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      Brighton will wear away kit against Newcastle as show of support for Ukraine as they follow Danish side Brondby’s lead

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      BRIGHTON will wear their away kit when they take on Newcastle this weekend as a show of solidarity with Ukraine.The Seagulls will sport the blue and yellow strip at St James’ Park as a sign of support for those who have been affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
      Brighton will wear the yellow and blue kit to show solidarity with UkraineCredit: Reuters
      In a statement on the official Brighton & Hove FC website, deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber said: “Like so many across the world, everyone at our club is horrified by the invasion of Ukraine, and we add our voice to the many calls for peace.
      “We also want to show our full support for the people of Ukraine, and to all those who are suffering innocently from this terrible conflict, not least the many children.
      “As a club, and on behalf of our players, staff and supporters, we would also like to recognise and show our respect for the many humanitarian efforts to alleviate the suffering in the region.”
      The women’s team will also wear the kit when they take on Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League on Saturday.
      Brighton have also announced that all profits from the ongoing sales of the kit will be donated to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
      They are not the only club to have made the kit switch in support of Ukraine, Brondby IF have also flipped their kit to resemble the blue and yellow flag.
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      The world was sent into shock when Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to invade the country of Ukraine last week.
      In the football community players and clubs have come together to show their solidarity.
      Chelsea and Liverpool came together before the Carabao Cup final on Sunday to show their support for Ukraine with blue and yellow wreaths and flags.
      Meanwhile, Man City and Everton both wore the national flag prior to their Premier League game on Saturday.
      The Everton players were wrapped in the Ukraine flag before kick off in their game against Man CityCredit: PA
      Jordan Henderson carried a yellow and blue wreath prior to the Carabao Cup finalCredit: AFP More

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      Vilda relishing battle with ‘best England team ever’ as Spain target win against Wiegman’s aces ahead of Euros

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      JORGE VILDA reckons Spain could be facing the greatest Lionesses side when the European giants face-off in the Arnold Clark Cup.The duel at Carrow Road will be first the time England go head-to-head with their rivals since Sarina Wiegman’s reign began in September.
      Jorge Vilda sees Spain’s duel with England as an ideal practice run for the Euros and facing players such Leah Williamson and Lucy BronzeCredit: Getty
      And both teams are targeting victory on Sunday afternoon following score draws with Germany and Canada.
      Vilda, 40, said: “This is perhaps the best England team ever. They’ve got plenty of youth in the side.
      “They’ve got players all over the pitch who can make a difference, particularly on the left wing, an excellent striker and great players in Leah Williamson and Lucy Bronze.
      “It’s a team that will put us under pressure early with the high press.
      “And when we get the ball in their half, they’re a team that offer quite adept at defending deeply to fluff out the opposition’s threats.
      “Overall, I expect to the game to be played at a very high pace, great intensity, just like the kind that you would say in the Women’s Super League.”
      Spain, who are the eighth best side in the world, have racked up two wins from their last four games against their hosts since Vilda’s appointment as manager in 2015.
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      And the team have won six of the six World Cup qualifiers they played last year including an 8-0 thrashing of Scotland in November.
      Vilda’s squad contains 10 Barcelona aces, including players from the starting 11 that swept Chelsea aside in last term’s Champions League final
      And the Spain boss sees their duel in front of Lionesses fans as the perfect preparation for the tough test they will face with England hosting the Euros this summer.
      Like their rivals Spain are yet to triumph in a major tournament with the semi-finals of the 1997 European Championship being the furthest they ever reached.
      England’s clash with Spain could see them go up against several Barcelona stars including Aitana BonmatiCredit: Getty
      Vilda added: “We love to play in this kind of atmosphere against great opponents.
      “Also with the Euros being in England, it’s great preparation for that tournament because we know exactly what it will be like playing in those stadiums in those conditions.
      “In terms of what we might be afraid of in this England team – we’re not particularly scared of anything.
      “We know what their strengths are – we know they’ve got a lot of them – but we also know their weaknesses.”
      Spain’s starting eleven is likely to feature Alexia Puttellas, 28, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2021 after a number of standout performances last season.
      I believe we have improved a lot since the 2020 SheBelieves Cup. We are a better team now.Alexia Puttellas
      The Barcelona midfielder scored the winner when her national side beat the Lionesses 1-0 in a SheBelieves Cup match in March 2020.
      Puttellas acknowledged Spain’s results against their hosts have not always been favourable with England winning the last time the teams clashed in a major tournament.
      Back in 2017 the Lionesses beat their opponents 2-0 in a Euros group stage encounter with Fran Kirby and Jodie Taylor on target.
      But the LaLiga Women’s star, who has 94 international caps, is hopeful of a different result this time round.
      Alexia Putellas believes Spain have improved since their last clash with England in March 2020 at the SheBelievesCupCredit: AFP
      Puttellas said: “It will be a high-quality contest and we’ll need to be at the top of our game to win.
      “England are going to come with a game plan and be quite resolute and difficult to break down and tough to beat. 
      “We haven’t always beaten them when we’ve played them. We haven’t had that luck all the time.
      “I believe we have improved a lot since the 2020 SheBelieves Cup. We are a better team now.”
      Arnold Clark Cup Fixtures
      February 20 – Carrow Road, Norwich
      3:15 pm – England vs Spain – ITV
      8:15 pm – Canada vs Germany – ITV4 More

