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Fran Kirby Position Forward D.O.B 29/06/1993 Club Chelsea via Getty Images

Everything you need to know ahead of today's historic final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur Women's FA Cup 2023/24 Final Guide Saturday, 11 May 2024 By Paul Donegan Everything you need to know ahead of today's historic final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur VisitWembley There will be a first-time winner of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday when Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur in the 2023/24 final (2:30pm (BST) kick off) at a sold-out Wembley Stadium. This will be United’s second final in a row after losing to Chelsea last year whilst for Spurs it is their first time in a major showpiece occasion. Here is our guide to the final including information about how Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur got to Wembley, the sides, the stadium and transport, and TV/radio coverage. How they got to the final Manchester United entered the cup at the fourth round stage. There they met at home eventual FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division champions Newcastle United. The Red Devils convincingly beat them 5-0 with the goals coming from Ella Toone, Nikita Parris (2), Rachel Williams and Melvin Malard. They travelled to Championship side Southampton in the fifth round and won 3-1. Toone gave United the lead before Lexi Lloyd-Smith equalised for the Saints. Williams scored twice in the final 15 minutes to seal the victory for the visitors. Manchester United were handed another away game on the south coast in the quarter-finals, this time to Brighton & Hove Albion. They were again comfortable winners, this time 4-0. Millie Turner, Parris, Lucia Garcia and Lisa Naalsund were their goalscorers this time. In the semi-finals they were drawn at home to Chelsea, the winners of the FA Cup in the last 3 seasons, in a repeat of last season’s final. Garci and Williams put the Red Devils 2-0 up before Lauren James got a goal back for the Blues in first half additional time. United held on to knock the holders out and progress to the final again. Tottenham Hotspur also entered the cup in the fourth round. They were drawn at home to Championship side Sheffield United and came from 2-0 down to win 3-2. Sophie Haywood and Jessica Sigsworth had but the Blades ahead before a brace from Bethany England and a very late Rosella Ayane winner saw Spurs go through. They faced Championship opponents at home again in the fifth round, this time Charlton Athletic. Kit Graham scored the only goal with 15 minutes left as Tottenham won 1-0. Manchester City travelled to the Gaughan Group Stadium in the quarter-finals to face the Lillywhites. Mary Fowler gave the Cityzens an early lead but England equalised for Spurs in the sixth minute of second half additional time. There were no goals during extra time so it went to a penalty shootout. Tottenham won that 4-3 with Amy James-Turner scoring the decisive spot kick. In the semi-finals, they were drawn at home again, this time taking on Leicester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Jutta Rantala gave the Foxes the lead in the first half but Jessica Naz equalised for the Lillywhites with seven minutes remaining. An additional 30 minutes were required, and Martha Thomas scored the winner with two minutes remaining to send Spurs to Wembley. Past Meetings Tottenham have never beaten Manchester United in the WSL or Championship in their 12 meetings. United have won on 10 occasions whilst the other 2 were draws. This will be the first time they will have played each other in a cup competition. In their first WSL game against each other this season, the Red Devils won 4-0 away at Spurs in December. It was a comfortable win for them with Hannah Blundell, Ella Toone, Melvine Malard and Hayley Ladd finding the net on that Sunday evening. They met at Leigh just three weeks ago and this time it finished in a 2-2 draw. Malard gave United the lead before Bethany England and Jessica Naz put Tottenham ahead at half time. Maya Le Tissier scored a second half stoppage time equaliser for the Red Devils as the sides shared the points. Photo: Ryan Asman Manchester United Marc Skinner has led Manchester United to their second successive FA Cup final, though he is not that popular amongst sections of their fans. In the WSL, after finishing runners-up last season, this season has been disappointing with United currently sitting in 5th place in the league. Manchester United had a pretty comfortable passage through to the semi-finals where they knocked out holders and winners from the last 3 season’s Chelsea. Since the semi-final, they have picked up 4 points out of 9 in the league but lost their last game 1-0 away to rivals Liverpool. One of the Red Devils star players this season has been Nikita Parris. She is their leading goalscorer this season having scored 8 goals in the league and another 3 in the