Chelsea’s Women’s Super League clash with Arsenal was delayed by 30 minutes because of a clash of socks.
The Gunners arrived to Stamford Bridge with the same colour white socks as the hosts, causing referee Rebecca Welch to delay the match until a solution was found.
Arsenal sported black socks from Chelsea’s megastore in order for the match to go ahead. Blue tape was used in a makeshift attempt to hide the Chelsea logo on the socks.
As the scheduled kick-off time approached, a crowd of more than 30,000 in west London were instead treated to loud music.
Former Arsenal men’s striker Ian Wright, a keen supporter of the women’s game, posted on social media site X: “Embarrassing this. Ridiculous.”
Things did not improve for Arsenal once the match began, as a Lauren James goal and two from Sjoeke Nusken gave Chelsea a 3-0 half-time lead.
Aston Villa boss Carla Ward said a manager should be sacked for having a relationship with a player, calling it a “complete abuse of power”.
Ward said it is the responsibility of managers to protect players and said “to cross that line is unacceptable and it can’t happen.”
The former Sheffield United and Birmingham City boss said: “It makes me very angry because we are here to set an environment and a comfortable place to work that the players feel safe, backed and looked after, so I just don’t understand anyone that crosses that line. You can’t do it. It is a complete abuse of power.
“We are in a moment where there is a microscope on the women’s game and people have taken advantage of certain positions, and I don’t like that and I don’t think it is right.”
Asked if a player-coach relationship should be a sackable offence, Ward replied: “Yes. One hundred per cent.”
The 40-year-old, who represented the likes of Sheffield United, Lincoln and Bristol Rovers during her playing days, said the possible grey area of a player-coach relationship – given it is not illegal, providing no minors are involved – should be addressed in contracts.
She added: “It is an unwritten rule, and I am sure teachers don’t have it in their contracts. But given where we are at now, and people don’t understand it, maybe put it in black and white so it is clear.”
Ward also said that players feel unable to report a potential issue.
“It is the biggest problem because if you are the manager and you are crossing that line, it is very difficult for anyone to report it,” added Ward.
“Say, you have got a director of football, and they have done wrong, or are doing wrong, and you know that, and a head coach or manager does it, you can’t go to that person because the first thing they will do is rip up your contract. I saw this as a player a lot.
“You hear things all the time and it infuriates me. The only way to clean up the game is to highlight it and get rid of it.”
Erin Cuthbert says Chelsea’s players are “driven” to give Emma Hayes “the send-off she deserves” as they pursue silverware on four fronts.
Hayes’ trophy-laden 12-year tenure as Blues boss is to conclude this summer when she takes charge of the United States national team.
Chelsea play Arsenal – the only English side to have won a quadruple, in 2007 with Hayes on their coaching staff – in the Women’s Super League at Stamford Bridge on Friday, sitting top, level on points with second-placed Manchester City and three clear of the Gunners.
Also before the end of March they face Ajax in the Champions League quarter-finals and Arsenal in the League Cup final, while last weekend they advanced to an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
Midfielder Cuthbert, a Chelsea player since 2016, said: “We’ve done everything right until now, but we have the chance to either go on and be great or win nothing. Emma has reminded us of that.
“We really want to do it for Emma – I certainly do. It’s well and good talking about a potential quadruple but we’re at the point where we can still win absolutely nothing, so the main message is less talk, more action, and make sure when the big moments come we’re ready.
“Emma’s done a lot for me. She’s done so much for the club. I will be grateful for her, and the way she’s sort of driven the women’s game in general as well.
“Whatever happens this season, Emma’s legacy will not be defined in the space of three months, but of course, she’ll want to go out on a high, and I think the players are all driven to give Emma the send-off she deserves.
“I’d love nothing more than to celebrate with her at the end of the season (with) multiple trophies. But that’s only done with a process and giving 100 per cent every day, working hard and giving extra, especially when we’re thin (in terms of availability).
“This is the moment where we need to sort of go up another gear, because the games are coming thick and fast.”
Chelsea have been navigating a busy schedule with some big names out injured, including Sam Kerr and captain Millie Bright, nearing a return from a knee issue.