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      Chelsea ace Telford seals San Diego move as Villa close in on transfer loan swoop for Man City midfielder Scott

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      CARLY TELFORD has called time on her Chelsea career with the goalkeeper heading to National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave. The Blues star’s departure for the USA comes amid reports of Jill Scott being on the verge of a temporary Aston Villa switch.
      Carly Telford is swapping Chelsea for a move to San Diego following the club’s creation in 2021Credit: Getty
      Telegraph Sport says Scott, 34, is close to agreeing to a short-term Villans move that would see her spend the rest of this term with the Midlands side.
      And they claim the midfielder, who has made 111 top tier City appearances, is expected to finalise a switch in the next 24 hours.
      It also thought the club, who will play the WSL champs in a fourth-round FA Cup duel, are on the hunt for a striker.
      It is believed Ward’s side, who moved up to ninth in the league, are keen to strengthen their attacking ranks with winger Emily Gielnik on Asia Cup duty with Australia.
      The club have netted just five times in their last nine matches across all competitions.
      Their tally includes two goals in their hardfought 2-1 win against Leicester in the WSL last time out.
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      Scott’s former Sunderland’s team-mate Telford, 34, was included in the Chelsea squad for a final time when the club drew 0-0 away at Brighton.
      Her NWSL move will see her reunited with her old England team-mate Casey Stoney.
      The ex-Manchester United gaffer became the US club’s head coach last July after stepping down from the Red Devils helm.
      Telford extended her tenure with the Blues last February and took up the mentoring of their Under-16 and Under-17 goalkeepers as part of her deal.
      On the keeper leaving Chelsea, club boss Emma Hayes said: “Carly has been a fantastic servant to the club across two different spells.
      “She has been a big character in the dressing room and a hugely valued member of our squad. 
      ‘We didn’t want to lose her, but we could not hold her back from taking this fantastic opportunity in the States.
      “We wish Carly well in this next chapter of her career and she knows she’ll always be welcome back here any time.”
      Telford began her senior career at Sunderland in 2002 before a 2007 move to Leeds United followed by a 2011 transfer to Chelsea.
      The move saw her join the club ahead of the launch of the Women’s Super League that year.
      And the Sunderland-born player captained her side in the 2012 FA Cup final with Chelsea falling to a narrow defeat to Birmingham on penalties.
      Jill Scott is reportedly close to sealing a loan move to Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Telford spent stints at Australian club Perth Glory and Notts County Ladies from 2012 to 2017 before her return to Kingsmeadow.
      The WSL veteran, who has 27 England caps, was part of the Team GB squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics women’s football tournament last summer.
      The veteran stopper received a call-up following an injury sustained by Karen Bardsley. More

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      Manchester City 1: Arsenal 1: Eidevall angered by referee’s deflection as Heath helps Gunners draw at City