FA Cup, and reportedly turned down a move to the USA to stay with United so she could play in the final. Super sub Rachel Williams, who previously played for Tottenham, has scored four times in the cup this season for United, including what turned out to be the decisive goal in the semi-final against Chelsea. United could well line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and other players who could be involved include Mary Earps, Millie Turner, Maya Le Tissier, Lucia Garcia, captain Katie Zelem, Ella Toone, Jayde Riviere, Geyse and Melvine Malard. Skinner confirmed in his pre-final press conference on Friday that there are no fresh injury concerns for the Red Devils before Sunday. Photo: Ryan Asman Tottenham Hotspur Robert Vilahamn joined the club as head coach last summer and has a great first season in charge, leading Spurs to the cup final and 6th place in the WSL. Though he will be without one of their key players this season, Grace Clinton, as she is ineligible to play in the final against her parent club. On their way to the final, his side have scored a few very late goals including deep into second half stoppage time against Sheffield United and Manchester City, and two minutes from the end of extra-time in the semi-final. They have drawn all three league games they have played since the semi-final with their last outing finishing 2-2 at Everton. Two-time FA Cup winner with Chelsea, Bethany England, has hit a bit of form for the Lillywhites, scoring in their last 3 league games as well as 3 times in their run to Wembley. Former United player Martha Thomas is Tottenham’s leading scorer in the WSL with 7 goals and also scored the winner in the semi-final. Spurs have lined up using 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations in recent matches. The likes of Charlotte Grant, Ashleigh Neville, Molly Bartrip, Jessica Naz, Celin Beizet, Eveliina Summanen, Amy James-Turner, Olga Ahtinen and Amanda Nilden could also be involved at Wembley. In his pre-final press conference on Thursday, Vilahamn confirmed there was a full squad in training apart from long-term injury absentees. Wembley Stadium and transport information This will be the 10th FA Cup final to take place at Wembley Stadium since it started being played there in 2015. Tottenham’s supporters will be at the west end of the stadium whilst Manchester United’s will be at the east. The closest stations to the stadium are Wembley Stadium (National rail from London Marylebone station), Wembley Park (Jubilee and Metropolitan Underground lines) and Wembley Central (Overground from Euston station in London and Bakerloo Underground line). Check the National Rail and TfL websites for up-to-date information. A number of TfL buses stop close to the stadium including the numbers 83, 92, 182, 223, 440, 483. National Express coaches have direct event day services to Wembley. Official car parking has now sold out. General admission turnstiles open at 12:30pm (BST) with hospitality doors opening an hour earlier at 11:30am (BST). Wembley has a restricted bag policy with each person allowed to take in one small bag no bigger than A4 size. All bags will be searched before entering the stadium as well as security checks and searches on supporters. Wembley Stadium is a cashless venue with only card/contactless payments accepted throughout. Wembley Stadium has a no-street-drinking zone on Olympic Way and surrounding streets. Fans found drinking alcohol in this area will be asked to hand it over. There are bars and restaurants in the local area or alcohol will be available in the east fan zone. Fan Zones There will be two fan zones to the east and west of the stadium. You must have a match ticket to enter the east fan zone which has a limited capacity and the stadium’s bag policy will apply. The west fan zone (Arena Square) will have things such as a DJ, football freestyler, football skills games, competitions, face painters and a much more. The east fan zone will have a resident DJ as well as food, soft and alcoholic drinks (alcoholic ones will stop being served at 1:30pm (BST). Both fan zones will be open from 11:00am to 2pm (BST). Match Officials The referee will be Abi Byrne, her second FA Cup final in the middle after also being in charge of the 2019 Wembley showpiece, and she will be assisted by Sophie Dennington and Nicoleta Bria. The fourth official is Kirsty Dowle and Levi Gray is the reserve assistant referee. VAR will be in use for the final with David Coote and Natalie Aspinall in charge of that. TV/Radio coverage In the UK, the final will be shown live on BBC One/Sport Website/iPlayer with coverage starting at 1:50pm (BST). There is live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and also on talkSport2. Outside of the UK, check local listings or the FA Player.

St Albans v Stevenage Photographer Edward Payne It was a closely fought battle in Clarence Park between St Albans City and Stevenage. Our photographer Edward Payne was on hand to catch the best of the action.

