of the Year at the BBC’s 2022 Sports Personality of the Year awards. 
      Emma Hayes reckons the success of the Euros and the Lionesses’ triumph has helped to elevate women’s gameCredit: PA
      And Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman and Beth Mead won Coach and Player of the Year gongs at the ceremony.
      The European Championship, hosted on English soil for the first time since 2005, was a record-breaking one for women’s football  
      The final at Wembley attracted a crowd of 87,192, the largest to ever attend a Euros final in the women’s or men’s games. 
      And a total of 365 million viewers watched the tournament worldwide, double the number of those who tuned in for the 2017 contest. 
      This year’s Euros were watched by 365 million viewers worldwide with its Wembley final attended by a record-breaking crowd of 87,192Credit: PA
      On whether she believes attitudes towards women’s football have changed since England’s triumph, Hayes added: “It took an explosive moment like the Euros to almost, like, inject steroids into the sport and fast forward our journey.”
      “I think the foundations underpinning it are able to cope with those challenges.” More

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      FC Zurich 1 Arsenal 9: Maanum on fire as Gunners crush Swiss opponents and top of their Champions League group

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      FRIDA MAANUM caused mayhem in Arsenal’s attack as they ran riot against FC Zurich in a nine-goal away demolition.The midfielder bagged a hat-trick as the Gunners turned on the style with a 9-1 victory that saw them finish top of their Champions League group. 
      Frida Maanum netted in the first half and the second during Arsenal’s 9-1 trouncing of FC ZurichCredit: Getty
      Stina Blackstenius was on target with a brace with five different Arsenal players on the score sheetCredit: Reuters
      The result was a positive tonic for the North London giants who have seen their attacking ranks depleted following ACL injuries to Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead.
      The match saw five different players get on the score sheet for Jonas Eidevall’s side.
      And the Gunners’ travelling fans were given a boost with Kim Little amongst the goalscorers.
      The Arsenal stalwart returned to action for the first time since October after missing seven games due to a knee injury. 
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      On how important it was to see a mix of players on target for his team, Eidevall said: “Of course, end product is important with forward players. 
      “I also think it’s important when we look to develop the existing players we have. 
      “It also poses one of those challenges in this transfer window that we also need to recruit players that can give us end product.
      “That is certainly one of the measurable factors that we have lost with those two players (Miedema and Mead). 
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      “We need to take this into consideration when we recruit.”
      Arsenal’s win occurred before Mead capped a standout year on the pitch for club and country when she was named as the winner of the BBC’S 2022 Sports Personality of the Year gong.
      And her Gunners pal Jen Beattie shared a clip of the forward’s team-mates cheering on her win as they travelled back to England following their defeat of Zurich. 
      Shortly before the announcement of Mead’s triumph, Eidevall added: “It’s an extraordinary year she has had under difficult circumstances that we are all – aware of. 
      “Like I said – and I think it was in the autumn of 2021 – Beth Mead is this good. 
      “It becomes so clear when you see her in training.  
      “What people took as form, you could easily see it’s not form, it’s quality.
      “That’s why I’m also very confident that she will be able to return in a very strong condition again because she is that good of a football player. 
      “I’m very happy for her that she has been able to show that for a lot of people.”
      The visitors came into the game looking to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to Lyon at the Emirates and with the aim of finishing top of Group C. 
      Maanum got the ball rolling in the 18th-minute with goal from a lofted free-kick with the Swiss side pinned back early on. 
      That came minutes after the hosts’ looked for a penalty after Alayah Pilgrim collided with Arsenal defender Rafaelle in the box. 
      Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute with Caitlin Foord slotting home from Stina Blackstenius’s cross after Leah Williamson’s header hit the crossbar. 
      And a swift counter saw the visitors make it 3-0 with Lia Walti teeing up Maanum to fire the ball beyond the grasp of goalkeeper Lourdes Romero. 
      Any hopes of a let-up for the hosts were blown away when Maanum set up Blackstenius for a tap-in close to the stroke of half-time. 
      Kim Little capped her return from injury for Arsenal by converting a second-half penaltyCredit: Getty
      Maanum later made it 5-0 in the 51st minute blasting home a top-corner strike – her eighth goal in 12 games played this term. 
      Former Zurich player Noelle Maritz was the provider for Blackstenius as the Gunners striker bagged Arsenal’s sixth goal.
      But Williamson’s accidental slip and trip of Seraina Piubel saw the hosts pull one back with Fabienne Humm netting from the spot in the 64th minute. 
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      But their celebrations were dampened when Foord poked the ball home for the visitors’ seventh goal five minutes later. 
      And a Kim Little spot-kick and Mana Iwabuchi’s slotted finish saw Arsenal wrap a storming performance on the road. More