Tottenham boss Vilahamn has regular meetings with Postecogloupublished at 16:47 28 January
16:47 28 January
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Robert Vilahamn says he "loves" being head coach at Tottenham because of the collaboration between the men's and women's teams which makes it feel like one club, rather than two.
The 42-year-old Swede says he is able to make use of resources on the men's side, such as recruitment and how they scout the best players using data.
"You don't feel like you're one club and two teams, you feel like you are one club and you have different areas within that club and that's why I love to work here."
Vilahamn says he has regular contact with Ange Postecoglou, who manages the men's side.
"Me and Ange meet basically every month to speak about football," he says. "We don't play exactly the same style but we play with a certain identity and we play with a certain style of bravery and attacking style.
"When you do that it's also really nice to feel like you're part of something bigger than just your team. Tottenham want to have that approach and that makes it really fun to be here.
"It's not like I'm sitting there and he's just telling me what to do, we actually have a decent conversation.
"To have that, [so] emotionally that you feel connected to the whole club, that's brilliant."
🎧 Girma to Chelsea and talking Spurs with boss Vilahamnpublished at 16:44 28 January
16:44 28 January
The latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Women's Football Weekly is now available on BBC Sounds.
In this week's podcast, Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines talk the record signing of US defender Naomi Girma who has joined Chelsea from San Diego Wave for £900,000.
Is there any stopping Chelsea who go seven points clear at the top of the table and what does this mean for the rest of the WSL?
Ben also caught up with Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn who gave an insight into recruitment and how he would like to see more female coaches coming through.
Last-minute venue change for Brighton's FA Cup matchpublished at 15:32 28 January
15:32 28 January
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Brighton have moved Wednesday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Durham to their training ground because of heavy rainfall.
The match was due to be played at Broadfield Stadium but rain has left the pitch "potentially" unplayable, the club said.
"With the support of the Football Association we have taken the proactive decision to switch the tie to the training ground," a statement added.
The match will now be played at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre, with a 19:00 GMT kick-off.
All tickets bought by home fans have been refunded because of the limited capacity of the training ground, but the club will now release 150 tickets for season ticket holders.
Everton considering leaving Walton Hall Parkpublished at 14:07 28 January
14:07 28 January
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Everton boss Brian Sorensen says the club's new owners, The Friedkin Group, are considering a number of options for where the women's team will play their home games in the future.
The Toffees have staged the majority of their games at Walton Hall Park since 2020, although the team has played some high-profile matches at Goodison Park.
Asked if a groundshare with the men's side at Everton's new stadium, which is opening next season, is an option, Sorensen told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Yeah I think so, but I don't think [the new owners] have ruled anything out, that's for sure.
"They are very open-minded. It's just what is best for the women's programme?
"Is it building Walton Hall Park out so it looks like Kingsmeadow, is it finding another venue, is it going into the new stadium?
"We have better people than me to make those decisions in terms of what's best for the long-term programme on the women's side, so let's see what they come up with but I just know they are very supportive."
Villa's Poor joins London City Lionesses on loanpublished at 12:52 28 January
12:52 28 January
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Image caption,
Sophia Poor made two appearances for Aston Villa last season and impressed
Aston Villa goalkeeper Sophia Poor has joined London City Lionesses on loan until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old joined Villa in 2023 and has gone on to make two senior appearances, both coming at the end of last season.
Women's Championship club London City Lionesses are pushing for promotion to the top tier.
Villa signed West Ham goalkeeper Katelin Talbert on loan for the rest of the season so Poor leaves in search of regular game time.
Chelsea show interest in USA midfielder Coffeypublished at 07:24 28 January
07:24 28 January
Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
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Image caption,
Sam Coffey has made 28 appearances for the USA national team
Chelsea have shown interest in United States midfielder Sam Coffey before Thursday's transfer window deadline in the Women's Super League.
The 26-year-old defensive midfielder is currently playing for National Women's Soccer League side Portland Thorns, who she joined in 2022.
Sources close to the player and the club claim her party has had informal discussions with Chelsea this month but she is currently training in Arizona, preparing for the 2025 season.
Coffey was part of the USA squad which won gold at last summer's Olympic Games and started in the final against Brazil.
Chelsea have made just one signing so far in January but it was a significant one as they broke the world record transfer fee for a female player to bring in USA defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave for £900,000.
Sonia Bompastor's side have been looking at defensive midfielders to recruit since the summer.
Girma signing 'a lesson for all other clubs' - Houghtonpublished at 21:30 27 January
21:30 27 January
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Former Manchester City captain Steph Houghton said Chelsea's signing of Naomi Girma for a women's world record fee is "a lesson for all the other clubs".
The United States defender joined from San Diego Wave this week for about £900,000 and Houghton fears the spending gap between the league's top teams and the rest could make the WSL less competitive.