Both Cuthbert and Niamh Charles have skippered the side in Bright’s absence, a responsibility the 25-year-old Scotland international says she has “certainly enjoyed”.
While Kerr and Mia Fishel have recently been lost to ACL injuries, fellow forward Catarina Macario, signed from Lyon last summer, this month returned from one sustained in June 2022 to score in her first two Chelsea appearances.
Cuthbert said: “It’s the best feeling ever to be a team-mate and witness that, when you have seen someone go through absolute hell – there’s been a lot of blood, sweat, tears, I saw her really down many times.
“Moments like (the goals) hopefully make it all worthwhile for her. It’s no easy route as a footballer coming back from injury, but I think she’s had it especially tough, one of the toughest I’ve seen.”
In December Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 in front of an Emirates Stadium crowd of 59,042.
Ticket sales for Friday reached 30,000 on Monday, and Cuthbert said: “We really need the fans. We felt how much fans played a big role in them beating us, it certainly can be the 12th player, and we need to use that on Friday.”
Chelsea are chasing a seventh, and fifth successive, WSL title. They have also won five FA Cups under Hayes, including the last three, and two League Cups, and were Champions League runners-up in 2021.
Chelsea forward Mia Fishel has successfully undergone surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained on international duty with the United States.
The striker tore the ligament in her right knee just before the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup, where the USA ultimately beat Brazil 1-0 for the trophy.
The injury also rules the 22-year-old out of this summer’s Paris Olympics, where the United States will be coached by Emma Hayes, who will depart Chelsea at the end of this season to take over the US women’s national team.
Posting on X, Fishel shared a photograph of herself perched on two crutches and giving a thumbs-up, alongside a caption which read: “I’d like to thank my management and medical teams for a successful surgery today.
“I want to thank the United States women’s team and Chelsea Women for their unwavering support during this critical time.
“Exciting projects for 2024 are on the way and I look forward to sharing a more personal side of Mia.”
Fishel joined Chelsea from Mexican side Tigres on a three-year deal last August and has made 10 appearances for the Blues, scoring on her debut in October with a header in the Blues’ 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Leicester manager Willie Kirk is “assisting the club with an internal process” and will not be on the touchline for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Liverpool, the Women’s Super League side have said.
The 45-year-old Scot has been with the Foxes since the summer of 2022, initially as a director of football before succeeding Lydia Bedford as boss in November that year.
A Leicester spokesperson said on Friday: “Willie Kirk is assisting the club with an internal process, the outcomes of which will be determined in due course.
“Assistant manager Jennifer Foster and first-team coach Stephen Kirby will take charge of the team for Saturday’s FA Women’s Cup tie at Liverpool.”
Kirk’s career in women’s football has seen him manage Hibernian and Bristol City, spend time on Manchester United’s coaching staff and then take charge of Everton in December 2018.
He spent just under three years with the Toffees, which including finishing as runners-up in the 2019-20 FA Cup.
Last season he guided Leicester from the bottom of the WSL to safety, and they are currently seventh in the table.
Women’s Super League attendances are up 43 per cent on last season as Arsenal lead the charge to show the league “belongs” in larger venues.
From an average crowd of 5,222 last term, a move to play more games at Premier League stadia coupled with an overall upturn in interest has seen this season’s figure jump to 7,478.
Arsenal have played five games at the Emirates Stadium this season and only three at their “regular” venue Meadow Park – home of men’s National League side Boreham Wood – and have sold out the 60,000-plus tickets for their last two home games against Manchester United and north London rivals Tottenham.
The club have sold 279,974 tickets for their eight home matches this season, already 63 per cent up on last season’s 11 games with a further Emirates date remaining against Leicester. Their average ticket sales per game are up 125 per cent across the board, from 15,572 to 34,997, and from 46,877 to 53,871 considering only games at the Emirates.
A mural at the stadium is entitled “Found a place where we belong”, inspired by a quote from ex-Gunners striker Dennis Bergkamp which boss Jonas Eidevall referenced after the 1-0 derby victory.
“I was thinking about that quote from Dennis Bergkamp… that is what makes me extremely proud of being able to say we have found a place where more than 60,000 people feel that they belong,” he said.
“They feel this is their home, this is where they want to come and support their football team and that is very special and is something we need to keep very much alive and keep building on.”
