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Hayes hopes fans stay onboard
Emma Hayes praised the Chelsea fans who watched the team’s Champions League exit to Barcelona at a sold-out Stamford Bridge on Saturday and urged them to return next season. “The crowd was great, they really were,” Hayes said. “I could feel his energy and he’s really pushing us. I think the club will build on that and he’ll be back. The most important thing for me is that he’ll be back. Hayes too. He expressed indignation at the decision The officials conceded defeat by sending off Kadaisha Buchanan and Barcelona were awarded a penalty for a foul on Aitana Bonmati, which ensured a 2-0 defeat on the night and a 2-1 defeat on aggregate. “Tonight was tough to take because we felt like we didn’t really get a chance to lose,” he said. Suzanne Wrack
Sophie Downey: Hayes sees European dreams washed away in the rain
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Bompaster Masters is back in the semifinals
If Chelsea’s search for a new manager ends with Sonia Bompaster, their players will be working with someone who has shown how to see out a tricky semi-final. Paris Saint-Germain can’t get the better of them in the Champions League. PSG performed admirably, but they couldn’t shake Lyon. With Wendy Renard and Selma Bacha outstanding in defence, Bompaster used his team’s pace threat on the counter to stifle PSG’s sense of adventure. Vicky Becho’s swift introduction from the bench proved the decisive factor in setting up Melchi Dumornay’s decider. where Emma Hayes Losing control of Chelsea’s semi, Bompaster never allowed Lyon’s focus to fade. John Brewin
3
Bristol City time out
Bristol City’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed after a 4-0 defeat by Manchester City at Ashton Gate on Sunday evening. The hosts managed to keep Gareth Taylor’s side at bay until Mary Fowler broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Manchester City went into cruise control from that point, making it impossible for Bristol to get back into the game. “We sit at the bottom of the table for the season,” said Bristol City head coach Lauren Smith. “It’s always a mountain to climb so we’re fighting it. Some performances we’re very proud of but haven’t got the result. I think we’ve shown but we haven’t shown for 90 minutes week in, week out and that’s the difference. Emilia Hawkins
4
Hobson’s milestone stuns Arsenal
Everton’s Issy Hobson ended Arsenal’s title challenge with a late equalizer at Walton Hall Park on Sunday. Aged 16 years and 180 days, Hobson became the youngest ever Women’s Super League goalscorer when she rose to head home in the 95th minute. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming about since I started playing football,” said the Everton fan. Hobson’s contribution earned Everton their first WSL point against Arsenal since 2012, ending a 16-game losing streak against the Gunners. Arsenal won the league that year, but their hopes of being champions again this season are now out of the question, with Jonas Idewall’s side eight points behind leaders Manchester City with just two games in hand. Xaymaca Awoyungbo
5
Spurs extend the run with the final looming
Robert Villahamn is being forced to address the issue with the inaugural FA Cup final just a fortnight away. The Tottenham head coach was pleased with the character his side showed at Brisbane Road, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Brighton to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions. Veterans Martha Thomas, Drew Spence and Celine Bizet were absent through injury, meaning the impressive Matilda Winberg retained her place. Spurs created plenty throughout the 90 minutes but struggled to find a clinical edge. Of his 23 chances, he managed to register just seven on target, one of which was Beth England’s 81st-minute equaliser. Sophie Downey
6
Toon delivers from the bench
You couldn’t wipe the smile off Ella Toon’s face after a 25-yard strike sealed all three points for Manchester United at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. The visitors gave Janina Leitzig plenty of opportunity to prove once again that she is one of the league’s best shot-stoppers, beating the Leicester City goal with 21 shots, but she failed to convert until the toon. As a substitute, Sam Tierney turned and fired a shot into the top corner from long range in the 83rd minute. “It was a decent finish. Mary (Earps) wouldn’t have saved it!” Toon said afterwards. “To be honest, the keeper was dead close to it, then luckily when it hit the back of the net, I was buzzing with it.” Flora Snelson
7
West Ham are safe with Cook’s equaliser
Shannon Cook secured West Ham’s place in the WSL for another season with a last-minute equalizer against Aston Villa. The visitors to Villa Park needed some encouragement to attack, but the hosts did not win after Alisha Lehmann’s first league goal on 72 minutes. But out of nothing, Rico whipped in a cross towards Yuki Cook, who saw the ball past Sophia Poore and leveled the game. The point proved crucial for Rehanne Skinner’s side after Bristol City lost to Manchester City later in the day, making it mathematically impossible for Bristol to catch West Ham. XA