Off the back of their Conti Cup win, Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 in freezing conditions Back Match Report WSL: Arsenal v Liverpool Off the back of their Conti Cup win, Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 in freezing conditions Ryan Asman 10 March 2023 By Paul Donegan Arsenal comfortably beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Women’s Super League on Wednesday evening as they returned to action for the first time since winning the Conti Cup at the weekend. Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord scored the goals for the Gunners during the first half. Jonas Eidevall made two changes for Arsenal from Sunday’s cup final starting eleven with Laura Wienroither and Victoria Pelova coming in for Noelle Maritz and Steph Catley. Eidevall confirmed after that match that Catley had sustained “a non contact foot injury that needs to be assessed further, and that she is definitely out on Sunday (against Reading) but after that we don’t know”. Katie McCabe switched position from Sunday and started on the left side of defence with Pelova taking her place as one of the wide attackers. Liverpool's Katie Stengel carries the ball against Kim Little and Laura Wienroither. Photo: Ryan Asman Liverpool’s last game was three and a half weeks when they lost 1-0 at home to Leicester City in the WSL. Matt Beard made five changes from the side that started that match with Emma Koivisto, Leighanne Robe, Carla Humphrey, Hannah Silcock and Miri Taylor coming in. On a bitterly cold and sleety night at Meadow Park, Arsenal had a chance within the first minute but Blackstenius’ low effort hit the bottom of the post and went wide. The Gunners played some nice football in the first half with one touch passes and trying to move the ball quickly. Lia Walti played a lovely through pass to Frida Leonhardsen Maanum but Rachael Laws rushed out of goal and got to the ball first. There were chants of “Conti Cup champions, we know what we are” around the ground before Blackstenius had another chance but headed wide from a corner. The Swedish international went closer to scoring when her curling effort from 20-yards went just wide of the post in the 11th minute. Missy Bo Kearns had what turned out to be Liverpool’s only effort on target when her shot was saved by Manuela Zinsberger. A corner from the visitors caused problems but their chances were few and far between. In the 24th minute, Leah Williamson had the ball in net for Arsenal after nice cross from Pelova but the offside flag was up to deny her a goal in front of the North Bank. Blackstenius opened the scoring for the home side a few minutes later when she controlled a pass from Maanum, turned and finished low into the net from just inside the area. Maanum almost extended Arsenal’s lead when her dipping effort from 25-yards went just over. Arsenal did double their lead in the 34th minute. Blackstenius saw her shot saved by Laws and Foord was first to the loose ball to head into an unguarded net. Blackstenius, who had been excellent during the first half and was later named as Player of the Match, had a couple more chances before the break but headed wide, and then saw an effort saved by Laws. Beard made a triple substitution for Liverpool at half time and changed formation to play three at the back. Eidevall said after the match that these changes by the visitors took “a little bit of time to settle into” as they had gone player v player all over the pitch with their pressing. He continued by saying “we found some really good solutions playing out of their pressure, and this shows his sides adaptability and they can handle different formations.” Arsenal's Caitlin Foord. Photo: Ryan Asman These changes were maybe why there weren’t many chances during the second half. Liverpool didn’t test Zinsberger and saw a few efforts sail over the crossbar. For Arsenal, Maanum saw her free kick scrambled clear, Lotte Wubben-Moy headed straight at Laws, and Gio sent an effort over as she looked for her first goal for the Gunners. With their substitutions during the second half, Arsenal moved Pelov to play in the number 6 role. Eidevall noted that Pelov is a “versatile player and we are very happy to have her here” and that he is “delighted with her”. The Gunners finished the game by playing a back three of Wubben-Moy, Rafaelle and Jen Beattie. Eidevall commented that this change “made us see out the game really well.” Arsenal’s first league win since December sees them remain in fourth place in the WSL but move three points behind Manchester City with a game in hand. Liverpool stay in eighth position after this defeat. On Sunday, Arsenal take on Reading at home whilst Liverpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Prenton Park. Line ups Arsenal (4-3-3): Zinsberger, Wienroither (Maritz 70’), Williamson (Wubben-Moy 61’), Rafaelle, McCabe, Walti (Kuhl 61’), Little (c), Maanum, Pelova, Blackstenius (Beattie 83’), Foord (Gio 70’) Unused substitute: Marckese Goals – Blackstenius 28’, Foord 34’ Booked - Gio Liverpool (4-4-2): Laws, Koivisto, Silcock (Bonner 45’), Robe, Hinds (c), Nagano, Taylor (Daniels 45’), Holland (Lundgaard 72’), Kearns, Humphrey (Campbell 45’), Stengel Unused substitute: Kirby Booked – Holland, Lundgaard Referee – Emily Heaslip

Conti Cup: West Ham vs Charlton Athletic Photographer Ryan Asman Thanks to Carla Humphrey's early effort, Championship side Charlton Athletic took the lead over WSL team West Ham, however the Addicks couldn't do enough to stop the Hammers from coming back and staking their revenge in the second half. With goals from Emma Harries and Isibeal Atkinson the Hammers earned all three points with a 2-1 win.

