Rovers Return Home With The Points

Coventry United 0–1 Blackburn Rovers

by Ben Gilby

Blackburn Rovers moved into fifth place in the FA Women’s Championship after a hard-earned 1-0 win at Coventry United in an entertaining game at Butts Park Arena.

The home side came into the game on the back of a four game losing run, during which they had scored only two goals. For Rovers, the same period had resulted in two wins and a draw with six scored.

A hugely enjoyable first half opened with the visitors from Lancashire having most of the possession in the early stages, with the majority of the game in this period being played on their left wing. The pressing at this stage forced United to make hurried clearances, the majority of which went straight to a player in blue and white halves.

Blackburn had a great chance to take a lead when Natasha Fenton’s ball through was put out for a corner. The in swinging flag kick was pushed out by Sue Wood in the Coventry goal but only as far as Maria Edwards who hit an effort which rebounded back into the path of team-mate Saffron Jordan who prodded an effort goal wards and prompted an almighty playground style scramble before Anna Wilcox cleared for the home side.

United’s first effort on target took just over ten minutes to come and a good run from Shannon O’Brien saw her cut in from the left and hit an effort which Alex Brooks in the Blackburn goal dealt with.

Buoyed by this effort, Coventry began to show more of an attacking flair. O’Brien again was involved and found Amber Hughes, but her shot was blocked by defender Ellie Fletcher.

The home side mounted another attack and a sensational move saw Wilcox’s cross field ball met with a glorious first touch and instant control by Katy Morris. She played in O’Brien but the Rovers defence snaffled up the danger.

Rovers replied immediately as Aimee Hodgson forced a save from Sue Woods. They then created another chance as Coventry United’s Alice Hassall was caught in possession and the dangerous Saffron Jordan broke clear down the left, but the home side were able to marshal mass ranks of red and green to clear.

Blackburn benefitted again by a home player losing possession, this time Becky Anderson, and Jordan was in again. Once more United dealt with the danger and launched a counter attack as Wilcox found O’Brien. Hughes was then played in down the left before cutting inside and lashing a shot into the side netting.

Coventry finished the half on the front foot and more great skill, this time from Hayley Crackle which saw her juggle the ball over the head of an opponent and play in Wilcox before she was brought down by Fletcher, who received a yellow card for her sin. The resulting free kick from Crackle was cleared.

The home side pressured Rovers into an error when Natasha Fenton’s attempt to make contact with the ball ended with a fresh air shot. Hassall intervened, gained possession and got a shot away which Alex Brooks saved.

The final opportunity of the opening period went the way of the visitors as Hodgson stole the ball away from Crackle and curled in an effort which was deflected out for a corner. United dealt with the danger again ahead of the half-time whistle.

The even nature of the contest continued in the early stages of the second period. Coventry United’s first effort came from an incredible free kick inside their own half which was launched goal wards by Anna Wilcox and Alex Brooks was forced into a save in the Rovers goal.

Saffron Jordan continued to look dangerous for Blackburn and a quality turn and shot needed a smart save from Sue Wood to deny the Lancashire side’s captain.

The end to end sequence followed and this time United were only denied by a magnificent save by Brooks. Becky Anderson combined with Amber Hughes who struck a fierce effort which was only kept out by the outstretched legs of the visitors’ keeper.

Alex Brooks had to be at her best again shortly afterwards when Hughes found Phoebe Warner. Her pass played in the ever dangerous Shannon O’Brien but Brooks pushed the effort away.

With nine minutes of the second half played, the deadlock was finally broken – but not without the slightest hint of controversy. On another dangerous sortie into the Coventry penalty area, Saffron Jordan was brought down. Play continued momentarily before the assistant referee on the right hand side flagged and a penalty was awarded – but Coventry were convinced that contact was made with the ball first. The arguments fell on deaf ears and Elise Hughes stepped up to dispatch the spot kick for Rovers.

Shortly afterwards, United came close yet again. Katy Morris’ corner was headed towards goal by Chelsea Weston but her effort was dramatically cleared off of the line. Another chance came for the home side as Amber Hughes broke through and played in O’Brien whose effort was just over.

Blackburn were not without their own opportunities to extend their lead. First, Aimee Hodgson looked up and saw United keeper Sue Wood off her line and fired in an effort on target which was dealt with. Natasha Fenton then cut in from the right and hit an effort which forced a good save from Wood.

Coventry created two final chances to in a bid to obtain the draw that they deserved for their efforts. First, Amber Hughes turned Charlotte Newsham and hit a shot which was deflected out for a corner. The resulting set piece saw a great header from Alice Hassall which forced a save from Brooks. Then, an incredible run from Hayley Crackle down the entirety of the left wing saw her shrug off umpteen attempted challenges and win a corner. Amber Hughes’ goal bound header was cleared by the Rovers defence.

