W.S.L - Results, England and Other Related Women's News

Women's Champions League - Group Stage Draw - The first round of group games take place on the 8th and 9th of October 2024

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/18/UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League_logo_%282021%29.svg/200px-UEFA_Women%27s_Champions_League_logo_%282021%29.svg.png

Group A

Lyon, Wolfsburg, Roma, Galatasaray

Group B

CHELSEA, Real Madrid, Twente, CELTIC

Group C

Bayern Munich, ARSENAL, Juventus, Valerenga

Group D

Barcelona, MANCHESTER CITY, St Polten, Hammarby

Sunday 29th September 2024 - Women's Super League - Results

Manchester City 1 (Shaw 44) Brighton & Hove Albion 0

Everton 0 Manchester United 1 (Clinton 4)

Leicester City 0 Arsenal 1 (Maanum 55)

West Ham United 1 (Ueki 85) Liverpool 1 (Smith 7)

Aston Villa 2 (Leon 78, Daly 88) Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Summanen 23 pen, England 90+6)

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/FA_Women%27s_Super_League.png

Germany captain Alexandra Popp has announced she will retire from international football next month..

image.gala.de/22902492/t/Yw/v4/w1440/r1.5/-/alexandra-popp.jpg

The 33-year-old Wolfsburg striker made her Germany debut in 2010 and has scored 67 goals for her country in 144 appearances.

The German Football Association said she will win her 145th and final cap against Australia in Duisburg on 28 October - three days after they play England at Wembley.

"I have always stressed that my gut will make the decision, and now it has," Popp said on Monday.

"After long, tearful deliberations, I have decided with a heavy heart to end my career with the national team.

"The fire that ignited in me 18 years ago and grew stronger from year to year has now almost burned out."

Popp, who won Olympic gold with Germany in 2016, played in four Women's World Cups, captaining the side in France in 2019 and again in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

She also led Germany to the final of the European Championship in 2022, when they lost in extra time against Sarina Wiegman's England.

"It was always important to me to make this decisive decision myself, from within myself. Neither my body, which is a ticking time bomb, nor another person should get ahead of me," Popp added.

"Before the fire is completely extinguished - because then it would be too late - the right time has now come."

Germany head coach Christian Wuck said Popp had been the "defining face of the women's national team for almost a decade and a half".

"She is leaving big footprints in the national team. She deserves the greatest respect for that," Wuck added.

Popp is under contract with Wolfsburg, who she has played for since 2012, until June next year.


shekicks.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Popp-1.jpg

The Women’s League Cup group stage - Results

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/23/FA_Women%27s_League_Cup_logo.png/220px-FA_Women%27s_League_Cup_logo.png

Round One: Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Group A:

Newcastle 1 Everton 1 (Everton win 3-0 on pens)

Man Utd 2 Liverpool 0


Group B: Blackburn 1 Durham 2


Group C: West Ham 6 Portsmouth 1


Group D:

Leicester 1 Bristol City 1 (Bristol City win 2-1 on pens)

Birmingham City 0 Brighton 3

Group E:

Aston Villa 2 Crystal Palace 0

Charlton 1 Spurs 2


Thursday 3rd October 2024

Group B: Sheffield Utd v Sunderland (7pm, 3 October, The Impact Arena, Alfreton)

Group C: Southampton v London City (7pm, 3 October, Eastleigh FC);

Vivianne Miedema opens up on 'really difficult' Arsenal exit after leaving behind her Lionesses partner Beth Mead to join rivals Man City..by Kathryn Batte

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/03/11/90409061-13920129-image-a-41_1727952958646.jpg

Vivianne Miedema knew that leaving Arsenal for Manchester City was not the easy option.

Not only was it a move that came with significant change on the pitch, off it, she was leaving behind everything she had built in the last seven years. Her partner Beth Mead and the puppy they share together, her own house, her friends and way of life.

Miedema has been open with how she has suffered from panic attacks and anxiety. Changes in lifestyle, and the uncertainty it creates, can often be a trigger for the symptoms people experience.

