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      Arsenal Women star Vivianne Miedema stretchered off in tears after suffering worrying knee injury against Lyon

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      ARSENAL WOMEN forward Vivianne Miedema was taken off on a stretcher in tears after suffering a serious knee injury against Lyon.The disastrous moment marred the Gunners booking their place in the Champions League quarter-finals despite falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat to the French champs.
      Vivianne Miedema went down after a horrible fall on her kneeCredit: Rex
      Arsenal’s medical team spent time treating her on the pitchCredit: PA
      Miedema was reduced to tears as she was carried off on a stretcherCredit: Getty
      The only goal of the game came in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Danielle van de Donk’s effortwas deflected into her own net by Frida Maanum.
      However, that was not the headline story from the evening at the Emirates Stadium.
      Dutch attacker Miedema, 26, went down clutching her knee after falling awkwardly while stretching for the ball just before the break.
      She received treatment on the pitch and was eventually carried off on a stretcher in tears.
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      Her partner and team-mate Beth Mead, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament damage last month, watched Miedema receive treatment on the pitch and then accompanied her down the tunnel.
      The loss of the club’s two star forwards is a huge double blow for the Gunners who face Zurich away in their final Group C game next Wednesday. 
      Speaking after the game, Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “I haven’t spoken to Vivianne or the doctor.
      “Right now I am very concerned of course, but we had to stay focused during the game. I’m sorry I don’t have any update at all on that situation.
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      “We are concerned but we are super professional. We don’t let anything take away our focus. 
      “We stick with what we need to do in the match and that we go to Zurich and we win and we remain number one in the group. That’s important.”
      Van de Donk, a compatriot and former Arsenal team-mate of Miedema’s, was also worried during a brief half-time interview.
      She said: “I feel very sad for her because you don’t wish that on anyone. It doesn’t look good so my thoughts are with her.”
      Miedema has scored 114 goals in 132 games since joining the Gunners back in 2017.
      She is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world and will be a major miss for Arsenal – who sit three points behind league leaders Chelsea in the WSL table, with a game in hand.
      In the match against Lyon, Arsenal came into it needing to avoid a loss of at least four goals or more in order to reach the Champions League knockout phase.
      Lotte Wubben Moy came close to heading the hosts in front from a 23 minute corner-kick after Caitlin Foord’s cut back was walloped out of play.
      And Foord narrowly missed a chance to get on the end of Katie McCabe’s curled delivery a quarter of an hour later. 
      A defensive lapse saw the visitors take the lead close to half-time  with Maanum unwittingly turning the ball into her own net after it was struck by Van de Donk after a free-kick.
      But the finish looked like it was offside with Melvine Malard seeming to interfere with play.
      And then disaster struck as Miedema collapsed down on the turf and was subsequently stretchered off.
      The second half saw centre-back Rafaelle Souza enter the fray for Eidevall’s side following the loss of Miedema.
      And Maanum came close to getting on the end of McCabe’s cross in the 60th minute, moments after Eugenie Le Sommer drilled a shot directly at Gunners keeper Manuela Zinsberger. 
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      The hosts’ push for a leveller saw the game end frantically with Eidevall sending Zinsberger into the box for the final corner kick.
      But Lyon held out to claim a win that saw them go second in the group and level on points with the Gunners. More

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      Eidevall insists Arsenal have ‘massive respect’ for Lyon as Gunners aim for Champions League knockout spot