Recap all the WSL transfer news that has taken place over the last week Back Women's Super League News: Round-Up Recap all the WSL transfer news that has taken place over the last week BHA Women 6 July 2024 By Paul Donegan Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of Fran Kirby. The 31-year-old attacking midfielder left Chelsea at the end of last season when her contract expired. After starting at Reading, Kirby moved to the Blues in 2015 where she won seven WSL titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, one Community Shield and was part of the Blues squad that reached the Champions League final. She has been named PFA Women’s Player of the Year twice. Kirby has won 72 caps for England, scoring 19 goals and was part of the Euros winning squad in 2022. Spanish forward Mariona Caldentey has signed for Arsenal where she will wear the number 8 jersey. The 28-year-old had spent the last ten years with FC Barcelona where she won 25 titles including the league six times, three UEFA Women’s Champions Leagues and six Spanish Cups. She made 302 appearances and scored 114 goals for the Catalan club. Caldentey has been capped 72 times by Spain and was part of the squads that won the World Cup in 2023 and the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Nations League. Dominique Janssen has signed for Manchester United on a contract until the end of the 2026/27 season with the option of a further year. Janssen has played in the WSL previously with Arsenal where she won the league, League Cup and FA Cup. In her most recent spell with VfL Wolfsburg in Germany, the Dutch defender won the Frauen Bundesliga twice and the DFB-Pokal three times. She has 112 caps for the Netherlands and was part of the squads that won the Euros in 2017 and reached the World Cup final in 2019. 20-year-old midfielder Julia Bartel has joined Chelsea after signing a contract until the summer of 2027 with the option of an additional year. Bartel joins after playing for FC Barcelona since 2019 where she came up through their academy and before that started in Espanyol’s youth team. She has mainly featured in Barca’s B team and has won the Spanish second division with them as well as getting some first team experience. With Spain’s youth sides, Bartel has won the Under-20 World Cup and the Under-19 European Championships. Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Canada international Olivia Smith from Sporting CP. The 19-year-old can play in midfield and attack and was named Best Young Player of the Campeonato Nacional Feminino after scoring 13 goals and assisting 9 during her 18 appearances in her only season in Portugal. Smith became Canada’s youngest ever player when she made her debut aged 15 years and 94 days in November 2019 and currently has won 10 senior caps as well as featuring in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Kiko Seike has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion from WE League side Urawa Reds, for undisclosed terms. The 27-year-old striker spent 15 years with her former club where she made over 150 appearances and finished last season as top scorer in the league with 20 goals. Seike has made 21 appearances for Japan since her debut in 2019 and was part of their squad at the 2023 World Cup as well as being named in their 2024 Olympics squad. West Ham United have announced the signing of Poland international goalkeeper Kinga Szemik on a three-year contract. Szemik joins from French side Stade de Reims where she topped the charts in the league for clean sheets in the 2023/24 season. The 27-year-old also has experience of playing football in Poland and the USA. She has 17 caps for her country and was part of the squad that won the 2013 UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship. Dutch defender Marisa Olislagers has signed for Brighton & Hove Albion, joining the club after her contract at FC Twente expired. The 23-year-old won nine domestic trophies during her four years with Twente including three Eredivisie titles, three Eredivisie Cups and the Dutch Women’s Cup. Olislagers has represented the Netherlands at senior level 12 times and was included in their squad for Euro 2022. Shekiera Martinez has signed a three-year contract with West Ham United after joining them from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 22-year-old forward had spent eight years with Frankfurt where she made over 110 appearances and scored 24 goals as well as playing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She has also played for Germany’s youth international sides. Martinez will spend the 2024/25 season back in Germany on loan with SC Freiburg where she will accumulate the necessary points to meet the criteria for international player visas. Aston Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat has signed a new contract with the club until June 2025 with the option to extend for a further year. New Zealand international Leat joined in the Villans in 2022 from West Ham United and has made 22 appearances for them. Chelsea have announced that Melanie Leupolz has left the club after four seasons and joined Real Madrid. The 30-year-old German midfielder won four WSL titles, three FA Cups and the League Cup and Community Shield once each during her time with the Blues as well as being part of the squad that reached the Champions League final in 2021. Leupolz played 87 times for Chelsea and scored 12 goals including one in her final game for them as they beat Manchester United 6-0 to win the league in May. Hanna Bennison has left Everton to join Juventus for an undisclosed fee. The Sweden international midfielder had been with the Toffees for three years, made 81 appearances in all competitions and scored 8 goals for them. Former Arsenal superstar and WSL legend Vivianne Miedema has joined Manchester City after a highly successful spell with the London outfit. Miedema has signed a three-year contract with City which will see her play alongside the likes of Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp, Yui Hasegawa and Jill Roord. Speaking about her move, Miedema noted, “I think having thought really hard about my future after leaving Arsenal, the main thing that popped up was that I wanted to be at a team who are playing good football. I think in women’s football right now City have a clear philosophy, they obviously did well last season. If I look at the way I want to play, it really suits it. In the end, it’s obviously a massive bonus as well that I stay in the WSL. I think it was the best fit for me.” News

Arsenal vs Manchester City Photographer Adam Mitten Arsenal clinched three points at home after a late winner from super Stina Blackstenius.

