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Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2024 22:04:55 GMT
Ann-Katrin Berger: Chelsea goalkeeper moves to NWSL side Gotham..
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/97E9/production/_133198883_gettyimages-1811993939.jpg Ann-Katrin Berger won the Women's Super League Golden Glove in 2020-21 and came third in the Fifa Best goalkeeper awards in 2021 and 2022Chelsea and Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger has joined American side NJ/NY Gotham FC for an undisclosed fee. Berger, 33, has signed a one-year contract with the National Women's Soccer League side with an option to extend for a further year. She kept 60 clean sheets in 114 appearances during her five-year stay with Chelsea. Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said the goalkeeper has "legendary status" at the club. "An amazing servant," Hayes added. "I always say I've never seen a goalkeeper save penalties like Ann, the best in the world." Berger won four Women's Super League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups with the Blues, but made just five WSL appearances for Chelsea this season, with boss Hayes also using Hannah Hampton and Zecira Musovic in goal. "She wants to play and go to an Olympics and I admire that about players," said Hayes. "I know she will go with our blessing and we wish her the best of luck." Gotham have picked up four points from three games since their NWSL season began in March.
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2024 22:07:46 GMT
Khiara Keating: Manchester City goalkeeper available after withdrawing from England duty..By Emma Smith, BBC Sport.
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/9B59/production/_133196793_gettyimages-2118466767.jpg Khiara Keating has kept more clean sheets than any other Women's Super League goalkeeper this seasonManchester City's Khiara Keating is fit to face West Ham United on Sunday, averting a goalkeeping crisis for the Women's Super League title chasers. Keating withdrew from international duty with England because of a knee issue, while back-ups Sandy McIver and Ellie Roebuck are out for the season. City have signed Brighton keeper Katie Startup on loan - but manager Gareth Taylor says Keating is available. "She's fine, she came back from England as a precaution," Taylor said. "She has an ongoing issue with her knee, but we are managing that. It was also unlikely she would have started for England, so it made no sense to push her too much in training [for the Lionesses]. "She's been back training since the international break, and it was great to get Katie in training from Brighton this week." Keating withdrew from England duty before their opening Euro 2025 qualifiers against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, with Mary Earps and Hannah Hampton starting those fixtures. City have not played a game since the international break. City lost second choice McIver during the international break as she ruptured her anterior cruciate knee ligament (ACL) while on duty with Scotland. "Sandy is good, considering," Taylor said. "We had a good conversation with her. It will be a long period for her, but we support her on the whole journey. "There will be ups and downs, it is a tough injury; Chloe [Kelly] had it, it is prevalent in the WSL, but the support team around her is really good." England international Roebuck is absent after suffering a stroke earlier in the season. "She's in good spirits, but being back training with the team is a long way off," Taylor said. Startup has been recruited on loan from Brighton until the end of the season, with Taylor saying they were hampered by rules stating they could not sign free agents outside the transfer window - but could recruit an emergency loan from a fellow WSL club. "We were going through the squad lists, looking at who had three fit goalkeepers," he said. "[Brighton manager] Mikey Harris was really good, and Katie has been made to feel very welcome here. Brighton were helpful - they recognised it was an opportunity for Katie." City are level on points with WSL leaders Chelsea, with four matches remaining. They will move top of the league on Sunday by avoiding defeat against West Ham.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2024 22:09:23 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 20, 2024 20:56:23 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 20, 2024 22:14:03 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 20, 2024 22:21:45 GMT
SATURDAY 20th APRIL 2024 - WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SEMI-FINAL - 1ST LEG
Lyon 3 (Diani 80, Dumornay 85, Majri 86) Paris Saint-Germain 2 (Katoto 44, 48)
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/F258/production/_133204026_gettyimages-2149423344.jpg No team have won more Women's Champions League titles than eight-time victors Lyon
Report By Adam Millington, BBC Sport.Lyon scored three goals in six minutes to come from behind and beat Paris St-Germain in their Women's Champions League semi-final first leg. Marie-Antoinette Katoto's double gave PSG a two-goal lead but they were unable to cope with Lyon's pressure. Kadidiatou Diani prodded home a loose ball in the 80th minute before Melchie Dumornay rifled in from the edge of the area to level the score. Amel Majri fired into the bottom corner to complete their comeback.
