Women’s Super League

HOPE POWELL has stood down as boss of Brighton Women bringing her five-year tenure in charge of the side to a close.Her departure comes a day after the Seagulls endured one of their heaviest defeats in the WSL – an 8-0 drubbing at home to Tottenham.
Hope Powell has left Brighton after a five-year spell in charge of their women’s sideCredit: Getty
Brighton fell to an 8-0 loss at home to Tottenham with the team currently 11th in the leagueCredit: Alamy
Today the club confirmed Powell, 56, had stepped down “with immediate effect” as manager of the side currently second from bottom in the league.
Albion assistant manager Amy Merricks will take charge of the team at their next game with support from Alex Penny and Albion Girls Academy chief Perry Northeast.
The club are due to play West Ham away on Sunday.
The Seagulls had won over 40 per cent of the 116 matches played under former England head coach Powell after she took charge in July 2017.
And in the 2020-21 season, she led them to sixth place, their highest-ever finish in the top tier.
However, they are three points above the WSL’s drop zone having lost four of their opening five games this season.
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Powell said: “We’ve had a very challenging start to the new season with many changes to our squad and results not going as we had all hoped.
“Sunday’s heavy loss at home to Tottenham was particularly disappointing. 
“As a club, we’ve made a lot of progress in the past five years, but I feel now is the right time to step aside and allow a new coach to take the team forward with plenty of Super League football still to play this season.”
Brighton Women’s chair, Michelle Walder, added: “Hope’s contribution to the development of women’s and girls’ football at our club, and for the women’s game in this country, cannot be underestimated.
“She has established Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League and has overseen the opening of a new state-of-the-art women’s and girls’ teams training facility at our club.
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“She has undoubtedly inspired further generations of young girls to play football. We wish her well for the future.”
Powell’s departure followed reports concerning speculation over her future with the team falling to losses of four or more goals in three of their first five WSL games.
Her departure also follows a summer that has seen Brighton’s senior squad depleted following the exits of several players.
First-team regulars who departed include highly-rated defender Maya Le Tissier who sealed a move to Manchester United.
Other aces who left include forward Aileen Whelan, Dutch duo Inessa Kaagman and Danielle Kerkdijk, and Finland full-back Emma Koivisto. 
Maya Le Tissier is among several players who left Brighton this summerCredit: Getty More