A game away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is next up, with over 25,000 tickets already sold to continue the momentum, but it is not just at the top end of the table where progress is apparent.
Bristol City – one of two teams, along with Leicester, who ground-share full-time with their affiliated men’s team – have averaged crowds of 7,687 at Ashton Gate while the visits of the title challengers have pulled in significantly larger crowds.
Despite propping up the table the Robins have broken their record women’s attendance twice this season, with 12,008 against Arsenal and then 14,138 against Manchester United, while over 9,000 watched them take on Chelsea, and Manchester City are still to visit.
Seven of the 12 clubs have had at least one five-figure home crowd this season, with 43,615 at Old Trafford for the Manchester derby while Liverpool (23,088 against Everton) and Chelsea (20,473 against Manchester United) have also broken the 20,000 barrier.
A surprising exception is Manchester City, level on points at the top of the table with Chelsea. Their facilities at the Joie Stadium, sharing the Etihad Campus with the men’s team, are impressive but capacity is only 7,000 and their average crowd this season is 3,306.
The 4,599 who watched them against Liverpool is so far their biggest crowd this term, though an imminent return date with United in the main Etihad Stadium is sure to change that.
Emma Hayes insists Chelsea are fully standing behind Sam Kerr after it was revealed the striker had pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
The Australia captain was charged with causing a police officer harassment, alarm or distress during an incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 30 last year, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Kerr, of Richmond, denied the charge at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday.
Blues boss Hayes said: “Sam has our full support. She knows that. It’s a difficult time for her.
“Of course I can’t comment, you know that. I can say I know she’s pleaded not guilty and I don’t want to do anything to jeopardise anything for Sam by speaking about it.
“For that reason, I’m sure you can appreciate that’s all I’m going to say on the matter, but she has our full support, she knows that, it’s really important I get that across. It’s something I really, really, value.
“There’s difficult moments, tough times, and that’s what my role is at this football club, to make sure I look after our people, and I want to make it clear that Sam will be supported by me and everybody else.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the incident involved an officer who was responding to a complaint about a taxi fare.
Kerr is due to face trial next February, according to reports.
The 30-year-old is two months into a lengthy period on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the Blues’ warm-weather training camp in Morocco.
Four-time defending Women’s Super League champions Chelsea are still on course to be the only English side other than Arsenal’s women in 2006-07 to achieve a quadruple, having secured a place in Thursday night’s Conti Cup semi-final with Manchester City and will play their FA Cup quarter-final at Everton on Sunday.
Leg one of their Champions League quarter-final awaits at the end of the month, while the Blues are also square with City on 37 points at the top of the WSL table, leading the pack only on goal difference.
When the two sides met in league action last month it was City who emerged victorious, smashing Chelsea’s 33-match unbeaten WSL run at Kingsmeadow, breaking open the title chase and setting up a tantalising finish to the league campaign.
Asked if Hayes would be seeking revenge, she said: “This is not Star Wars. This is no Death Star-destroying moment. Revenge for me is something I don’t really think about when it comes to football.
“I love being in these games, I know the team loves being in these situations, so I look forward to it.”
Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating believes she has been forced to grow up quickly since taking over as the team’s number one.
The 19-year-old, who replaced Ellie Roebuck as manager Gareth Taylor’s preferred choice in goal at the start of the season, has excelled as the team have emerged as challengers for the Women’s Super League title.
The 2-1 victory against Everton on Saturday saw her concede for the first time since January 21, bringing to an end a run of five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, with City now level on points with reigning champions Chelsea.
They have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup thanks in no small part of a superb individual display from Keating as the team eliminated Arsenal in February.
They will face Chelsea on Thursday for a place in the League Cup final, but it is in the WSL where City have caused the biggest disruption, helped by having the best defensive record in the league with only nine goals conceded.
“It’s gone really well,” Keating told the PA news agency. “Having so many clean sheets in a row, not just in the league but in other competitions as well, just shows how well we are doing as a unit this season.
“We’ve got the best defence stats in the league. I only play my part with those around me. It makes my job fairly easy.
“The more games you play, the more confident and used to the environment you’re going to be. Still being so young, there is a bit of a switch.