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      JONAS EIDEVALL believes it will be tricky to anticipate how Lyon will look when they play Arsenal in the Champions League at the Emirates tonight.The Gunners’ boss, 39, who has his sights set on knockout stage qualification, insists he has massive respect for the team his players trounced in October.
      A win against Lyon for Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal will see the team qualify for the Champions League knockout stageCredit: Getty
      Arsenal have won three of the four Champions League group stage fixtures they have playedCredit: Getty
      Lyon, who are the tournament’s record-winning club with eight Champions League titles, have won eight of their last nine games since their 5-1 loss to Arsenal. 
      The French giants have been battling with injuries to key players with star striker Ada Hegerberg and midfield ace Sara Dabritz among the those out of action. 
      The team, who lost who lost 1-0 to PSG in France’s top-flight on Sunday, are also without the services of centre-backs Ellie Carpenter and Griedge Mbock.
      In May Carpenter ruptured a knee ligament during Lyon’s Champions League final defeat of Barcelona. 
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      However midfielder Amel Majri has reportedly returned to the French champs’ squad following a 15-month spell out due to an ACL injury and the birth of her daughter in July. 
      Eidevall said: “It’s difficult to predict how Lyon will look (compared to the game in October), that’s their business. 
      “I will work on how Arsenal will look but we see a Lyon team that has had a lot of strong performances. 
      “From a goal-scoring opportunities perspective, they were the better team against PSG even if they ended up losing. 
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      “We know they are an excellent opponent that we need to have massive respect for.”
      Arsenal, who face Swiss side Zurich next Wednesday, could enter the knockout rounds of this term’s contest if they avoid defeat by four goals or more tonight. 
      The Gunners are currently top of Group A having gone unbeaten after four game at this stage with three wins and one draw. 
      Eidevall added: “We know that we can achieve qualification and that’s huge for us. 
      “We’re going to do our very best to try and achieve that.
      “Lyon have been setting the standards for all others to chase and they are the reigning European champions.
      “We have the utmost respect for their history and their team. 
      This evening’s fixture will see former Gunner Danielle van de Donk go up against her old side at the Emirates.
      The Netherlands star, 31, helped Arsenal to win their last WSL title back in 2019
      Lyon hope to avenge the 5-1 loss they endured at home to the Gunners in OctoberCredit: Getty
      The forward who, netting 11 goals in 19 league appearances during the 2018-19 season, is eager to see Lyon return to winning ways.
      Van de Donk told reporters: “We want those three points. We’re very motivated.”

      “I think it’s going to be a good match, with a great level, great intensity.”
      Arsenal vs Lyon in the Women’s Champion League will be aired live at 8:00 pm tonight (15 December) on DAZN’s YouTube channel. More

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      Sarina Wiegman says attraction of managing another ‘big football country’ shaped England boss job move

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      SARINA WIEGMAN revealed she mulled over whether she would be able to leave the Netherlands when the chance to manage the Lionesses arose. The head coach, 53, said the lure of managing in another ‘big football’ nation was among the draws that attracted her to the role.
      Sarina Wiegman says she took classes on English football as part for her preparation to coach the LionessesCredit: Getty
      Wiegman and her players have their sights set on World Cup success after their triumph in the Euros in JulyCredit: AFP
      Wiegman was speaking a day after a number of pundits, journalists and football fans engaged in debate on whether a manager of England national football side needs to be English. 
      Debate had arisen amid reports regarding Gareth Southgate’s future after the Three Lions boss led his side the Qatar World Cup quarter-finals this month.
      On Tuesday football pundit Jamie Carragher shared his opinion that gaffers of the national team should be English. 
      Meanwhile some fans have highlighted Wiegman, who led the Lionesses to a Women’s Euros crown, as an example of a coach from overseas succeeding as an England national team boss . 
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      When asked if her nationality was a factor in her decision to take up her role Wiegman said: “I thought about it when I first got in contact with England when they reached out to me. 
      “I was head coach of the Netherlands, but my first thought was. ‘can I leave the Netherlands [as a country], I grew up there, it’s my country’
      “Most of the time when some people reach out to me to ask if I’m interested in a job, after a couple of days it would just fade ‘no I’m going to stay with the Netherlands’. 
      “But this one stuck with me. This is very exciting.
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      “It’s a big country, England is a big football country with the WSL and the potential of the (national) team, so I started to have conversations.”
      Since her appointment last September, Wiegman led the Lionesses on a 26-game unbeaten run with England winning their first major trophy in the team’s 50-year history this July. 
      Their silverware success came five years after the Netherlands-born head coach guided the Dutch national women’s team to a Euros Championship win on home soil
      On her efforts to adapt to English culture after agreeing up her role, Wiegman added: “Although the countries are really close together there are some differences in culture, so I really tried to learn. 
      The success of the WSL and the challenge of managing of a ‘big football country’ were factors that led Wiegman to take on her jobCredit: Getty
      “I took some English classes in football. I said I will learn about your culture and try to adapt to your culture  but also bring the directness as you have to know what is good
      “I will not go around it or change that. 
      “I think it went really well and we really enjoyed ourselves.
      “I think the FA and the players and staff enjoy it too and we have a very good collaboration. We can still grow a lot.” More

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      Cankovic bags a brace as Chelsea hold off Reading after Arsenal and West Ham clinch away wins