In the closing stages, Blackburn kept possession in a professional manner despite Coventry United’s best efforts. It was enough for them to end up winners of a game in which they were severely tested by a United side who are a point off the bottom of the FA Women’s Championship. There is absolutely no doubt that Coventry United are a far better team than their present league position suggests.

Teams: COVENTRY UNITED: Wood, Weston, Miles, Wilcox, Crackle, Anderson, Hassall, Morris, Warner, A. Hughes, O’Brien. Substitutes: Chandler, Popple, Orthodoxou, Wathan, Colville.

BLACKBURN ROVERS: Brooks, Fletcher, McDonald, Richards, Johnson, Fenton, Doyle, Hodgson, E. Hughes, Edwards, Jordan. Substitutes: Bentley (GK), Jukes, Newsham, Walters, Dean, Embley, Boydell, Stewart.

Scorers: E. Hughes (pen) 54.

The View From France

Last night saw Paris St. Germain bring to an end Olympique Lyonnais’ four year unbeaten run in D1 and potentially cause a major change in the destination of the French title for the first time in fifteen years. Jean-Pierre Thiesset gives his opinion on the big game.

Last night, Lyon lost 1-0 to Paris St. Germain – a result which ends a run of 80 games without loss in the D1 championships (for our report on the game, click here: https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2020/11/20/battle-of-the-big-guns-goes-psgs-way/)

Some will say that it can happen, but when we see how Lyon lost, it is a little disturbing. The team was not in the game and there had been too many errors and too many duels that were lost. In my opinion, apart from Delphine Cascarino, Ellie Carpenter and Sakina Karchaoui, who tried to play and do something, all the other players were way under their usual performance levels.

I remember discussion with a few OL fans about the level of their midfielders a few months ago, saying that they were not back to their usual performances and that this would penalize the team; they may have been right.

Furthermore, Lyon lost Eugénie Le Sommer with injury, a tear on the inside of the left thigh that will probably keep her out of action for a few weeks and prevent her playing with the France national team at the end of November. If you add to this Valérie Gauvin who is already out after injury for Everton in the Women’s FA Cup Final and Marie-Antoinette Katoto, from PSG, who is also injured and may not be available, the France team will probably have to play against Austria without a recognised central striker.

Is it the beginning of the end of the huge domination of Lyon in French women’s football? The future will tell us and especially the return game against PSG next year and the Women’s UEFA Champion League games that will soon be on their schedule.

Battle of the Big Guns Goes PSG’s Way

Paris St. Germain 1–0 Olympique Lyonnais

by Ben Gilby

Paris St. Germain stuck a symbolic blow in the D1 Arkema title race with a deserved victory over perennial top of the table rivals Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc des Princes – a result which condemned the visitors to their first league defeat in four years.

The early exchanges were typically cagey in such a vital game. It was OL who had the best of the possession and pressed PSG back in this period.

Indeed, it was Lyon who forced the opening corner after just four minutes when Saki Kumagai crossed in, Le Sommer dummied and PSG diverted the ball over the bar. It all came to naught as home goalkeeper Christiane Endler was adjudged to have been fouled from the corner.

Then, with just eleven minutes played, PSG hit the lead. The visitors lost possession on the right wing and away went Kadidiatou Diani. She slid a pass into Marie Antoinette Katoto who raced towards the onrushing Sarah Bouhaddi. The Lyon keeper committed herself early and Katoto rounded her and ensured that Kadeisha Buchanan couldn’t scramble back to stop her and rolled the ball into the net from an acute angle.

Above: Marie Antoinette Katoto guides her effort towards the Lyon net for the only goal of the game. Photo: @PSG_Feminines

Three minutes later, Kumagai gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box in a central position. Sara Dabritz stepped up, but her effort landed on the roof on the net.

Shortly afterwards, Eugenie Le Sommer got away and was tugged back by Ashley Lawrence whilst closing in on goal to the left of centre. Up stepped Dzsenifer Marozsan to rifle in an effort on target which Endler had to fist away.

Unsurprisingly, the Parisians were buoyed by the goal and the balance of play shifted into their favour. Dabritz’s dangerous ball in was calmly cleared by Ellie Carpenter, but it returned to the area quickly as Buchanan combined with Katoto before moving play onto Luana and Diani. PSG kept the possession and built slowly as they patiently looked for the right moment to launch an incisive pass and it came from Lawrence’s cross – unfortunately, Katoto couldn’t make the right contact with her attempted volley and Bouhaddi gathered.

Katoto was then played in Diani, but Australian international Carpenter got back brilliantly to deny her with a magnificent tackle. Just before the half-hour mark, Lyon’s early woes increased when key player Eugenie Le Sommer went down off the ball with what appeared at the time to be a hamstring injury and she was replaced by Lionesses star Nikita Parris.