“I’ve been with the first team since I was 16. I’ve had to automatically mature and be calm way faster than other people my age did. That’s helped.”
Praise was heaped on Keating following her performance in the 1-0 cup win over Arsenal at Meadow Park, with the Gunners’ Caitlin Foord describing her display as “a worldie”.
It came after she had been at fault for both goals as her side lost the WSL meeting between sides 2-1 in November, when she left the field visibly upset.
“Having the confidence and faith in myself, especially after the Arsenal game last time, I feel like I needed a redemption game,” she said. “I was just thankful I could make those two saves to give us the win we need and send us to the next round.
“We went there and knew what we had to do. I knew my part. When the final whistle blew, I could breathe. I feel like I did have my redemption game.”
She received her first call-up to Sarina Wiegman’s England side in October, and now has her sights on somebody taking the place of Manchester United’s Mary Earps as number one for the Lionesses.
“With England, the club switch is off,” she said of her rivalry with Earps. “We know what we’re there for, for our country. We’re just there to provide the best support for each other. When we’re back at club though, it’s us against them.
“My time will come. My form for my club is very important to Sarina and hopefully I can take it into the international game.”
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated harassment of a police officer, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Australia captain was charged with causing a police officer harassment, alarm or distress during an incident in Twickenham, south-west London, on January 30 last year.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the incident involved an officer who was responding to a complaint about a taxi fare.
Kerr, of Richmond, denied the charge at a plea and trial preparation hearing at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court on Monday.
She is due to face trial next February, according to reports.
Chelsea have been contacted for comment by the PA news agency.
Kerr is two months into a lengthy period on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the Blues’ warm-weather training camp in Morocco.
The 30-year-old – Australia’s all-time leading scorer with 69 goals – joined Chelsea in 2020 and has helped the London club win the last four Women’s Super League titles as well as the FA Cup three times.
Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has signed a new contract with the Women’s Super League outfit running to 2027.
The 51-year-old has been in charge at City since May 2020 and oversaw the team winning the delayed 2019-20 FA Cup final six months later and the League Cup in 2022.
The news of Taylor’s three-year extension comes with City currently lying second in the WSL, level on points with leaders Chelsea, and on a nine-match winning run.
He said in a statement from the club: “I’m very happy to be able to commit to City for another three seasons.
“I think what we’re doing here and trying to achieve is a build and a long-term project of sustainability and success.
“Our ambition was always to be right at the top and we’ve done that. It’s taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people behind the scenes. The players have really bought in to what we’re trying to do and achieve.”
City, whose only WSL title to date came in 2016, have bounced back this season after missing out on the Champions League places with a fourth-placed finish last term. They came second in 2020-21 and third in 2021-22.
Alessia Russo scored the only goal to hand Arsenal a 1-0 win over Tottenham in the north London derby in front of another sold out crowd.
The Gunners sold out the Emirates Stadium for a second straight game as 60,050 watched the hosts keep the pressure on in the Women’s Super League title battle.
Russo provided the winning moment four minutes after the break, lashing home from six yards after being set up by England team-mate Beth Mead.
Manchester United lost further ground on the top three as they were held to a 1-1 draw at West Ham.
Rachel Williams gave the visitors a fourth-minute lead with her 50th WSL goal.
But Viviane Asseyi equalised five minutes from time to leave Marc Skinner’s side nine points behind third-placed Arsenal.
Emma Koivisto scored twice as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 4-1.
Grace Fisk’s deflected strike in the 19th minute gave Liverpool a lead and Sophie Roman Haug added a second before Sarah Mayling pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Koivisto made it 3-1 on the hour mark and added a fourth with eight minutes left as the Reds moved level on points with Manchester United.
Brighton beat rock-bottom Bristol City 7-3 to move eight points clear of the relegation spot.
Elisabeth Terland opened the scoring in the 20th minute and Pauline Bremer added another four minutes later to give the away side a 2-0 lead heading into the break.
City got on the scoresheet through Megan Connolly but Terland’s second of the day combined with Tatiana Pinto’s strike put Brighton 4-1 up.
Two goals in three minutes from Brooke Aspin and Amalie Thestrup brought Bristol City right back into the contest.