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      CHELSEA withstood a spirited fightback from Reading to restore a three-point gap over Arsenal. Fran Kirby put the Blues in front with a quickfire free-kick as they sealed a 3-2 win on a snowy evening at Kingsmeadow. 
      Jelena Cankovic scored twice inside five minutes as Chelsea raced to a 3-0 first-half lead against ReadingCredit: Reuters
      Amalie Eikeland netted as the Royals fought back with two goals in the game’s second halfCredit: Getty
      Emma Hayes’ side’s battling display sees them remain top of the table.
      And title rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and Man City all current have a game in hand on the Blues. 
      Royals boss Kelly Chambers shared her dismay with the match’s opening goal being allowed to stand.
      Her comments were made after footage showed a Blues player in an offside position. 

      Chambers told Sky Sports: “The first goal just deflated us. 
      “We had a good 30 minutes where we were solid and caused Chelsea problems but the officiating, we speak about it week in week out, but it’s costing teams”. 
      After the game Hayes spoke about her support for the use of VAR in the game. 
      At present the system is not deployed at WSL fixtures. 
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      The Chelsea chief told Sky Sports: I didn’t even see the goal but the guys told me it was offside. This happens.
      “I am an advocate of VAR because if [mistakes] lead to goals, I can totally understand how every team across the league might feel with that.
      “It goes in swings and roundabouts – it went in our favour this week, maybe in another week it doesn’t. But we do have to improve it.”
      The Blues caught Reading cold in the 16th minute with Kirby slotting the ball home after the hosts reacted swiftly with their free-kick 
      And summer signing Jelena Cankovic put in a clinical performance in attack scoring twice in four minutes the first spell.
      But Reading fought back with Sanne Troeslgaard firing a low shot under Ann-Katrin Berger with half an hour remaining. 
      And Amalie Eikeland made it 3-2 a minute later, firing home at the near post. 
      The hosts held out to seal the win and maintain their advantage at the top of the table with a Champions League duel with Albanian club Vllaznia up next on Friday. 
      Elsewhere Vivianne Miedema opened the floodgates for Arsenal as they fought back from a goal down to trouce Aston Villa 4-1. 
      Kirsty Hanson struck from 20 yards to give the hosts a sixth-minute lead at Villa Park. 
      Jordan Nobbs and Katie McCabe were both on target during Arsenal’s 4-1 trouncing of Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      But Carla Ward’s battlers saw the game levelled after Rachel Corsie’s own goal. 
      A Miedema volley saw the Gunners go 2-1 up before Katie McCabe helped them double their advantage with a tap-in. 
      And Jordan Nobbs capped off the victory with the game’s final goal with six minutes of normal time remaining. 
      Victory saw Arsenal leapfrog Man United to second spot behind Chelsea. 
      And Hawa Cissoko marked her return from a five-match ban by helping West Ham consign Tottenham to a 2-0 defeat.
      Goals in the first and second periods saw the Irons claim maximum points on the road.
      Kerys Harrops’ challenge on Kate Longhurst saw West Ham given a penalty close to half-time.
      But Dagny Brynjarsdottir failed to convert from the spot in the 47th minute. 
      The second spell saw the Iceland ace make up for her miss by blazing home a rocket shot in the 49th minute.
      Spurs looked to battle their way back towards the games closing stages at their Breyer Group Stadium home. 
      But they got caught on the counter with centre-back Cissoko sending a chipped 83rd-minute effort over Tottenham keeper Rebecca Spencer. 
      Irons boss Paul Konchesky said: “For Hawa it was excellent. It (the goal) has been a long time coming.
      “I didn’t think she would chip it.
      “I’m really pleased she scored today, but I thought she was fantastic at the other end of the pitch defending the box along with the back four and our goalkeeper.”
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      Claudia Walker and her West Ham team-mates moved up to fourth after their away win against TottenhamCredit: Getty
      The result saw Rehanne Skinner’s side drop to seventh before their midweek duel with Everton. 
      And Konchesky’s side leapfrogged Aston Villa to go fifth in their last league clash before Christmas.  More

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      Skinner targets progress beyond fourth for Manchester United in the WSL after Etihad draw with Man City