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bluetornados
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2024 10:44:52 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2024 13:15:14 GMT
Sunday 21st April 2024 - Women's Super League - Venue: Leigh Sports Village, England
Manchester United 2 (Malard 13, Le Tissier 90+2) Tottenham Hotspur 2 (England 29, Naz 31)
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/20A8/production/_133206380_gettyimages-2149520770.jpg Maya Le Tissier's goal came in the week she signed a four-year contract extension with Manchester United
ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/9fe322d0-5308-47ba-813a-5e3e99e64af8.jpgMaya le Tissier scrambled in a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Tottenham their first ever win over Manchester United in an enthralling dress rehearsal for next month's FA Cup final. Le Tissier, who signed a new contract this week, headed in from a packed goalmouth after Rachel Williams had hit the crossbar. Two goals in three minutes from Bethany England and Jessica Naz looked to have secured a momentous victory for Spurs after Melvine Malard had put United ahead at Leigh Sports Village. But centre-back Le Tissier's intervention kept United's slim hopes of Champions League qualification alive - with third-placed Arsenal facing Leicester later on Sunday afternoon. A win for the Gunners will be enough to clinch a top-three finish. Malard headed in a deep free-kick from Gemma Evans to give United the lead before England was credited with the equaliser, although it was debatable whether she actually got a decisive touch to a shot across goal from Drew Spence. There was no doubt over the potency of Naz's strike though, as she cut inside a defender and lashed past Mary Earps. Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn saw his side soak up concerted United pressure after the break, but goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer was largely untroubled until the final seconds. And with England goalkeeper Earps up for a corner, Le Tissier stole in to steal a point.
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2024 21:35:01 GMT
Sunday 21st April 2024 - Women's Super League
Arsenal 3 (Mead 28, 78, Russo 75) Leicester City 0
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/AED8/production/_133206744_gettyimages-2149526308.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/df667b99-c69c-4086-9a23-7a3a5f5c54ad.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/592e1649-f311-4709-ab42-3e8680e7c43d.png ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/2431d17f-907c-482a-8591-b3f26e39288d.png ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/50de69a0-6755-4833-98eb-5a04a39d1c02.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/30f82b03-7a42-47e8-9212-13f5186e367f.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/c3b8cc40-cf76-4ce0-9025-ef40d0a4ab45.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/9fe1c383-38b4-46ae-afae-79f6c4488877.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/dfc8b6f9-460f-47f3-a901-d3c81902c1d7.jpg ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/56f86f4b-289b-4daf-ba78-7c017318e50a.jpg
Arsenal secured the Women's Super League's third and final Champions League place with a comfortable home win over Leicester.In front of 42,820 fans at Emirates Stadium, Jonas Eidevall's side kept up the pressure on Chelsea and Manchester City at the top thanks to goals from Lionesses Beth Mead, who scored twice, and Alessia Russo. Arsenal are six points behind leaders City with nine points to play for - and face Gareth Taylor's side in their penultimate match on 5 May. Mead opened the scoring with a crisp finish, collecting a pass from Caitlin Foord and clipping past Leicester goalkeeper Lize Kop. England team-mate Russo started the game in a number 10 role behind Stina Blackstenius but added the second after moving up front, smashing in low and hard after good play from Steph Catley. And Mead made it three just four minutes later, chipping in from three yards after Kop had denied Russo with an excellent save. Manuela Zinsberger had to make two fine saves to keep out Leicester, with Sam Tierney going closest for the visitors, but Arsenal dominated the second half for an eighth win in nine games. Arsenal were out of the Champions League in the first qualifying stage this season as they fell to a shock defeat by Paris FC but the 2007 winners will hope to fare much better next year. On a day that brought a straightforward victory, the biggest cheer was saved for the second-half return of Frida Maanum, playing for the first time since her collapse during the Continental Cup final win over Chelsea on 31 March. Tests found "no obvious cardiac causes" for the midfielder, who has been fitted with a device to monitor her heart, and she played 24 minutes. WSL record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema also made a late return for Arsenal from her latest knee injury. Leicester have now lost all 11 of their away WSL games in London - failing to score in 10 of them - but interim manager Jennifer Foster will be pleased with the way her side stuck in the game for 75 minutes. Despite just four wins all season the Foxes are safe but have plenty of work to do to compete with the best in the top flight.