I'm a paragraph. I'm connected to your collection through a dataset. Click Preview to see my content. To update me, go to the Data Manager. Ellen White Position Centre Forward D.O.B 09/05/1989 Club Manchester City via Getty Images

Stevenage and Colney Heath draw level in historical night at The Lamex. Back Match Report Stevenage v Colney Heath Stevenage and Colney Heath draw level in historical night at The Lamex. Ed Payne 15 September 2022 By Ed Payne History was made on Tuesday evening as Stevenage FCW played their first competitive game at The Lamex Stadium against their foes from last year’s County Cup Final, Colney Heath Ladies. With a plethora of chances created, ‘Boro were unable to recreate the 3-0 win from their last outing with the shares being spoiled after goals from Dionne Manning and Terri Harvey, on a landmark day for women’s football in Hertfordshire. A crowd of 465 hardy souls braced the torrential downpour to cheer on their respective sides. And it took just four minutes for Becky Shephard to attempt her heroics from Sunday with a long shot that flew just wide with Harvey signalling the dangers to come down the opposite end, forcing Celine Ray to stretch high to maintain parity. Chances came and went for Manning and Susan Uwaifo, the latter called up from the development squad after claiming a brace against Cambridge City in their 4-1 win. Uwaifo was centimetres away from turning in a cross from Holly Greenwood, last season’s top scorer for ‘Boro, but that moment of history was yet to come. Shianne Swarres, who dictated play in the centre of the park, and Emily Schofield both saw chances spurned before Manning became the first woman to score in a competitive match at The Lamex. It was more good work by Greenwood, this time down the right, battling through the gauntlet and sending the ball towards Shephard. The ball passed her by and fell for Manning to unleash a right footed strike of beauty from the edge of the area that sailed past Naomi Swift and into the net. Stevenage continued to create chances with Schofield and Uwaifo shooting at Swift before the break and the second half saw more of the same. Uwaifo, Swarres, Shephard and Kelsey Millen all had attempts saved, blocked or narrowly off target, whilst Ray kept it tight at the back. Heath however wanted to share in the glory of the occasion and so it was that following a free kick from the same area that Greenwood had delivered in the first half, Harvey – from the same area that Manning had stood sent a thunderous shot goalwards and into the net. Uwaifo and Nicole Farmer had late efforts, but on a day when the points were shared and the weather atrocious, women’s football shone bright and was indeed the true winner. Line-up Stevenage: Ray, White, Farmer, Neal (c), Manning, Swarres, Greenwood, Shephard, Gooderham, Uwaifo, Schofield Subs: Millen, Paci, Craig, Hussain, O’Brien Goal: Manning Attendance - 465

Ultimate Football Heroes : Kirby by Charlotte Browne Ultimate Football Heroes: Kirby Ultimate Football Heroes : Kirby by Charlotte Browne Fran Kirby is the dynamic striker who carries the future of English football on her shoulders. Having been hailed 'mini Messi' by one former manager of England, Kirby's powerful runs and clinical finishing have made her a deadly goalscorer. Read the story of how the girl from Reading earned a big move to Chelsea and took on the world with a ball at her feet. The sky is the limit for Fran Kirby. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kirby-Charlotte-Browne/dp/178946109X/ref=pd_bxgy_img_sccl_1/257-3022985-0041206?pd_rd_w=Z3TSG&content-id=amzn1.sym.40f919ed-e530-4b1a-8d7e-39de6587208d&pf_rd_p=40f919ed-e530-4b1a-8d7e-39de6587208d&pf_rd_r=RP8MN2EPPE0EEB9Z6BAH&pd_rd_wg=qs7uO&pd_rd_r=2930ea46-738b-4463-91d8-d530b1c33098&pd_rd_i=178946109X&psc=1

Could this be the year of the Matildas? Never Say Die – The case for the Matildas Monday, 3 July 2023 By Ben Gilby Could this be the year of the Matildas? Getty They’ve never gone beyond the quarter-finals at the World Cup, but this time hopes are high that the ‘Golden Generation of Matildas’ along with some exciting young talent can jet propel Australia to a tournament to remember this summer on home soil. After two years of experimentation by head coach Tony Gustavsson, which has seen more players handed first caps than in the previous 23 years of this century, a strong settled squad with depth has been put together for this, the third year of his tenure. It’s been a tough road to get to this stage, and one which has seen several