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      MARC SKINNER insists Manchester United are not aiming to settle for fourth after nabbing a point against their neighbours. Laura Coombs pounced to ensure Man City shared the spoils of a 1-1 draw in a record-breaking top-flight duel at the Etihad.
      Leah Galton bagged her fourth WSL goal in nine games after giving Manchester United the lead at the EtihadCredit: Alamy
      Marc Skinner says his players’ performances have shown how much they have evolved since last seasonCredit: Getty
      Laura Coombs levelled the match for Manchester City with her fourth league goal this termCredit: Getty
      The match saw the Citizens’ smash their previous WSL crowd record  of 31,213 at the ground smashed with 44,259 turning out to watch. 
      Leah Galton’s opener looked to have given the visitors the perfect early Christmas gift before Coombs’ leveller for the hosts. 
      The result, which preceded Arsenal’s 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa and Chelsea’s defeat of Reading, sees Man United end the year in third and three points ahead of the Citizens. 
      Skinner, whose side have a game in hand on Chelsea, said: “I’m frustrated with the result but not the performance.
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      “We will continue to evolve this team.
      “Honestly, as a coach, it is the most pleasing thing to see the players taking on responsibility and showing their personality.
      “We’ve shown so much growth in the first half of the year. It really sets us up for next year.”
      The match saw Galton register her fourth league goal in nine WSL games this term. 
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      On the form of the versatile Red Devils ace, Skinner added: “Galton was magnificent. 
      “She’s a wonderful, wonderful talent. Defensively, offensively, I would not want to play against her.”
      While the Red Devils may have missed out on a derby win at the Etihad they are proving to be far more formidable foes for their top three rivals having beaten Arsenal on the road this term. 
      When asked on where he hopes to strengthen his squad in January Skinner, was tight-lipped on which areas he would be focusing on. 
      The Red Devils boss said: “Manchester United are not here to compete for fourth. 
      “We’re actually here to compete in every game we play regardless of the historical position of any team we play against 
      “I respect everything Manchester City do, I respect everything Chelsea and Arsenal do, I respect everyone in the league. 
      “We know how difficult a job this is and trying to bridge that gap and we’re planning ahead.”
      City, who started strongly, came close to netting in the tenth minute with Alex Greenwood’s delivery prompting a scramble and a superb punched goal-line clearance from Mary Earps.
      But the visitors began to get the upper hand.
      They took a 27th minute lead with Galton sweeping the ball home after neat build-up play involving Ella Toone, Hannah Blundell and Millie Turner. 
      Nikita Parris looked to be through on goal moments later before Leila Ouahabi’s stunning tackle thwarted the forward.
      And Deyna Castellanos saw her strike from distance comfortably gathered by Earps close to half-time. 
      The second spell saw United keep the pressure up on Gareth Taylor’s side before Laura Coombs directed a 58th minute header home after Laia Aleixandri’s drive up field. 
      The game became more end-to-end as City upped the ante and both sides pushed for a late winner
      United’s Martha Thomas forced an impressive late close-range save from Ellie Roebuck following Earps stopping a bullet header from Khadija Shaw.
      There were shouts of a handball after Greenwood blocked Lucia Garcia’s cross in the second minute of injury time before the game finished a draw.
      The outcomes sees remain City fourth and three points behind United before their first league clash of 2023 with West Ham
      City boss Taylor said: “I thought a draw was a fair result.
      Gareth Taylor believe his Man City side are starting gel effectively following a summer of squad changesCredit: Getty
      “They edged it in the first half, we did in the second half. It was too much like a basketball match in the final stages for my liking.
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      “I feel we have a really good team for the future. They’re starting to gel and play well together. It’s exciting. 
      “We’ve got ourselves into a good position in both competitions we are in.” More

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      Manchester City ace Casparij eager to follow in the footsteps of Netherlands stars who have shone in the WSL

