Tag: WOSO

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WSL

Blues stun in London Derby as Chelsea beat West Ham 5-0

lexi potter & chloe sarwie via @chelseafcw on instagram
lexi potter & chloe sarwie via @chelseafcw on instagram

Chelsea FC:

Starting XI – Hampton (GK), Carpenter, Bright ©, Buurman, Nusken, Cuthbert, James, Thompson, Girma, Baltimore, Rytting-Kaneryd

Subs- Kaptein (46’), Reiten (61), Kerr (61’), Potter (61’), Sarwie (80’),

West Ham United:

Starting XI- Szemik (GK), Endo, Siren, Belloumou, Ueki, Nystrom, Martinez, Asseyi, Gorry ©, Morgan, Hanshaw

Subs- Csiki (46’), Wandeler (76’), Piubel (83’), Brasero (87’),

Via @chelseafcw on Instagram

Chelsea FC looked to close the gap on Manchester City in the league this weekend in a London derby against West Ham United. The Hammers went into matchday 12 with just five points in the league, claiming one win from 11, whilst Chelsea sat in second place, claiming 24 points from a possible 33.

The Blues kicked off in Kingston with a goal within the first 50 seconds, via an own goal from Endo, the centre back failing to clear Ellie Carpenter’s cross.

The opening stages of the game continued with Chelsea dominant in possession and West Ham failing to make it out of their own half in the first few minutes.

The 11th minute saw the first pause in play, with Rika Ueki receiving treatment for a badly timed tackle by Erin Cuthbert.

Another close call from the Blues saw the Hammer’s defence struggle to clear yet again,

Erin Cuthbert’s corner proved threatening for West Ham.

West Ham’s first real chance on goal came in the 22nd minute however Chelsea proved why they’re the league’s reigning champions, and had no struggle slowing down play.

The 29th minute saw Szemik fail to clear the ball and Lauren James’ antics rebound into the net seeing the Blue’s double their lead.

Just minutes later, Chelsea came close to a third with Johanna Rytting – Kaneryd hitting the cross bar with a shot from range.

In the 41st minute, Ellie Carpenter and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd’s link up found the boots of Alyssa Thompson who brought the blues to three.

The closing stages of the first half saw Sandy Baltimore make it four with a beautiful shot gliding past the hammers keeper and into the back of the net.

West Ham’s first shot of the game came in injury time, with Shakiera Martinez breaking through Chelsea’s defence with 

At half time the score was 4-0 to Chelsea, a dominant display for the blues return home despite their injury woes.

The second half kicked off amid confusion about Estelle Cascarino’s debut with substitutions from both sides including Erin Cuthbert making way for Wieke Kaptein and Katrina Gorry being replaced by Anna Csiki.

A relatively even opening to the second half saw an action packed fifteen minutes with Hannah Hampton being forced into her first real save of the game 

Sam Kerr, Lexi Potter and Guro Reiten were soon replaced by Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Sjoeke Nusken in a bid for Chelsea to score once more.

A controversial handball in the 69th saw Chelsea awarded a penalty in which Sandy Baltimore converted with ease. This meant the blues were 5-0 to the good.

Ten minutes later, goal scorer Sandy Baltimore was replaced by Chloe Sarwie, the 17-year-old making her league debut after making her way through the Chelsea academy.

Before long, West Ham made their third substitution of the game with Viviane Asseyi making way for Seraina Piubel and a final substitution meant Sarah Brasero replaced Rika Ueki.

With four minutes of stoppage time announced, West Ham’s back line proved problemed once again, with Hanshaw’s back pass finding Sam Kerr in worrying territory.

With the full time whistle pending, and Sandy Baltimore’s goal being the only one half, the full time score was 5-0 to Chelsea. The blue’s had certainly proved themselves as a title contender once more whilst Rita Guarino’s English managerial debut proved disappointing to Hammer’s fans.

Image via @chelseafcw on Instagram

Categories
WSL

Ashleigh Neville Still Scoring for Spurs

Screenshot

Photo: Leicester City Women

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Leicester City

12:00 KO

11th January 2026

Tottenham Hotspur

Starting XI: Kop (GK), Nildén, Gaupset, England (C), Holdt, Rybrink, Vinberg, Hunt, Spence, Summanen, Koga

Goal scorers: Neville 40’ (OG)

Subs used: Hamano 64’, Thomas 72’

Leicester City

Starting XI: Clark (GK), Kees, Tierney (C), van Egmond, Ale, Mayling, Cain, McLoughlin, O’Brien, Neville, Swaby

Subs used: Mouchon 68’, Goodwin 74’, Jansson 74’, Ayane 90+1’

Tottenham Hotspur kicked off 2026 by hosting Leicester City at home for their first WSL fixture of the year. Both sides have made some interesting signings so far this January window. Tottenham started Norwegian international Signe Gaupset, but kept the rest on the bench, including Chelsea’s Hamano who is currently with Spurs on loan. Leicester, on the other hand, made quite the statement by starting Ashleigh Neville this afternoon. Neville left Spurs to sign for Leicester just three days ago, after over a decade at the club, and she is already back on what was her home turf, just in a different shirt. 

