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Super League féminine: cinq points de discussion avec la grande semaine d’Arsenal qui devrait se poursuivre

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Lauren Hemp de Manchester City célèbre avec sa coéquipière Chloe Kelly après avoir marqué lors du match de Super League féminine FA entre Manchester City et Arsenal au stade Academy le 11 février 2023 à Manchester, Royaume-Uni
Manchester City a battu Arsenal 2-1 lors du match aller en février

Après une semaine brillante pour les clubs anglais en Europe, il y a des matchs cruciaux ce week-end aux deux extrémités du tableau de la Super League féminine.

Pendant ce temps, il y a un six points de relégation au King Power Stadium alors que Leicester affronte Reading.

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Il y a beaucoup d’autres points de discussion à travers les matchs de ce week-end alors que la saison entre dans ses deux derniers mois.

“Retour à la réalité” pour Arsenal avec une autre confrontation au titre

Avec seulement trois points séparant les quatre premiers, la bataille pour le titre WSL pourrait à peine être plus proche avant un autre affrontement des poids lourds.

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Arsenal et Manchester City s’affrontent à Meadow Park lors du coup d’envoi de dimanche et la victoire des hôtes les mettrait à égalité de points avec City, mais avec des matchs à court, la défaite pourrait leur laisser trop de choses à faire dans la course au titre.

“Il s’agit vraiment de trouver le bon équilibre, si vous gagnez ou perdez”, a déclaré le patron d’Arsenal, Jonas Eidevall.

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“Vous pouvez avoir une journée à bouder, vous pouvez avoir une journée à célébrer, mais après cela, vous devez revenir à la réalité et il y a du travail à faire. Nous avons très bien fait cela et nous devons continuer à le faire très bien.”

Les hôtes ont dû faire face à des blessures toute la saison et évaluent toujours Katie McCabe et Kim Little, Eidevall “espérant” que McCabe sera apte à affronter City tandis que Little est “plus incertain”.

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Pendant ce temps, les visiteurs n’ont pas perdu dans la WSL depuis septembre et ont remporté cinq matches de championnat consécutifs pour se placer deuxièmes, derrière Manchester United à la différence de buts, alors que la saison se dirige vers une finale palpitante.

“Vous pouvez voir que le niveau s’est amélioré et le fait que ces quatre équipes se soient beaucoup affrontées au cours de ces six derniers matchs, cela a tous les ingrédients pour une finition vraiment excitante”, a déclaré le manager de Manchester City, Gareth Taylor.

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“La pression est un privilège”

Remy Siemsen de Leicester City (2e à droite) célèbre avec ses coéquipiers après avoir marqué
Remy Siesmen (deuxième à droite) a marqué une fois depuis qu’il a rejoint Leicester en janvier

À l’autre bout du tableau, Leicester s’est beaucoup amélioré depuis le début de l’année et pourrait se retrouver au plus bas si les résultats vont bon train ce week-end.

L’équipe de Willie Kirk affrontera Reading dimanche et le manager des Foxes veut que ses joueurs soient “énergisés” et se battent pour rester dans l’élite.

“Nous voulons qu’ils comprennent qu’ils jouent au plus haut niveau du jeu, que la pression est une bonne chose et que la pression est un privilège. S’il n’y avait pas de pression, cela n’aurait pas d’importance”, a-t-il déclaré.

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“Ce sera formidable si nous pouvons sortir du bas de la ligue maintenant, mais nous nous concentrons uniquement sur les trois points et si cela entraîne d’autres équipes, tant mieux pour nous.”

Après deux victoires sur trois pour commencer 2023, Leicester n’a pris qu’un point lors de ses quatre derniers matches, mais cela n’a pas refroidi la conviction au sein de l’équipe qu’ils peuvent rester en place.

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« Je sais que nous avons le calibre de joueurs qui peuvent faire le travail », a ajouté l’attaquant Remy Siemsen. “Nous n’avons pas encore fini. Nous avons un groupe de combattants et je sais que nous sortirons tous canons dimanche.”

“Point de basculement” pour Brighton ?

La question de savoir si une victoire suffirait ou non à Leicester pour quitter le lieu de relégation dépend de la façon dont Brighton se comportera contre les leaders de Manchester United samedi midi.

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Brighton est sans victoire en WSL depuis novembre et a laissé filer une avance de deux buts à Reading le week-end dernier, mais la manager par intérim Amy Merricks pense que son équipe est sur le point de redécouvrir la formule gagnante.