Lyon rallied and an outstanding piece of skill by Sakina Karchaoui down the left saw the ball played in to the box but PSG cleared.

With four minutes to go until the break, Luana found Sandy Baltimore who teased her way past Carpenter and won a corner off of Buchanan, but the visitors survived.

Above: Olympique Lyonnais’ Ellie Carpenter tussles for possession in the Parc des Princes. Photo: @PSG_Feminines

Such was PSG’s control after the goal, they may well have been disappointed not to add a second before the break as history tells you that OL always seem to find a way to force themselves back into a game. The hosts had controlled the dangerous pair of Karchaoui and Cascarino well and had the better of the all-important midfield battle. A continuation of these circumstances would go a long way to earning PSG a hugely important and symbolic victory.

There was noticeably more energy about Olympique Lyonnais immediately after the interval. They fashioned an early opportunity when Sara Dabritz miscued to allow Amandine Henry to gather possession. The France skipper found Delphine Cascarino whose close control brought her into the area but was muscled out by Grace Geyoro before getting a shot in.

On the hour mark, Diani was pulled back by Amandine Henry on the right. Dabritz’s free kick was cleared by Renard, and on the counter attack, Nikita Parris sprinted away with plenty of support but back came Perle Morroni to put in an outstanding tackle.

All the signs were that PSG had weathered the early chances that Lyon had made. On sixty-five minutes, Diani’s cross field ball found Katoto who eased past Carpenter to put in a cross which Bouhaddi grabbed at the near post.

Cascarino won a throw near the corner flag and the hosts made a series of blunders in trying to clear, but Lyon were not able to make PSG pay for their less than sound defensive play.

With seventy-two minutes gone, Wendie Renard hacked down Marie-Antoinette Katoto on the left hand side just outside of the box and was lucky to only receive a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, substitute Alana Cook’s header was poor and Bouhaddi gathered comfortably.

Katoto didn’t recover from the foul on her by Renard and she was replaced by Signe Bruun within minutes.

With twelve minutes left, Karchaoui found Parris who in turn played a pass inside to Marozsan, but the German’s shot was way off target for the visitors.

With three minutes to go, substitute Melvine Malard raced into the box but a superb challenge from Irene Paredes closed down the danger and Formiga put the ball out for a corner, which the home side defended successfully and they went on to see out the remainder of the game to record an excellent victory.

Above: Alana Cook and Saki Kumagai contest possession deep into the second half. Photo: @PSG_Feminines

Whilst this win does not decide anything this season, the defeat of a team who has won fourteen consecutive league titles by a side who have been trying to snap at their heels for many years means that the D1 Arkema title race now takes on a fascinating twist. OL know they have no margin for error now. If this was seen as a big game, the return in the New Year at the Groupama Stadium will be absolutely monumental.

Teams: PARIS ST. GERMAIN: Endler, Morroni, Dudek, Paredes, Lawrence, Dabritz, Luana, Geyoro, Baltimore, Katoto, Diani. Substitutes: Voll (GK), Cook (for Dudek), Formiga (for Luana), Bachmann, Bruun (for Katoto), Huitema, Nadim.

Scorers: Katoto 11.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS: Bouhaddi, Carpenter, Buchanan, Renard, Karchaoui, Henry, Kumagai, Cascarino, Marozsan, Majri, Le Sommer. Substitutes: Gallardo (GK), Cayman, Bacha, Gunnarsdottir (for Majri), Parris (for Le Sommer), Taylor, Malard (for Cascarino).

Referee:  Maika Vanderstichel.

The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset gives us news of the announcement of France’s squad for the upcoming final qualifiers for the Women’s European Championships. With qualification still in doubt and all sorts of behind the scenes conflicts, there were many eyes on Corinne Diacre’s selection this time round.

Corinne Diacre has announced her list of players for the next two games for France’s national team. During her introduction to the announcement, she tried to minimize the current situation (relating to the behind the scenes conflicts with players) and was rather calm and said that the most important thing was to win the next games to ensure the qualification of the French team for the European Championships in England. She did not want to talk about the current problems and said that she will not use media to answer these matters.

The selection is without big surprises:

GOALKEEPERS: Durand, Munich, Peyraud-Magnin

DEFENDERS: E. Cascarino, De Almeida, Karchaoui, Morroni, Perisset, Renard, Torrent, Tounkara.

MIDFIELDERS: Bilbaut, Clemaron, Dali, Geyoro, Henry, Majri.

FORWARDS: Asseyi, D. Cascarino, Diani, Katoto, Laurent, Le Sommer.

Despite her television interview at the weekend (see: https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2020/11/17/the-view-from-france-5/ ), Amandine Henry is back in the team and Diacre said during the press conference that she will captain the French team. Amel Majri, who had spoken a little bit in support of Henry, is also in the squad.