"I'm undecided," Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club when asked if it is a good signing for the Women's Super League.
"It is massive for women's football, especially in England and this league. It is a big statement for Chelsea.
"My worry is that it is going to be two or three teams that are buying the best players, so what happens to the rest of the league? This is a lesson for all the other clubs that they need to start investing, they need to put their money to make this as competitive as possible.
"We want to make the WSL the best and the only way you can do that is by having games every week that are competitive and not so predictable. We want owners and footballers to go 'we're going to take this seriously. This is not about putting in as little as possible'.
"You have to go and invest in players and the professionalism of the game and the standard and the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal have done that for a long time. It is now about other clubs really biting the bullet and saying 'this is where we want to be and this is what we need to do for the game in general'."
Aston Villa's Poor set to join London City Lionesses on loanpublished at 14:34 27 January
14:34 27 January
Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Sophia Poor played two matches for Villa in April 2024 and impressed
Aston Villa goalkeeper Sophia Poor is set to join London City Lionesses on loan until the end of the season.
The 18-year-old graduated from Leicester City's academy and joined Villa in 2023, making two senior appearances at the end of last season.
It is believed that current London City Lionesses goalkeeper Grace Moloney could depart the club this month, making room in the squad for Poor.
Women's Championship club London City Lionesses are pushing for promotion to the top tier and have until Thursday, 30 January to recruit new signings.
West Ham's Belloumou joins Malmo on loanpublished at 10:05 27 January
10:05 27 January
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West Ham full-back Ines Belloumou has returned from her loan spell at Lazio and joined Malmo on loan for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign.
The France Under-21 international joined the Hammers in the summer and made nine appearances during her Serie A spell.
The France U23 international joined the Hammers in the summer and spent the first half of the season at the Italian club, making nine appearances in Serie A.
A statement from the Hammers said: "Everyone at West Ham United wishes Ines all the best during her time at Malmo."
Spurs sign defender Rybrink on short-term dealpublished at 09:07 27 January
09:07 27 January
Image source, Tottenham FC
Image caption,
Josefine Rybrink becomes Tottenham's third signing this month
Tottenham have signed Sweden defender Josefine Rybrink on a permanent deal until the end of the season.
The 27-year-old joins as a free agent having recently made over 100 appearances for Swedish side BK Hacken, including 14 games in the Women's Champions League.
The centre-back will wear the number 12 shirt and becomes manager Robert Vilahamn's third signing of the January transfer window.
Josefine made her international debut in February 2021 and has earned seven caps for Sweden.
'New Villa boss should use Daly as out-and-out striker'published at 09:05 27 January
09:05 27 January
Tom Gayle BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentator at Villa Park
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You would struggle to find a more versatile player in the Women's Super League than Rachel Daly.
Who else can say they have won the Golden Boot ahead of Bunny Shaw, Sam Kerr and Vivianne Miedema, but also started both the European and World Cup final's as a full-back.
Having made the decision to retire from international football in April 2024 due to being repeatedly played out of position, I can't have been the only person watching on during Manchester City's 4-2 victory at Villa Park, wondering why Aston Villa's biggest goal threat was playing so deep.
Daly is not the first, and won't be the last player who puts the needs of the team ahead of their own.
There was no sign of frustration at being asked to be a box-to-box midfielder. The work rate was relentless, whether it be making defensive headers, intercepting the ball, supporting attacks or her tireless pressing.
It was a game which typified her importance to the collective, but for me the overwhelming evidence of playing Daly as a forward came in the 94th minute.
Her only chance of the game was tucked away emphatically, only to see the goal controversially ruled out for offside despite the ball coming off a Manchester City player prior to Daly's strike.
After turning 33 last month it's fair to suggest Daly might not have too many more years of elite level football left in her legs.
Yet she is a player who is out of contract this summer, and with the exceptions of Chelsea and Manchester City, I can't see another WSL team who wouldn't benefit from her attacking prowess, and I'm sure she'll have admirers from abroad too.
New head coach Natalia Arroyo will be looking to establish Aston Villa as a team who can consistently challenge for a top-five placing in the league. For me, playing Daly as an out-and-out striker seems an obvious place to start.
Miedema 'getting back to player we know'published at 06:38 27 January
06:38 27 January
Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema is "getting back to the player that we know", according to former England midfielder Fara Williams.
The all-time Women's Super League top scorer has scored four goals in three games in all competitions since returning from a three-month absence because of a knee injury.
On Saturday the Netherlands international scored twice to help her side beat Aston Villa 4-2 at Villa Park, include a stunning second goal which saw her curl an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
"She is a player that I've admired over the years," said Williams on the BBC's Women's Football Show.
