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    Northern Ireland 0 England 5: Lionesses overcome Shiels’ aces in front of record Windsor Park crowd

    ELLA TOONE netted her tenth England goal as the Lionesses stayed on song to notch up eight wins in eight World Cup qualifiers.Braces from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway were among the efforts that saw the team trounce Northern Ireland 5-0.
    Ella Toone was on target with England’s second goal of the game against Northern IrelandCredit: Getty
    Lauren Hemp netted twice to take her tally of goals for the Lionesses up to sixCredit: Getty
    The result saw the World Cup hopes of Kenny Shiels’ side all but ended with the team now looking ahead to their first-ever Euros campaign.
    And it leaves England needing justing a point to qualify for the tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.
    Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman said: “As a team we were really good today. We dominated even more than we did in October.
    “We are trying to get connected all the time and the players’ competitiveness in this team is so high.
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    “I think the 5-0 result is great, 5-0. It’s a very mature performance from us.
    “We dominated the game throughout the 90 minutes and we hoped to score more goals in the first half but four goals in the second half is very nice to see.”
    England looked to strike early minute in front of a record 15,348 Windsor Park crowd.
    This came through Ella Toone teeing up a low shot before Kelsie Burrows intervened with a tackle around the second minute.
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    And the hosts attempted to capitalise on Jess Carter’s slip with Lauren Wade darting towards the box before Millie Bright and Leah Williamson helped regain possession.
    Northern Ireland’s bullish defending early on– spearheaded by Sarah McFadden and Julie Nelson – kept the visitors at bay for a spell.
    Ellen White, currently level with Harry Kane with her tally of England goals, saw her attempts to shoot thwarted by McFadden in the 17th minute.
    And the striker had a goal disallowed moments later after burying a rebound following Beth Mead’s shot on the edge of the box.
    Sarah McFadden put in an impressive defensive shift for Northern Ireland in the first halfCredit: Getty
    England eventually got their breakthrough with Hemp putting them ahead in the 24th minute.
    The winger’s scuffed chip flew over the head of keeper Jackie Burns to break the deadlock.
    McFadden made another vital interception blocking Leah Williamson’s dangerous cross moments after the half-hour mark.
    This came shortly before Hemp got her head on the end of Lucy Bronze’s cross before nodding the ball over minutes before half-time.
    The second spell saw Wiegman’s side crank up the pressure by upping the pace of their passing.
    And they got their rewards with Toone putting them two up with a composed finish after Bronze’s pinpoint cross.
    Following Mary Earps’ first save of the game, England went 3-0 ahead with Hemp rounding Burns in the 60th minute.
    And Stanway made it four with a thumping 70th-minute strike before registering her brace nine minutes later.
    Georgia Stanway netted a second-half brace as England dispatched their hosts at Windsor ParkCredit: Getty
    She did so with her low shot finding the bottom corner after the hosts sought to clear the ball out of danger.
    The 5-0 trouncing sees England remain in pole position in Group D with their eighth clean sheet.
    And the team unbeaten under boss Sarina Wiegman with games against the Netherlands and Belgium up next in June.   More

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    Northern Ireland Women’s boss Shiels awkwardly interrupted by call during press Q&A ahead of game against England