But any hopes of a sensational comeback were wiped out when Madison Haley struck in the 89th minute before Vicky Losada and Katie Robinson added further goals in stoppage time.
Liverpool boosted their hopes of a top-four finish in the WSL with a 4-1 win at Aston Villa.
Goals from Grace Fisk and Sophie Roman Haug put the Reds in control before Sarah Mayling pulled one back from the penalty spot.
But defender Emma Koivisto struck twice in the second half to secure three points for Matt Beard’s side.
Liverpool took the lead after Noelle Maritz gave away a free-kick near the penalty box.
Fuka Nagano played the ball across the face of goal and Fisk’s deflected strike fooled Villa keeper Daphne van Domselaar and found the back of the net.
Villa almost hit straight back but Kenza Dali’s shot was held by Rachael Laws.
Liverpool doubled their lead when Nagano’s cross was flicked on for Haug to head home.
Villa were gifted a route back into the match when Kirsty Hanson was brought down by Gemma Bonner in the area box and Mayling converted the spot-kick.
But Koivisto restored the two-goal advantage with a fine finish at the far post after Jasmine Matthews crossed into the box.
And the Finland international struck again with a looping header over Van Domselaar to wrap up the victory.
Manchester City defeated Everton 2-1 to climb to the top of the Women’s Super League table.
City picked up where they left off in their first match since defeating Chelsea last month, with goals from Khadija Shaw (15th) and Lauren Hemp (55th) taking them three points clear of Emma Hayes’ side, who play Leicester on Sunday.
It is now 12 victories in a row in all competitions for Gareth Taylor’s City, who were pegged back by a fine strike from Hanna Bennison in the 60th minute but deserved the three points.
City, who have won all 16 of their league games against the Merseyside team, were behind Chelsea only on goals scored at the top of the table heading into the clash at the Joie Stadium. They were well fired up for this game and dominated from beginning to end against Brian Sorensen's team.
City enjoyed the majority of early possession but had a hard time getting time and space in dangerous areas. After a few tame efforts, Everton made it easy for the home team when Justine Vanhaevermaet crumbled under pressure and played a short pass inside the box that went directly to Shaw, who suddenly had an abundance of time and space to smash in the opener.
The goal gave the in-form hosts a massive boost as they looked even more dangerous from then on, with Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp sending dangerous balls into the box that Shaw was unable to connect with. By half-time, 1-0 seemed a low score considering City had 13 shots throughout the first 45 minutes.
Everton, meanwhile, were gifted one chance late in the half when goalkeeper Khiara Keating played the ball straight to Rikke Madsen, but her weak shot was straight back at the youngster.
After Shaw missed a great opportunity by heading over the bar, it was Hemp who doubled City's lead, combining with Coombs in the middle of the pitch before driving forward and sending a long-range effort rolling into the bottom corner.
Everton were not down and out, though, as City suddenly looked flustered at the back and gave the ball away, resulting in Hanna Bennison smashing in a beauty of a goal from outside the box. Both teams pushed on for another goal, but neither could find a way past their opponents' goalkeeper.
Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema has suffered another injury setback after head coach Jonas Eidevall revealed she requires knee surgery.
The 27-year-old Netherlands international missed almost 10 months last year following an ACL injury suffered in December 2022.
She has made just four Women’s Super League appearances since returning to action in October and now faces “several weeks” back on the sidelines.
“She requires a minor knee surgery and that is going to have her off the pitch for several weeks,” Eidevall said.
“We will have an update on that after the surgery and when we see how she is progressing.”
Miedema had played for the Dutch in the recent international break but Eidevall played down any suggestions of a club versus country row as a result.
“We have good communication with all the national teams that we work with,” he added.
“But we also have to have a lot of respect for the autonomy in the decision-making and the Netherlands were playing some really, really important games for them – both for a Nations League trophy and maybe, more importantly, for Olympic qualification.
“They also need to take the decisions that are best for them. What is important in all these conversations is that I always think that we put the player in the forefront and we are trying to find solutions that are the best for the player, and we need to cooperate.
“She doesn’t need the surgery because of those 45 minutes she played against Spain. She would have needed the surgery anyway for it.
“It was nothing that the Dutch team did that complicated this here or made the situation worse. It was a situation that needed to be fixed anyway.”
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