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    Shocking moment Hungarian thugs chase cops and force them back as they riot at Wembley

    THIS is the shocking moment Hungarian football thugs attacked cops at Wembley on Tuesday.Police made six arrests as crowd trouble marred England’s World Cup qualifying draw – including one for voyeurism. 
    Police clashed with Hungary fans at Wembley during the World Cup qualifier with EnglandCredit: Rex
    Police were forced back by Hungarian supporters at Wembley after arresting a visiting fan for racist abuseCredit: Twitter
    Police had to use batons to regain control during the World Cup qualifierCredit: Rex
    A clip of the disgusting scenes has now been sharedCredit: Rex
    Officers were attacked after going into the crowd to take care of a Hungarian accused of racially abusing a steward. 
    A video clip emerged showing hooligans waded in on the police and forcing cops backwards before having to use batons in an attempt to regain control.
    Riot police eventually calmed the situation having been forced back under the stands, where around 1,000 visiting fans were in place. 
    The fan who racially abused the steward was arrested – with two more collared for affray and attacking an emergency worker. 
    Now the Metropolitan Police say a further three arrests were made at Wembley – one more for affray, another for drunk and disorderly and the last on suspicion of voyeurism. 
    Fifa will now wait on reports from the match, with the FA promising to pass on all information they have. 

    Meanwhile Albania’s clash with Poland in Tirana was suspended after home fans pelted Robert Lewandowski and Co with bottles.
    The away side were celebrating as Karol Swidersky gave them a priceless 77th minute 1-0 lead.
    But celebrations were soured as objects including bottles were hurled onto the pitch.
    Kamil Glik reacted furiously to the dangerous actions of some home fans, while a bemused Lewandowski waved his hands in disgust.
    Poland left the field following the disgraceful incident.
    The match was then suspended for around 20 minutes, before play finally resumed with 13 minutes left on the clock.
    World football’s governing body is currently analysing reports of last night’s qualifier matches in order to determine the most appropriate action.
    A statement from Fifa said: “Fifa strongly condemns the incidents at England v. Hungary and Albania v. Poland and would like to state that its position remains firm and resolute in rejecting any form of violence as well as any form of discrimination or abuse.
    “Fifa has a very clear zero-tolerance stance against such abhorrent behaviour in football.”
    Poland’s players were forced to duck for cover as they were pelted with missiles by Albanian fansCredit: AP
    Fans began hurling things at the Polish side after the visitors had scoredCredit: Reuters
    Fifa are now investigating the angry scenes at Wembley and in AlbaniaCredit: Twitter
    The bad-tempered scenes marred England’s 1-1 draw with HungaryCredit: Rex
    Gareth Southgate slams ‘not fluid’ England flops after dreadful 1-1 home draw against Hungary More

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    Chelsea joy as Timo Werner declares ‘I knew the goals would come’ after firing Germany into World Cup finals

    TIMO Werner returned to Chelsea after shooting Germany to next year’s World Cup Finals. But now Blues fans will get to see if the striker can be the player they thought they had signed – or return to being a pale imitation.
    The Chelsea forward fires home Germany’s third goal to seal their place in QatarCredit: Getty
    Werner celebrates after scoring his first and Germany’s second against North MacedoniaCredit: AFP
    Werner’s struggles to impose himself at Stamford Bridge since his £47m arrival, both under Frank Lampard and then Thomas Tuchel, have been painful to watch.
    The fleet-footed goal machine of his days in the Bundesliga with Leipzig has appeared at times a mirage.
    Instead, Chelsea fans have seen a striker whose efforts to stay onside have been close to painful, with his confidence in front of goal equally wafer-thin.
    Despite making 60 appearances for a Blues side that won the Champions League and finished fourth in the Prem, the 25-year-old has scored just 14 goals and the capture of Romelu Lukaku put his future in SW6 under scrutiny.
    But Tuchel and Germany boss Hansi Flick feel they can work together to restore Werner’s faith in himself. 
    In recent weeks, Tuchel and Flick have been in regular discussions over the striker, believing rediscovering the player who earned admirers across the continent before his move would be a huge boost for both of them.