“Nous sommes si proches. Nous sommes au point de basculement”, a-t-elle déclaré. “Nous progressons à grands pas.

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“Nous sommes juste sur ce bord où l’élan est sur le point de vraiment venir avec nous et cela peut faire boule de neige pour le reste de la saison.

“Nous sommes tous engagés dans le combat et la compétition. Nous rendrons les choses extrêmement difficiles pour Manchester United.”

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Harrop et Longhurst s’apprêtent à battre le record d’apparition WSL

Kerys Harrop de Tottenham fera une 178e apparition record dans la WSL si elle joue contre Everton dimanche.

“Elle fait partie de l’histoire de la WSL depuis ses débuts et nous avons eu la Spring Series”, a déclaré la patronne des Spurs, Vicky Jepson. “C’est une leader incroyable dans notre vestiaire.”

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Si elle joue, Harrop sera la première à franchir le cap en quelques heures, Kate Longhurst devant l’égaler lorsque West Ham affrontera Liverpool plus tard dans la journée.

Gilly Flaherty a brièvement détenu le record lorsqu’elle a dépassé les 175 apparitions de Jill Scott cette saison avant de prendre sa retraite en janvier.

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S’exprimant lors du Women’s Football Show, Longhurst a déclaré: “C’est quelque chose auquel je n’avais pas pensé quand j’ai commencé dans la WSL – je ne pensais pas que c’était possible. Mais je suis très honorée.”

“L’histoire change sous nos yeux”

Une vue générale de la foule à l'Emirates Stadium
Plus de 500 000 fans ont franchi les tourniquets lors des matchs de la WSL cette saison

Vendredi, la ligue a annoncé que la fréquentation du week-end de football féminin la semaine dernière signifie que plus d’un demi-million de fans ont franchi les tourniquets lors des matchs de la WSL cette saison.

C’est la première fois que ce point de repère est atteint dans l’histoire de la ligue, et avec des foules exceptionnelles présentes pour regarder les exploits d’Arsenal et de la Ligue des champions de Chelsea en milieu de semaine également, ce ne sera sûrement pas la dernière.

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“C’est un grand mouvement et je sens vraiment que l’histoire change sous nos yeux”, a ajouté le patron d’Arsenal, Eidevall. “C’est spécial. Je pense et j’espère que ce n’est que le début de quelque chose de vraiment, vraiment grand.”

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My Mate’s A Footballer: Patrick Bamford tests podcast co-host Joe Wilkinson’s free-kicks

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Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford meets up with his My Mate’s A Footballer podcast co-host, comedian Joe Wilkinson, for a free-kick challenge.

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Can Wilkinson finally prove himself to be the elite free-kick “specialist” that he claims he is?

Listen to episodes of ‘My Mate’s A Footballer’ here

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Chelsea expect to be in Women’s Champions League semi-finals, says boss Emma Hayes

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Chelsea celebrate
British record signing Mayra Ramirez scored as Chelsea drew 1-1 with Ajax on Wednesday night to progress 4-1 on aggregate

Emma Hayes says Chelsea “expect to be” in the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League after securing their spot for a second season running by dispatching Dutch side Ajax.

Chelsea were beaten in the semi-finals by champions Barcelona last season.

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“We expect to be here, I should say that,” said Hayes.

“If you look at our record in the Champions League, even in the last five years, it was only once we didn’t qualify from the group. We’ve made the latter stages every [other] year.

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“I don’t make any excuses, we should be at this level and we should be at the semi-finals. Of course we have a little bit more depth to be able to do things like make more changes [on Wednesday] than we’ve ever had.

“But we haven’t won anything, we’re in the place we want to be. I don’t know who the opponent will be – but we’re ready.”

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Chelsea could set up another meeting with Barcelona in the last four. The Spanish giants have a 2-1 aggregate lead going into the second leg of their quarter-final tie with Brann on Thursday.

Hayes, who leaves Chelsea in the summer to manage the United States women’s national team, hopes to guide her side to the quadruple this season but will need to rely on every member of the squad after being hit with long-term injuries.

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As well as chasing a first European crown, Chelsea are top of the Women’s Super League, face Arsenal in the Women’s League Cup final on Sunday and play Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals next month.