Sarah Bouhaddi, who had said the day before the squad announcement that she would accept selection, is not named; Corinne Diacre said that she learnt the previous night of Bouhaddi’s opinion and said and that so far Pauline Peyraud-Magnin did the job during the last two games.

Now, we just need to wait for November 27, 2020, the important match against Austria, to know who will be on the field as starters. Personally, I think that there will be most of the Lyonnaises and Parisiennes players on the field.

I expect the following starting team:

Goalkeeper: Peyraud-Magnin.

Defenders: Renard, Karchaoui, Torrent, Tounkara.

Midfielders: Henry (Captain), Majri, Diani.

Strikers: Le Sommer, Cascarino D., Katoto

I think that with this team, France should easily win against Austria and I will produce a review on 28th of November to celebrate my insights or to discuss why I was wrong!

 

Coventry United: Great Support, Positive Future.

Ben Gilby spoke to Jay Bradford, General Manager of Coventry United Women about how a relatively new club have battled their way up to the FA Women’s Championship and are now determined to stay there and thrive.

Coventry United Women can trace their history back to 2013 when they were formed as Coventry City Ladies. Two years later, they merged with the comparatively new non-league men’s side Coventry United. Since that time, Jay Bradford reveals, the club has been on a “sharp rise”.

“By 2019 we had won the FA Women’s National League and compiled a successful Championship bid, something that had eluded us for a few years. We are now playing second tier women’s football and progressing on and off the field with ambition to progress into The FA Women’s Super League.”

Above: A great save in Coventry United’s FA Women’s Championship game with Leicester City. Photo: Jeff Bennett (permission from CUWFC).

Like every other club, Coventry United’s progress was hampered by coronavirus and two subsequent lockdowns. Bradford though points to fantastic support from the board in the current situation: “The club have been excellent – they showed commitment to all players by honouring contracts at 100% pay. The owners Marcus Green and Jason Timms and the board deserve huge credit, people have no idea what goes in to running a football club, particularly during a pandemic and they stand up to the challenge time after time and have shown their unwavering support to the women’s game. They made sure we had all the resources required to come back in to training once the FA gave the go ahead. Having no fans is difficult for any club as that is obviously a strong income source, particularly for us as we were pulling in crowds of 500+ for every home game. The owners have supported us fully and made sure that the lack of income hasn’t hindered our ability to go and make key signings so we can compete on the pitch.”

Of course, the club also rely on a vast army of volunteers to ensure that they keep progressing on and off the pitch. “I think of people like Jade Ogle that offer nothing but progression to the club and is constantly driving standards, all in her spare time. Our match day support staff, particularly Alan Howe and Harry Bragginton are brilliant. Without them our match day experience wouldn’t be what it is today,” Bradford explains.

Coventry United are fortunate in sharing the impressive 3,000 seater Butts Park Arena stadium with Coventry RFC, Coventry Bears RLFC as well as Coventry United’s men’s team. Bradford explained the women’s club’s links with the various teams at the ground: “We have recently undergone some changes which has seen the men’s section appoint a new chairman. The new format sees the owners and board sit solely above the women’s team and we are continually grateful for their support. We have a great working relationship with all the teams that operate out of The Butts Park Arena, it’s a superb facility and one we are happy to share.”

Jay Bradford sees Coventry United as very much a work in progress – and one which could develop in many exciting ways in the future: “I think our biggest challenge is how we choose to evolve over the next few seasons, we have lots of excellent ideas and avenues we are exploring so I think it’s important we pursue the correct targets and go at them full force. We have a great board and they are constantly striving for more it’s an exciting time to be part of Coventry United.”

Photo: Midfield action in Coventry United v Leicester City. Photo: Jeff Bennett (permission from CUWFC).

The Midlands club are establishing themselves as an FA Women’s Championship club – a league that is notoriously tough with clubs with differing resources. Liverpool have just dropped down from the FAWSL and Leicester City have just invested greatly into their women’s side. I asked Bradford how she sees Coventry United within this league and what the club’s aims and ambitions were – both at the present time and for the short term future.  “It’s a great league for competitive value,” she said. “I don’t see anyone in this league not being able to compete and take points off other teams. I think for me right now, Coventry United are in a space where we are striving to become a solid Championship side that don’t flirt with relegation and year on year will progress and compete at a sustainable level.”

“Within the Championship, I think the strengths are the teams. Most of them have come through the football pyramid and are run by great people that drive the ambition of women’s football. I think ultimately the Championship has to keep driving standards and not be happy to just settle as a part time league. We have to want to close the gap with the WSL teams. The gap will always be there of course, but can the Championship close that gap and make small steps every season to be sustainable and ultimately exciting on the pitch that fans want to engage with it regularly? That’s the challenge.

