Search Results

Nikita Parris Position Forward D.O.B 10/03/1994 Club Arsenal Hannah Peters

Full quotes from Kerstin Casparij post-match interview following City's second win of the season Back Kerstin Casparij reacts to Manchester City's win over Spurs Full quotes from Kerstin Casparij post-match interview following City's second win of the season Tom Flathers 25 October 2022 By Paul Donegan We got to hear from Kerstin Casparij when she spoke to the press after Manchester City’s recent WSL win over Tottenham Hotspur. The 22-year-old right back joined City over the summer from Twente where she won the Eredivisie twice and the Eredivisie Cup once. She had previously played for Heerenveen and VV Alkmaar after making her senior debut as a 15-year-old. Casparij was part of the Netherlands squad at Euro 2022 and has 16 caps for her country. Kerstin answered questions about the sides current form, Bunny Shaw, settling into Manchester and the squad, expectations and the City supporters. She started off talking about their current form (won last two games) after their difficult start to the season when they lost their first two ... “So, so pleased, to have two wins in a row in just great, obviously we didn’t start well but we believed and stuck to the process and believed in what we can do and I think you really saw that in the last two games.” And it always helps when you have got someone like Bunny (Shaw) as well? “Yeah, she is a beast, she is so good, how many goals she has scored? Five, that is a lot, so is doing really, really well, she is a big asset for us.” How have you found settling in? “Just great, I think I have said like everytime people ask me it is just lovely but it is, it is so great, I love the city, the girls have been helping me so well and I have really felt like (said Dutch phrase) as we would say in Dutch.” It has been a bit of a mixed start to the season, what are your and the squads expectations? “We haven’t really like talked about we want to win every prize, of course we want to win the league, I mean that is something we must want as Manchester City but at least win silverware and finish as high in the league as we can.” Do you think it is jelling quite quickly given the number of new players that all joined at the same time as each other and the rapport off the pitch? “I didn’t expect it to gel so well so quickly, I mean obviously the first two games weren’t so good but now everything settling in very well, and we really found our pace and found feet especially for me as a new person, and with Laia (Aleixandri) as my centre back, I think things just gone really well.” How much you enjoying playing with Chloe Kelly down the right? “Chloe is amazing, I love her, I love her as a person and as a player, she is so skilled and you can just give her the ball at any time, you know she will do something right with it so I am very pleased to be playing with her.” How have you found the fans so far? “Well I feel like they like me, I think, I like them, everytime I try and take as much time as I can to do some autographs and stuff, and everybody is just so lovely, it is just great because I am not very used to that back in the Netherlands we didn’t really have fans we could interact with so that we have that here, and people actually come down to London to watch our games, I think that is just really special, and I would like to thank them all for doing that.” News

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall speaks to the media ahead of United Clash Back Eidevall calls for Arsenal to show "another version" of themselves against Manchester United Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall speaks to the media ahead of United Clash Sky Sports 5 October 2023 By Paul Donegan Jonas Eidevall spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Gunners Women’s Super League match against Manchester United on Friday evening, hours after it was also announced by Arsenal that he had signed a new long-term contract with the club. “The commitment is from both parties and it is very ambitious, it is about growing the club as much as possible and accelerate the growth of women’s football” responded Eidevall when asked about the new contract. “The long-term vision that we have and that we share is the important thing” continued the Arsenal head coach, and added that he feels supported by the club. After the defeat to Liverpool last weekend in the WSL, Eidevall noted there has been “a mature reaction” and “a lot of accountability and ownership”. He carried on to say the team want to show “another version of itself” . Eidevall feels they didn’t play with the right energy against Liverpool but it is now about how they respond. “We are really disappointed with that performance, and it was a wasted opportunity with 55’000 people in the stands to put on a better display and energise them better” he continued, and he hopes they return for the Villa game (next Sunday at the Emirates) so his side can show them something different because they deserve that as well. Eidevall confirmed that Beth Mead will not be available (very close though) for the Manchester United game, but Noelle Maritz is fit. There was no other team news. With Alessia Russo facing her former side for the first time since joining Arsenal, Eidevall commented that that she is “100% professional and always trains with a lot of motivation, but it is special when you return to play against a club with your former teammates and fans” . He noted Russo has a lot of different qualities and the unique combination of them makes her potential “sky high”. The Arsenal head coach said Manchester United are “consistent in the way they play and are a good football team” . Eidevall added there have been some good and even matches between them over the last two seasons but he was not happy with the Gunners performances or results against them last season. With the league shaping up to be very competitive this season, Eidevall noted “you need to be 100% for every game and every challenge.” Eidevall was asked about his views about bringing VAR into women’s games. He pointed out there needs to be consistency in tournaments with technology in the game and it has to be of the right quality. Manchester United v Arsenal is live on Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League in the UK with a 7:30pm (BST) kick off on Friday. Check local listings/FA Player elsewhere. News