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      KERSTIN CASPARIJ is hoping to turn her Manchester City move into a fairy-TAYLHer side’s duel with Marc Skinner’s Red Devils could see the Netherlands ace take to the pitch in her first derby since her July switch from Dutch side FC Twente. 
      Kerstin Casparij could be in line to start for Manchester City when they take on Man United at the Etihad in the WSLCredit: Alamy
      Manchester United have been in formidable for in the Women’s Super League winning seven of their first eight games this seasonCredit: Getty
      The Citizens midfielder, 22, who began her senior playing career at 15 at Dutch club SC Heerenveen, is one of seven players who joined the Conti Cup holders this year.
      And her arrival followed the departures and retirements of several former City aces including Euros-winning quintet Ellen White, Georgia Stanway, Jill Scott, Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze.
      Casparij, who made 42 FC Twente appearances helping her old side a league title win last year, said: “Gareth got me very excited about my move here. 
      “The first time Gareth and I spoke to each other he was just very football minded which I liked 
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      “I could really spar with him on what I thought or what he thought and he was very open about that. 
      It’s just nice when you have a first conversation with a new coach to have that open mindedness.”
      Today’s match between Taylor’s team and Manchester United, who are second in the table, will be the first derby encounter in the league between the rivals this season.
      The highly anticipated clash which is expected to attract 43,000 fans will see both sides face-off at the Etihad for the first since September 2019. 
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      Back then the hosts, who are currently fourth clinched a 1-0 win courtesy of a 25-yard thumper scored by their former forward Caroline Weir. 
      The Citizens are yet to lose to United in the league and have gone on  a six-game winning run after losing to Aston Villa and Chelsea. 
      However their neighbours currently have the advantage of a three-point lead in the race for the title and a place in one of the WSL’s top three spots for Champions League qualification. 
      And last month Skinner’s side clinched a dramatic 3-2 win against Arsenal at the Emirates. 
      Casparij insists the squad mood going into this match is a relaxed one. 
      The midfielder, who has made seven WSL appearances this term added: “We’re really down to earth but we want to win every game
      “We know we have to and we want to do well in the league this year and win things.
      “Everyone’s just really relaxed and focused on each game. The main thing is that we don’t get overconfident.”
      Off the pitch Casparij is eager to get to grips with Mancunian phrases. 
      She added:  “I like saying ‘I’m buzzing’ but I feel like I say that all the time so I have to come up with some new phrases. 
      “When I joined and was doing my medical, some of the players would say phrases like ‘you’re not Manc mate’ or ‘only people who support City are Manc’ and stuff like that. 
      “But I wouldn’t like to burn my fingers by saying that to anyone because I don’t want to fight!”
      In recent years players from the Netherlands have made their mark on the domestic game in England including the WSL’s record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema. 
      Gareth Taylor’s side could go level on points with the Red Devils if they win their first derby clash of this seasonCredit: Getty
      Other Dutch players who enjoyed trophy-winning success on these shores include former Gunners Danielle van de Donk and 2019 World Cup Golden Gloves winner Sari van Veenendaal. 
      Along with Miedema and former Arsenal midfielder Dominique Janessen both were part of the squad that helped Arsenal to a WSL league title win in 2019. 
      Casparij, who was part of the Netherlands side that reached the Euros quarter-finals’ said: “The Dutchies who have been there have done amazing for themselves.
      Casparij admires the impact Netherlands stars such as Vivianne Miedema have had on the WSLCredit: Getty
      “This makes it maybe a little bit easier for like the new generation of girls to come into the WSL. 
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      “There’s a reason they thrive and there’s a reason we actually love being in the UK.
      “I think it’s massive for them to have taken the first step.” More

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      Ward backs Arsenal ace Miedema’s call for football authorities to consider player workloads in women’s game

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      CARLA WARD has backed Vivianne Miedema’s call for football chiefs to listen to fears over player workloads. The Aston Villa chief’s squad contains several internationals including England star Rachel Daly and Scotland aces Rachel Corsie and Kirsty Hanson.
      Carla Ward says the workload of players in the women’s game with the scheduling of international windows is a bigger picture issue that needs to be discussedCredit: Getty
      Vivianne Miedema wants Fifa and Uefa to listen to concerns regarding players’ workloadsCredit: Reuters
      Today Villa take on Arsenal at home, four days after Gunners star Miedema, 26, flagged the higher number of international breaks in women’s football compared to the men’s game.
      Ward, 38, said: “It’s a difficult one because what Miedema said is very true. 
      “I talked about it after the last window where there were World Cup qualifiers and we had players finishing a game on a Wednesday night with complete heartbreak and then they have to play 48 hours later. 
      “I’m not sure you’d see that in the men’s game.
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      “It’s a bigger picture, something that needs to be discussed — and I’ve spoken about that. 
      “You have to put the welfare of players (first) both mentally and physically
      “There’s also mental challenges with that, how they cope with certain emotions of certain games, and then having to come straight back in.”
      Today Sunday Villa hope to maintain the form that saw them qualify for the Conti Cup’s knockout phase after finishing top of their table after four group phase games. 
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      And the Gunners will hope to snuff out Daly’s attacking threat with the forward and Man City’s Khadija Shaw currently topping the WSL’s scorers chart with eight goals each.
      Daly’s form has seen her win a Barclays Women’s Super League player of the month award for a second time this season.
      Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall, 39, said: “Rachel Daly has been phenomenal so far this season. 
      Rachel Daly has impressed for Villa in the WSL netting eight goals so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      “But it’s not only her unfortunately, we need to focus on Villa as a whole team in order to deal with them and to get the result we want.”
      Ward added: “Rachel leads by example and she is the type of personality you need in the changing room.” More