That is why Miedema believes it is important she, and others in football, speak openly about mental health and share how they are feeling.

‘It’s something that, especially in football and society, that’s not openly spoken about,’ Miedema tells Mail Sport.

‘I know that me making this step, moving away from my home, my own house, comes with certain anxiety and difficulties.

‘I think as much as we always say we’re open for mental health and we do want to help each other out, but I think a lot of people are not capable or don’t feel comfortable enough to be honest about it.

‘If I can share my story, a lot of people will look up to me and will feel similar in situations. I’d like to take that responsibility and be there for them.

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/03/11/90407653-13920129-image-a-43_1727953030629.jpg

‘That comes with me having to go through it as well. Don’t get me wrong, I was at Arsenal for seven years. My whole life, it was all there. That has been really difficult and that still is really difficult and that might always stay really difficult.

‘There were a lot more easier options for me than moving to City. Me sharing how I feel will help other people out there to understand and realise they’re not alone in those feelings.

‘People see it as a weakness but it’s something really good and strong.

‘It also doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. You can struggle mentally and you can have a really difficult time, but you can still be successful too.’

Miedema made an instant return to Arsenal when City visited the Emirates on the opening day of the Women’s Super League season. The forward scored City’s first goal in a 2-2 draw but manager Gareth Taylor admitted Miedema had struggled with the build-up to the game.

‘It was always going to be an emotional and a special one.

‘I think if it had been later on in the season it always would have been something that you would probably look ahead to, but now it is out of the way.

‘I think the hardest bit was leaving the girls and the fans. You appreciate the people you’ve spent a lot of time with over the last couple of years.

‘But it’s been really nice to have a fresh start and I’ve been really enjoying it. As a player and as a person I needed that.’

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/03/12/90409095-13920129-But_they_played_against_each_other_last_month_when_Miedema_retur-a-1_1727954636046.jpg

Miedema leaving Arsenal was also difficult for Myle, the puppy she shares with Mead. Myle featured in the forward’s announcement video when she joined City in July, but Miedema insists: ‘She’s not an Arsenal fan, she’s not a City fan, she just loves her mummies!

This brings us to player welfare and fixture scheduling. City are one of three English teams to qualify for the Champions League group stage and we have already seen the difficulties that can come with that. Chelsea’s WSL game with Manchester United was due to take place on Sunday but has been postponed because UEFA scheduled the Blues’ fixture with Real Madrid for two days later.

So, do players feel there is too much talk and not enough action? ‘It [change] is way too slow,’ Miedema says.

‘It’s something, especially in women’s football, we’ve been shouting about for years. It’s not about not wanting to play the games. People can easily turn around and be like “why do you not want to be a professional footballer? Why do you not want to play more games?”

‘But if you put everything together and look at the physical and the mental health that we are put in, it’s dangerous. It’s going to lead to, not just physical injuries but also mental health issues. If we don’t start taking care of our players right now, I don’t know when it will be the right time.

‘If you look at FIFA and UEFA trying to fight for as many games as they can, that’s at the disadvantage of players. Of course we’re always going to be needing research to make that next step. But I think for now, a quick and an easy fix is to listen to your players.

‘To put at least two periods of no football within a year and to cap the amount of games that someone can play.’

Miedema’s former Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro often suggested she could go into management when she finishes playing. ‘I love Joe, I am doing my UEFA A right now,’ she says.

But listening to the forward speak, it is clear she could be an asset in a boardroom role.

‘I do think there’s a lot of other things in football that needs to be fixed that I can play a role in.

‘It would have to be something where I feel like I’m actually allowed to make a change. We’ve got a lot of positions within governing bodies that probably have the right people, but they don’t have the movement to actually do what they should be doing.

‘I also can’t promise that I am going to stay within football because in the end, it is sometimes amazing, sometimes mentally draining. But I definitely won’t struggle finding something to do!’