WHEN Stephen Opoka’s playing career ended in his early twenties after a knee injury, a move into coaching was the furthest thing from his mindFifteen years on the ex-Colchester United youth player has become West Ham Women’s WSL Academy manager, the first black coach to take on the role.
Stephen Opoka played for Colchester United during his teens
A knee injury led to Opoka embarking on a career in coachingCredit: https://www.whufc.com/news/stephen-opoka-appointed-womens-academy-manager
Becoming a coach was something Opoka, 34 would eventually see as his dream job years after a promising start as a Colchester United youth player.
The ex-U’s youth player’s journey into football began at seven after being inspired by the Three Lions’ heroics during Euros 96.
It would later lead to Opoka, who was born in Uganda, getting a call-up to Uganda’s senior side at 18, ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier.
The former Colchester midfielder, who grew up in Newham in East London said: “Watching Euro 96 was a big moment
“I started to get a football vibe from watching England get to the semi-finals and Paul Gascoigne’s famous goal against Scotland.
“These were my earliest memories and trying to replicate these moments – that’s what got me into football as a kid in a playground.
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“When I was 11, I joined a grassroots side called Abbey Raiders based in Forest Gate in East London.
“I was a midfielder at the time and some of my heroes back then were players like Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane.
“I later joined Colchester as a schoolboy.”
Opoka’s appointment as the Hammers’ Women’s Academy manager last month, follows a journey that saw him undergo a knee op in a bid to continue playing.  
He would later take on a variety of jobs before deciding to take the plunge to become a coach.
Opoka added: “I was at Colchester for five years from the age of 14 playing in midfield.
“When I was 19, I didn’t get offered another contract and went for trials at Stoke City and Brentford.
“I ended up injuring my knee whilst I was training by myself and damaging the cartilage and ended up needing a knee operation.
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“That was tough because at that moment I was feeling really good and ready to go for trials.
“I ended up working in retail for a few years from 19 to 21. Within that period I decided to develop new skills.
“During that time, I experienced a bit of heartbreak as my dad passed away while I was waiting to have knee surgery. 
“I was waiting for an operation via the NHS and that takes some time.
“But I found out through a company my dad worked for that I was medically insured through them.
“When he passed, that’s when I had the surgery.
Opoka undertook a variety of jobs after his playing career ended early due to an injury
“After my knee operation, I was thinking I could get back into playing.
“The surgeon said I could have a professional career but advised against it because I was at risk of (me) developing arthritis
“I continued to work and also started playing football semi-professionally for a while, but I didn’t enjoy it.
“That’s when I started my head started to turn towards coaching and helping out friends who were (and some who still are) professional players.
“During the off-season, I would help them do during sessions that were specific to their playing positions when they were coming back from injuries.
“I remember working with my good mate Troy Archibald-Henville (now a youth coach at Tottenham).
“He was at Swindon at the time playing under Paolo Di Canio.
Opoka wants to provide West Ham Women’s Academy players with a chance to develop skills off the pitch as well as on it
“I was also doing similar things during the off-season with friends playing for West Ham, Tottenham, and Everton.”
“I was 23 then but during those couple of years previous from 19 to 21, I had no thought of getting into coaching.”
It was not until Opoka was in his late twenties that he decided to he wanted to go into coaching full-time.
A decision that would see him complete a Uefa B license course and establish his own coaching company before becoming the head coach of the University of East London’s women’s football team.
Not everyone has that mindset where they can look and say I can imagine myself doing that roleStephen Opoka – West Ham Women’s Academy Manager
He would later become assistant manager of West Ham Women’s Under-21s before taking on the role of WSL’s club’s academy chief. 
Opoka, is one of a small number of black coaches working at the highest levels of the domestic game in England.
Brighton boss Hope Powell is currently the only black head coach in the WSL while Patrick Vieira is the only black manager of a Premier League side.
A new report published this month revealed just 4.4 per cent of managers in the English game are black.
Reflecting on this Opoka said: “It is important to see representation.
West Ham men’s first team coach Paul Nevin is among a small number of black coaches working at the highest levels of football in EnglandCredit: Getty
“Not everyone has that mindset where they can look and say I can imagine myself doing that role.
“Sometimes they need to see it and say, ‘I can see Hope Powell (Brighton), I can see Patrick Vieira in his role at Crystal Palace and I can see Paul Nevin (first team coach of West Ham’s Prem first team), so it is possible’. 
“It is definitely a big thing for many people from different backgrounds coming up in coaching.
“They need to see somebody who looks like them, sounds like them, and may have gone through similar obstacles as them. 
“If I saw limitations, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.”
In his new role is relishing the challenge of helping West Ham Women’s WSL Academy to flourish.
The team’s Under-21 side is currently seventh in the Southern Division of the WSL Academy League having won three of their first six games this term.
Opoka says Irons Women’s boss says Konchesky has been a regular presence at matches.
And the Newham-bred coach has high hopes for the academy which he describes as being in its infancy.
He added: “We’re constantly communicating with Paul.
West Ham Women’s boss Paul Konchesky often attends the Irons’ WSL academy gamesCredit: Getty
“He has been at every home Academy game this season and I can’t praise his support highly enough.
“The biggest thing for me is making the academy a place where players know that when they come in, they’re going to get what they need, whether its psychological support, as well the tactical and technical coaching on the pitch.
“It’s having an environment that is professional and there for the girls to have a platform to give it their best shot.” More