The Seagulls pull off a crucial 3-2 win over the visiting Toffees Back Match Report WSL: Brighton v Everton The Seagulls pull off a crucial 3-2 win over the visiting Toffees Ryan Asman 21 April 2023 By Paul Donegan Brighton beat Everton 3-2 on Wednesday evening at the Broadfield Stadium to claim three points that moved them off the bottom of the Women’s Super League (WSL) table. In Melissa Phillips first home game as manager of the Seagulls, Elisabeth Terland scored twice and Katie Robinson scored their other goal. Katja Snoeijs scored a brace for Everton as they threatened a second half comeback. Phillips made one change to the Brighton’s starting eleven from Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United with Megan Connolly coming in for Julia Zigiotti. This was Everton’s first game since the 2nd of April when they beat Tottenham 2-1. Head coach Brian Sorensen made two changes from that match with Megan Finnigan and Lucy Hope replacing Nathalie Bjorn and Gabby George. It was a sunny early evening though there was a cool breeze blowing across the ground. The home side made a good start, and within the first 20 seconds Terland put an effort well over the crossbar. Robinson’s shot from 25-yards flew wide of the post 5 minutes into the match. They then broke quickly in the 10th minute but Robinson saw her shot blocked and the ball went out for a throw-in. Brighton deservedly took the lead in the 12th minute when set piece expert Poppy Pattinson swung in a free kick from the right-hand side that Terland headed into the net. Everton’s build up was slow at times with Brighton forcing them backwards, though Jess Park had the Toffees first shot at goal in the 19th minute but this was claimed by Lydia Williams. There was some more good pressing from Brighton that won the ball back and forced a corner. Veatriki Sarri saw a shot deflected just wide of the post, and Emma Kullberg then had an effort saved. Geummin Lee saw her dangerous cross pushed away by Brosnan before the ball was cleared in the 33rd minute as the Seagulls continued to be the better side in the first half. Everton had their best chance of the match so far in the 35th minute when Aurora Galli headed the ball down but sent her low shot straight at Williams. Katrine Veje then hit a free kick through the wall but this too was comfortably dealt with by Williams. Brighton made it 2-0 two minutes before half-time. A fantastic long ball played forward from Megan Connolly found Robinson who from the edge of the area superbly lifted the ball over Brosnan and into the net. Everton made a triple substitution at half-time and changed to a 3-4-3 formation for the second half. The Toffees looked a better side during most of the second period after making these changes. There was a break in play early in the half when one of the assistant referees had an issue and disappeared for a few minutes. Photo: Ryan Asman After that delay, Sarri shot just wide on the hour mark as Brighton looked to increase their lead further. It was Everton though who scored the next goal in the 63rd minute. Snoeijs received a pass from Park, run past a few Brighton defenders before shooting low into the corner of the net from 12-yards. Snoeijs almost equalised for the Toffees in the 73rd minute when she hit the post with a shot after a quick attack involving her and Aggie Beever-Jones. In the 77th minute, Everton had another chance to equalise when a Nicoline Sorensen cross found Park in the 6-yard box but her volley went over. The home side made it 3-1 in the 80th minute when Kayleigh Green crossed from the right and Terland finished from 6-yards to score her second of the match. The two goal advantage didn’t last long as three minutes later Everton scored when Park played in Snoeijs who finished low into the bottom corner. Brighton had to endure nine minutes of stoppage time, during which Beever-Jones headed over a free-kick for the visitors, before they could celebrate their first league win since early November. The win sees Brighton move ahead of Leicester and Reading and into tenth place in the WSL. Everton remain in sixth position. Both sides are on their travels on Sunday in the league with Brighton away to Liverpool and Everton go to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to take on Reading. Line ups- Brighton & Hove Albion (4-2-3-1): L. Williams, Fox, Morse, Kullberg, Pattinson, Connolly (c), Bance (Stefanovic 90’+7), Robinson (Visalli 90’+8), Lee (Carter 71’), Sarri (Green 66’), Terland Unused substitutes: Walsh, Startup, V. Williams, Stott, Park Goals – Terland 12’, 80’, Robinson 43’ Booked – Kullberg, Carter, Pattinson Everton (4-3-3): Brosnan, Hope (Bennison 66’), Sevecke, Finnigan, Veje (Stenevik 45’), Galli (Beever-Jones 45’), Wheeler, Christiansen (c) (Holmgaard 45’), Sorensen (Maier 81’), Snoeijs, Park Unused substitutes: Ramsey, Clarke Goals – Snoeijs 63’, 83’ Referee – Lauren Impey Attendance – 2,456