    KENNY SHIELS had to deal with an unexpected intrusion during a press Q&A ahead of Northern Ireland’s sell-out clash with the Lionesses.The head coach was answering questions on the World Cup qualifier with team captain Marissa Callaghan when his mobile rang part way through.
    Kenny Shiels’ Northern Ireland side will face England at Windsor ParkCredit: Pacemaker
    Northern Ireland are set to play in front of a crowd of more than 16,000 in their World Cup qualifier against the LionessesCredit: Getty
    The caller’s brief interruption, captured in a Sky Sports clip, prompted a smile from Callaghan, 36, and few chuckles from journalists in the room.
    A little later Shiels apologised for his phone going off shortly after telling the caller he had got their message.
    And one Twitter account user joked it would have been rude for Shiels not to answer.
    Tonight Northern Ireland take on England at Windsor Park in the second World Cup qualifier encounter between the two sides in Group D.
    And Shiels’ stars will be looking to put on their very best performance at home in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 16,000 supporters following a loss to Austria.
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    The Northern Ireland chief, 65, told reporters: “The atmosphere (at Windsor Park) will give our players motivation.
    “It will be a high passion game for them, and I feel they will give a good account of themselves.
    “We’re looking forward to that and we’re relishing the challenge.
    “In terms of the atmosphere and what it means for the girls, to be playing in their hometown in the National Stadium – it is a great one for the girls to look forward to.
    “We have got to feel we have a chance. We want to play at the top level against the top level – and then learn from it.
    “Having the crowd here will help, but we can’t depend on that, we have to look at how we can play.”
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    Northern Ireland’s 3-1 loss to Austria dented their chances of another historic major tournament qualification following the team reaching this year’s Euros.
    The result leaves them three points behind their Austrian rivals who are now second in Group D and in a solid position to secure second spot.
    Team skipper Callaghan, who plays her club football for Cliftonville, insists her side will put their defeat behind them and be fully focused on tonight’s game.
    And a win against the Lionesses could see them back in contention for second spot in Group D.
    Marissa Callaghan says Northern Ireland are determined to give a good account of themselves against EnglandCredit: Pacemaker
    Callaghan, who has 47 international caps, said: “The girls are solely focused on this game.
    “The Austria game has gone and there’s nothing we can do about that.
    “We now have to look ahead we’ll be ready when we cross the line. “
    The last clash between England and Northern Ireland ended in a 4-0 win for the Lionesses at Wembley.
    However, Callaghan and her team-mates held the Lionesses at bay until conceding in the 64th minute of that encounter.
    The Northern Ireland skipper added: “We’re not a team that goes out and plays a low block.
    “We’re going to try and score goals, it’s the way we’ve always been since Kenny came in and we’re not going to change.
    Northern Ireland will look to use this game as further preparation for the Euros this summerCredit: Getty
    “We know England’s are a great side. They’re top of the table and it’s going be a tough night for us.
    “But we’ll come out and we’ll play our style and hopefully everyone will give the best kind account of themselves.’ More

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    Williamson ‘very proud’ to lead England and reflects on dramatic spot-kick retake for Lionesses’ Under-19s

    LEAH WILLIAMSON says the Lionesses’ trip to Belfast brought back memories of an England penalty she retook five days after netting following an officiating error.And the Arsenal ace admits captaining the national side is the ‘biggest honour in football’.
    Leah Williamson will lead England on Tuesday for the first time since being announced as the Lionesses’ skipper for the EurosCredit: Getty
    England are looking to pick up their eighth win in the World Cup qualifiers when they take on Northern IrelandCredit: Reuters
    The Gunners centre-back was speaking to reporters before England’s World Cup qualifier clash with Northern Ireland in Belfast.
    And the Tuesday evening fixture prompted Williamson, 25, to reflect on a spot-tick moment which occurred in the city during an England Under-19s match seven years ago.
    In April 2015 the young Lionesses saw Williamson’s converted pen in a Euros qualifier cancelled out due to players encroaching in the 18-yard box.
    But official Marija Kurtes gave Norway a free-kick during the game at Seaview when the penalty should have been retaken.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}LEFT IN RUINS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Stadium of West Ham ace Yarmolenko’s boyhood club destroyed by Russian shells
    It resulted in an intervention from Uefa which led to the pen being retaken a week later.
    And Williamson netted the crucial goal that sent her side through to the Women’s Under-19s Euros in Israel.
    In her light-hearted take on the moment, Williamson said: “It turned out well in the end but what I went through that week I wouldn’t wish on anybody.
    “I remember I told my mum I would keep it quiet in case I missed, and nobody would ever know.
    “And then you lot turned up with your Sky Sports cameras.
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    “There’s a couple of the girls here that were in that squad and we were reminiscing about it the other day.
    “It’s good memories because it turned out well but it could have gone very differently.”
    The Lionesses’ Group D World Cup qualifier duel with Northern Ireland will see them face Kenny Shiels’ aces in front of a sell-out crowd at Windsor Park
    However, the team will be without the services of veteran Jill Scott who is unavailable for the game.
    A crowd of more than 16,000 are expected to attend with Williamson set to lead England for the first time since news of her captaincy of the side at the Euros was announced.
    The Arsenal ace, who has 27 senior international caps received congratulatory messages from her club colleagues.
    And the Buckinghamshire-born WSL star says her immediate family were the first people she broke the news to
    Williamson added: “I went straight to my mum, dad and brother and they’re very proud.
    “It was a nice conversation and there were some tears within the family and then it was about getting back to work and focusing on the next job which is winning on Tuesday.
    “It’s a very proud moment and the biggest honour of football and I appreciate that.”
    Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman is relishing the prospect of seeing her side test themselves against Northern Ireland in front of a partisan crowd.
    Sarina Wiegman is keen see how side fare in front of a large crowd of Northern Ireland’s supporters at Windsor ParkCredit: Pacemaker
    Wiegman, 52, said: “We have a job to do. We want to be a mature team and play our style of play.
    “Hopefully the crowd will make lots of noise so it’s a little harder for us to talk to each other, so we have to communicate in passing and body language a little more to execute the actions we want.”
    Northern Ireland vs England will be broadcast live on BBC Two from 7:30pm on Tuesday 12 April. The game kicks-off at 7:55pm More