JORDAN NOBBS vowed to make the most of her impressive form after Arsenal went level on points with league leaders Manchester United.The midfielder bagged her second goal in seven games across all competitions this term with a belting strike against West Ham.
Jordan Nobbs vowed to keeping working hard after helping the Gunners to a fifth win in five WSL gamesCredit: Reuters
Her effort helped the high-flying Gunners notch up their 13th successive WSL match win on Sunday night.
The England ace’s first-half rocket shot followed a stunning volleyed effort netted in the Champions League against Zurich on Thursday.
And Nobbs’ goal against the Hammers garnered praise from fans on social media with some hailing her comeback following a serious knee injury she sustained in June.
Reflecting on her recent goals and return from injury Nobbs told Sky Sports: “It’s been really tough.
“I’ve obviously had a rough few years and in the last few months getting into this squad.
“We’ve got such a talented team and I’ve just had to basically keep working hard.
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“Every time I’ve gone out at training and I’ve just been thinking ‘don’t stop because that chance always comes’.
“I’m just glad that I could take my chance last week and then obviously, coming on today.
“I have to take any chances I can and yeah and it’s been tough but it’s football.”
Goals from Nobbs, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum saw the Gunners seal a 3-1 win against the Irons who took a first-half lead with Dagny Brynarsdottir’s close-range effort.
And the Hammers could have had two, but the Irons skipper saw a headed goal incorrectly disallowed after Kim Little slipped over in the penalty area.
West Ham boss Paul Konchesky said: “Dagny scored a good poacher’s goal and maybe her first one should have counted.
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“It’s a bit disappointing as that could have put us two goals ahead and it might have been a different game.”
Arsenal’s win saw them go second in the table above title-holders Chelsea with the Blues also on 15 points following their 3-1 defeat of Aston Villa
The Gunners take on Leicester next ahead of the international break with the Foxes bottom of the table after five straight losses.
West Ham will host Brighton with the Seagulls hoping to bounce back after falling to a hefty 8-0 loss against Tottenham.
Paul Konchesky’s side are currently seventh in the WSL after five gamesCredit: Getty More

KHIARA KEATING has fond memories of her first senior Manchester City runout as one of the youngest goalkeepers to ever play for the club.However, the England Under-19 starlet could well have ended up as a striker had a trial at rivals Man United gone differently.
Khiara Kheating hopes to help Manchester City win more silverwareCredit: Getty
Keating joked about wanting to go home when she spotted a huge group of youngsters at her Red Devils trial when she was just six years old.
But a few words of encouragement from her mum, Nicola, saw Keating pull on her brother’s oversized gloves and show off her skills.
And that determination put her on the path to becoming a rising star between the sticks at City.
The Academy Stadium ace, 18, said: “I only turned into a goalkeeper at a Manchester United trial.
“I got invited but when I turned up there and saw how many kids there were, I just said, ‘I am not doing this’.
“But then my mum said, ‘I didn’t drive all this way to just let you give up. Your brother’s gloves are in the car’.
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“So then I trialled with my brother’s gloves on and got in.”
That moment put Keating on a path that led to her making her first-team debut, aged just 17, for Gareth Taylor’s side in January
Growing up in Ardwick, one of Manchester’s toughest areas, also gave her the drive and determination to succeed in the sport.
It was there that the City ace’s mother helped set up Sunday League team Ardwick FC, a side she joined before playing for Stockport-based junior boys outfit Reddish Vulcans.
Keating, who has two older brothers and three younger sisters, added: “Mum just juggled everything.
“She played a big part in the start of my career by creating that team because she saw a gap in the community.
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“It was just quite special, and we formed bonds we still have today.
“We still pop around to the club and say, ‘Hi’. I also played for Reddish Vulcans when I was about four or five.
“Just playing with boys with the physicality levels, the speed of the football, it was good to have that in your pocket.
“I started there as a striker and then I used to play some games in goal and some outfield.”
It was in the 5-0 League Cup hammering of Leicester in January that Keating made her first senior start for City.
She got her chance following an injury in the warm-up to first-choice Karima Taieb.
Keating added: “It was a magical moment for not just me but my family too seeing me make my debut.
I didn’t expect to play but Karima got injured and the next thing I’m being told is, ‘Khiara, you’re on!’. It’s every kid’s dream.”
The City ace, who has made seven England Under-19 appearances, one day dreams of playing a senior level for the Lionesses.
Keating added: “Being half black and multicultural is special and important to me.
“For young kids seeing people like me and other keepers in the WSL and other players there and representing is a huge push for them.
City boss Gareth Taylor believes Keating has a bright future ahead at the clubCredit: Getty
“I’d say to the little kids from similar backgrounds it’s about going for it and believing in yourself and believing in your power (as players).
“For me, my main goal at Manchester City would be to help the club win trophies.
 “But my personal goal is to just develop as a player and get some game time.” More