    Tuchel has done his bit in attempting to restore Werner’s club confidence, with the resurrection aided by back to back goals against Aston Villa and Southampton before the international break.
    And with Werner, slammed by Germany fans for a miss against North Macedonia in the shock home reverse in Manch, netting twice in the revenge 4-0 win in Skopje that ensured Flick’s team were the first European qualifiers for Qatar 2022, things are looking up. 
    German headlines heralding ‘the redemption of Werner’ would have been music to Tuchel’s ears as well as confirmation for Flick that things might be motoring in the right direction.
    Flick, who had publicly backed Werner after he drew a blank in Friday’s win over Romania, hailed his latest display.
    The Germany coach said: “Timo’s commitment was excellent, as well as his goals.
    “He was very active and made good runs for the team.”
    Werner seemed to be more at ease, too, suggesting he felt the criticism had been laid to bed.
    The striker said: “I had to ignore it. If I kept thinking about it, I wouldn’t have been able to play.
    “At some point I knew the goals would start to come. I know what I can do.”
    More critically, though, Werner recognised Flick’s faith in him – evidently the same belief he wants to see from his club boss.
    He added: “If the trainer likes you and relies on you, that’s good. I especially need outside trust. I hope that I can keep giving it back.”
    We are happy for someone who has been criticisedHansi Flick on Werner
    Flick, in the space of just five weeks, has banished the deflated mood that predecessor Joachim Low carried into the Euro 2016 campaign that came crashing to an end against England at Wembley.
    Five straight wins have transformed the mood of the German camp, with sunloungers now booked in the desert 13 months out from the start of the World Cup.
    It already feels reminiscent of 2002, when, nine months after being humiliated by Sven Goran Eriksson and England – whose fans still sing ‘5-1, even Heskey scored’ – Germany reached the World Cup Final in Japan, with the Three Lions already home for a week.

    Flick said: “I have noticed the unity in the team.
    “We stand together and are all happy for someone who has been criticised but responds by scoring goals.
    “This is a development that is very important for a team and something we want to promote.”
    Werner was also on target for Chelsea against Southampton before the international breakCredit: Rex More

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    Chelsea star Mason Mount becomes one of first footballers to BACK World Cup every two years as Fifa launch radical plans

    MASON MOUNT has become one of the first current stars to BACK plans for a tournament every summer.Former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois pointed a finger at Fifa and Uefa over the growing demands on players after featuring in Belgium’s Nations League third-place defeat by Italy.
    Mason Mount is in favour of a World Cup every two yearsCredit: Getty
    The England midfielder has welcomed the prospect of more major international tournamentsCredit: Rex
    But with Fifa pushing ahead with Arsene Wenger’s plan for a World Cup every two years and a vote of the world body’s 211 member nations now expected in December, Blues and England schemer Mount took a different view.
    Asked if he would like to play the idea of a tournament each year, Mount said: “Yes, I would love that.
    “As players we want to play in as many top competitions and top games as we can, as Gareth Southgate has said.
    “We want to be involved in those big games.
    “But it would be good to have the players’ input – that would be positive to help shape the future.”
    Mount, though, did agree that his first taste of tournament football had taken a toll.
    He added: “After the Euros and what happened last summer, it did take me a while to recover.

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    “It was a big heartbreak for us to go all the way and then fall at the final hurdle, a tough one.
    “I had a break, although it wasn’t too long, but I was able to get away from football and relax, and then start back in pre-season.
    “As a player, you have to look at the next game and the next challenge, that’s important.”
    Chelsea’s Mason Mount reveals who’s best dancer between him and pal Declan Rice and brands West Ham ace ‘stiffest guy’ More

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    Andorra 0 England 5: Grealish and Chilwell grab first Three Lions goals to help edge closer to World Cup qualification

    ENGLAND took the chance to Phil their boots – thanks in no small part to young mister Foden.The Manchester City maestro pulled the strings from a midfield role, creating first-half goals for Ben Chilwell and Bukay Saka,and generally running the game.
    England cruised to a 5-0 victory over Andorra to edge closer to World Cup qualificationCredit: Getty
    Jack Grealish finally got off the mark for the Three LionsCredit: Reuters
    Ben Chilwell broke the deadlock with his first international goalCredit: Reuters
    Roy Keane, not a man to bandy praise about willy-nilly, compared Foden to legendary quarterback Tom Brady after a first-half passing masterclass.
    The 21-year-old was less influential in the second period but his overall performance offered an exciting glimpse of how integral he could be for England for years to come.
    It was not just Foden who took his chance to impress Gareth Southgate – all three late call-ups to the squad scored.
    Chilwell had gone from Champions League hero to Euro 2020 zero for a variety of reasons, and was a late addition to the England party.
    The Chelsea full back’s response was to open the scoring with his first international goal and give a solid all-round display.
    Jadon Sancho, having been told by his manager that he was lucky to be involved after a tepid start to his Manchester United career, teed up Chilwell’s goal.