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/03/12/90407637-13920129-Miedema_has_called_on_football_authorities_to_listen_to_player_c-a-4_1727954636102.jpg

Jonas Eidevall criticises 'amateurish behaviour' with fixture schedule..Report by BBC Sport

i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/03/15/77370341-0-image-a-233_1699025256331.jpg

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has criticised the "amateurish behaviour" in handling fixture scheduling after a Women's Super League match was postponed at a week's notice.

Chelsea's WSL game against Manchester United has been called off because of a conflict with the Blues' European schedule.

The new company which now runs the Women's Super League, The Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), said the cancellation was in order to prioritise player welfare.

The Women's Champions League draw was made last Friday and Chelsea's opening group game at home to Real Madrid was scheduled for just two days after the United game - on Tuesday, 8th October.

Before the Champions League draw was made, WPLL had asked Uefa not to schedule any of the three English teams to play on 8 October, but were unsuccessful.

Eidevall said the situation could have been avoided if Women's Super League games involving teams in the Champions League were scheduled for Friday or Saturday to avoid a potential 48-hour turnaround, but all three English clubs involved are believed to have requested to play on the Sunday.

"Out of the 16 teams, 13 were scheduled to play on the Friday or Saturday and the three English teams were all scheduled to play on the Sunday," he said.

"We have a league organisation that doesn’t act proactively on these matters. It is damaging for the fans. It is simply not good enough from the league.

"Do the league want English teams to be successful at European level? I would hope the answer to that would be yes, but the actions show differently. It shows that this is not one of their priorities."

For the first time, there are three English clubs competing in the Women's Champions League group stages, with Arsenal and Manchester City joining Chelsea.

Arsenal and City will still play their WSL fixtures on Sunday, with their Champions League fixtures against Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively both being played on Wednesday.

Uefa have been criticised for the opening phase draw being made just 11 days before the first group game, but European football's governing body said their match calendar with potential fixture dates was made available to clubs more than a year ago.

"It is very important that this is the first time in the group stage that three teams reached the group stage," added Eidevall. "That should be something we celebrate - instead it becomes a problem.

"Now it's even worse for us because of this amateurish behaviour, with not having a proactive plan.

"What needs to change is the approach to Champions League football. It is not good enough to blame it on Uefa because everyone across Europe has had the same information for a long time, and the only one that hasn't acted on that information is the WSL."

Saturday 5th October 2024 - Women's Super League - Venue: Broadfield Stadium

Brighton & Hove Albion 4 (Paris 15, Bremer 38, Kirby 79 pen, Pattinson 90+4 sent off, Agyemang 90+7) Aston Villa 2 (Daly13, 55 pen, Tomas 76 sent off)

shekicks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Brighton-Hove-Albion-v-Aston-Villa-Barclays-Womens-Super-League.jpg
Fran Kirby of Brighton her team’s third goal from the penalty spot.

Match report by Jonty Colman, BBC Sport journalist

Nikita Parris scored on her full Women’s Super League debut for Brighton as they came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-2 at Broadfield Stadium.

Villa took the lead in the first half when captain Rachel Daly scored for a second league match in a row, but her early strike was cancelled out 75 seconds later by Parris.

Parris, making her first WSL start since her deadline day switch from Manchester United, turned provider on the stroke of half-time, setting up Pauline Bremer to give Brighton a half-time lead.

Villa levelled early into the second half via Daly, who converted from the penalty spot, but Brighton re-took the lead in the final 15 minutes via a Fran Kirby penalty.

Villa played the final quarter of an hour with 10 players after Paula Tomas was shown a straight red card for a foul on substitute Kiko Seike when giving away the penalty.

Substitute Michelle Agyemang, on loan from Arsenal, added a fourth for Brighton deep into stoppage time on the counter attack, her first goal for the club.

The hosts also ended the game with 10 players after Poppy Pattinson was shown a second yellow card late on.

Brighton’s second win in as many home league matches puts them second in the WSL standings, level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United, who have both played a match less.

Villa, under new manager Robert De Pauw, remain winless in three league matches.