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    Arsenal star Mead says channelling disappointment after England snub boosted her form on the pitch

    BETH MEAD insists directing her disappointment at being dropped from the Lionesses in the right way has been key to her prolific form. It was just over a year ago that the Arsenal ace was left out of an England squad led by Hege Riise that faced Northern Ireland at St George’s Park.
    Beth Mead has netted 12 of England’s 63 goals scored in seven of their World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
    And the Sunderland-born forward found herself overlooked for international duty last summer with Riise opting to not to include her in the Team GB squad before the Tokyo Olympics.
    Since then, Mead has pushed on and re-established herself a formidable part of England’s frontline.
    Following the September arrival of Wiegman, the forward has thrived on the wing netting 12 of the Lionesses’ 63 World Cup qualifying goals scored in seven fixtures.
    On her clinical form since her return to the national side, Mead said: “I’ve just channelled my disappointment in the correct way.
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    “We can let these things break us or we can use them to our motivation, and I think this motivated me this season to do better on and off the pitch.
    “I can control what I’m doing and enjoy my football.
    “I’m a confident player and hopefully that’s showing on the pitch.
    “The England team that I’m a part of right now is an amazing team.”
    Since her senior debut in a World Cup qualifying draw with Wales in April 2018 Mead has emerged as a key figure in the Lionesses attack.
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    The WSL ace has scored 20 goals in 35 Lionesses appearances.
    These include her first international hat-trick against Northern Ireland, who England face at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
    Mead added: “I never thought I would have scored a hat-trick in all these qualifiers.
    I’m just really enjoying my football right now.
    “It’s been free flowing individually for myself and with the team.
    “I’m just glad the girls are getting on the end of some of the balls and I’m getting on the end of some of theirs.”
    Mead and her team-mates face Northern Ireland next in their second World Cup qualifier duel with Kenny Shiels’ sideCredit: Getty
    Mead’s England colleague Lauren Hemp has been tipped by pundits as one to watch at the Euros this summer
    At club level Hemp has been instrumental in helping Manchester City overcome their early season struggles, with the team in a battle for a Champions League pace.
    Mead has enjoyed a fruitful attacking partnership with Hemp on England duty with the City winger assisting two of her four goals against North Macedonia.
    Mead is enjoying her partnership with Lauren Hemp and Ellen White in England’s attackCredit: EPA
    Mead said: “I think Lauren could beat any fullback in the world.
    “When you’re just getting the box and she’ll produce a good cross or a good effort on goal and you get on the rebound and a couple of them happened against North Macedonia.
    “Her positive play sometimes becomes my positive play. It’s really nice to link up with her and Ellen (White).” More