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      TOBIN HEATH caught Manchester City cold to rescue a dramatic injury-time point for Arsenal. The striker’s equaliser denied City a win in a clash which saw Jonas Eidevall cautioned for reacting furiously to a controversial moment leading to the hosts’ goal.
      Tobin Heath netted her first WSL goal for Arsenal to help snatch a late draw with Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Jonas Eidevall received a yellow card for his reaction to the ball deflecting off the referee ahead of Man City’s goalCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners chief was angered by the referee’s accidental role in the build-up to City taking a second-half lead.
      A cross-field pass from Lucy Bronze bounced off the official before ending up at the feet of Demi Stokes in the lead-up to a Khadija Shaw goal.
      Football lawmakers IFAB say play must be restarted if a referee makes contact with a ball, and it remains on the pitch and the team starts a promising attack.
      Eidevall said: “I was not happy about that goal. You can clearly see that we stop playing.
      “Games like this are going to be decided by small margins.
      “Everyone is going to make mistakes, players, coaches and referees.
      “If they’re going to be on Sky Sports refereeing matches, I think the referees should be given all the resources that they need to prepare and practice, that’s where we need to help each other in the football family.
      “The only thing I’m always going to be an advocate for is to raise the things around it to give them the best possible conditions in football.”
      Adding his thoughts, City boss Gareth Taylor said: “We’ve been on the wrong end of (situations like) that this season, on many occasions with refereeing decisions, so it was nice, if that was the case, that one went our way.
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      City made big some changes to their first 11 for the clash with Khadija Shaw starting in place of Ellen White.
      But perhaps the biggest call was 17-year-old Khiara Kheating making her first WSL start between the sticks against the leaders.
      The teenager, seen as one of the club’s most promising prospects, had a nervy moment early on missing a chance to claim a long ball after a ninth-minute mix-up with Steph Houghton.
      But the City starlet quickly settled and pulled off a string of assured saves including an impressive stop from Mead at the near post moments later.
      The hosts had a decent chance to counter in the 22nd minute with Lauren Hemp breaking on the left and teeing up Jess Park who sent her shot over the bar.
      And there was a minor spat near the half-hour mark with Hemp and Katie McCabe going into the ref’s book following the Arsenal dynamo’s tackle on the City winger.
      Khadija Shaw netted to help City take a second-half lead at the Academy StadiumCredit: Getty
      Moments later Lucy Bronze headed Alex Greenwood’s free-kick narrowly wide with the first half ending scoreless
      The second spell saw Leah Williamson withdrawn following the player receiving treatment in the first half.
      And the change saw the Gunners’ newest signing Rafaelle Souza enter the fray and make her presence felt with some impressive marking of Shaw.
      Arsenal had a chance to go ahead around the 52nd minute with Mead darting past Bronze and forcing a save from Kheating at the near post.
      And Jess Park forced a save from Zinsberger around the 60th minute
      A little later City broke the deadlock with Khadija Shaw’s 65th-minute tap-in.
      However, the league leaders were able to bounce back with Heath burying a bottom corner 92nd-minute effort to go two points clear at the top. 
      The result saw City denied the chance to leapfrog Tottenham to fourth with the race for top three getting tighter.  
      But it leaves them just two points behind third-placed Chelsea who have two games in hand.
      Leah Williamson came off at half-time following her recent return from injuryCredit: PA
      Taylor said: “I’m really gutted for the girls because they deserved the win with the heart and the quality that they showed at times, but this is football.
      “We’re stringing together decent performances and there are still elements to improve on. 
      ‘I’m really proud of the team and the way they performed.” More

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      Man City ace Stokes hopes fans flock to Euros and hails new deals for Hemp, Houghton and Morgan

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      DEMI STOKES is fired up for a fan-fuelled Women’s Euros — but first, she wants to increase the title heat on Arsenal.Tonight’s clash between Manchester City and the Gunners comes just under six months before the tournament in England, with the contest delayed by a year due to Covid.
      Demi Stokes hopes to see fans turn out in large numbers at the Women’s Euros in JulyCredit: Getty
      More than 268,000 tickets had been snapped up from 118 countries in a public ballot by last October. This is in addition to 162,000 sold last year.
      Stokes, who has 64 senior caps and made her Lionesses debut in 2014, said: “It’s amazing to have the tournament here.
      “With the last two years affected by Covid it’s not been great for people, so it will be good to have stadiums filled and give opportunities for people to see international games.
      “People have missed out on these matches, and they can mean a lot to them mentally.
      “It would be good to see supporters coming out with friends and families and filling grounds.  
      “It will elevate the women’s game even more.”
      This evening, Stokes and her Man City colleagues aim to avenge a 5-0 loss they endured away to the league leaders back in September.
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      A home victory would see the Citizens cut the gap between the sides to just three points.
      The WSL clash comes in a month that saw Steph Houghton, 33, Lauren Hemp and Esme Morgan — both 21 — sign new contracts with City.
      And earlier in January, central defender Houghton made her return to action after four months out with an ankle injury.
      Full-back Stokes, 30, added: “It’s good to have Steph back.
      “We need to keep young players like Esme Morgan and Lauren Hemp who have heaps of talent. They’re the future.”
      After a storming start to their season Arsenal have faltered of late with three successive losses in all competitions.
      But Jonas Eidevall  is confident his side can bounce back
      The Gunners boss, said: “I wouldn’t say that I have experienced any problem with the spirit of the team. We know what we need to do better.”
      Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal hope to pick up their first win of the year when they play Manchester CityCredit: Getty More

