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Manchester United v Everton Photographer Ryan Asman Everton took an early lead over the Red Devils and saw the best action of the first half. Manchester United roused after their half time break and netted four goals with Ella Toone earning herself a brace. Goals from Katja Snoeijs, Millie Turner, Ella Toone and Leah Galton.

Women’s Football Yearbook 2021-22 by Chris Slegg, Tom Garry and Beth Pritchard Women’s Football Yearbook 2021-22 Women’s Football Yearbook 2021-22 by Chris Slegg, Tom Garry and Beth Pritchard This is the fifth edition of our unique, ground-breaking book – the first and only book of its kind. Already recognised as the authority on the women’s game, ‘The Women’s Football Yearbook’ is the definitive annual – offering unrivalled information, photos, facts and figures on all England’s leading teams. Playing in goal is possibly the closest experience sport offers to being a superhero. Flying through the air to save the ball, to rescue your team, to thwart those in enemy colours. The objective of Women Football Yearbook is to drive female participation at all levels of the game. It is a collection of stats, insight, irreverence and analysis, telling the definitive story of the 2020/21 season. With an entry on each of the 24 clubs competing in the WSL and Championship as well as the England national team, the book also contains a foreword by UEFA women’s football chief and former FIFA World Best Player Nadine Keßler. All the key statistics, league tables and results are included. ‘The Women’s Football Yearbook’ is simply a must-have for everyone who loves the beautiful game. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-Football-Yearbook-2021-22-Chris/dp/1906796343/ref=sr_1_1?crid=326BMQNXGZ3H&keywords=womens+football+yearbook&qid=1685727923&s=digital-text&sprefix=womens+football+yearboo%2Cdigital-text%2C148&sr=1-1-catcorr

West Ham end Aston Villa's perfect start with a 2-1 victory in 103 minute thriller Back Match Report WSL: Aston Villa v West Ham West Ham end Aston Villa's perfect start with a 2-1 victory in 103 minute thriller Ryan Asman 19 October 2022 By Paul Donegan West Ham beat Aston Villa 2-1 in a dramatic match in the WSL on Saturday. West Ham took a two goal lead in the first half thanks to Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi. Alisha Lehmann saw her penalty for Aston Villa saved by Mackenzie Arnold in the second half before Kenza Dali got a goal back for the hosts. Hawa Cissoko was sent off for the visitors in injury time after appearing to throw a slap at Sarah Mayling. Hammers manager Paul Konchesky and another member of the coaching staff were shown red cards after a melee on the touchline as Cissoko left the pitch. Carla Ward had won the WSL Manager of the Month after Aston Villa had won their first two league games, and Rachel Daly had won WSL Player of the Month after scoring three goals in her first two league games. West Ham came into the game off the back of losing their last two league games after winning their first. Both had drawn in the Conti Cup two weeks ago before winning penalty shoot-outs for an additional point. The Hammers opened the scoring in the 2nd minute when Brynjarsdottir headed in a Kirsty Smith corner and scored in her the third successive game for West Ham. Aston Villa had a couple of half chances before the away side doubled their lead in the 14th minute. Hayashi scored her first goal for the club with a low finish from about 6 yards out. Daly headed wide from a corner in the 17th minute as Villa looked to get back into the game. At the other end, Viviane Asseyi collected the ball after a poor back pass, rounded the goalkeeper but went out wide and shot into the side netting. Hayashi shot over three minutes later. Mayling then saw her free kick for Villa take a deflection off the wall and was saved by Arnold. Arnold was booked in the 32nd minute after a ‘coming together’ between her and Daly which resulted in the Villa forward falling to the ground. Arnold saved a volley from Daly in the 38th minute, and a minute later the home side shot over from around 25 yards out. The closest Villa came