HOPE POWELL says she feels sad to see Ellie Brazil’s season ended by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.The Tottenham ace, 23, and former Brighton forward sustained knee ligament damage during Spurs’ match against Manchester City.
Ellie Brazil sustained a knee injury during Tottenham’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the WSLCredit: Getty
Brazil’s former boss Hope Powell described her injury as a massive blowCredit: Reuters
Her injury in Tottenham’s fourth WSL game this term occurred during a duel for the ball with Man City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck last Saturday.
It saw her season end early after playing four games for Rehanne Skinner’s side.
And it occurred almost three years after Brazil, who sealed a two-year move to the North London club from the Seagulls this summer, suffered an ACL injury in her other knee.
Powell, 55, whose team plays Spurs on Sunday said: “It’s a massive blow and I feel really, really sad for her.
“She got injured during her time with us and worked really hard to get back and found her form. It’s why Tottenham came in for her.
“Now to do it again and it’s the other leg is just really unlucky and we feel really sad for her.
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“I know the staff and the players will reach out. We just want to wish her well and wish her a speedy recovery.”
Spurs boss Skinner, 42, says the club will be supporting Brazil with her journey to recovery.
Skinner said: “She’s an exciting, talented player. I was gutted for her as she has worked incredibly hard to get back to being fit.
“She was in a really good place for us leading into this game.
“Unfortunately, it was one of those moments where it was just a little bit of a lack of control on the landing after the impact.
“She’s doing as well as can be in the circumstances. It’s always difficult for players to be out for chunks of time.
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“In terms of her personally, the journey ahead is going to be the bit that’s the most important thing and the support that the club gives her.
“We’ll do everything that we need to do to get her on track.”
Brazil, who began her senior playing career at Birmingham City in 2016, made 59 appearances for Albion over a year period from 2018 to this year.”
The forward’s tenacious playing style and versatility saw her attract interest from Spurs.
The club, who are currently finished fifth last season, their highest finish in the WSL since their promotion to the league in 2019.
Tottenham will play Brighton away next in the WSLCredit: Getty More

PERNILLE HARDER wants Chelsea to take things step-by-step after turning up the heat on their Champions League rivals by crushing Vllaznia.The midfield ace, who netted three goals, was reflecting on a storming Blues display with Sam Kerr scoring her first hat-trick in the contest.
Chelsea will play Real Madrid next in the Champions League after their 8-0 thrashing of VllazniaCredit: Getty
Sam Kerr was on target with four goals for the Blues in their second group stage gameCredit: PA
The 8-0 drubbing of the Albanian Women’s Championship leaders at Kingsmeadow saw Chelsea move into pole position in Group A before their November duel with Real Madrid.
Their Spanish opponents dropped points on Wednesday night after sharing the spoils of a scoreless home draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Harder, who netted in both halves of their home defeat of Vllaznia, wants Chelsea to stay grounded ahead of Madrid’s visit on November 23.
The Blues star, whose side play Aston Villa in the WSL next, said: “It’s important (to be in control of the group) but we take things one game at a time.
“We don’t get ahead of ourselves. We wanted to win the first one, now we have to win the next one, then we take it step-by-step.”
“We know we played really well and now we just have to be even more focused.”

Chelsea’s thrashing of underdogs Vllaznia saw Sam Kerr score four times.
Team-mate Guro Reiten provided four assists on her 100th appearance for the WSL title-holders with summer signing Katerina Svitkova netting her first goal for the club.
The rampant Blues saw their duel momentarily halted late on by their opponents’ raucous away fans throwing smoke bombs onto the pitch.
Despite their side falling to a hefty loss Vllaznia’s supporters chanted loudly throughout and threw in a few pantomime boos during Chelsea’s corner kicks at their end.
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Kerr jokingly said: “I thought they (Vllaznia’s fans) were excellent.
“I thought about stirring them up but didn’t want them to take it the wrong way
“I think that’s what makes football so great. When I scored the second goal down there, I was thinking about it.”
Chelsea’s clash with Vllaznia was momentarily paused late in the game due to fans with flaresCredit: Getty More