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2024 21:47:07 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 24, 2024 16:29:03 GMT
Sue Day named FA director of women's football..newera.sportspromedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sue-Day-500x500-1.pngThe Football Association has appointed Sue Day as its new director of women’s football. She will take up her role in December, replacing the outgoing Baroness Campbell, who had joined the FA in 2016. Day joins from the Rugby Football Union, where she had been a board member, chief operations officer and chief financial officer. She is a former England rugby union captain, having won 59 caps for her country. In 2020, she was made an MBE for services to gender equality in sport. "Women’s football has the opportunity to change the sporting and societal landscape forever," Day said. "I am passionate about making sure that future generations have the equal opportunities that weren’t afforded to so many girls like me." The FA added Day, who was also a founding trustee of the Women’s Sports Trust, will also be responsible for "the strategic leadership to develop, improve and raise awareness of disability football in England".
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 25, 2024 17:15:45 GMT
We're fighting for our lives - Bristol City's Lauren Smith..Adam Millington, BBC Sport journalist.www.bcfc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240420-CityW_vs_LiverpoolW_AW0085-1536x1024.jpgBristol City manager Lauren Smith says her side will “do whatever they can” as they look to avoid Women’s Super League relegation. The Vixens are seven points adrift at the bottom of the table with just three games left. Completing an unlikely turnaround looks even more difficult given they face league leaders Manchester City on Sunday (18:45 BST). “They're fighting for their lives because they want to win the league, we're fighting for ours because we want to stay in the league. The match-up is very different,” said Smith. The Manchester club moved top of the WSL last weekend by beating second-bottom West Ham, taking a two-goal lead after just three minutes. Smith added: “We will do whatever we can to stay in the game and give ourselves a shout but obviously Man City have been playing very well and I think last week's warning signs against West Ham were very clear. “We don't want to be in that situation after three minutes.” Bristol City’s fate could already be sealed by the time they play on Sunday as they will be relegated if West Ham beat Aston Villa in one of the 14:00 BST kick-offs. If the Irons draw then Bristol City must beat City to stay up, while the Vixens could also avoid relegation for another weekend - albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference - if West Ham lose and they draw. “I unfortunately heard a podcast that told me that all we were playing for was pride,” Smith added. “If that drives us - if it is playing for pride - then we'll use it as our fire.”
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 26, 2024 11:52:44 GMT
Man City forward Lauren Hemp signs new deal until 2027..i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article31477663.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200d/1_GettyImages-1802473813.jpgManchester City forward Lauren Hemp has signed a new three-year contract which will keep her at the club until 2027. Hemp, 23, joined City in 2018 from Bristol City and has scored 65 goals in 157 club appearances. The England international won the Women's FA Cup in 2019 and League Cup in 2022 with City. Gareth Taylor's side are three points clear at the top of the Women's Super League and looking to win their first title since 2016. "I feel at home here in Manchester," Hemp said. "With the squad we have here, we are always learning and it’s so special to be involved at a club where we’re capable of achieving anything. "I’m so passionate about this club and there’s no place I’d rather be. I’m very excited to keep this journey going for the next few years." Hemp has 55 caps for the Lionesses and was part of Sarina Wiegman's side that triumphed at Euro 2022 and were beaten finalists at the 2023 World Cup. She won the Professional Footballers' Association's young player of the pear award on four occasions and was named in the PFA's WSL team of the season in successive campaigns. "Lauren is an outstanding player and I’m looking forward to continuing the journey we started together four years ago," City boss Taylor added. "The growth she has shown has been incredible, and we know that she will continue to bring great things to the team for the next three years."