Willie Kirk is appointed in new Leicester role Back Willie Kirk is appointed Director of Football, Women and Girls at Leicester City Willie Kirk is appointed in new Leicester role Getty 5 August 2022 By Charlotte Stacey Former Everton manager Kirk joins the Foxes with extensive Barclays Women’s Super League experience having held senior coaching positions within the women’s game over several years. The newly formed role will see Kirk work to “deliver sustained on-pitch performance, academy excellence and technical growth, while taking a leading role in creating a motivated and successful environment at Belvoir Drive.” News

LCFC Women have secured the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur defender Esther Morgan on loan until the end of the 2021/22 campaign. Back Esther Morgan joins Leicester City until the end of the season LCFC Women have secured the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur defender Esther Morgan on loan until the end of the 2021/22 campaign. Plumb Images // Getty Images 1 February 2022 By Charlotte Stacey The 19-year-old fullback brings both WSL and international experience to the Foxes’ squad, having made her full debut for Wales during a friendly against Canada at the age of 18 last April. Morgan commented on her move, “I’m really excited about this opportunity, and I’m really excited to be here. I think I need to be playing and I think this is a good place for me to be given opportunities. I’m here to fight for my place in the team and hopefully make us a stronger side.” Having impressed for Spurs’ Under-19s, Morgan made her senior debut with the first team in February 2021 and has gone on to make 12 senior appearances for the London outfit, scoring two goals. Morgan will now link up with LCFC Women ahead of the Barclays FA Women's Super League fixture against Birmingham City on Sunday 6 February, 2022. News

WSL will feature fully in EA's FIFA23 Back Women’s Super League to feature in FIFA23 WSL will feature fully in EA's FIFA23 EA FIFA23 5 August 2022 By Charlotte Stacey EA have announced the the inclusion of the Barclays Women’s Super League and Division 1 Arkema, extending its position as the “world’s most authentic football experience. Chelsea striker Sam Kerr will feature on the cover of the game that will be released on 30th September. She becomes the first woman to feature on the global cover. News