Leicester kicked off the first half but struggled to hold on to that possession throughout the opening minutes of the match. 

An early throw in from the Foxes’ Skipper Tierney saw an opportunity for the visitors but it was seemingly wasted as Spurs dominated their box. It wasn’t long before another lapse in judgement, when Leicester again lost possession in a dangerous area of the pitch, mere yards from goal, but the hosts couldn’t turn it into a shot. After facing significant pressure in their own half, the Foxes reversed and made a run for goal. A ball from new signing Mayling was well delivered to Van Egmond, but Kop deflected it. 

“There’s only one Ashleigh Neville” was heard from the stands, as she took a shot against her former club that ended up off target. It was a seemingly warm reception for the ex-Spurs fan favourite. 

Cain then took a shot against Kop. Whilst it appeared already off target, Kop pushed it further out past the post just to be sure. “Lize Kop Kop Kop”, the home fans sang in response. 

As the first half wound down, there was more excitement for the home fans. A ball driven by skipper England left Holdt 1v1 with Clark, but the ball hit the woodwork. 

The excitement continued with a corner from Summanen that ended in commotion in the box. An own goal from the Foxes was the verdict, off the head of none other than Neville. Not the impression she wanted to make against her former club surely. Spurs went into the break 1-0 up after one minute of added time. 

Tottenham opened the second half with dominance and confidence. England drove the ball to the visitors’ end, passed to Vinberg to take the shot that was then blocked by the Foxes. England and Vinberg continued to link up to press forward and had the possibility to look threatening, especially when they included Spurs newcomer Gaupset to heighten the press. Foxes forward Swaby denied them of any further chances.

There was a short stoppage in play as O’Brien received attention from medics, but she returned to the pitch a few minutes later.

As the second half ploughed on, it was time for another Spurs debut. Hamano entered the pitch in the 64thminute in place of fellow January signing Gaupset. Hamano has seen much success in her time at Chelsea; she looked a good fit with Martin Ho’s strengthening side. Leicester then also switched things around by bringing on Mouchon to replace Cain.

Leicester tried to be threatening in the box, the rebound driven by Neville who must have been on a quest for redemption, but it amounted to nothing, and the hosts regained possession pretty swiftly. 

They made another change then, bringing on Thomas to replace Vinberg. More substitutions then for Leicester as new signing Jansson came on to replace McLoughlin and Goodwin took the place of van Egmond.

In the 82nd minute, Tierney was shown the yellow card after committing a foul. The subsequent free kick was taken by Summamen and the chances that followed seemed promising. England delivered the ball to Hunt who was not only offside but hit the post anyway. There were many loud sighs from the home fans. You could definitely see an improvement in Spurs, under the leadership of Ho. They were able to create more chances in front of goal but still struggled to make anything meaningful out of them. There was another chance again in the 90th minute, it looked super exciting for the home fans. Thomas drove the ball, passed to an open England who, under pressure, passed to Koga and then the chance was gone. 

7 minutes were added. As the additional time began, Ayane came on for the Foxes to replace O’Brien. 7 minutes could be ample time to find an equaliser for some sides, but this Leicester squad were just putting out fires where they could. Neville was then shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 

Tottenham took the 3 points, interestingly, with thanks to that own goal from Neville. An own goal against your former club that bumps them up to 4th in the table. Who would have thought?

Photo from GETTY IMAGES
Categories
WSL

WSL- RETURNING WEEKEND PREVIEW AND HOW TO WATCH

Photo: Chelsea FC Women

The Barclays Women’s Super League is back! The last round of fixtures before the winter break took place on the weekend of the 13th and 14th of December and saw Manchester City go into the break six points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table.

Here is your rundown of fixtures to come this weekend and how to watch them.

In a blockbuster fixture at the Emirates. It’s Arsenal who take on Manchester United on Saturday, January 10th, with kick-off in this one at 12:30PM. Arsenal will be hoping to continue their run of good form and currently sit in third place on twenty-two points, whilst the Red Devils are hot on their tails in fourth, sitting on twenty-one. They’ll be hoping to improve on their dramatic three-all draw against Tottenham Hotspur just before the winter break. The game is available to watch on all Sky Sports football channels.