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      Chelsea boss Hayes says draw with Real Madrid is a ‘fair result’ after Blues drop points in the Champions League

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      EMMA HAYES says ‘bumps in the road’ are to be expected after Chelsea shared the spoils of a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid. Christmas looked to have come early for the Spanish side in the Champions League group stage clash after Caroline Weir pounced on a clearance error.
      Caroline Weir gave Real Madrid a first-half lead in their second group stage duel with Chelsea –Credit: Reuters
      A Madrid own goal after Guro Reiten’s spot-kick saw the WSL champions secure a drawCredit: Getty
      But Guro Reiten’s spot-kick saw Hayes’ aces maintain their unbeaten group phase run before their clash with Reading in the WSL this Sunday. 
      Prior to their Madrid visit Chelsea have been in clinical winning form in Europe keeping six clean sheets in their last seven European games.
      The clash at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium saw them concede for the first time in Group A following their 2-0 home defeat of their opponents last time out. 
      Hayes said: “Technically, I’ve never seen us give the ball away so cheaply. All parts of our play in-possession struggled. 
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      “That’s something we’ll work at. We’ve been playing really well, so we’re disappointed.
      “It’s the first time in a while we’ve conceded such a poor goal.
      “Credit to the team for the way they responded. Everybody raised their levels.”
      Chelsea have notched up ten points from the four group stage games they have played to date with the club currently top of the table.
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      On qualification for the knockout phase remaining in their hands, Hayes added: “We’re in a good place and we know this is a tough group. 
      “We have to respect that we’re coming to Madrid, we’re away from home and this is a big pitch. 
      “They are an improving team who drew with Paris Saint-Germain and beat Manchester City and we have to pay respect to them. 
      “I thought it was a good game and probably a draw was a fair result.”
      The Blues came close to netting in the opening five minutes with Sam Kerr cracking the crossbar after a Reiten corner and hitting the post later on. 
      But Weir ensured the hosts took a first-half lead against her old WSL foes as the Spanish side began to put pressure on their opponents. 
      Ann-Katrin Berger’s clearance paved the way for the forward to stroke the ball home in the 36th-minute bagging her first goal against the Blues in a Madrid shirt. 
      However Ivana Andres’ clumsy challenge on Reiten saw the visitors get back on level terms in the second period through a penalty
      And they did so after Madrid goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez scored an own goal after pushing Reiten’s spot-kick off the post into the net.
      At the other end Berger pulled off a classy close range stop to deny Olga Carmona a goal in the 79th minute before Weir sent a long range effort over the bar. 
      And Rodriguez pulled off a stunning stop parrying Kerr’s thumped shot out of danger with both sides sharing the spoils. 
      Emma Hayes’ side take on Reading before their Champions League game against VllazniaCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s Thursday night draw saw them open up a three-point gap on Paris Saint-Germain at the top of their group before their December 16 clash with Vllaznia. 
      A win against the Albanian side will see the Blues reach the knockout stage ahead of their December 23 duel with PSG – their last game in the group stage. 
      Before then the WSL leaders face Reading at Kingsmeadow with the aim of picking up a tenth win in the top tier this term.
      The match comes in a week that saw Hayes and her assistant Denise Reddy win November’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League Manager of the Month prize. 
      The Chelsea boss said: “It’s a tight turnaround so we have got to rest really quickly with Friday off then back in on Saturday and playing again on Sunday, but we’re used to doing it.
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      “It doesn’t make it easier but I always think playing away from home on a Thursday and then playing at home on Sunday at least makes it a little more palatable. 
      “But we’ve got the experience of doing that and I think everybody in the squad trains at a really good level that we have such great players that we can cope with this type of game.” More