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Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Questions for Gareth Taylor at Manchester City, serious progress for Spurs, and a wasted opportunity of a weekendGareth Taylor said he believed his Manchester City team could still be playing Champions League football next season despite two wins from seven league games. “We know we’re up against some strong opposition especially when we’re probably – well, no probably about it – not strongest in terms of our squad depth,” he said. “But nothing changes. The attitude is still to be in Europe. We still believe that we can get there. We know that today if we had won the game, we would have been a lot closer. But I still think there’s plenty to come.“ City’s bruising 4-0 defeat by...

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Women’s Super League: talking points from the opening weekend’s action

Chelsea have a full-back problem, Toone lifts Manchester United after exodus and Leicester learn a harsh WSL lessonWhen Arsenal’s forward Vivianne Miedema wrong-footed the 23-year-old defender Jess Carter and slotted in Arsenal’s first goal against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon the problem that haunted the reigning champions at the end of last season was evident at the start of the new one. Injury to the superb Maren Mjelde in March left Chelsea light at the back, not in numbers but in experience. Carter and Niamh Charles shared right-back duties during the run-in and did well but Mjelde’s absence ruptured things. Where Jonna Andersson’s weaknesses had been papered over by the strengths of Mjelde, Millie Bright and Magda Eriksson alongside her, now...

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Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action | Rachel Brown-Finnis

Chelsea fly WSL flag in Champions League, Manchester City set up dramatic final day and Williams signs off with a goalAs the final whistle blew on Chelsea’s 4-1 win against Bayern Munich I had tears in my eyes, knowing what the result would mean to Emma Hayes and her team, and for women’s football in this country. The game was mesmerising, emotional and breathless until the end. Related: ‘Dreams come true’: Hayes emotional as Chelsea reach Champions League final Continue reading...

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Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Keira Walsh’s late goal means Manchester City keep up the pressure on Chelsea while Manchester United bounced backManchester City are on an incredible run at the moment and the 1-0 victory over Everton means they have now won nine consecutive league games. They dominated throughout the game but Everton’s execution of manager Willie Kirk’s gameplan was almost perfect. They put in an admirable performance, even without Jill Scott who was ineligible to face her parent club, and frustrated City until the only goal arrived with nine minutes remaining. @keira_walsh was the matchwinner as @ManCityWomen keep up the pace with leaders @ChelseaFCW... #BarclaysFAWSL highlights ⤵️Flip it and reverse it! This time it's @samkerr1 cross that sets up @Bethany_Eng15!#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/3rMkNdfUOTCaptain @katiezel was...

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At Aston Villa we want players in the classroom as well as the boot room | Eni Aluko

A partnership with the local university is designed to benefit players in the short and long term, the club and EnglandThroughout my playing career, balancing professional football and studying, there was one recurring question that I asked myself: why don’t clubs invest more in the education of their players?So when I joined Aston Villa in March I had one project at the front of my mind and close to my heart that I wanted to drive right away. The first proposal I wrote was for an expanded partnership with Aston University that would allow the club to support female players in their education, from youth to first team. It has taken a lot of work, collaboration and support at the...

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