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    In the second half, the £100m man crossed for another recalled player, Tammy Abraham, to make it three.
    And James Ward-Prowse made the most of his own late summons by burying the rebound after his penalty was saved.
    But in truth, neither England nor Southgate will have learned very much from a second encounter in just over a month against the 156th best footballing nation in the world.
    This was a contractual obligation game and England did what they had to, no more, no less.
    After the fire fiasco and sprinkler gaffe, the farcical undertone to the match continued with the opening goal.
    Chilwell might have scored sooner but chose to head a Foden cross back towards Abraham rather than go for goal himself.
    He had to wait only four minutes for another go – and then another two for VAR to award him his first international goal.
    Foden’s fine pass found Sancho, who laid the ball back unselfishly for the Chelsea left back to belt it into the net.
    Bukayo Saka made it two before the breakCredit: Getty
    Tammy Abraham stabbed home a third for EnglandCredit: Reuters
    The offside flag had been raised against Sancho and it was so tight that video assistant ref Stephanie Frappart took a long time to overrule her on-pitch colleague, while the players lined up as if the game would restart with a free kick.
    By the time Kateryna Monzul signalled for a goal instead, the moment of joy really had passed. Chilwell did his best, doing a little run and punch of the air celebration just inside his own half before being mobbed by his team-mates.
    Andorra meanwhile were angrily complaining that they wanted to kick off. It was all rather bizarre.
    Abraham had two efforts smuggled away in quick succession as England maintained the pressure. An injury to Christian Garcia Gonzalez meant an early introduction for veteran defender and Andorra legend Ildefons Lima.
    At 41, he was old enough to be the father of most of the players he would be chasing around. It took its toll and he too went off injured in the second half.
    Sancho was warming to his task down the left. It’s not often you can say you’ve nutmegged Jesus, but that’s what the Manchester United winger did to the Andorra right back.
    Jesus Rubio Gomez is not to be confused with Jordi Rubio Gomez, who was playing on the left of midfield.
    Where were the chants of “two Rubio Gomez’s, there’s only two Rubio Gomez’s”? An opportunity missed there.
    James Ward-Prowse grabbed a fourth after initially having his penalty savedCredit: AFP
    But Saka didn’t miss his. Foden was the creative force again with another clipped aerial ball. Saka took one touch and gave it the finish it deserved.
    Tempers were starting to fray. John Stones and Cristian Martinez Alejo were booked for a bit of pushing and shoving deep in the England half, while at the other end Sancho was shown a yellow card for kicking the ball away.
    When Jesus fouled him again and stood over him telling him to get up, Sancho took real offence and set off to confront his opponent as they left the field at the end of a reasonably eventful first half.
    Conor Coady quietly made his way over to make sure his young team-mate did not do anything silly.
    England should have been further in front soon after the break, but Jesse Lingard and Chilwell were off target with headers.
    No matter. Sancho whipped in a fine cross and Abraham diverted the ball in with one of his long legs.
    Things did not get any easier for Andorra when Foden was substituted.
    On came City team-mate Jack Grealish and he was fouled in the box by that man Jesus to give Ward-Prowse the chance to get on the scoresheet, which he did at the second attempt.
    Then Grealish surged through the middle and drilled home England’s fifth.
    That meant both England’s Manchester-based £100m wingers had played their part, with Sancho showing flashes of the exciting player that Manchester United thought they had signed.
    But it was Foden, a player who cost City nothing, that looked priceless.
    Astonishing moment man is almost crushed live on Sky Sports News after trying to fight fire at England vs Andorra ground More

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    Luxembourg 0 England 10: Bright hails ‘amazing’ team-mate Daly after Lionesses maul minnows