fans call for Gustavsson’s head along the way (“The clown” being one of the politer forms of abuse hurled his way), but the doubters are now won over. As with any form of experimentation, for every young player who performed brilliantly at international level, there were several who struggled, and results suffered. It coincided with a sustained period of friendlies against the world’s top nations that, come July will have seen the Matildas play every single one of the top 10 countries in FIFA’s women’s rankings at least once. “To be the best, we have to play the best regularly,” Gustavsson told me at one of his early media conferences. When it has really mattered in that period though, Australia did step it up. They played some thrilling football at the Tokyo Olympics on their way to a best ever fourth place finish. Conversely, there was a desperately disappointing AFC Asian Women’s Cup (the continent’s version of the Euros) in early 2022. Despite a record breaking 18-0 win over Indonesia in their opening group game, Australia turned a succession of performances that saw them fail to turn total domination of territory and possession into goals. This culminated with a frustrating quarter-final exit to eventual runners-up South Korea. But since October 2022, experimentation has been over, and the best of the youngsters that thrived in the opportunities afforded to them by Gustavsson have meshed with the experienced spine of the team. This has led to a run of form which has seen Australia win six of their last seven matches – a spell which includes wins over England, Sweden, and Spain. Last spring’s ACL injury to Ellie Carpenter could have spelt disaster for the Matildas. However, thanks to Gustavsson’s experimentation, it was never a concern. Young South Australian starlet Charli Grant had been blooded previously at right back and now came into her own. Grant for me, has always been one of the most talented players of her generation. The 21 year-old bosses the right hand side of the defence and is capable of tracking two players at once before using her outstanding ability to read the game to make the right call time after time to close down danger before it eventuates. Whilst not in possession of the rapid pace to get forward that Carpenter does, Grant offers more than the Lyon player in terms of defensive qualities. Her ability to also play left back for her loan side Vittsjö in Sweden means that in the April international window, Gustavsson fielded both Carpenter and Grant in the same team, and it was one heck of a defensive duo who provided threats coming forward on either flank. Host nation advantage is not to be sniffed at either. Think of the support the Lionesses had here last summer – The Matildas have been adored for years back home. In a country where football is only the fifth most watched sport in terms of spectators, they were voted the nation’s favourite national side before COVID – beating the national men’s Rugby League side, the Wallabies men’s Rugby Union team and the Australian men’s Cricket squad – a staggering feat. The success of the Socceroos in reaching the Second round of the Qatar men’s World Cup last December brought raucous scenes on Australian streets. That will be absolutely nothing compared to what the Matildas will do to the nation should they go deep into the tournament. They are icons and deeply loved by their nation. Then there is the famed Never Say Die spirit that the team trademark. That astounding Olympic Games clash with Team GB was a prime example of that, as was their semi-final with the USA that followed it and, painfully for Lionesses fans, their win over the Lionesses at Brentford back in April. One thing that they will want to avoid though is a penalty shootout. You think the England men’s football team has a dire record in spot kicks? The Matildas can match it. Defeats in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics to Brazil, Denmark at the 2017 Algarve Cup, and Norway at the last 16 stage of the 2019 World Cup still cause painful thoughts and the “what might have been” theories. If The Matildas can defeat Canada in the group game that will likely decide who takes the top spot, Australia will be confident of a minimum achievement of making the quarter-finals. Lose that game with the Olympic champions, and a showdown with England in Brisbane in front of 55,000 fans beckons in the last 16. However, as the Matildas are unbeaten in their last three games against the Lionesses/Team GB, maybe that isn’t an encounter for them to flinch at?