The Championship still contains sides either unaligned to men’s clubs or not linked to professional men’s clubs – Coventry United being one such team. With the WSL no longer containing clubs from those categories I asked Jay Bradford what clubs such as hers need to do to enable themselves to first establish themselves in the Championship and then thrive: “I don’t think being supported by a men’s team is imperative, although naturally it helps. For me the teams that are not aligned to that level of structure have to be smart and create relationships with other parties that can offer them facilities or staff to help drive the sport forward. I think Championship clubs show how resourceful they can be without being handed a big cheque to spend on whatever they like.”

Player development is a key part of any women’s club, and Bradford was keen to highlight what United offer for players from the youngest of ages: “We host several age groups for both boys and girls. We offer the opportunity to play for Coventry United from the age of four and so have a clear pathway of progression for those that want to stay with us and then ultimately play for the first team.”

Above: Coventry United on the ball against Leicester City. Photo: Jeff Bennett (permission from CUWFC).

Our conversation ended by examining the future for the women’s game, and more specifically, Coventry United. “Women’s football in five years’ time has the opportunity to be a real force and I think people are doing great work to draw in big sponsors and ultimately showcase the sport,” said Bradford. “I would like to see the Championship operating a full time league and I would like to think Coventry United will be driving that forward and competing week in week out.”

The View From France

Just a couple of weeks after France’s national team goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi went public with her disagreements with France coach Corinne Diacre, Jean-Pierre Thiesset describes another incendiary TV interview, this time given by France’s captain Amandine Henry on Sunday where more of the problems inside the French camp came to light.

During her interview given to “Canal Football Club” on Sunday, Amandine Henry, the France team captain, spoke bluntly about her relations with Corinne Diacre, France’s team coach and spoke out about the problems inside the team.

Above: Amandine Henry, captain of the French national side. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.

The following is a translation of a part of her interview without any change.

About her non-selection for the last France national matches:

“When she (Corinne Diacre) called me, I said to myself, ‘the coach made choices, it is normal’. The call lasted 15 seconds, I will remember it all my life. Instantly, I was shocked. I was speechless.”

“This discussion hurts me; it will stay engraved in my heart. I was feeling very well. I went to my coaches, they told me I was playing well. I questioned myself. I could have accepted it, but it was beyond a sporting (performance) matter.”

About the problems in the French team:

“There are a lot of problems. As captain, it is important to wear the armband. But when it is necessary to speak up and put your fist on the table, you have to do it also.”

“I would rather think that I never react in a hot manner. I was shocked (by being dropped). I was obliged to question myself. It is the qualifications for the European Championships. I should not be selfish, the group have to stay concentrated.”

“After the World Cup, the coach wanted to do individual interviews. The World Cup was hard. There were girls that cried in their room. It happened to me that I cried in my room. It was the atmosphere, the management, the global ambiance which was there that was wrong. Trust is the basis of any relationship.”

Above: Amandine Henry in action for Olympique Lyonnais. Photo: Jean-Pierre Thiesset.

About the future:

“I would like to think that we can put everything on and win the Euros. With the qualities that we have, France must win a title. We have a golden generation. I know that I have taken a risk, but I can’t look at myself in the mirror (if I don’t say this). If I do not say it, who will?”

In two days time – this Thursday, Corinne Diacre is due to announce her list of players for France’s next European Championship qualification matches. We will see if Amandine Henry is sanctioned for speaking up against the head coach. 

 

Frantic Finish Ends With Honours Even

Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea

by Ben Gilby

There was late drama at Meadow Park with two goals in the last four minutes as the clash of two London heavyweights ended all square.

Arsenal welcomed back Jill Roord into the starting line-up after her goal laden start to the FAWSL season was interrupted by injury. For the visitors, Guro Reiten was back on the bench after injury with Sam Kerr joining her in an exceptionally strong list of substitutes compared to the Gunners.

The two sides came into the game in contrasting form with the hosts putting in a disappointing performance at Manchester United last time out and Chelsea putting in a hugely impressive performance in defeating Everton 4-0. Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro was determined to improve his record against the reigning FAWSL champions which read as eight losses and a draw in ten matches.

In the early exchanges, Kim Little was involved in a collision with Ji which caused the Scot to leave the field for treatment for a long period, leaving the Gunners with ten players.

Chelsea offered an early threat as Sophie Ingle combined with Maren Mjelde. The Norwegian then found Pernille Harder, but she couldn’t squeeze a pass through to Ji as Chelsea started to look comfortable in possession.

Kim Little returned to the action and was involved immediately, playing a lovely pass through to Vivianne Miedema, but Ann-Katrin Berger got in quickly to save.

Above: Vivianne Miedema closes in on Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Photo: @ArsenalWFC

It was the Scottish international who was stamping her influence on the game in the opening fifteen minutes as Arsenal had to rely on less possession and territory.

Just after the twenty minute mark, Jonna Andersson combined with Ji and Ingle but Arsenal’s pressing defence worked well to win possession. They found Beth Mead on the right who did well to get a cross in, but it was too high for Miedema.