    MILLIE BRIGHT paid an emotional tribute to best friend Rachel Daly as both aces netted in England’s ten-goal demolition of Luxembourg.And Bright dedicated her brace to Daly and her father Martyn, who passed away days before the game.
    Millie Bright netted twice against Luxembourg registering her first two international goalsCredit: Getty
    Bright hailed Rachel Daly’s ‘amazing’ efforts for England in their first two World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
    The England centre-back said: “It’s been a very, very tough week not only for Rachel but for myself and just making sure that I’m there for her every single step of the way and giving her all the strength that I’ve got. 
    “I don’t think anyone can be prepared for losing someone let alone your parents. 
    “I think one thing Rachel wanted was to make her Dad proud.
    “My God, she’s done that just by walking through those doors on the first day of camp, let alone playing two amazing games and then scoring for him. 
    “So I said straight away I dedicated both my goals to one for Rachel one for her Pops.”
    On a night that saw England honour of Jimmy Greaves, one of the nation’s greatest ever finishers, Wiegman urged her team to be more ruthless in front of goal. 

    And they responded by blitzing their opponents who are currently the 122nd best side in the world.
    England began brightly with Fran Kirby’s fourth minute out swinging corner narrowly glancing by White at the near post. 
    Ellen White opened the floodgates with her clinical five-minute brace that saw her end up three short of matching Kelly Smith’s goalscoring record of 46.
    White’s first came via a lethal Lauren Hemp cross led with the striker getting across her marker to flick her first into the bottom corner. 
    It took only a few minutes before Luxembourg’s teenage goalkeeper, Lucie Schlime was once again picking the ball out of the net.
    And it was White again burying her second into the bottom corner following a neat pass from Kirby moments ahead of Ella Toone heading an effort over the crossbar. 
    England increased their lead to three minutes before the half-hour mark with Nikita Parris’s fifteenth international goal. 
    And Alex Greenwood, in her fiftieth international game, made it four in just under forty minutes smashing in a left-footed strike.
    The second half saw no respite for Luxembourg who were reportedly playing the biggest fixture in their history in front of 1,293 fans. 
    England’s win saw them move to the top of their group for the World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
    Greenwood notched up another goal minutes into the second spell before the Lionesses opponents’ put the ball into the back of their own net to make it six
    As the game reached its closing stages centre-back Millie Bright netted her first two international goals with Rachel Daly scoring to take the visitors’ tally to nine.
    And Beth England netted the team’s tenth late on to wrap up the hammering of Luxembourg. 
    The result of the second of the Lionesses’ second World Cup qualifier saw them move to the top of Group D ahead of their Wembley clash with Northern Ireland.
    On the performance, Wiegman said: “I’m really happy because, as you could see in the second half there were 21 players in the final third.
    “It’s so hard to go through those small spaces and still we got 10 goals
    Sarina Wiegman’s England side will take on Northern Ireland in OctoberCredit: Getty
    “I think as a team also we have tried to create many chances through the centre, switching fields with crosses.
    “What I also saw is when we had one or two mistakes everyone was just in transition, and we won the ball back within five seconds. 
    “And that’s what teamwork is all about and I really enjoyed that.”
    England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman takes her first training session with the Lionesses More

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    How Qatar World Cup will affect 2022-23 Premier League season with six-week November break and June FA Cup final

    THE FA Cup Final is set for a JUNE date next season as a result of the Winter World Cup fixture squeeze.Prem clubs will have a six-week league break from November 13 until Boxing Day because of the tournament in Qatar.

    The FA Cup final is set to take place in June because of the long break earlier in the seasonCredit: Getty
    And in a draft fixture list sent to clubs ahead of today’s “shareholder” meeting in London, the full implications of congestion are laid out.
    The Prem is now set to start on August 6, a week earlier than this term, with midweek fixtures at the end of August – meaning five games before the transfer window shuts – and the middle of October.
    But with Uefa intending to play all six group games in its three competitions before the World Cup kicks off and the Carabao Cup early rounds to fit in as well, it means just 16 top flight matches will have been played before the Prem resumes on December 26.
    The fourth round of the Carabao Cup has been pencilled in for the midweek between the December 18 World Cup Final and Prem restart, giving clubs a potential “warm-up” game.
    But it still means leading clubs who go all the way in the two domestic cups and in Europe face playing up to 40 matches between Boxing Day and the end of the season.
    To make that possible, the Prem campaign will be extended until the last Sunday in May, with the FA Cup Final completing the season on June 3, one week before the Champions League Final in Istanbul.