Grace Clinton put on a show in London derby between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur Back Match Report Spurs edge thrilling derby as Grace Clinton stars Grace Clinton put on a show in London derby between West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur Spurs Women 22 January 2024 By Finley Chung A topsy turvey encounter in the final game of the weekend, saw Tottenham Hotspur come out on top in a seven goal thriller at The Chigwell Construction Stadium. Grace Clinton put Spurs ahead, before the visitors were pegged back by Risa Shimizu. Celin Bizet then gave Spurs the lead again right on half time, with Grace Clinton scoring just after the second half had started, putting Spurs into a seemingly unassailable lead. Viviane Asseyi and Amber Tysiak then hauled West Ham back from the brink to level it up at 3-3, before Jessica Naz struck the decisive blow off the bench, to make it 4-3 to Spurs. West Ham named big name signing, Kristie Mewis on the bench for this one, with Hawa Cissoko coming in for Shelina Zadorsky, who is ineligible to play against her parent club. Spurs named both their Finns, Evelina Summanen and Olga Ahtinen in the middle of the park having both returned in the cup win over Sheffield United last week. Grace Clinton and Martha Thomas returned to the squad and the starting eleven too, with January signings Amanda Nilden, Charli Grant and Matilda Vinberg on the bench. The game got underway in the wind and rain in East London. The first shot of the game came in from Emma Snearle, but it was charged down well by a Spurs defender. Spurs won the ball back then broke with urgency, Grace Clinton drove inside onto her stronger right foot, and laid the ball off to the run of Angharad James, but the fullback couldn’t get the cross right and it went behind the Irons goal, for a goal kick. Spurs made their early pressure pay, as Grace Clinton turned superbly after receiving a ball from Evelina Summanen, before lashing an effort past Mackenzie Arnold to slot her third goal of the season and give Spurs an early lead. West Ham looked to respond instantly, with Barbora Votikova having to be off her line and alert well following an over the top ball which looked to find Vivane Asseyi. Riko Ueki was next to then try her luck, with her effort being blocked well by the Spurs defence. Hawa Cissoko then produced a stunning tackle to deny Celin Bizet a chance to run at goal after Clinton had thread a seemingly inch perfect pass. Bethany England then latched onto a through ball from Angharad James and the Lionesses’ left footed effort was well held by Mackenzie Arnold in the West Ham goal. Riko Ueki was then the first name to go onto the referee’s book following a late challenge on Evelina Summanen, with the Finn okay to continue after receiving treatment. Some more lovely work from Grace Clinton who carried the ball so well, working it out to the right flank before the ball eventually came back to the loanee, who spun and hit a left footed effort which was held by Arnold. Viviane Asseyi then picked up the ball in the left hand channel following a Katrina Gorry pass, but the French international’s effort took a deflection and looped up harmlessly into the arms of Barbora Votikova in the Spurs goal. Hawa Cissoko then found herself in the referee’s book alongside Ueki, picking up a yellow card for a foul on Martha Thomas, when the Scott dropped in to pick the ball up inside the Spurs half. This yellow meant Cissoko would now miss the visit to Bristol City next week, after accumulating five yellows. Asseyi again found herself to be West Ham’s ‘out ball’ and drove into the box following a run down the left hand side, but her cut across was intercepted by Molly Bartrip. From the resulting throw in, they worked the ball into the box and Riko Ueki managed to pull the ball inside, Asseyi prodded the ball towards goal and Risa Shimizu steamed in at the far post behind Ashleigh Neville to lift the ball over Votikova and level the scores. Spurs loplked to respond instantly, Grace Clinton once again at the heart of things, cutting in and curling a brilliant cross which Bethany England met, but the strikers header was a couple of inches over the bar. Spurs looked more alert and Ashleigh Neville nipped in to take the ball from Katrina Gorry, who stayed down and prodded the ball through to Martha Thomas, who’s left footed shot drew a flying save from Mackenzie Arnold. Spurs went back infront three minutes before half time, a wonderful through ball from who else, but Grace Clinton and Bizet emphatically smashed the ball past Arnold to restore the Tottenham lead. Spurs broke again close to half time, with Clinton again at the heart, but she couldn’t quite force the ball through to Martha Thomas, with Amber