to scoring a goal in the first half came in additional time when Anna Patten’s headed from a corner hit the outside of the post. Arnold was warned about time wasting early in the second half. Risa Shimizu tested Anna Leat with shot in the 60th minute as West Ham looked to go further ahead. Villa had a number of chances shortly after with Arnold making a save from Kirsty Hanson, and Patten’s header was also saved by the Hammers goalkeeper. Aston Villa were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute when Kate Longhurst was adjudged to have handballed. Lehmann stepped up to take the spot kick which Arnold saved diving to her right and pushing the ball away before it was cleared. Villa did find the net in the 77th minute. Daly passed to Dali who scored with a shot into the top corner from about 15 yards to set up an exciting last 15 minutes or so. West Ham prevented Villa having any clear chances though with Daly sending a shot over in the 90th minute but the offside flag was up anyway. An altercation between West Ham's Hawa Cissoko and Aston Villa's Sarah Mayling occurred in extra time. Photo: Ryan Asman In the first minute of stoppage time, Mayling pulled Cissoko back as she tried to break. Then there was some pushing and shoving between the two before Cissoko raised her hands at Mayling. Referee Cheryl Foster immediately showed the West Ham player a red card and booked Mayling for her part. Cissoko took her time leaving the pitch and as she passed the dugouts there was an alteration between the coaching staff. After speaking to the fourth official and assistant referee, Foster sent off Konchesky and another member of the backroom team in the fourth extra minute. Villa had a few half chances in the remaining additional minutes but were unable to score an equaliser as they fell to their first defeat of the season. The win leaves West Ham sixth in the league after the weekend’s matches, Villa are fourth. Next weekend, Aston Villa are at home to Everton on Saturday, and West Ham are at home to Reading on Sunday. Line ups Aston Villa: Leat, Mayling, Patten (Harding 78’), Turner, Pacheco, Corsie (c), Dali, Blindkilde, Lehmann, Hanson, Daly Unused substitutes: Boye-Hlorkah, Draper, McLoughlin, Gregory, Goodwin, Rabjohn, MacPhail, Mullett Goal – Dali 77’ Booked – Mayling 90’+1 West Ham United: Arnold, Shimizu, Fisk, Cissoko, Smith, Longhurst (Filis 88’), Brynjarsdottir (c), Hayashi (Snerle 58’), Evans, Kyvag (Atkinson 75’), Asseyi Unused substitutes: Hillyerd, Walker, Houssein, Flannery Goals – Brynjarsdottir 2’, Hayashi 14’ Booked – Arnold 32’, Snerle 75’ Sent off – Cissoko 90’+1 Referee – Cheryl Foster Attendance – 1,753

Lauren Hemp Position Winger D.O.B 07/08/2000 Club Manchester City via 90Min

Europe’s Next Powerhouse?: The Evolution of Chelsea Under Emma Hayes by Abdullah Abdullah Europe's Next Powerhouse? Europe’s Next Powerhouse?: The Evolution of Chelsea Under Emma Hayes by Abdullah Abdullah Chelsea FC have enjoyed unprecedented success in England and Europe since Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003. The men's team has set a phenomenally high benchmark, which the Chelsea women's team now aims to follow. Club director Marina Granovskaia has one overarching mission: to replicate the men's team model and transform Chelsea Women into a European powerhouse - a side to rival the acknowledged queens of Europe, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. So how has coach Emma Hayes set up her side to achieve superpower status? This book dissects the tactical concepts of the team, breaking down each phase of play, and explores the factors that make them a super-club with a viable chance of winning the elusive UEFA Women's Champions League. From team tactics to in-depth player analysis, Europe's Next Powerhouse? reveals the factors that have put them on a path to be a force in England and Europe for years to come. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09PFFZ4GH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

LCL vs Bristol City Photographer Edward Payne London City Lionesses continued their unbeaten start to the 2024/25 season with a 2-1 win at home over Bristol City.