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    That proposed schedule, which will impact on clubs’ ability to embark on lucrative pre-season tours, will be just one of the items discussed as clubs hold one of their scheduled meetings in the capital for the first time since February 2020.
    But the biggest issue of contention is likely to be the planned “Owners Charter”, described as “toothless” by some clubs.
    Clubs finally received the revised nine-point document on Thursday, despite asking for updates since the original proposals were rejected at the summer meeting.
    The Charter was supposed to be a way of ringfencing the current structure of the game, with clubs facing sanctions for involvement in any future breakaway proposals.
    But there is anger among the clubs, some arguing the lack of defined punishments is unacceptable while others are furious at what they consider a flawed process.
    Despite the frustrations, club bosses recognise that they will have little option other than to sign up to the proposals at the meeting, aware that anything else would leave them open to charges of seeking to reopen the Super League issue.
    Yet there is genuine unhappiness that the questions and arguments raised by clubs earlier in the year have not been properly or adequately addressed.
    It is understood the Charter will see the clubs seal their commitment to the football pyramid, with entry to other tournaments and competitions having to be earned on the field.
    That is an attempt to bind all the clubs – including the Big Six – into a position where any negotiations about a self-elected elite would be a breach of regulations and open them up to significant punishments.
    But all the Big Six, badly burned by the furious fan reaction to April’s attempted putsch,  insist they are now committed to the Prem and have no interest in any Super League concept.
    And other clubs argue that by failing to nail down exactly what punishments could apply to any potential rebels, the League is failing to take advantage of the ideal opportunity to nail down the coffin on the idea for good.
    Thomas Tuchel hails ‘unique’ and ‘fantastic’ N’Golo Kante after Chelsea win More

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    England Women’s boss Wiegman demands rethink on plans for World Cup every two years

    SARINA WIEGMAN has repeated her warning against plans to make the World Cup a biennial event.And the Lionesses chief reckons minnows falling to devastating defeats in the women’s international game is damaging for the sport.  
    Sarina Wiegman questioned whether players would get enough rest if World Cup is held every two yearsCredit: Getty
    Wiegman, 51, was speaking a day ahead of England’s trip to Luxembourg for the second of their 10 World Cup qualifying games.
    On the ongoing arguments around switching the tournament’s timings, the England boss said “I wouldn’t do it.
    “Players are not robots so I don’t think it’s a very good idea.
    “I think it’s not very good for the players, for their welfare.
    “I think when you have all these tournaments every year where are the players going to get some rest?
    “Where are they going to recover from a very intense football year every year?
    “In Europe, it’s very well organised, we have very good competitions, we have the Euros, then you have the Olympics, then you have the World Cup, which are major tournaments for us.”

    The Lionesses’ duel with Luxembourg comes days after Armenia, the Faroe Islands and Greece all fell to brutal 10-0 drubbings against Norway, Spain and France in their group stage games.
    Wiegman, whose players beat North Macedonia 8-0 said: “We have to find a way and keep the discussion open at all times on what’s best to get the women’s game on a higher level.
    “Not just for the top teams but also for the countries that are somewhere else in their development.
    “It’s hard. These teams are developing and what you want to do is develop women’s football worldwide and also in Europe.
    “But the difference between qualities now is actually huge and it’s not very competitive when you win 8-0
    Wiegman and the Lionesses will take on Luxembourg in their second World Cup qualifying gameCredit: Getty
    “I don’t have the solution at the moment but having too many matches which finish 8-0 – or those kinds of results – that’s not good for the game.”
    When asked if more clashes between top-ranking sides was the answer, Wiegman added: “We have to keep evaluating what’s going on, if this is what we need, and we need to see the bigger picture.
    “In Europe, you have top countries who have been developing very, very much over the years.
    “And you have some countries who have just started up their women’s game or a national team, and they need improvement too.
    “But when you keep having results like this, and you can’t bring it closer within a certain amount of time, then maybe you should look at some other choices.
    Wiegman, who confirmed Leah Williamson will retain the captain’s armband against Luxembourg, says Ellen will be responsible for England’s spot-kicks.
    The Man City striker was on target from the spot for England during their drubbing of North Macedonia.
    The team have had some misfortunes with pens in some of their past international clashes going back to the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.
    Ellen White will be responsible for taking penalties for England against LuxembourgCredit: PA
    They missed three times from the spot in the tournament before going on to finish fourth. And they also saw a spot-kick saved during a 2-1 friendly loss to Germany at Wembley.
    Wiegman added: “Ellen was very convincing with the penalty. I thought that was great.
    I left it to Leah and her (Ellen), so they decided she should take it and it was a very good choice and showed very good leadership so I was really pleased with that.”