Tysiak intercepting the pass. A chance then came, that you’d have put your house on Bethany England scoring,. Spurs swung the ball in from the right and it found the left foot of England, who was six yards out but lifted the effort over the bar in the last action if the half. Half Time - West Ham 1-2 Spurs The visitors Tottenham Hotspur got us underway in the second half and started the second on the front foot, just like they ended the first and Celin Bizet had an early effort after linking up with Angharad James, with Arnold out well to smother her effort. From the resulting corner, Grace Clinton took aim from the edge of the box and fire an unstoppable effort into the corner, to double her tally and increase the lead to 3-1 to Tottenham, with Spurs’ seventh outside of the box goal this season. West Ham players seemed to complain in the aftermath of the goal, believing that Amy Turner was impeding Mackenzie Arnold’s line of sight when the shot came in, but referee Stacey Pearson awarded the goal, after consultation with her fourth official. Robert Vilahamn was the first manager to make changes, bringing off Amy Turner and Martha Thomas in place of Ramona Petzelberger and Jessica Naz. Spurs broke yet again with the two subs, Naz and Petzelberger combining to set up Summanen, but her daisy cutter dribbled wide of the post. USA International Kristie Mewis came on for her first West Ham appearance, alongside Anouk Denton and Jess Ziu for Shannon Cooke, Honoka Hayashi and Emma Snerle. Almost immediately, West Ham pulled a goal back, with a stunning ball in from Riko Ueki, which took a nick of Evelina Summanen and Asseyi followed the ball in to haul West Ham, kicking and screaming into the contest. The Host’s tails were up and Kristie Mewis swung a corner into the box which Cissoko acrobatically struck goanward but eventually Clinton was able to run the ball away for Spurs and relieve some of the pressure on their backline. With the wind picking up, West Ham were awarded a free kick which Kristie Mewis stood over and swung into the box which was met by a superb header by Amber Tysiak who’s header looped over Votikova and brought the Irons level with 20 minutes to play. If there tails were up at 2-3, they were flying at 3-3. Kirsty Smith surged down the left almost from the kick off, only to see her cross blocked by Summanen. Spurs then pushed forward, looking for a goal to take the lead again, but Clinton couldn’t quite drill home her hat trick with her low effort wide of Arnold\s goal. Spurs then retook the lead with 15 minutes to go with another twist, Jessica Naz taking aim and firing a low and crisp effort past Arnold to restore the lead with the seventh goal in this crazy, see saw encounter. West Ham were inches away from yet another equaliser, with Gorry scarpering in and winning possession before unleashing a fierce right footed shot, with flew agonisingly wide of the post for The Hammers. Matilda Vinberg then replaced Spurs’ second goal scorer Celin Bizet for her full WSL debut. Seemingly to be an out ball for Spurs with the scrappy attacking play suiting the way West Ham tried to press the Tottenham backline. Much to the comedic relief of the West Ham fans, Molly Bartrip was then awarded a yellow card for a cynical foul, which awarded West Ham another set piece, which Kristie Mewis arrowed goal wards but her effort flew over the bar. Hawa Cissoko was then withdrawn in place of Emma Harries, bringing off a defender for a striker showed that the hosts were going for this, desperate to claw something out of the game. Viviane Asseyi was the latest West Ham name in the referee’s notebook, for a late challenge on Summanen when chasing the ball down. The hosts were piling the pressure on and Mewis found Ueki in the left channel, who’s effort was blocked wide of Votikova’s goal, with the in swinging cover put right on top of keeper, Votikova with the swinging wind, that was hacked away for another corner eventually by Spurs that came to nothing as the game ticked into six minutes of added time. Spurs then did the opposite of the West Ham sub moments earlier, bringing on Charli Grant for her WSL bow in place of Bethany England. Katrina Gorry had been everywhere for West Ham, cutting out a forward Spurs ball which rolled out for a corner which the away side took short with the added time ticking down, with Mackenzie Arnold then rather puzzlingly putting a long kick out of play when she had a lot more time. The Hammers were awarded another set piece, which Mewis hauled into the middle and required some brave, brave defending from Molly Bartrip to get in front of Riko Ueki in the games final action. Full Time - West Ham 3-4 Spurs West Ham, Shimizu 35’, Asseyi 62’, Tysiak 70’ Spurs - Clinton 6’, 48’, Biz4t 43’, Naz 76’