The Addicks pick up the points in a South London match-up of the Conti Cup Back Match Report Conti Cup: Charlton Athletic v Crystal Palace The Addicks pick up the points in a South London match-up of the Conti Cup Charlton Athletic Women 12 January 2023 By Paul Donegan Charlton beat south London rivals Crystal Palace 2-0 in the Conti Cup on Wednesday evening at The Oakwood. Emma Follis and Taylor Bell scored the goals during the second half. Karen Hills included new signing Alex Hennessy in Charlton’s starting line-up. This was one of five changes from the side that beat Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup at the weekend. Dean Davenport made six changes to Palace’s starting eleven from their 5-1 win over Watford at the weekend in the cup. There was a strong wind blowing throughout the match, being behind Charlton in the first half. In the early stages, both sides produced some nice build up but the final ball was lacking. The visitors had the first opportunity of the game around the 19th minute when Paige Bailey-Gayle’s cross was cleared only as far as Fliss Gibbons whose shot was blocked. The wind was causing corners to be problematic at both ends with a Charlton one almost drifting straight in. Hennessy had a shot deflected wide for Charlton. The home side were playing some nice football now and creating chances with Mel Johnson having a shot blocked by Anna Filbey. Johnson had another effort soon after but this one was saved by Natalia Negri. The Addicks next chance came when Johnson played in Freda Ayisi but her shot went just the wrong side of the post. Johnson then saw an effort cleared off the line. Crystal Palace’s best chances of half came late in it after Bailey-Gayle had switched over to the left side of the pitch. The Jamaican international sent in a cross that found Polly Doran who played the ball back to Annabel Blanchard but her shot went over. Charlton did have the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside. A Bailey-Gayle cross again lead to a chance for the Eagles but Molly Sharpe this time shot over just before half time. Goalless at the break. Bailey-Gayle had the first effort of the second half but it was blocked by a Charlton defender. Ella Rutherford had two efforts at goal in quick succession for the hosts but the first one was easily caught by Negri and the second one went over. There was a delay as Palace’s Ellie Noble received treatment on the pitch before being stretched off. Wish her a quick and full recovery. The rain had now started to fall and it wasn’t very nice conditions with the wind blowing it down the pitch. Charlton took the lead in the 75th minute when Ayisi kept in the ball in near the goal line, then played the ball back to half-time substitute Follis who finished. Crystal Palace were denied an equaliser when Jess Gray produced a brilliant save to tip over Sharpe’s volleyed effort. Soon after, both Elise Hughes and Sharpe were just unable to get on the end of a Bailey-Gayle cross. Charlton did have the ball in the net again but the referee’s whistle had long gone for a foul. It was 2-0 in the first minute of stoppage time when Bell finished from close range after Follis initial shot had been saved. The Addicks 2-0 win sees them move into second position in their Conti Cup group. Lewes and Bristol City play each other next week to see who wins it. Both sides are back in Championship action on Sunday with Charlton travelling to take on Blackburn Rovers whilst Crystal Palace are at home to London City Lionesses. Line ups Charlton Athletic: Gray, Johnson (Follis 46’), Simpkins (c) (Mills 90’+3), Ayisi, Hennessy (Henson 65’), Skeels (Ross 46’), Rutherford (Bruton 65’), Bashford, O’Rourke, Roe, Bell Unused substitutes: Rogers, Addison, Norton, Cook Goals – Follis 75’, Bell 90’+1 Booked – Bruton 80’ Crystal Palace: Negri, Doran, Johnson (c) (Waldie 46’), Filbey, Gibbons (Reilly 46’), Peplow, Noble (Arthur 65’), Guyatt (Hughes 73’), Bailey-Gayle, Sharpe, Blanchard (Olding 46’) Unused substitutes: Kitching, Haines Referee – Kirsty Dowle

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin: Queens of Europe by Abdullah Abdullah Olympique Lyonnais Féminin: Queens of Europe Olympique Lyonnais Féminin: Queens of Europe by Abdullah Abdullah No other club in women’s football can match the record of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in Europe. They have won six UEFA Champions League titles since the 2010/11 season and hold 19 European records, making them the most successful women’s side in the history of the competition. So, what is the secret behind their success? Olympique Lyonnais Féminin: Queens of Europe examines and dissects the tactical concepts that underpin this extraordinary side, breaking down every aspect of play. From match tactics to in-depth player analysis, it lifts the lid on what makes the team tick to discover how they became such a dominant force in Europe. From Ballon d’or winner Ada Hegerberg to record-holding French captain Wendie Renard, the book reveals how this superstar team has pulled together to deliver continual success for over a decade. Available to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympique-Lyonnais-F%C3%A9minin-Queens-Europe-ebook/dp/B091CTQMKP/ref=d_pd_sbs_sccl_1_1/257-3022985-0041206?pd_rd_w=Yx2ip&content-id=amzn1.sym.b3680bff-f077-48e1-82e2-187909445cc9&pf_rd_p=b3680bff-f077-48e1-82e2-187909445cc9&pf_rd_r=76R2RWY31N186AB78E20&pd_rd_wg=3OqcX&pd_rd_r=93c891e4-2cf1-40a7-80d2-78e6df8e5bb9&pd_rd_i=B091CTQMKP&psc=1

Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten break UWCL records as Chelsea dominate at Kingsmeadow Back Match Report UWCL: Chelsea v Vllaznia Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten break UWCL records as Chelsea dominate at Kingsmeadow Girls on the Ball 27 October 2022 Paul Donegan Chelsea produced a dominant performance and emphatic win as they beat Albanian champions Vllaznia 8-0 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Wednesday evening at Kingsmeadow. Sam Kerr scored four, Pernille Harder got a hat-trick and Katerina Svitkova got the other as Chelsea made it two wins out of two in this season’s Champions League. There was a great atmosphere with over 400 Vllaznia fans in the ground supporting their side. It was Chelsea who had the first chance of the game though in the 2nd minute when after a bit of a scramble, Sophie Ingle’s shot was deflected of target. Both Niamh Charles and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd saw efforts saved in the early stages. Kerr gave Chelsea the lead in the 11th minute when she was played through by Harder and finished from about 6-yards. A Chelsea corner caused Vllaznia problems in the 18th minute. Guro Reiten put a long range shot over in the 24th minute as the hosts looked to extend their lead. Harder played a nice ball through to Kerr four minutes later but the offside flag had gone up. The chances continued to come for Chelsea but Harder shot over in the 31st minute. The Dane then headed over a minute later. Reiten skipped passed a defender but her shot was deflected wide in the 34th minute. Chelsea did score a second in the 37th minute. Reiten’s cross took a slight deflection into the path of Kerr who finished from close-range. Two minutes later and the home side scored a third. Reiten, who was excellent throughout on her 100th appearance for the club, with the assist again when her low cross found Harder who put the ball into the back of the net from 6-yards. Chelsea celebrate a goal Photo: Girls on the Ball Reiten played a nice through ball to Kerr in the 41st minute but Kaylin Williams-Mosier got there first to claim. Jessie Fleming put a chance just wide a minute later, again Reiten providing the cross. Kerr had the ball in the net again a minute before half time but the offside flag was up this time to deny her. Chelsea started the second half in the same way by creating chances to extend their lead. Fleming shot over in the 50th minute, and Rytting Kaneryd was unable to control the ball and saw her effort go wide two minutes later. Fleming put another shot over in the 54th minute from 25-yards out. It was 4-0 in the 57th minute when Reiten swung in a corner and both Kerr and Eriksson went for the ball, with the final touch looking like it came off Kerr’s head to complete her hat-trick. Eriksson header over a free kick shortly after, before Kerr scored her fourth and Chelsea’s fifth in the 60th minute. Reiten got her fourth assist of the evening as she played the ball across and the Australian finished from about 8-yards. The backflip celebration followed, and Kerr became the first player to score four goals in a UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage game. Harder had a chance in the 68th minute but shot over from 25-yards. Beth England was denied by Williams-Mosier a minute later as Chelsea looked to add more. They did score a sixth in the 72nd minute. England saw her header from a corner pushed away by Williams-Mosier but Harder was there to put the rebound in and score her second of the game. Harder headed over in the 76th minute, and two minutes later Chelsea did make it 7-0 when two substitutes combined. Alsu Abdullina’s cross was headed in by Svitkova for her first goal for the club after joining from West Ham during the summer. The Vllaznia fans, who had been singing and chanting throughout, started letting off some flares in the final 10 minutes and there was a slight delay after two of these had been thrown onto the pitch. Megi Doci had an effort for the visitors in the 87th minute but her free kick from 30 or so yards went wide. Chelsea scored an eighth in the 88th minute when Harder completed her hat-trick from 6-yards after Svitkova’s initial shot had been saved by substitute goalkeeper Viona Rexhepi. England had two chances in additional time, first heading over then seeing her shot hit the outside of the post. The final whistle went shortly after to signal the end of the match and a high scoring win for Chelsea. Chelsea general manager Paul Green described it as a ‘great perfomance’ when speaking to the press