“We love winning. I always say this to the players. No-one cares who scores. Everyone has a role to play,” said Hayes.

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“We have to count on each other. Some will play more than others throughout the season. I trust the squad, I trust the players. We’re in the place we want top be.

“There were some that absolutely needed to recover [on Wednesday] so I’m really happy with the whole squad.”

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Thursday’s gossip: Sesko, Branthwaite, Guimaraes, Alexander-Arnold, Diaz, Paqueta, Anselmino, De Zerbi

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Benjamin Sesko

Arsenal have a 10-man shortlist for a new striker this summer with RB Leipzig’s Slovenian Benjamin Sesko, 20, Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, 25, and his fellow Sweden international, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, 24, among those being monitored. (Mirror)external-link

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Manchester United are keen on Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 21, as they prioritise improving their defence next season. (Telegraph)external-link

Pep Guardiola is “obsessed” by Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, 26, but Manchester City would have to pay 100m euros (£85.7m) to sign the Brazil international. (Fichajes – in Spanish)external-link

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West Ham expect Manchester City to move again for their Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 26. (Football Insider)external-link

Chelsea are among the clubs interested in Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento, 24, who made his Brazil debut against England last week. (Globo – in Portuguese)external-link

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Tottenham want to sign Feyenoord’s Mexico striker Santiago Gimenez, 22, as their replacement for Harry Kane this summer – one year after the 30-year-old England striker’s departure to Bayern Munich. (Caught Offside) external-link

Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, 27, has not given up hope of moving to one of the big Spanish La Liga clubs in the future, according to the Colombia international’s father. (Daily Mail)external-link

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Manchester United are interested in signing Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino, 18, from Boca Juniors. (Ole – in Spanish)external-link

Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi is Bayern Munich’s leading managerial candidate if they cannot persuade their former midfielder Xabi Alonso to join from Bayer Leverkusen. (Florian Plettenberg)external-link

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Tottenham, West Ham, Brighton and Everton are all plotting moves for Juventus and England Under-21 winger Samuel Iling-Junior, 20. (Football Insider)external-link

Italy midfielder Jorginho, 32, could leave Arsenal this summer to return to his homeland. (Football London)external-link

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The Gunners’ hopes of signing winger Xavi Simons, 20, have been hit because Paris St-Germain want to give the Netherlands international more game time when he returns from a loan at RB Leipzig. (Express)external-link

Manchester United will let Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, 32, leave this summer. (Football Insider)external-link

Real Madrid cannot afford a rumoured move for Liverpool and England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, 25. (Goal)external-link

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Germany midfielder Toni Kroos, 34, is set to sign a one-year contract extension to stay at Real Madrid. (Fabrizio Romano)external-link

Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders is a contender to take charge at Ajax next season. (Telegraph – subscription required)external-link

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Steph Houghton: Manchester City defender and ex-England captain to retire

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Steph Houghton claps the Manchester City fans
Steph Houghton has won 121 caps for England, while representing Sunderland, Leeds, Arsenal and Manchester City at club level

Manchester City defender and former England captain Steph Houghton will retire at the end of the current Women’s Super League season.

Houghton, 35, is City’s record appearance holder and is part of the squad in contention to win the WSL title this season.

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Houghton has 121 England caps but has not played for her country since 2021.

“I hope I leave the game in a better place than when I started,” Houghton, who began at Sunderland in 2002, said.

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“And [I hope] I have contributed in some small way to giving the girls of tomorrow a better future in football.”

Centre-back Houghton spent five years at Sunderland, followed by three-year spells at Leeds and Arsenal, before joining City in 2014.

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She made her England debut against Russia in March 2007, going on to appear at two World Cups and two European Championships.

However, Houghton missed out on a place at Euro 2022, having not played for eight months because of an Achilles injury, and was also left out of Sarina Wiegman’s squad for last year’s World Cup.

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Houghton also represented Team GB at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020.

“Taking the decision to retire, is such a difficult thing to do,” said Houghton, who was awarded an MBE in 2016 for her achievements in women’s football.

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“Whilst age comes to every player, it makes it no easier having to say the words out loud. Football has been my life; my passion and I have loved the career I have had.”

The Lionesses posted on X: “We wish you all the best in your retirement.

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“From leading the Lionesses to growing the women’s game – your impact will never be forgotten.”

How Houghton become an ‘icon of the game’

Houghton has played 241 games for City and is their most decorated player having won eight major trophies – four Continental Cups, three Women’s FA Cups and the FA Women’s Super League title in 2016.