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    Sarina Wiegman addresses Lioness fans after she arrives at St George’s Park More

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    Arsenal’s Leah Williamson ready for ‘challenge’ of leading England from midfield and hails team-mate Daly

    LEAH WILLIAMSON is relishing the challenge of being England’s midfield enforcer after impressing in their 8-0 drubbing of North Macedonia.  And the stand-in Lionesses skipper hailed Rachel Daly for bravely turning out for the team days after the passing of her father Martyn. 
    Leah Williamson is enjoying the new challenge of being England’s midfield enforcerCredit: Rex
    Williamson says the Lionesses’ 8-0 win against North Macedonia was dedicated to Rachel Daly and her dadCredit: Getty
    Daly’s dad, who publicly celebrated his daughter’s performances for club and country, is held in high regard by the Houston Dash star’s national team-mates.
    Williamson, 24, said: “For Rachel to be able to come into this environment in such a tough time in her life, shows that we have a good group here. 
    “And the fact that she felt safe to come to us and to spend time with us, and everybody has been great rallying around her. 
    “It’s probably the toughest time that she’ll ever go through so 100% the win on Friday (against North Macedonia) was dedicated to Rachel and Rachel’s dad. 
    “And we’ll continue to support her with whatever she needs.”
    Williamson, who was given skipper’s armband after Steph Houghton’s withdrawal with an ankle injury, could be in line to lead England against Luxembourg on Tuesday. 

    The Lionesses head into their second World Cup qualifier under Sarina Wiegman at the top of their group on goal difference.  
    Austria and Northern Ireland are currently second and third following their hefty wins against Latvia and Luxembourg. 
    England’s next game could see Williamson return to the advanced role that saw her deliver a pinpoint pass to Ella Toone for the Lionesses’ opener against North Macedonia. 
    The Gunners centre-back, who captained Arsenal earlier this year, sees her midfield move as a fresh challenge and welcomes the chance to have more responsibility on the pitch. 
    I was so stressed about becoming the person I wanted to be at the end of my journey and maybe not enjoying the road so muchLeah Williamson
    Williamson added: “You’re a lot more involved in the game (at defensive centre-mid) and I just tried to be present.
    “I tried to make myself known defensively and on the ball as well, so I always enjoy when I go in there because it’s a new challenge.
    “But not taking away from the difference that it is to centre-half, so it takes some time to adjust, but it was an OK day and I worked hard, so I hope that showed.
    The Lionesses will take on Luxembourg away in the second of their Women’s World Cup qualifying gamesCredit: Rex
    “I think what I’ve learnt over the last three years, especially since the (2019) World Cup in France, is I needed to become reliable and just take some responsibility.
    “I think I was capable of doing it so I needed to make sure I proved that to other people and be what the team needs me to be.”
    Williamson, who grew up in Milton Keynes, has in the past spoken of her tough introduction to the game during childhood.
    The WSL star was the only girl on an all-boys team in Bletchley.
    And the Gunners centre-back admitted to having to wear a gumshield during some of her games as “everyone wanted to kick lumps” out of her. 
    Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman wants England to be more clinical with their goalscoring chancesCredit: Prime Media
    However, the Arsenal ace says she would tell her younger self to enjoy the journey that has led to her wearing the Lionesses’ armband. 
    Williamson added: “I was so stressed about becoming the person I wanted to be at the end of my journey and maybe not enjoying the road so much. 
    “And if you’d have said it  (you’d be England captain) to that little girl playing football, she probably wouldn’t have believed you, so I’ll just try to stay in the moment for a little bit.”

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    Sarina Wiegman addresses Lioness fans after she arrives at St George’s Park More