afterwards. He described Guro Reiten as “the assist queen” and “gives quality down the left side”. About Sam Kerr, he said “she is a natural goalscorer” and that “getting four tonight will give her a lot of confidence and hopefully take into the weekend”. Chelsea’s next game in the Champions League is at home to Real Madrid on the 23rd November. Before that, they take on Aston Villa in the WSL on Sunday at Kingsmeadow. Line ups Chelsea (4-3-3): Musovic, Perisset, Buchanan, Eriksson (c), Charles (Carter 63’), Fleming (Kirby 74’), Ingle, Harder, Rytting Kaneryd (Svitkova 63’), Kerr (England 64’), Reiten (Abdullina 74’) Unused substitutes: Berger, Orman, Nouwen, Bright, James, Cuthbert Goals – Kerr 10’, 37’, 57’, 60’ Harder 39’, 72’, 88’ Svitkova 78’ Booked – Perisset 21’, Carter 73’ Vllaznia (5-4-1): Williams-Mosier (Rexhepi 76’), Popovic (Ramadani 45’), Knox, Franja (c), Maliqi, Gjini, Patterson (Shala 76’), Berisha, Cavanaugh, Doci, Bashka (Lufo 45’ (Davidson 83’)) Unused substitutes: Raxhimi, Vuksani, Borci, Gjergji, Kodra, Saranovic Referee – Sabina Bolic (Croatia) Attendance – 3,022

Vivianne Miedema's first half goal means Arsenal remain unbeaten in the group stage of the UWCL Back Match Report UWCL: Arsenal v Juventus Vivianne Miedema's first half goal means Arsenal remain unbeaten in the group stage of the UWCL David Price 8 December 2022 By Paul Donegan Vivianne Miedema scored the only goal as Arsenal beat Juventus 1-0 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Gunners now just need one point from their two remaining group games to qualify for the knockout phrase. Jonas Eidevall brought Leah Williamson back into the starting eleven for Arsenal in place of Jen Beattie for her first start since the end of September as she continues her recovery from injury. This was the only change from Saturday’s 1-0 league win over Everton. Joe Montemurro made one change for Juventus from the side that had drawn 1-1 with Arsenal two weeks ago in Turin with Linda Sembrant coming in for Martina Rosucci. Going into the match, the Italian side were second in the group, two points behind the Gunners. Juventus had the first chances of the match in the 5th minute when Manuela Zinsberger saved with her legs to stop a low Arianna Caruso shot, then Cristiana Girelli put the rebound wide. In the eighth minute, Steph Catley’s dangerous cross for Arsenal went beyond everyone in the penalty area. Two minutes later, Juventus’ goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin came out to block Caitlin Foord after she had been played through. The home side did have the ball in the net in the 12th minute but Stina Blackstenius’ effort was ruled out for offside. Arsenal did take the lead in the 16th minute when Blackstenius crossed in from the right hand side and Miedema finished on the half volley from about 6-yards out into the top corner of the net. This was Dutch forwards 20th Champions League goal for the Gunners, and her third goal in the last three games. The home side continued to have chances throughout the rest of the first half. Foord saw a shot tipped wide by Peyraud-Magnin in the 23rd minute. Blackstenius shot over in the 31st minute, then Lisa Boattin got back to block the Swedish international after she was played through in the 39th minute. Lotte Wubben-Moy had the final chance of the half in the 44th minute but she couldn’t direct her header from a cross and it went high and wide. Foord had the first chance of the second half for Arsenal in the 57th minute when her low shot forced Peyraud-Magnin to get down low to save. Three minutes later, the Juventus keeper came out to claim the ball after Blackstenius had been played through. Juventus had a half chance in the 62nd minute but Boattin’s long range shot drifted wide. Williamson was substituted seconds after that and received loud cheers as she went off on the far side of the pitch in front of the supporters. She even had time to have a photo with a ball girl as she made her way around to the benches. Rafaelle came onto replace her, making her comeback from injury and first appearance since late September. A dangerous cross from Catley was pushed away by Peyraud-Magnin in the 66th minute but the offside flag was up anyway as Arsenal went looking for a second goal. They had another chance in the 72nd minute when Miedema put a shot over after a corner had been only cleared as far as her. There was a loud reception from the vast majority of the 6,592 fans inside the Emirates for Jordan Nobbs when she came onto the pitch in the 79th minute. Julia Grosso’s effort from distance was easily claimed by Zinsberger as the visitors had another half chance in the 82nd minute. At the other end two minutes later, Laura Wienroither cut in and sent a shot into the side netting. Juventus had the final chances of the match in stoppage time. Boattin saw her shot from 30 yards go over, then Valentina Cernoia sent a free kick onto the roof of the net in the fourth minute of additional time. The Gunners are now three points clear of Lyon in the group, and they take on