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 26, 2024 11:57:00 GMT
Chelsea v Barcelona: Millie Bright ready for 'biggest game of our careers'..By Emma Sanders, BBC Sport.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/640C/production/_133221652_gettyimages-2149362663.jpgErin Cuthbert with Millie Bright
"This is the biggest game we're probably going to play in our careers." Chelsea captain Millie Bright knows the challenge that faces her side on Saturday when they welcome defending champions Barcelona to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final. The Blues stunned Barcelona last week, becoming the first team in five years to beat the Catalans on home soil in a competitive game with a 1-0 win thanks to Erin Cuthbert's first-half strike. "We know it's a fantastic opponent, we know the storm that's about to come and we have a lot of respect for them," Bright told BBC Sport. "It's still half-time. It was a fantastic result and performance from the girls [in Spain] but equally, we know that Barca were probably not at their best." Bright captained England to the World Cup final last year, 12 months after helping the Lionesses win Euro 2022 - but this is as big as it gets for her club in manager Emma Hayes' final season. European giants Barcelona have played in four of the past five Women's Champions League finals - winning twice. In their squad are two players - Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati - who have won the past three Ballon d'Ors between them. "They will absolutely ramp it up. We have to make sure we're on our A-game otherwise that result means nothing if we don't get the job done on Saturday," added Bright. "We are in a great position and we know it's about staying switched on. It's a team that we can't afford to slip up against or take our foot off the gas because they will punish you." Last week's loss was Barcelona's first at home since February 2019 and it showed Chelsea's progression in Europe. They were thrashed 4-0 by Barca in their only final appearance in 2021, before a narrow defeat at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals last season ultimately proved costly in a 2-1 aggregate defeat. With Hayes set to depart to manage the US women's national team this summer and Chelsea having failed to win either of the two domestic cups, pressure has increased to secure the Women's Super League and Women's Champions League titles. Bright is not fazed by Barcelona being favourites and hopes a big crowd at Stamford Bridge on Saturday can help Chelsea - with more than 35,000 tickets already sold - secure their spot in a European showpiece. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1216C/production/_133229047_gettyimages-2149388003.jpgChelsea boss Emma Hayes and captain Millie Bright applauded the away fans in Spain following their first-leg victory"We are definitely the underdogs in this draw and that's fine - we know our place and our role," she said. "But as Emma [Hayes] always says, any team can be beaten. It's how you set yourselves up to do that. "I know everyone said [the first leg] was an absolute masterclass by Emma. It was a credit to the players to buy into that gameplan - and it worked, we got the result." Bright added: "We will give everything and it's extra motivation knowing that this is Emma's last season. "We need every single fan there. We need the stadium packed and absolutely rocking. The fans make an incredible impact on the game. We felt it when we went to Barcelona." Bright missed five months with a knee injury but returned to the squad last week and insists she is "fully fit" for the second leg. "That was my target - to be selected for that game," said Bright. "I knew it was a massive game for us and we needed everyone there. "From a leadership side, it's hard to contribute when you're not physically there. I was just proud to be back. "It's been a very difficult season for me personally but I'm glad to be back for the end of the season." Bright took over the armband at Chelsea this summer and admits it has been a challenging season for the club - and personally while absent through injury. "I feel like I've been a bit of a mother this season. I'm a people person and I take care of the ones around me, whether that's staff or players. I've felt an extra need to do that this year," said Bright. "This season has been one of the most chaotic. We've had players injured, new signings coming in and the announcement of Emma [Hayes] leaving. It feels like there's been so much crammed into one season. "We've had a lot to take care of so I'm so proud of the girls' mentality, their professionalism and the way they've handled those situations. It's been a difficult season, for sure."
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 26, 2024 12:01:40 GMT
Brazil great Marta to retire from international duty..Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalist.i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32678065.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200d/0_GettyImages-1151677765.jpgMarta scored 17 goals at six World CupsBrazil legend Marta says she will retire from international football this year. The 38-year-old striker is Brazil's all-time record goalscorer in international football. Marta could make her sixth appearance at an Olympic Games if she is selected for Brazil's squad this summer in Paris. "If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because, regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team," she told CNN in Brazil. "There will be no more Marta from 2025 in the national team as an athlete." She won Olympic silver at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, losing to the United States on both occasions. Marta is the all-time leading goal-scorer in World Cups, men's and women's, scoring 17 times in 23 appearances across six editions of the tournament. She came closest to World Cup glory in 2007 when Brazil finished runners-up to Germany. After Brazil failed to reach the knockout stage at last summer's World Cup, she said "there is no more World Cup for Marta". Marta, who has played club football for Orlando Pride since 2017, said she feels comfortable passing the baton to Brazil's next generation of footballers. "We have a really qualified team with really talented girls who, as the years go by, you will see what I’m talking about," she said. "Because of this I feel very comfortable saying: ‘Listen, I’m passing on to you, I’m going to pass on the baton and you continue to carry on this legacy.'"