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    White passes goal records of Kane and Charlton as Mead nets four in Lionesses’ hefty win in World Cup qualifiers

    SARINA WIEGMAN challenged her goal-hungry Lionesses to be even more relentless in attack after crushing North Macedonia.The game saw Ellen White surpass Sir Bobby Charlton’s and Harry Kane’s scoring records in an England shirt as the team romped to a 10-0 win.
    Ellen White reached a half century of goals for England as they trounced North MacedoniaCredit: Reuters
    Ella Toone netted a hat-trick whilst Beth Mead scored four times taking her World Cup qualifiers goal tally up to 12Credit: Getty
    The Manchester City star notched her 50th international goal with Beth Mead bagging four followed by an Ella Toone hat-trick and Georgia Stanway’s brace.
    White said: “I’m delighted to reach that milestone, but for me, it’s all about winning and the team winning. 
    “I love playing for England and I’ll do anything to contribute in any way to play for my country.
    “I know my job is to score, but I want the team to win and the three points for us to qualify for the World Cup.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NEW CLASICO .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}City vs Liverpool no game for the faint-hearted as rivalry reaches fever pitch
    “I’ve been very blessed to have played with phenomenal players in England.
    “Kelly Smith to name one, Rachel Yankey, Sue Smith and Fara Williams.
    “I feel lucky I was able to be on the pitch with those talents and currently in a squad where I look around and just say to myself, ‘wow’.
    Wiegman added: “We wanted to create a lot of chances and score a lot of goals and concede none, so that’s what we did.
    “I’m impressed with how we scored the goals and I think we can be even more ruthless.”
    The result saw England pick up a third 10-0 away win in the World Cup qualifiers before their Group D clash with Northern Ireland who lost 3-1 to Austria.
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    And Beth England and Niamh Charles will join the squad before that game following their negative Covid test results with Leah Williamson back in training.
    England, who thumped their opponents 8-0 at St Mary’s last time out, got off to a fast start in attack.
    They forced a first-minute save from keeper Viktorija Panchurova following Lauren Hemp’s delivery to Stanway with the Man City ace firing the ball towards goal.
    It was just another three minutes before England registered their opener with Mead slotting home from six yards out following Hemp’s drive and cross into the box.
    Georgia Stanway scored a brace for EnglandCredit: Getty
    Wiegman’s aces doubled their lead shortly after White came close to turning the ball home following a pass from Stanway.
    And they did so with Mead netting through a stunning cross-shot in the 11th minute.
    Ella Toone came close to scoring moments later after latching onto a through ball from Mead.
    And the Man United playmaker got on the scoresheet near the half-hour stage with a thumping shot leaving the keeper with no chance.
    White increased the visitors’ lead to four making the most of Toone’s delivery to direct a header home around the 41st minute.

    Stanway made it 5-0 near the half-time whistle walloping the ball home after some quick-fire passes with Toone and Hemp.
    The second spell saw England show no mercy with Mead bagging two more goals early on to seal her four-star performance.
    And Stanway sealed her brace after drilling the ball home in the 55th minute as her side went 8-0 up.
    Wiegman shuffled her deck with Jill Scott and Nikita Parris joining the fray before Katie Zelem, Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly came on in the 70th minute.
    Lauren Hemp was constant threat down the left for EnglandCredit: EPA
    The team went 9-0 up with Toone firing home moments later after an exchange of high passes between Parris and Russo.
    And the Man United ace bagged her hat-trick shortly after as England rounded off the rout with a tenth goal with the team facing Northern Ireland next.  More

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    Bright warns Lionesses will be ruthless in attack with White on course to equal Rooney’s England scoring record

