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...
Emma Hayes’s side must turn around a deficit if they are to become only the second English team to reach the final The scale of the task faced by Chelsea, who have to overturn a 2-1 away defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Sunday, is perhaps best illustrated by a simple statistic. Only twice in the competition’s 20-year history have semi-finalists come back from first-leg defeats to reach the final, and no one has done so in 11 years.In 2010 Turbine Potsdam endured a 1-0 defeat before beating Duisburg 1-0 and progressing in a shootout. Five years earlier Frankfurt lost 1-0 at home against Montpellier but won 3-2 in France to go through on...
Super League shambles shows the focus must not be on short-term gain even as search for sustainability goes onThe European Super League saga may, for now, be over but fallout from the shambolic breakaway attempt rumbles on.“As soon as practicable after the start of the men’s competition, a corresponding women’s league will also be launched, helping to advance and develop the women’s game,” the ESL launch statement proclaimed. Related: ‘It’s been a pleasure and privilege’: Fara Williams to retire at end of the season Europe's most successful women's football team, Lyon, have hired a female coach for the first time with former academy director Sonia Bompastor replacing Jean-Luc Vasseur. Continue reading...
Arsenal hold the upper hand in the race for third, the relegation fight is wide open and Chelsea could still win four trophiesA run of four defeats in seven league games has seen Manchester United from being top at Christmas to fourth now, and battling Arsenal for the third and final Champions League place, but beating Spurs 4-1 in a one-sided match will have given them hope. They now need maximum points from their remaining games against Bristol City and Everton and more importantly for the Gunners, who have won their last six in the league and have a massive goal difference advantage, to trip up against West Ham, Everton or Aston Villa. The young England forward Ella Toone scored...
The champions were given a fright at the Academy Stadium in an enthralling advertisement for the WSL’s progress Before kick-off Emma Hayes told her players she did not want to end up watching a thriller yet, for once, even a team as accustomed to being in control as Chelsea could not quite grant their manager’s wish.They may have ended the evening with that all important two-point lead over Manchester City intact and another Women’s Super League title within touching distance but, along the way, the defending champions received a considerable fright. Related: Chelsea inch closer to WSL title after thrilling draw at Manchester City Continue reading...