Quick guide to the teams in Group D Euro's Information and News Get to know: Group D Getty By Paul Donegan 7 July 2022 France France qualified as winners of their group and with seven wins and a draw from their eight games. This is going to be their seventh appearance in the finals. They have never got beyond the quarter-finals, having lost at that stage in 2009, 2013 and 2017. FIFA Ranking – 3rd Manager – Corinne Diacre Squad 1. Mylene Chavas (Bordeaux) 2. Ella Palis (Bordeaux) 3. Wendie Renard (Lyon) 4. Marion Torrent (Montpellier) 5. Aissatou Tounkara (Atletico Madrid) 6. Sandie Toletti (Levante) 7. Sakina Karchaoui (Paris Saint-Germain) 8. Grace Geyoro (Paris Saint-Germain) 9. Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris Saint-Germain) 10. Clara Mateo (Paris FC) 11. Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain) 12. Melvine Malard (Lyon) 13. Selma Bacha (Lyon) 14. Charlotte Bilbault (Bordeaux) 15. Kenza Dali (Everton) 16. Justine Lerond (Metz) 17. Sandy Baltimore (Paris Saint-Germain) 18. Ouleymata Sarr (Paris FC) 19. Griedge Mbock Bathy (Lyon) 20. Delphine Cascarino (Lyon) 21. Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (Juventus) 22. Eve Perisset (Chelsea) 23. Hawa Cissoko (West Ham United) Italy This will be Italy’s 12th appearance in the finals. They have finished runners-up twice, losing the finals in 1993 and 1997. They qualified as one of the three best group runners-up, having finished behind Denmark in Group B. FIFA Ranking – 14th Manager – Milena Bertolini Squad 1. Laura Giuliani (Milan) 2. Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan) 3. Sara Gama (Juventus) 4. Aurora Galli (Everton) 5. Elena Linari (Roma) 6. Manuela Giugliano (Roma) 7. Flaminia Simonetti (Inter Milan) 8. Martina Rosucci (Juventus) 9. Daniela Sabatino (Fiorentina) 10. Cristiana Girelli (Juventus) 11. Barbara Bonansea (Juventus) 12. Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina) 13. Elisa Bartoli (Roma) 14. Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus) 15. Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo) 16. Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma) 17. Lisa Boattin (Juventus) 18. Arianna Caruso (Juventus) 19. Valentina Giacinti (Milan) 20. Martina Piemonte (Milan) 21. Valentina Cernoia (Juventus) 22. Francesca Durante (Inter Milan) 23. Martina Lenzini (Juventus) Belgium Belgium won Group H in qualifying to reach Euro 2022. This is the second time they have reached the finals. Their only other appearance was in 2017 when they went out in the group stage. Belgium’s Tine De Caigny finished as top goalscorer in qualifying with 12 goals. FIFA Ranking – 19th Manager – Ives Serneels Squad 1. Nicky Evrard (Gent) 2. Davina Philtjens (Sassuolo) 3. Ella Van Kerkhoven (Anderlecht) 4. Amber Tysiak (OH Leuven) 5. Sarah Wijnants (Anderlecht) 6. Tine De Caigny (1899 Hoffenheim) 7. Hannah Eurlings (OH Leuven) 8. Feli Delacauw (Gent) 9. Tessa Wullaert (Fortuna Sittard) 10. Justine Vanhaevermaet (Reading) 11. Janice Cayman (Lyon) 12. Diede Lemey (Sassuolo) 13. Elena Dhont (FC Twente) 14. Davinia Vermechelen (Standard Liege) 15. Jody Vangheluwe (Club YLA) 16. Marie Minnaert (Club YLA) 17. Charlotte Tison (Anderlecht) 18. Laura De Neve (Anderlecht) 19. Sari Kees (OH Leuven) 20. Julie Biesmans (PSV) 21. Lisa Lichtfus (Dijon) 22. Laura Deloose (Anderlecht) 23. Kassandra Missipo (FC Basel) Iceland Iceland reached England as one of the three best group runners-up in the qualifying stage. This will be their fourth appearance in the finals, and their best performance was reaching the quarter-finals in 2013. The youngest goalkeeper and outfield player in the Euro’s are both in Iceland’s squad (Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir and Amanda Andradottir). FIFA Ranking – 17th Manager - Th orsteinn Halldorsson Squad 1. Sandra Siguroardottir (Valur) 2. Sif Atladottir (Selfoss) 3. Elisa Vioarsdottir (Valur) 4. Glodis Perla Viggosdottir (Bayern Munich) 5. Gunnhildur Yrsa Jonsdottir (Orlando Pride) 6. Ingibjorg Siguroardottir (Valerenga) 7. Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir (Lyon) 8. Karolina Lea Vilhjalmsdottir (Bayern Munich) 9. Berglind Bjorg Thorvaldsdottir (SK Brann) 10. Dagny Brynjarsdottir (West Ham United) 11. Hallbera Guony Gisladottir (IFK Kalmar) 12. Telma Ivarsdottir (Breioablik) 13. Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir (Bayern Munich) 14. Selma Sol Magnusdottir (Rosenborg) 15. Alexandra Johannsdottir (Eintracht Frankfurt) 16. Elin Metta Jensen (Valur) 17. Agla Maria Albertsdottir (BK Hacken) 18. Guorun Arnardottir (Rosengard) 19. Aslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdottir (Breioablik) 20. Guony Arnadottir (Milan) 21. Svava Ros Guomundsdottir (SK Brann) 22. Amanda Andradottir (Kristianstads DFF) 23. Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir (VfL Wolfsburg)