Arsenal’s energy in repelling Chelsea’s advances started to turn the tide in possession. Little found Mead, who in turn found Leonie Maier. Her pass played in Lia Walti who went down between two defenders, but it was never going to be a penalty.

With conditions ranging between sun, heavy rain, wind and a rainbow the final fifteen minutes of the half were generally even in terms of chances, but Arsenal were now shading the possession count.

Little combined well with Miedema once more, but the Chelsea defence closed the Dutch star down instantly and snuffed out any threat.

Arsenal were doing well to contain the threat of Jonna Andersson who bossed the game for Chelsea against Everton the week before, taking away a significant threat down the left. They were also working hard to keep both Melanie Leupolz and Beth England on the periphery of the action.

Two minutes before the break, Sophie Ingle gave the ball away to Australian international Caitlin Foord and the Matildas star crashed in a shot which came off the bar, flew up in the air and bounced off the woodwork again on the way down with Ann-Katrin Berger punching away the rebound. It remained goalless at the interval.

Emma Hayes brought Sam Kerr on for the second half and Chelsea started with greater intensity. Leah Williamson lost Pernille Harder and the Dane found Beth England who shot over. This increased energy from Chelsea began to force errors from Arsenal in possession.

Seven minutes into the half, Arsenal mounted a promising attack down their right which was ended by Millie Bright. The England defender launched a move which saw Sophie Ingle find Beth England. Her cross saw Erin Cuthbert get a shot away but Katie MacCabe blocked the effort.

Twice in quick succession, Beth Mead caused danger for the Blues defence. First, she closed down Ann-Katrin Berger and forced a less than impressive clearance from the Chelsea goalkeeper and shortly afterwards she forced a corner from Magda Eriksson.

Beth England had a great chance on the hour mark as a dreadful pass out from Leah Williamson allowed the Lionesses’ hot shot in, but her effort was well off target.

With twenty-two minutes left, Mead escaped down the right once more and fired in a cross which was blocked by Magda Eriksson for a corner which was cleared temporarily before a second flag kick was earned. Foord got in a shot, but Berger saved comfortably.

An error from Lotte Wubben-Moy then allowed Sam Kerr to use her pace to close in on goal, but a superb tackle from Katie McCabe cleared the danger momentarily. From the resulting throw, Ji found Pernille Harder in the box and it took a great save from Manuela Zinsberger to deny the former VfL Wolfsburg star.

Miedema then had a great chance which was deflected out for a corner. Mead’s ball in found Williamson whose effort went wide.

Above: Pernille Harder challenges for the ball this afternoon against Arsenal. Photo: @ArsenalWFC

With four minutes to go, Miedema popped up down the left hand side and made a great run which resulted in her comfortably beating Bright to get in a cross for Mead to dispatch into the net.

Emma Hayes reacted with a double substitution as Canadian Jessie Fleming came in for Ji and Niamh Charles replaced Cuthbert.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Harder floated out onto the right hand side and played in a cross which deflected off of Wubben-Moy and ballooned over Zinsberger into the net for an equaliser.

Two minutes later, Chelsea could have won it as Kerr lofted the ball over Zinsberger, but with just as everyone was starting to shout “Goal!” the ball dropped narrowly wide.

Berger still had one last save to make to deny the Gunners at the death in an end to end conclusion.

Chelsea’s ability to get up off the floor and fashion an equaliser – albeit one with a great slice of fortune about it – shows the sort of character that champions are made of. Joe Montemurro will no doubt feel that his side should have won, but once the dust settles the Gunners will be pleased with the progress in their performance and organisation from last weekend.

Teams: ARSENAL: Zinsberger, Maier, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Little, Walti, Roord, Mead, Miedema, Foord. Substitutes: van de Donk, Evans, Williams (GK), Gut, Mace, Pearse, Garrard.

Scorers: Mead 86.

CHELSEA: Berger, Mjelde, Bright, Eriksson, Andersson, Ji, Leupolz, Ingle, Cuthbert, England, Harder. Substitutes: Thorisdottir, Carter, Reiten, J. Fleming, Kerr, Charles, Telford, C. Fleming.

Scorers: Wubben-Moy OG 90.

The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset returns with his regular column bringing us all the news from the Women’s game in France. This week he rounds up all the action from Week Eight of the D1 Arkema season.

This D1 Arkema round came up with a few surprises.

Firstly, Dijon’s 1-0 win over Montpellier, and Guingamp obtaining a 1-1 draw against Paris FC. Bordeaux’s 2-0 win over Le Havre and Fleury’s 2-1 win at Reims. Olympique Lyonnais won 5-1 against Soyaux which is not a surprise. Equally, Paris St. Germain’s win over Issy is not a surprise, but the score line was an incredible 14-0!