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 27, 2024 19:18:00 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2024 0:59:23 GMT
Emma Hayes laments 'worst decision in Champions League history'..ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/27/3c1e81ad-e25c-4223-9b9b-08555a928049.jpgChelsea manager Emma Hayes said Kadeisha Buchanan's red card in the semi-final defeat by Barcelona was the "worst decision in Women's Champions League history". Buchanan was ordered off for a second yellow card offence as Chelsea were knocked out, losing 2-0 at Stamford Bridge for a 2-1 exit on aggregate. Hayes said she thought her side - who also conceded a penalty - were "robbed" by referee Iuliana Demetrescu's decisions. Buchanan's second booking came for a challenge on Patri Guijarro just before the hour mark. "I didn't think it was a foul, let alone a yellow card," said Hayes. Chelsea were 1-0 down to Aitana Bonmati's first-half goal but level on aggregate when the red card came out, with the tie in the balance. Fridolina Rolfo's spot-kick in the 75th minute carried Barcelona through to the 25th May final. Hayes said that going down to 10 players swung the tie's momentum in Barcelona's favour. "I genuinely believe we were on top of the game," she said. "We just hit the post, I could feel the momentum going in that direction, but we didn’t have the chance to experience that. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/27/22/84172521-13357975-image-a-37_1714253360942.jpgReplays showed Buchanan had won the ball, but because it was a second yellow rather than a straight red, VAR could not intervene"You need everything to go your way. They get two yellow cards, a deflection and a penalty. Everything went their way and everything didn’t go our way tonight." The video assistant referee (VAR) system was in operation but can only be used to check possible red card decisions, not yellows. The Chelsea boss called the decision to send off Buchanan "horrific". Hayes added: "I'm stood there and I've looked at the fourth official and said, 'Surely that will be checked?', and she said it can’t on a yellow. "The toughest thing to take is that we didn't lose it. There's nothing you can do when there's such a terrible decision and it's already hard enough. They are a top team. When that's taken out of your hands, that is a tough one on the players for sure." Missing out on the final means Hayes, who departs to become United States manager at the end of the season, will leave Chelsea having won every available trophy apart from the Champions League.
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2024 1:08:01 GMT
Saturday 27th April 2024 - UEFA Champions League Semi-Final - 2nd Leg (agg: 1-0)
Chelsea 0 (Buchanan 59 sent off) Barcelona 2 (Bonmati 25, Rolfo 75 pen) (agg: 1-2)
i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/04/27/22/84172537-13357975-image-a-40_1714253449226.jpg
Report Emma Sanders, BBC Sport journalist at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea's hopes of reaching the Women's Champions League final in manager Emma Hayes' final season at the club ended with defeat by Barcelona at a sold-out Stamford Bridge. The Blues led 1-0 from the semi-final first leg, but holders Barca turned the tie around on an emotional evening in London - with two big decisions by referee Iuliana Demetrescu going in their favour. The first was to issue a second booking in four minutes to Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan - reducing the hosts to 10 players just before the hour mark - before the visitors were awarded a penalty for a contentious foul on Aitana Bonmati, which Fridolina Rolfo dispatched. Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati, who had earlier cancelled out Chelsea's aggregate lead with a deflected strike off Buchanan, went down in the box under contact from Jess Carter and Ashley Lawrence. A video assistant referee review did not overturn the decision and Chelsea, despite their best efforts, could not find the goal they needed and were knocked out 2-1 on aggregate. The hosts hit the woodwork twice - Melanie Leupolz striking the crossbar in the first half before Sjoeke Nusken stabbed an effort against the post after the break - but Barcelona booked their place in the final for the fifth time in six seasons. Hayes will leave Chelsea after 12 years to manage the US women's national team in the summer and exits with the Women's Champions League the only trophy she failed to win with the club. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/D05E/production/_131724335_gettyimages-1475373157.jpgSad ending to Emma Hayes' Stamford Bridge farewellHaving stunned Barcelona in Spain last week – becoming the first side in five years to beat them on home soil – Chelsea were expecting a much-improved performance by the holders in the second leg. It was still not the kind of scintillating Barcelona display we have become accustomed to but, with Bonmati pulling the strings and Caroline Graham Hansen finding space in behind, they piled pressure on the Chelsea defence early on. However, the Blues acquitted themselves well and looked able to pose their own threat on the counter-attack when they won the ball back. After Bonmati's opener, Chelsea finished the first half strongly and should have equalised on the night - but the unmarked Leupolz only managed to strike the bar after a pull back from Nusken in the box. The second half proved to be a different story. Not long after Nusken’s effort bounced off the far post, Buchanan was sent off for her second booking in quick succession and had to trudge down the tunnel. Chelsea struggled to recover, particularly after Rolfo scored her 75th-minute penalty. There were emotional scenes at full-time as Hayes, surrounded by her players on the pitch, looked close to tears having waved goodbye to Stamford Bridge for the final time. Chelsea had dreamed of a fairytale quadruple to cap off their manager's 12-year tenure, but instead must focus solely on the defence of their Women's Super League title which is under threat from rivals Manchester City. Barcelona will look to continue their European dominance and clinch a second successive continental crown in Bilbao on 25th May.