the French side in their next Champions League match at the Emirates Stadium at 8pm on Thursday 15th December. Before that, they face Aston Villa at Villa Park in the WSL on Sunday. Line ups Arsenal (4-3-3): Zinsberger, Wienroither, Williamson (c) (Rafaelle 62’), Wubben-Moy, Catley, Walti, Maanum, Miedema, McCabe, Blackstenius (Nobbs 79’), Foord (Beattie 90’+2) Unused substitutes: Marckese, Maritz, Iwabuchi, Agyemang Goal – Miedema 16’ Juventus (4-3-3): Peyraud-Magnin, Lenzini, Sembrant, Salvai (c), Boattin, Caruso (Cantore 65’), Pedersen (Gunnarsdottir 79’), Grosso, Bonansea (Cernoia 46’), Girelli (Bonfantini 89’), Beerensteyn Unused substitutes: Aprile, Forcinella, Rosucci, Lundorf, Zamanian, Schatzer, Duljan Referee – Ivana Martincic (Croatia) Attendance – 6,592

Beth Mead's half time goal earned the Gunners another win at Meadow Park Back Match Report Arsenal pinch a win over rousing Toffees Beth Mead's half time goal earned the Gunners another win at Meadow Park Adam Mitten 22 January 2024 By Paul Donegan Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 in the Women’s Super League on Saturday afternoon. Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead scored the Gunners goals whilst Katja Snoeijs got the Toffees consolation one. The Meadow Park pitch had passed a morning inspection but it was still a cold day. Arsenal’s first chance came in the 6th minute when Mead’s shot from 12 yards hit the top of the crossbar. The Gunners did take the lead three minutes later when Foord finished Victoria Pelova’s cutback from close range. The home sides next chance came in the 14th minute but Amanda Ilestedt headed over. A few minutes later, Alessia Russo put an effort narrowly wide as Arsenal continued to dominate the early stages. Everton equalised in the 24th minute with their first opportunity when Karoline Oleson played in Snoeijs who finished low into the net past Manuela Zinsberger. At the other end, Courtney Brosnan made a good save to deny Mead as the hosts looked to quickly go back in front. Good defending from Clare Wheeler stopped Foord getting a shot at goal five minutes before half time. In first half stoppage time, Brosnan made another save to stop an effort from Vivianne Miedema. Arsenal did go back in front before the break when Mead headed in Lia Walti’s lovely cross. Foord put an effort wide with the final chance of the half as the Gunners went in deservedly ahead at half time. Three minutes into the second half, Emily Fox, who was making her WSL debut for Arsenal, saw her cross curl just wide. Foord also unable to get on the end of Russo’s low dangerous cross shortly after. Miedema sent a shot wide from the edge of the area in the 64th minute, then Russo saw an effort blocked seconds after Brosnan looked like she took out Katie McCabe in the area. Russo shot wide from 25-yards as the Gunners went close to scoring their third. Everton’s chances were few and far between but second half substitute Toni Duggan headed wide in the 88th minute. Foord saw her shot easily claimed by Brosnan as six additional minutes at the end of the half were signalled. A long-range Wheeler shot which headed over by Stina Blackstenius for a corner which was the closest the visitors came to scoring an equaliser. Zinsberger claimed a few crosses during stoppage time as Arsenal held out fairly comfortably to win. When speaking to the media after the match, Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall commented that “for the first 70 minutes, he was really happy with the performance” but during the last 15/20 minutes “we were thinking way too much about the scoreline and less about how we want to play”. Everton manager Brian Sorensen said he was “a little disappointed they didn’t get something at the end” and his side had “put in a good shift and overall happy with how it turned out but would have liked to have a point.” Arsenal remain in third place in the WSL after the weekend’s results whilst Everton drop to ninth. Both sides are playing in the Conti Cup action on Wednesday evening when the Gunners travel to Reading and Everton visit Leicester. Next Sunday in the WSL, the Toffees play Leicester again, this time at home, whilst Arsenal visit Liverpool. Line ups Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Zinsberger, Fox, Ilestedt, Wubben-Moy, McCabe (c) (Catley 83’), Pelova, Walti, Mead (Lacasse 90’+6), Miedema (Maanum 71’), Foord, Russo (Blackstenius 83’) Unused substitutes: D’Angelo, Beattie, Cooney-Cross, Williams Goals – Foord 9’, Mead 45’+3 Booked - Walti Everton (3-4-3): Brosnan, Stenevik, Finnigan (c), Holmgaard, Payne (Madsen 61’), Wheeler, Galli (Duggan 76’), Bissell (Campbell 61’), Bennison, Snoeijs (Piemonte 76’), Oleson (Hope 61’) Unused substitutes: Hart, Wilding Goal – Snoeijs 24’ Booked – Galli, Bennison, Campbell Referee – Melissa Burgin Attendance – 3,713