Montpellier was not able to stop losing after their game at Lyon last round and the consequence now is that Dijon are now only two points from third place and Bordeaux are back in the game and move up one place to third in front of Montpellier fall one place.

Bordeaux are already eight points behind second placed PSG and it seems that like in a lot of seasons before this one, the title will be once again played between Lyon and PSG.

In this context, the match between PSG and Lyon game next week in the “Parc des Prince” in Paris will be the most important of the season for PSG. If Lyon win at Paris, they will be five points ahead of PSG and the D1 Arkema championships will have no more suspense for the first place. This game will be played on Friday 20 November 2020 at 9:00 PM.

So, as an OL fan, I hope that Lyon win and secure the first place to fly towards a 15th consecutive title, but as a football fan I have to say that if PSG win it will keep more suspense and the rest of the championships season will be more interesting even if I would prefer the former result.

Another interesting game will be Paris FC against Bordeaux which will take place on Sunday 22 November 2020 in Paris. Bordeaux being only 2 points ahead of Paris.

See you next week for the results …

Walker’s Rocket Leaves Villa Feeling Blue

Aston Villa 0-1 Birmingham City

by Ben Gilby

One moment of magic from Claudia Walker settled the first ever competitive Villa v Birmingham second city derby in women’s football history in what was, in all honesty a dire game at Villa Park.

This was a game of huge importance, not just with local bragging rights at stake, but in the vital scrap for points towards the bottom of the table.

Villa went into the game on the back of their first ever FAWSL win last weekend at fellow strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion. Birmingham were decimated by injuries to the extent that they could only name two substitutes compared to Villa’s nine.

The home side had the territory and more possession in the opening half, but they could never build on either advantage due to poor quality final passes.

A half chance fell to Jodie Hutton after eight minutes after a threatening move involving Stine Larsen and Shania Hayles but the Blues mopped up the danger.

Hayles was the stand out player in the first half for the Villains, she was busy and industrious. It was the Burton born striker who had the first shot on goal which was aimed straight at Hannah Hampton in the Birmingham goal.

The visitors fashioned their sole opportunity of the first period when Molly Green’s weak effort was easily snaffled up by Lisa Weiss.

The remaining half chances all went the way of the home side. First, Jodie Hutton’s great run down the left ended in a cross that was way above anyone. Just before the break Villa earned a free-kick when Rebecca Holloway fouled Ella Franklin-Fraiture on the right, in line with the six yard-box. Hutton’s set piece was headed well wide by Larsson.

Above: Marisa Ewers firing in an effort this afternoon. Photo: @AVWFCOfficial

Birmingham rallied after the break and had the better of the second half of a game which rarely rose above average. Three minutes into the second half, Chloe McCarron fired a shot over the bar.

With twenty minutes remaining, Villa created another chance when Georgia Brougham cleared Nadine Hanssen’s shot from under the bar for a corner. From the resulting flag kick, Marisa Ewers’ effort went well wide.

Then, with seventy-two minutes played, the one moment of quality arrived. Stine Larsen lost possession to Brougham who combined with Rachel Corsie. The ball found its way out to the right wing when substitute Lucy Whipp pulled in a first time cross. Elisha N’Dow’s attempted clearance went straight to Claudia Walker who smashed it straight into the net from the edge of the area.

Despite facing adversity, Aston Villa could not create anything approaching real quality in their search for an equaliser and this will be a desperate disappointment against their injury ridden cross-city rivals.

Above: Midfield action in the Second City Derby this afternoon. Photo: @AVWFCOfficial

The Blues have now won as many games as Manchester City this season and stand nine points ahead of the sole relegation place already. This statistic will likely mean that today’s win could already ensure Birmingham City will remain a FAWSL side next season.

Teams: ASTON VILLA: Weiss, Franklin-Fraiture, N’Dow, Asante, Siems, Ewers, Arthur, Petzelberger, Larsen, Hayles, Hutton. Substitutes: Rogers (GK), Ale, Follis, West, Syme, Haigh, Haywood, Silva, Hanssen.

BIRMINGHAM CITY: Hampton, Scott, Corsie, Brougham, Holloway, Murray, McCarron, Green, Scofield, Kelly, Walker. Substitutes: Whipp, Toussaint.

Scorer: Walker 72.

Referee: Rebecca Welch.

United Hail Hanson

Manchester United 2–2 Manchester City

by Ben Gilby     

Casey Stoney’s Manchester United earned the reward for a determined second half performance led by Kirsty Hanson which saw the unbeaten Reds turn around a two goal deficit.

The Red Devils came into the game on the back of an outstanding performance in dispatching Arsenal last weekend far more comfortably than the 1-0 score line suggested. City have had an up and down season, winning the delayed FA Cup Final, but have come up short in terms of results more often than they would have expected.