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2024 1:25:16 GMT
WSL top scorer Bunny Shaw out for season with foot injury..by Emma Smith, BBC Sport journalist.ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2024/4/21/967659c7-a557-4982-86f0-3d2edd9467a7.jpgManchester City striker Khadija Shaw has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury. Shaw is the Women's Super League top scorer this season with 21 goals in 18 games. But the Jamaica international will miss the remainder of the campaign after injuring her foot during City's 5-0 WSL victory over West Ham last Sunday. "It is difficult for Bunny [Shaw's nickname], as she has had an incredible season," City manager Gareth Taylor said. Shaw is eight goals ahead of second-placed Lauren James in the WSL golden boot race and is City's record goal-scorer. Her absence, after suffering the injury towards the end of the first half against West Ham, is a major blow to City's attempts to win a first WSL title since 2016. Taylor, however, backed City's other attacking players to step up in Shaw's absence. "Bunny is our main number nine, but Mary [Fowler] has played there, Lauren [Hemp] has played there. Chloe [Kelly] is capable of playing there, Jess [Park] can do a really good job there," he said. "Of course, we all understand what Bunny brings, she is such a box player, she gives us a different way of playing. Now we will have a different kind of number nine." WSL leaders City could go six points clear of reigning champions Chelsea if they beat bottom club Bristol City this Sunday, although they would have played two games more than the second-placed Blues. Shaw is the latest important City player to suffer a serious injury this season. Key midfielder Jill Roord is out with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury, as is back-up goalkeeper Sandy MacIver. England international keeper Ellie Roebuck is also out after suffering a stroke earlier this season. Taylor said the stresses of an intense schedule for elite women's footballers had played a role in City's injury woes. "We are really confident in what we have in the group, but of course we want everyone available," he said. "It's the demands on the players these days, the different environments - from club football, to international and back to the club, all different training environments and programmes, which means unfortunately players get these types of injuries."
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bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 12,400
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 28, 2024 15:59:18 GMT
Sunday 28th April 2024 - Women's Super League
Everton 1 (Hobson 90+5) Arsenal 1 (Russo 80)
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/6E9A/production/_133241382_gettyimages-2150547241.jpg Issy Hobson's goal meant Everton earned their first Women's Super League point against Arsenal since 2012Issy Hobson said scoring a late equaliser for Everton against Arsenal in the Women's Super League was "the best feeling ever". The 16-year-old substitute headed in after 95 minutes for her first senior goal, which dealt a major blow to the Gunners' title hopes. Her goal drew Everton level following Alessia Russo's opener at Walton Hall."I've been at Everton for my whole life so it's even more special," Hobson told BBC Sport. "It's something I've been dreaming of since I started playing football and for it to contribute to getting a draw against Arsenal is the best feeling ever." Arsenal wasted several good chances, while Everton's Karen Holmgaard hit the crossbar with an early header. Jonas Eidevall's side are five points behind leaders Manchester City with two games to play, while City have a game in hand. Arsenal's chances of winning the WSL will be over if City beat relegated Bristol City later on Sunday.
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