On the blue side of London, they’ll be hoping to cut the gap at the top of the table, as they host fellow London rivals West Ham United on January 11th at Kingsmeadow. West Ham, on the other hand, will be looking for a bright start under new manager Rita Guarino following the sacking of Rehanne Skinner. This one kicks off at 12:00 and is available to stream on Sky Sports + or Sky Sports Mix.

Carrying on in London, a high-flying Spurs side take on an improving Leicester City side down at the Betwright Stadium. With plenty of new signings more than likely to feature in this one, it makes an interesting one to call, as Tottenham will want to continue their push for the European places, only sitting two points behind Arsenal in 3rd and one point behind Manchester United in fourth. Again, this one kicks off at 12:00 PM on Sunday, January 11th, and is available to watch on the Sky Sports + app.

Moving up to the Northwest now, and Manchester City are looking to extend their gap at the top of the table ahead of Chelsea. They take on Everton at the Joie Stadium; having thumped Aston Villa prior to the winter break, they sit top of the table, SIX points clear of Chelsea. With a win over Everton, they could make it eleven WSL games unbeaten, whereas Everton will be looking for a crucial three points to take them further away from the bottom two of the league. The game to be played on January 11th again kicks off at 12:00 PM and is being streamed across all Sky Sports platforms.

Finally, Liverpool will be looking still for their first win of the season as they take on London City Lionesses. LCL will be looking to start strong under their newly appointed boss, Eder Maestre, following the sacking of Jocelyn Precheur after a run of poor results.

With the later kick-off of 14:30 PM on January 11th, you’ll be able to watch this one live from St Helens Stadium on the BBC red button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online.

Categories
International

2025 the year of international retirements 

Screenshot

Photo taken from @swewnt and @lindasembrant on instagram 

Across the year, plenty of international stars have hung up their boots for their national teams and put their hearts into their club team or alternatively retired from football altogether. 

Millie Bright: England

In October, Chelsea defender Millie Bright announced her retirement from international football after deciding to not be selected for the 2025 European Championship. She won 88 caps and captained them to a silver in the 2023 FIFA World Cup as well as representing Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 

The defender made her debut in 2016 and also featured in the EURO 2017, 2019 World Cup and 2022 Euros. She scored on six occasions in an England shirt as well as playing all games in the 2022 and 2023 competitions respectively. 

Mary Earps: England 

In May (prior to the Euro 2025 tournament), the PSG Goalkeeper decided to retire from the England shirt to allow the younger players an opportunity to shine. Receiving 53 caps across eight years, Earps also won two FIFA Best Awards and a World Cup golden glove along with her triumph in the 2022 Euros on home soil. 

The goalkeeper made her debut in 2017 and was a figure in the 2022 Euros and 2023 World Cup campaign in Australia where they came second against Spain but had that iconic penalty save. 

Fran Kirby: England 

In June, Kirby announced her retirement after her decision was influenced by being told she was not going to be selected for the summer. She also felt it was the right time to leave, giving the opportunity to the younger generation. 

The experienced Brighton and Hove Albion forward had 77 appearances to her name as well as 19 goals and was included in four major tournaments. She was included in 2015 and 2019 World Cup as well as 2017 and 2022 UEFA European Championships. She made her international debut in 2014 and also represented Team GB in the Tokyo Olympics. 

Magdalena Eriksson: Sweden 

After getting 123 caps, she retired from the international side in November. She made her debut in 2014 but her tournament debut came in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio (where she won the silver medal) and represented Sweden in seven consecutive major tournaments. 

The Bayern Munich defender scored 14 goals for her country and became a two-time Olympic silver medalist (winning again in Tokyo) as well as earning two third place finishes at the World Cup in 2019 and 2023 respectively. 

Jess Fishlock: Wales 

After playing her final game against Australia, Fishlock retired from International football in October after the Euro 2025 tournament. After 19 years, she became the all-time leading appearance maker and goalscorer with 166 caps and 48 goals respectively. 

The Seattle Reign forward recently signed a new one year contract and was the first player to reach 100 caps. She made her senior debut in 2006 and was in the squad when Wales made their major tournament debut in the summer. 

Niamh Fahey: Ireland 

Following a 17 year long career, Fahey retired from International Football in January and in May announced her full retirement from football. The ex-Liverpool defensive player rose through the ranks and made 115 appearances for the girls in green. 

She made her senior debut in 2007 and scored her only goal in 2022 against Georgia. She made her 100th appearance in February 2022 and featured in all of Ireland’s games in the 2023 FIFA World Cup. 