Leicester City manager Willie Kirk is optimistic ahead of Manchester City clash Back Kirk says that Leicester City are in good shape after January transfer window Leicester City manager Willie Kirk is optimistic ahead of Manchester City clash Getty Images 2 February 2023 By Paul Donegan Willie Kirk spoke to the media ahead of Leicester City’s Women’s Super League game against Manchester City on Saturday (11:30am kick off), here is what he had to say. Team news for Saturday’s match against Manchester City? Ruby Mace is out as on loan and cannot play against her parent club. Kirk said one player took a knock yesterday (Wednesday) but hoping they will be okay (didn’t say who) but no other new injuries, and slowly but surely players will start coming back. How have squad reacted to Reading defeat on penalties in the FA Cup? “They were a little bit frustrated post-match as felt it was a game we should have won” Kirk said. He added they were fairly happy with the performance over 120 minutes. How can you carry on the positivity picked up in January? Kirk said “we are comfortable that performances are heading in the right direction, we are very happy with some of the things that we are producing on the pitch, making sure it all comes together as often as possible and we get tangible points at the end of the 90 minutes”. Kirk thinks they are in a good place and happy where they are right now as a team going into an important period. How happy were you with the new signings during the transfer window? “Really happy to get five in, we have definitely improved the squad which was the objective at the start of the window, we have added real good quality and depth to the squad” Kirk responded. “The five have been fantastic additions in terms of what they contribute to the environment, what they have done on the pitch, all have added different things and really pleased” Kirk added. What kind of test do you expect against Manchester City on Saturday? Leicester played Manchester City in the Conti Cup recently and Kirk said “we had a good performance against them” then. City scored late then and Kirk added “ they will not take us lightly because we put in a really strong performance, but we have to up our performance as well and I think we are capable of that”. Kirk also said Leicester are in a stronger position now than for the Conti Cup game (down to bare bones for that with two 17-year olds on bench) and will put up an even better performance and see where it takes us. “Man City are one of the top teams in Europe never mind the country, these are the challenges we should be desperate to play in and take on and I am sure the players will relish it” finished Kirk. What lessons can you take from Conti Cup game and way to play against Man City and how to get a result? “We have got to do better in transition, we had lots of opportunities to create big chances and let a lot of them slip by” responded Kirk. He also added that they probably had more opportunities than they have ever had against one of the teams at the top and need to be more clinical which they have been working on during this week. Kirk also said they need to continue to “play aggressive out of possession” and “ be comfortable with space in behind us, and with playing against space rather than against opponents” . Kirk added later that they have learnt from the Conti Cup game and that narrow defeat and looked at what they could do better and improve on. How do you see the pressure this weekend, on you or City? Kirk said he hasn’t thought about it from their perspective, focusing on ourselves and continue to improve performances. Did add he gets that, there must be pressure on them as chasing top three at the moment. “We put enough pressure on us to inspire a good performance but not too much that we debilitate ourselves” Kirk finished. How frustrating was the Spurs postponement a couple of weeks ago after the momentum created ? “It was frustrating at the time but had a number of players going into that game with knocks and were stretched going into it but will be in a stronger place when the game is played” Kirk said How much work have you been doing in front of goal in training as scoring more goals? Kirk responded by saying the goals are coming from out of possession moments and they win the ball back and counter but not the classic one/two pass counter. There have been lots of different types of goals and not one area focused on, tried to improve every part of the team. “It is like night and day in terms of, we were really struggling to get anything especially from open play in the early stages of the season” Kirk concluded. News