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      Skinner wary of ‘hungry’ Tottenham’s threat to Man United’s bid to reach the Champions League

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      MARC SKINNER insists Manchester United must give their all to thwart ‘hungry’ Tottenham today.Spurs are level on points with United but outside the WSL’s top three European spots.
      Marc Skinner hopes his side can open up a gap between themselves and their top three rivalsCredit: Getty
      United hope to win their fifth game on the bounce in the WSL this seasonCredit: Getty
      Skinner’s team host their Champions League-chasing rivals four days on from their hard-fought Conti Cup knockout of Arsenal.
      And the Leigh Sports Village boss reckons Tottenham are probably the toughest opponents to be facing the club having won four of the last six away games.
      The visitors have won four of their last six away games and Red Devils boss Skinner is wary.
      Skinner, 38, said: “There’s no more motivation needed than they are right next to us in the table and playing well.
      “They are solid and hard to break down. They’re the hardest opponent we could face.
      “They’re hungry and we have got to make sure we put everything together to be successful.”
      January transfers have been a hot topic amongst United’s fans on social media with some eager to see their side bring in reinforcements.
      But Skinner insists the club is working hard behind closed doors.  
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      The Red Devils boss added: “The business side is being looked after while we’re out on the field. You’ll hear in due time. It’s all being looked after behind the scenes.
      “That’s where Man United work really well, so can get on with the stuff on the field”
      “We’re still working to bring people in, but we don’t just want to bring players into this group (for the sake of it)
      “We don’t want numbers; we want quality and so we’re working very hard to find the right characters to fit our group and drive us forward.
      Spurs have never beaten United in the WSL.
      Their hosts are one of three teams (including Arsenal and Chelsea) the North London club are yet to beat in the league since their 2019 promotion.
      And Rehanne Skinner hopes her side will get their first top-flight win against their opponents and three vital points.
      The Tottenham boss 42, said: “If we continue to do the things that have got us where we are, we’ll make it a good game — and one we’ll hope to get points from.”
      Rehanne Skinner hopes Tottenham can beat United for the first time since their WSL promotionCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea’s Sam Kerr breaks Tim Cahill’s record with WSL ace becoming Australia’s all-time top scorer

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      SAM KERR played her way into the history books surpassing Tim Cahill to become the highest scorer for Australia on the global stage.The Chelsea forward’s second goal against Indonesia in this year’s Asia Cup took her tally to 51, exceeding Cahill’s record of 50.
      Sam Kerr is now the highest goal scorer for Australia in international footballCredit: Getty
      Kerr’s feat occurred during the Matildas’ 18-0 demolition of Indonesia in the group stage of the tournament currently taking place in India.
      The Blues heroine, 28, who captains Australia, was on target FIVE times, with four of her goals coming in a first-half blitzing of their rivals.
      The Chelsea star has now racked up 54 goals in 105 games for her national side.
      The clash at the Mumbai Football Arena was the team’s opening fixture at the tournament with the Tony Gustavsson’s side looking to win the trophy for the second time in their history.
      Before the contest, Kerr, who was a runner-up in the 2021 Fifa World Player Awards, described the idea of breaking Cahill’s record as ‘crazy’.
      Last November the striker told Australia Associated: “Growing up watching him, I think everyone in Australian football, if you asked who’s their favourite Australian footballer, they’d say Timmy.
      “What he did for the Socceroos is amazing and honestly it will just be really surreal for me (to break his record).
      And Cahill, who netted 56 goals in 226 Premier League games for Everton, took to social media to applaud Kerr’s efforts.
      In a post shared via his Twitter account, the retired midfielder said: “You are an inspiration globally and I’m one of your biggest supporters and always here for you on and off the park.
      “Keep breaking records and most importantly enjoy the journey.”