Sunday 6th October 2024 - Women's Super League - Venue: Joie Stadium - Venue: Emirates Stadium - Attendance: 25,480

Arsenal 0 Everton 0

shekicks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Barclays-Womens-Super-League-Arsenal-v-Everton-Emirates-Stadium.jpg
Karoline Olesen (47 Everton) controls the ball in the air at Emirates Stadium.

Match report by BBC Sport

Everton grabbed their first point of the Women's Super League season as they fought hard to hold Arsenal to a goalless draw at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal dominated possession and pushed forward throughout, but were unable to find a way through a resilient Everton defence.

Emily Fox hit the woodwork early on for the Gunners, while Toffees goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan kept out multiple efforts from Mariona Caldentey and Frida Maanum.

The result leaves Arsenal sixth in the WSL table after three games, two points off leaders Manchester City, while Everton are next to bottom.

There was little for the 25,480 crowd to get excited about and Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall conceded it was his players' responsibility to lift the fans.

"If we want to create that atmosphere at the Emirates that we know is such an advantage for us, we need to play with more intent," said the Swede.

"We should have put Everton under more pressure in the first half and moved the ball quicker. I think we did that in the end but it was a little bit too late."

Eidevall's side started brightly and Fox came close to unintentionally scoring her first goal for Arsenal when her cross from the right beat Brosnan and bounced off the crossbar.

The Gunners continued to threaten with Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Kyra Cooney-Cross linking up well around the box before Cooney-Cross drilled a shot just wide.

But the home side struggled to find a way through and Brosnan avoided embarrassment after a poor clearance with a fine stop to deny Caldentey.

The Everton keeper was kept busy with a fierce strike from Maanum and a dangerous cross from Kim Little that needed to be punched away.

While Arsenal rushed their passes in favour of a direct approach into the box, Everton - in rare moments of possession - patiently played out from the back and came agonisingly close to an opener when Veatriki Sarri’s shot was tipped on to the crossbar by Daphne van Domselaar.

The resulting corner also caused concern for Arsenal, with Katie McCabe making a goalline clearance from Justine Vanhaevermaet’s header.

After the break, Arsenal took their time in fashioning chances, building up play around the edge of the box, but they still could not find a way through a solid Everton backline.

The visitors continued to smother Arsenal's desperate attempts at goal with captain Megan Finnigan blocking an effort from Maanum.

As the clock ticked down into stoppage time, Everton kept players behind the ball and Brosnan's superb save to stop Caitlin Foord from scoring a dazzling late winner ensured the Toffees left with something to show for their efforts.

Sunday 6th October 2024 - Women's Super League - Venue: Gaughan Group Stadium

Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Hinds 54 og, Hunt 83) Liverpool 3 (Kapocs 10, Hobinger 75, 90+5 pen)

shekicks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Barclays-Womens-Super-League-Tottenham-Hotspur-v-Liverpool-Gaughan-Group-Stadium-London.jpg
Amanda Nilden (Tottenham Hotspur) tries to get passed Fuka Nagano (8 Liverpool).

Match report by Marissa Thomas, BBC Sport journalist

Marie Hobinger scored a stoppage-time penalty as Liverpool registered their first Women's Super League win of the season in a five-goal thriller with Tottenham.

Ashleigh Neville was adjudged to have fouled Sophie Roman Haug in the box and Hobinger stepped up to guide the ball past the outstretched arm of Tottenham goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.

Clare Hunt had scored in the 83rd minute, from Neville's cross, as Tottenham looked to have sealed a point.

The Reds had gone in front after 10 minutes thanks to Cornelia Kapocs' superb strike before Taylor Hinds' own goal drew the sides level.

A sublime free-kick from Hobinger put Liverpool back in front, but it seemed like the spoils would be shared after Hunt's late effort.

Hobinger's second goal in the closing stages from the spot gave Matt Beard's side a much-needed win, while Tottenham fell to their first WSL defeat.

"We showed immense character today and I'm really proud of them," said Beard after the match.

"We were always in front but I think when they peg you back, to get obviously back in front again was important.

"I think two set-pieces, two great finishes from Marie, especially the free-kick. It was an entertaining game for the neutral. I'm just glad we walked away with three points."