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She also won two WSL titles with Arsenal in 2011 and 2012, also helping the Gunners to five cup victories.

“Steph is – without question – an icon of the game,” said City head coach Gareth Taylor.

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“Although her professional career on the pitch is now coming to an end, her legacy will be felt for so many years to come.

“She’s paved the way for so many to thrive in the future.”

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City captain Houghton signed a new one-year deal in June 2023, taking her into a 10th year at the club during which she will stop her playing career.

“I feel incredibly privileged to have been able to work with her since 2020 and know her name will be written into the history books as a true footballing great,” added Taylor.

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City are level with leaders Chelsea with five matches left in their WSL season, which is set to conclude on 18 May against Aston Villa.

“I am excited for whatever comes next,” said Houghton, who is married to former Liverpool defender Stephen Darby and helped him complete a 178-mile march for ex-players with motor neurone disease this week.

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“In the meantime, I remain focused on giving everything I have left for Manchester City, over the next two months.”

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Stoke City supporters banned for tragedy chanting at Elland Road

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The force said the two men were in the away supporters’ section of the upper West Stand at the time, which is immediately above home fans.

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Turner, 44, of Longport Road, Stoke-on-Trent, was fined £553 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £221 victim surcharge.

Lawton, 28, of Johnson Place, Stoke-on-Trent, was fined £120 and told to pay £85 in costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

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Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus were both fatally stabbed in April 2000, on the eve of Leeds’ UEFA Cup semi-final tie with Galatasaray.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, external, X (formerly Twitter), external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk.

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Nottingham Forest: Steven Reid guilty of expletive-laden abuse of referee Paul Tierney

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Nottingham Forest first-team coach Steven Reid is sent off by referee Paul Tierney after Premier League game against Liverpool
Steven Reid was sent off after the final whistle after confronting referee Paul Tierney

Nottingham Forest first-team coach Steven Reid has been given an extended two-match touchline ban and fined £5,000 after being found guilty of misconduct by the Football Association.

Reid confronted referee Paul Tierney following Forest’s defeat by Liverpool earlier this month.

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It was found he had used an expletive phrase towards Tierney on more than three occasions.

Forest have also been fined £75,000 for their part in the incident.

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The Premier League side were punished for failing to ensure their players and technical staff “did not behave in an improper way after the final whistle”. The club admitted the charge.

The incident followed Darwin Nunez’s 99th-minute winner at the City Ground.

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What happened?

Forest had control of the ball outside the penalty area when the game was stopped following a head injury to Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate in second-half stoppage time.

The home side were left incensed by Tierney’s decision to hand possession back to Liverpool via a drop-ball, from which Nunez went on to score.

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Mark Clattenburg, Forest’s referee analyst, criticised the decision post-match, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “If the referee stops the game, he has to give the ball back to the team in possession. That was Forest.”

In his report of the incident, Tierney said: “Following the final whistle I was surrounded by members of Nottingham Forest’s substitutes and backroom staff on the field of play.

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“One of those who approached me was Steven Reid, who was not listed on the teamsheet.

“He asked me about a decision and I said to him that I will speak to him inside and not outside on the field of play. He then continued to question me and I repeated that I would speak to him inside. He then said, ‘it’s the same every week, you [expletive]’.”

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Tierney showed him a red card for his comment, which Reid admitted was abusive and insulting. However, Reid, 43, denied that he continued to use such language towards Tierney after he was sent off.

But Tierney said Reid went on to repeatedly swear and call him the expletive term at least twice more as they left the field of play, while reports from the assistant referees said that Reid “continued to confront” Tierney. The charge was proven.

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After the match, Forest confirmed their owner Evangelos Marinakis did approach Tierney after the match but dismissed reports that he had to be restrained.

It is the fourth time in 18 months that Forest have faced a sanction for surrounding a match official.

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In its conclusion, the regulatory commission that imposed the latest sanction said “future breaches of the rules may be treated more severely”.

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Wales boss Rob Page keen to build towards 2026 World Cup

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Wales missed out on a place at Euro 2024 after suffering a penalty shootout defeat in their play-off final against Poland on a night of crushing disappointment in Cardiff.

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But manager Rob Page, who has found himself under pressure during this campaign, believes the FAW can see the progress his young squad is making.

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