London City Lionesses v Lewes Photographer Edward Payne The London City Lionesses earned another crucial three points after a comfortable win over Lewes.

Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema has held talks with both Paris Saint-Germain and European Champions FC Barcelona Back Vivianne Miedema holds talks with PSG and Barcelona about potential move Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema has held talks with both Paris Saint-Germain and European Champions FC Barcelona Girls on the Ball 26 January 2022 By Josh Bunting Speaking to Dutch newspaper AD ,Miedema went on to say “In the coming weeks I have to get a certain feeling for the right club.” However she didn’t rule out staying in north London with the Gunners as the 25 year old went on to explain “The door to Arsenal is definitely not closed yet.“I want to win the Champions League. I want to get the most out of my career. That means I may have to take the next step. I’m 25 and that’s still quite young, but I’ve been around for a while.” Miedema, whose current contract with the club is up this summer would leave the Gunners on a free if she didn’t think signing a new deal with Arsenal was the right option. In the WSL this season Miedema has seven goals in eleven games and has three assists, her last goal coming in the final game before the winter break against Leicester City. Last year, she became the WSL’s all-time leading goalscorer, despite only arriving in the league in 2017, and has considerably raised the bar during her time in England. Miedema is also the leading goal scorer for the Netherlands national team and will lead the line for her country at Euro 2022 in England this coming summer. Arsenal are back in action tomorrow Thursday (January 27) at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. News

Manchester United hero Ella Toone reflects on their FA Cup win Back "I felt confident as soon as it left my foot" says Tooney on her wondergoal at Wembley Manchester United hero Ella Toone reflects on their FA Cup win Adam Mitten 13 May 2024 By Paul Donegan After scoring Manchester United’s stunning first goal in Sunday’s FA Cup final, Ella Toone spoke to the media in the mixed zone after their victory at Wembley Stadium. Here is what she had to say. Toone started by saying she was “buzzing” and “really happy with the goal and it came at the perfect time for us” . She felt they needed the second goal and after they scored that “they controlled the game really well” and it was “an amazing day for the club.” The United midfielder added it was “really special, it has been a difficult season for us and not the season we wanted but we knew today we had to come and get the win, we know what heartbreak felt like last year so for the girls, the staff, all the fans who travel home and away and who were here today loud and proud, that was for them.” She continued by saying the heartbreak last year “definitely helped, last year was devastating when you are watching Chelsea lift the trophy in front of your eyes” and that “gave them hunger to go again, and after reaching the final, they didn’t want to feel that way again”. “We were a team, stuck together, we’re positive, believed in ourselves and used the feeling of last year to make sure we didn’t have that again this year” Toone remarked. In regards to her spectacular goal just before half time, she said that “those ones you overthink a little bit when you have a lot of time on the ball, sometimes you make the wrong decision but I have been practising those shots every day after training and I felt confident as soon as it left my foot it is one of them where you know it is going in.” With this being another goal for Toone at Wembley Stadium, she isn’t sure it is her playground as some people say, and she likes to “help the team in anyway that I can and today was with that goal which I think really helped us.” Toone was asked about the dressing room celebrations after the match, but she had been “too busy doing interviews and missed it all.” News