An open start at the Leigh Sports Village saw Tobin Heath create an early attacking move for the hosts with Jess Sigsworth prominent before Georgia Stanway hit the side netting shortly afterwards with City’s first attempt after a move down their left.

With five minutes on the clock, Heath was again at the heart of the battle. Lucy Bronze hung back from putting in a challenge allowing the American to play a ball through to Ella Toone whose effort went just wide of the right hand post.

However, just three minutes later, it was City who took the lead. Mary Earps stayed on her line for a corner, Chloe Kelly’s attempt to hook the ball back towards the goal failed as did United’s attempts to clear the danger and a gentle poke across the box from Steph Houghton found Kelly again to turn the ball round the corner and grab the opener.

Within sixty seconds, Stanway played a 1-2 with Sam Mewis and hit a shot which went far too close for comfort from United’s perspective.

Above: Georgia Stanway had a dominant first half for Manchester City. Photo: @BarclaysFAWSL

City were now dominant, forcing corners and making it making it tough for United to be seen as an attacking force. Half way through the half, a vicious in-swinger of a corner from Alex Greenwood found Mewis’ head, but her effort went over.

Casey Stoney’s charges needed a sustained spell of possession to stem the City flow and lay the foundations for a comeback. Yet, throughout the remainder of the opening half, it never quite materialised. United’s consistent high press gave them so much joy against Arsenal last week. City were able to play their way out of the attempted straightjacket and as a consequence they earned so much space in the midfield to exploit. That and the total dominance that Georgia Stanway held over Ona Batlle down the left to create so much of City’s offensive play meant that the home side were on the back foot throughout the opening period.

Just on the half hour mark, Laura Coombs was afforded acres of space in the midfield and found Stanway, but the City star took one touch too many which allowed Mary Earps to block the danger at some physical cost to the United keeper as a result.

With twelve minutes of the half remaining, Christen Press robbed Houghton and got in a great cross, but no-one could quite get on the end of it.

Another teasing Greenwood corner missed everyone before coming to Houghton on the back post but the Lionesses skipper couldn’t quite get the right touch on it.

In stoppage time, Coombs added a brilliant second. Mewis collected the ball outside the box and hit an effort which was blocked by Amy Turner, only to fall straight to Coombs who rifled a shot past Earps first time.

At the break, Casey Stoney brought on Kirsty Hanson for Jess Sigsworth, and within five minutes the influence of the substitution was felt. Hanson beat a City player to earn a throw and then a corner. Tobin Heath sent the ball in and Ella Toone hit an effort from the edge of the ‘D’ which was deflected for the first of two further corners.

Shortly afterwards, City’s Lucy Bronze played a careless ball back towards her own box which was gobbled up by Tobin Heath who fired home a glorious shot and the home side were right back in it.

Above: Tobin Heath – scorer of a glorious goal for Manchester United. Photo: @BarclaysFAWSL

On the hour mark, Ellen White had a great effort to re-establish the Sky Blues’ two goal cushion when she was played in by Bronze, but her effort ballooned over the bar.

Nine minutes later, Chloe Kelly beat Millie Turner along the right which allowed her to play in a great cross, only for Georgia Stanway to miss the target.

As the game approached its final quarter of an hour, Kirsty Hanson again showed her worth. It was the substitute’s run down the right wing which won a corner from Alex Greenwood. Leah Galton’s flag kick led to a shot from Millie Turner which effort off of Sam Mewis and out for a corner.

Hanson’s influence reached its zenith on seventy four minutes when, from a corner, she fired in a shot which was brilliantly blocked at point blank range by Ellie Roebuck. The rebound came back to Hanson and the Scottish international could not miss and the scores were level.

Into the final minute United could have won it when Leah Galton’s corner was met by Lucy Stanforth’s header, only for Demi Stokes to clear off of the line.

City’s three wins from their opening eight FAWSL games remains a concern with them now potentially six points from top spot by the end of the weekend. Allowing such a stranglehold on the game to be loosened is not something that will make the pressure on Gareth Taylor go away any time soon.

United remain unbeaten and having picked up five points from their home games against the trio of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City suggests that they could be ready to break into that top three themselves this season.

Teams: MANCHESTER UNITED: Earps, Batlle, A. Turner, M. Turner, Galton, Ladd, Groenen, Sigsworth, Toone, Heath, Press. Substitutes: Ramsey (GK), Okvist, Staniforth, Zelem, James, Hanson, Ross.

Scorers: Heath 54, Hanson 74.

MANCHESTER CITY: Roebuck, Bronze, Houghton, Stokes, Greenwood, Mewis, Walsh, Coombs, Kelly, White, Stanway. Substitutes: Bardsley (GK), Bonner, Scott, Beckie, Morgan, Park, Weir, Lavelle.

Scorers: Kelly 9, Coombs 45+1

Referee: Amy Fearns.