    MILLIE BRIGHT insists England will maintain their high standards on the pitch in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.And the Lionesses vice-captain says it was surreal to share a golden boot with Alexia Putellas following the team’s Arnold Clark Cup triumph.
    Millie Bright and her team-mates are looking to maintain England’s unbeaten run under Sarina WiegmanCredit: AFP
    England face North Macedonia tonight in their seventh match in the qualifiers for a spot at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
    And their clash comes seven months on from their 8-0 thrashing of the European minnows which was boss Sarina Wiegman’s first match in charge of the side.
    Bright, 28, told reporters: “Our mindset remains the same.
    “We want to go out there and have high standards and show our qualities.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}SMOTHER-BY’S .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Auctioneers dismiss wild claims ‘wrong’ Maradona Hand of God shirt up for sale
    “When you’ve come off the high (of winning the Arnold Clark Cup), we have to be prepared to go out and play again.
    “We see the quality of people coming out of their shells and playing at their best which is what we want.
    “For us it’s about going out there and doing all the right things and getting the job done. We just have to keep pushing the levels.”
    England’s game against North Macedonia comes a month after the team won their first trophy under boss Sarina Wiegman.
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    A defeat of Germany and draws against Canada and Spain saw them triumph in the pre-Euros warm-up Arnold Clark Cup contest.
    And the tournament saw Chelsea ace Bright, finish as the competition’s joint top scorer with Putellas, 28, after netting twice in three games.
    On sharing a golden boot win with the Spain midfield ace, Bright joked: “I’m not sure if I’ll be up there again (as but you never know.
    It was very surreal, but it just shows when you keep pushing that you can be successful.
    “It’s given me a taste of what I want to go on and continue to do.”
    This evening’s game could see Ellen White net her 50th goal in an England shirt, leaving her just three short of equalling Wayne Rooney’s Three Lions scoring record.
    Bright insists the hotshot striker will be focused on helping her team-mates a seventh victory in their World Cup qualifying group.
    Ellen White could net her 50th goal for England should make an appearance against North MacedoniaCredit: Reuters
    The centre-back said: “Ellen is a goal machine, and it would be a huge achievement for her, but I’d be lying if I said that’s been the conversation (in the squad). 
    “She is someone who very much has two feet on the ground and will do absolutely anything to help the team win.
    “It’s not really been a conversation but I’m sure it will be when she eventually achieves that (record of 50 goals).” More

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    Ada Hegerberg hails comeback after netting a hat-trick in a stunning return to Norway team following five-year boycott

    ADA HEGERBERG says she could not have imagined a better comeback to Norway action after their clinical trouncing of Kosovo.The Lyon striker, 26, made a storming return to the international stage, bagging three goals in her nation’s 5-1 World Cup qualifier win.
    Ada Hegerberg netted a hat-trick on her return to international football for NorwayCredit: Reuters
    In a post shared with 96,000 of her followers on Twitter, Hegerberg wrote: “A thousand thanks for all your messages.
    “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better comeback. As Norwegian as it gets.”
    Hegerberg’s return comes almost after five years after she quit her national side following her concerns around the treatment of the women’s game in her country.
    A change of leadership at the top of the Norwegian Football Federation is thought to have been a factor in the player’s comeback.
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    The Molde-born star, who was the first ever Women’s Ballon d’Or winner, is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of her generation
    To date the striker has netted 41 senior international goals in 67 international appearances.
    And at club level the forward has scored 153 times in 131 games for Lyon helping them to six French top-flight titles and five Champions League crowns.
    On Thursday Hegerberg made a swift impact for a Norway side which featured an array of aces from Europe’s top clubs.
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    Their starting eleven included Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen, Manchester City’s Julie Blakstad and Manchester United’s Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa.
    And she netted her first goal in the 21st minute after heading home following a delivery into box from Graham Hansen.
    Hegerberg put her team two up moments later at the Sandefjord Arena before Arsenal’s Frida Maanum extended their lead to 3-0 near the half hour stage
    In the second half Hegerberg, who has netted 131 goals in 153 appearances for the French side completed her hat-trick in the 60th minute
    She did so with a low shot rifled into the back of the net with Celin Bizet Ildhusoy completing the rout with Norway’s fifth close to the final whistle.
    Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum netted Norway’s third goal in their 5-1 defeat of KosovoCredit: EPA
    And the victory for the team sees them remain top of the table in Group F after six wins and a draw from seven games.
    They face Poland at home in Oslo in their eighth World Cup qualifier fixture on Tuesday. More