      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      “It’s such a crazy one for me because Tim Cahill, to me, is just on another level.”
      Kerr’s scoring milestone comes almost 13 years on from her international debut with the player making a substitute appearance at just 15 in Australia’s friendly loss to Italy.
      The WSL Golden Boot winner would go on to net her first senior goal for her country in the 2010 Asia Cup final which they won on penalties defeating North Korea.
      Kerr is one of several WSL stars currently playing in this year’s contest which began on Thursday with her team up against the Philippines next.
      Manchester City’s Hayley Raso, Aston Villa’s Emily Gielnik and Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley are among the players included in Australia’s squad.
      Australia will play the Philippines next in the Asia Cup followed by ThailandCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal 0 Manchester United: 1 Russo on target as Red Devils beat Gunners to book place in Conti Cup semis

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      MARC SKINNER hailed the spirit of his Manchester United battlers after their Conti Cup quarter-final knockout of Arsenal.But the Red Devils chief insists there is still much work to do as his side look ahead to the semis after beating the Gunners 1-0.
      Alessia Russo’s looping header helped Manchester United book their place in the Conti Cup semi-finalsCredit: Reuters
      A late Alessia Russo header led to Arsenal’s exit from the competition with United unbeaten in 10 games away from home.
      The result saw the Gunners endure a fifth loss in six matches across competitions with the visitors nabbing their first win against the WSL leaders under Skinner.  
      The Red Devils boss said: “The results make you feel like you’re in a space where you can do anything.
      “But it’s because we’re focusing so much on each individual game that we end up chipping away at our end goal which is to be successful.
      “I’m so proud of everyone and all our staff who work tirelessly, but we’ve done nothing but get to a semi-final.
      “We’ve got work to do. I’m sure we’ll face a really tough opponent in the semis.”
      Arsenal had a decent chance to take an early lead with Vivianne Miedema coming close to getting her boot on the end of a ninth-minute cross from Katie McCabe
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      And moments after the Republic of Ireland ace delivered another dangerous ball into the box that narrowly fizzed past Nikita Parris at the far post.
      United began to gain momentum on the counter and nearly took advantage of a misplaced Arsenal pass near the half-hour mark.
      Leah Galton drove down the middle before passing to Ella Toone on the right with the playmaker outpacing her marker before shooting wide.
      And Galton delivered a dangerous low cross into the box intended for Toone which Arsenal hoofed out of danger.
      The second half saw a moment of drama with Martha Thomas’s high challenge on Beth Mead prompting an angry response from Jonas Eidevall.
      The Gunners gaffer appeared to reprimand Thomas before Skinner and the forward’s team-mates intervened.
      Martha Thomas picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Beth Mead during gameCredit: Getty
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      The 60th-minute incident ended with both managers given yellow cards along with Thomas.
      With the game goalless late on Eidevall shuffled his deck with Stina Blackstenius making her debut and replacing Miedema close to the 70th minute
      And Tobin Heath and Laura Weinrother came on for Beth Mead and Noelle Maritz
      United made a triple change of their own with Ona Batlle, Vilde Boe Risa and Alessia Russo entering the fray in the final quarter of normal time.
      And a whipped in free-kick from Katie Zelem ended with Russo’s header finding the back of the net near the 90th minute.
      The visitors held their hosts at bay to seal a victory that leaves the Gunners still searching for their first win of 2022.
      Eidevall said: I’m disappointed about not getting the result, but if there is any competition I would take a loss in it would be the Conti Cup.
      “We will move on and try to build on this performance.”
      Manchester City joined United in the league cup semi-finals draw after their defeat of BristolCredit: PA
      Elsewhere Manchester City booked their place in the contest’s semis with a 3-1 defeat of Bristol.
      Chelsea and Tottenham sealed 4-2 and 1-0 wins against West Ham and Liverpool.
      The three teams and United will find out who their semis opponents will be with the draw taking place on Thursday. More