Maren Mjelde: Norway 

In August, Mjelde retired after playing in the European Championship the previous summer making 183 appearances for Norway. The 35 year old made her senior debut in 2007 aged just 17 and after 18 years she decided to end her international career. 

She featured at nine international tournaments and also held the armband for a decade winning bronze in Euro 2009 and a silver at Euro 2013. 

Sherida Spitse: The Netherlands

The Ajax Midfielder announced her international retirement in October and played her final match against Canada. She is the most capped Dutch and European player at 248 appearances, playing across 20 years. 

She represented the Netherlands in eight major tournaments including five Euros and three World Cups, making her debut in August 2006. She won the 2017 Euros and captained her side to the World Cup final in 2019.  

Kayleigh Barton: Wales 

After playing in her first tournament during the summer, the Striker announced her retirement from football in August. She made her international debut for Wales in 2012 and scored 22 goals in the colours as well as making 89 appearances. The Striker played her last league games for Charlton Athletic in Barclays WSL2 before heading to Switzerland for her debut in a tournament. 

Linda Sembrant: Sweden 

Linda Sembrant announced her retirement in November after reaching 160 appearances for her national team, following the bronze medal match in the Nations League. The AIK Stockholm defender made her debut back in 2008 and has three bronze European Championship medals to her name (2011, 2019 and 2023) as well as a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics. 

Categories
Uncategorized

Young Lionesses Hold On for Crucial 1-0 Win Over Blunted Norway

England Lineup

Katie Cox (GK), Mari Ward, Jess Simpson, Ruby Mace (C), Gracie Prior, Teyah Goldie, Fiona Barry, Maisie Symonds, Isobel Goodwin, Erica Parkinson, Lexi Lloyd-Smith

Norway Lineup

Thrill Raekstad Erichsen (GK), Mia Authen, Emille Bragstad, Julie Aune Jorde, Kamilla Melgard, Emille Osteras, Iris Omarsdottir, Thea Kyvag, Ylinn Tennebo, Stine Brekken, Emma Braut Brunes

England Substitutions

Olivia McGlochlin, Evie Rabjon, Sarah Barsero, Chloe Sawie, Lenna Gunning Williams

Norway Substitutions

Cille Nilsen, Synne Aunehaugen, Oda Johansen, Monica Isaken

It took a couple of chances for England to get into the groove, with early chances from Erica Parkinson, Maisie Symonds and Isobel Goodwin, but none finding their way to the back of the net.  

The away side tries and gets their foot in, with a ball in from Ylinn Tennebo with nobody on the end of it and a run from Kamilla Melgard, which is closed down by Gracie Prior and shepherded out of danger. 

Lexi Lloyd Smith is able to work the ball down the left, playing it to Isobel Goodwin, heading it at an angle, sending it toward the right. This is collected by Fiona Barry and passed to Mari Ward, sending it toward the 10-yard box to be finished off by an Isobel Goodwin header. 25 minutes in its 1-0 to England. 

Isobel Goodwin steals the ball from Norwegian midfielder Stine Brekken and squares it for Erica Parkinson. She receives it but is blocked by Emma Braut Brunes. It’s the last real chance of the half, with the Lionesses going into the second half one-nil up. 

Early on in the second half, we saw back-to-back shots from Izzy Goodwin, the first one blocked by Goalkeeper Thrill Raekstad Erichsen and her second from a slide tackle by Mia Authen. 

Substitutions for England see Maisie Symonds leaving the pitch for Olivia McGlochlin, while Teyah Goldie is out for Evie Rabjon. 

Later on, we saw Lexi Lloyd Smith out for Sarah Barsero and Jess Simpson out for Chloe Sawie, getting her first cap for the under-23s debut at just 16, making her the youngest debutant for the Under-23s bracket. We also saw a triple substitution for Norway, with Kamilla Melgard out for Cille Nilsen, Stine Brekken out for Synne Aunehaugen and Emma Braut Brunes out for Oda Johansen.

With all the action near the Norwegian goal, but not many chances, another set of substitutes comes soon. With Goalscorer Isobel Goodwin leaving the pitch, being replaced by fan favourite Lenna Gunning Williams. 

Soon after, we saw the last Norwegian substitutions for the match, with Monica Isaken coming on for Julie Aune Jorde.

Soon into the 5 extra minutes, we see a ball from Sarah Barsero nearly finds Erica Parkinson in the box, a near shot for the Lionesses. 

But the final whistle goes, and it was decided in the first half, 1-0 to the Lionesses.