A dominant display by the Tillies bodes well for Olympic bound summer Back Match Report Matildas earn comfortable 3-0 win over Uzbekistan A dominant display by the Tillies bodes well for Olympic bound summer Matildas 25 February 2024 By Ben Gilby Whilst Team GB will not be competing at the Olympic Game this summer, another nation chock full of players who either currently play in the WSL or have done in the recent past have at least one foot on the plane to Paris. In Australia’s 3-0 win in freezing Tashkent over Uzbekistan on Saturday in the first leg of their final qualifying round tie for the Olympics, 15 players took to the pitch, 11 of whom will be well known to WSL fans. It was a victory that, of course was achieved without yet another Australian WSL star, Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, who remains in the early stages of her recovery from ACL injury. One player that was also a major concern ahead of this first leg was Steph Catley, who had to leave the pitch at a sold out Emirates Stadium last weekend for Arsenal against Manchester United with potential concussion. Addressing the media the day before the match, Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson admitted his initial concerns: “She was one of those I was really worried about… Arsenal have done a good job taking care of her, and our medical team have done a good job taking care of her, and she’s looking good in training, so no issues there.” The defender would start the match and play a hugely influential role. Indeed, just before the break, a trademark Catley free kick from 30 yards right of centre caused momentary chaos in the Uzbekistan box as Feruza Bobokhujaeva’s back header needed rapid action from goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova. Also in the days leading up to the match, Matildas goalkeeper and West Ham United captain Mackenzie Arnold spoke to the media about her incredible journey over the last 12 months at international level. Arnold had always found it hard to establish herself as a starter for the national side, as she fell behind first Lydia Williams and then Teagan Micah in the pecking order. Then she was given a chance in last February’s Cup of Nations round-robin tournament which saw The Matildas take on Spain, Jamaica, and the Czech Republic and grabbed it with both hands. Those three games totally transformed Arnold’s trajectory and her thoughts on the impact of that tournament were telling. “As a player I feel I’ve grown a lot, with my confidence. I believe that I belong now. I’ve been here for 10-plus years now, and it’s only in the last year or so I’ve really cemented my spot, so I’m confident now and feel like I belong.” In Saturday’s first leg in Tashkent, Arnold was a spectator for the entire 90 minutes as Uzbekistan failed to muster a single shot on target, and gained just a single corner. It was Australia’s other WSL stars who had the job of breaking through the massed ranks of Uzbekistan’s defensive play. In a repeat of all their previous games in the qualifying tournament so far, the Central Asian side sat off, instead filling the back third of the pitch with two defensive lines, a back one of four with three further players laid out immediately in front. This played into the hands of one of the Matildas creative bundles of energy, Arsenal’s Kyra Cooney-Cross, who had time and space to attempt to launch attacking moves and she fed both Ellie Carpenter and former WSL attacker Hayley Raso on the right hand side. Mary Fowler has been a hugely popular figure among Australian football fans since making her international debut at the age of 15 back in 2018. The Cairns native, who could also have played for the Republic of Ireland may not have had as much of the ball on Saturday as she may have liked, but when she did get it, the Manchester City star shone bright. Her pace and close control skill were beyond the capability of Uzbekistan to handle. In stoppage time in the first half, Fowler drove forward through the centre, sucking in four defenders as she did so, earning a set-piece parallel to the penalty area. Early in the second half, she supplied a peach of a cross for former West Ham player Emily van Egmond. Fowler grabbed Australia’s second goal on Saturday with a piece of magic. Receiving the ball directly from a poor clearance from Uzbekistan goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova around 30 yards out, the Manchester City attacker used that deadly combination of pace and control to force her way through, leaving two defenders trailing in her wake before dispatching a low shot into the net from the edge of the area. Goal number three was made and scored by WSL stars as well, with Catley sending over a glorious curler of a cross towards the back post where her Arsenal team mate Caitlin Foord timed her run to perfection to come through unseen to send a thumping header into the net. Despite holding a 3-0 lead, Wednesday’s second leg will be played in front of a raucous sell-out crowd of 50,000 at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. The Matildas, a team packed full of WSL players are virtually assured of their place at the Olympic Games, and regardless of the availability of Sam Kerr, are confident that they can win a medal.