"We've seen her do it season after season. The way she opened up and bends it into the top corner [for the second goal] - an unbelievable finish."
Saturday's victory saw City bounce back from their 4-2 derby defeat by Manchester United but they now face top-four rivals Arsenal twice in the space of four days – at home in the league on Sunday, followed by a trip to north London for a League Cup semi-final midweek.
"The Arsenal games are going to be a good measure to see where they're at," former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha said on the same programme.
"I think the fact Bunny [Shaw] is coming back is going to be huge for them. With the likes of her, Vivianne Miedema, Jill Roord, Jess Park chipping in with a goal as well, even though defensively they have not been as good this year as they have in years gone by, the fact is the goal threat is going to be there."
Man United 3-0 Brighton: What the managers saidpublished at 21:32 26 January
21:32 26 January
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Man United climbed up to second in the WSL table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Brighton at Leigh Sports Village. Here is what the managers had to say on Sky Sports after the game.
Man United's Marc Skinner: "It's nice when it happens - we got exactly what we wanted. I wanted us to be more ruthless in the first half and there should have been a few more goals, but I'm really happy with the collective performance.
"Ella Toone is scoring goals and smiling. We spoke about that love for the game and that's good for Ella, good for United, and good for England.
"We want to see a smile and she's enjoying football. You can see by the way she's playing with freedom. She'll have her up days and her down days, and we'll be there for her."
Brighton's Dario Vidosic: "The first 20 minutes, we made it difficult for ourselves and gifted them two goals. We had a really good chance at the start of the second half, where Nikita [Parris] goes over the bar from two metres out, but they were levels above us tonight.
"We should do better with all three goals and that's something that's been a theme for us this week: shooting ourselves in the foot. We were disorganised without the ball and a little bit off in all areas. When we were good, we were competitive, but when you're off, you get punished.
"It's a tough week, with three tough opponents, but we've got to keep going. With a bit of consistency, some players returning, and some training sessions, we'll find our rhythm and get back to the old Brighton."
Analysis: Man Utd 3-0 Brightonpublished at 21:01 26 January
21:01 26 January
Emma Smith BBC Sport journalist at Leigh Sports Village
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Image caption,
Hinata Miyazawa scored United's second against Brighton at Leigh Sports Village
Ultimately this was very straightforward for United, both through their attacking abilities and Brighton's lack thereof.
This is the first time Brighton have failed to have a shot on target in the WSL since facing Tottenham in February 2022.
They are badly missing the injured Fran Kirby up front as they gave United keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce precious little to do all evening.
For United, this was a smooth performance built on the solid midfield of Dominique Janssen and player of the match Hinata Miyazawa.
They pulled the strings deep, while Ella Toone roved with confidence in attacking midfield as she looks refreshed following a spell out with injury.
It means United can keep trying to chase Chelsea at the top of the WSL - or, more likely, maintain their place in the Champions League qualification spots.
Miquel's Leicester can look up after Liverpool winpublished at 19:45 26 January
19:45 26 January
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
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It's safe to say the 2024-25 Women's Super League campaign has been a frustrating one for Leicester City as they find themselves in the middle of a relegation scrap.
But Sunday's win - only their second of the campaign - against Liverpool could prove to be a turning point in the Foxes' season.
They had to do it the hard way after going behind inside three minutes to an Olivia Smith goal before captain Janice Cayman and Missy Goodwin struck later in the first half to secure the comeback victory.
The result not only moved them four points clear of bottom side Crystal Palace, who lost 3-2 to Tottenham earlier in the day, but also gives them some much-needed momentum heading into an important set of fixtures.
Up next for Amandine Miquel's side in the WSL are games against Everton and Aston Villa - two sides who sit only one point above them.
A first start of the season for forward Shannon O'Brien following her knee surgery is also a welcome sign for Leicester, who had only scored three goals in the league before Sunday.
With an uptick in form and key players returning from injury, Miquel's side will now hope to make up places in the table in what could be a crucial juncture of their 2024-25 season.
Beard says Liverpool 'lost control'published at 18:44 26 January
The Reds had taken an early lead through Olivia Smith, but goals from Sam Tierney and Missy Goodwin sealed Leicester's second league win of the season.
Beard's side have now lost five of their past six WSL matches and sit in seventh place in the table.
"Obviously a good start [to the match] but then I thought we lost control of the game after that, which is frustrating," Beard told Liverpoolfc.com, external
"It's tough when you're playing teams, like Leicester, that are fighting for their lives.
"I said before the game to the players, they are fighting for everything, so we've got to make sure we outfight them and outwork them – and I don't think we did that in the first half.
"I thought we controlled the second half completely. We just needed a little bit more composure in certain moments at certain times."
One bright spot for Beard was the performance of midfielder Julia Bartel, who made her debut as a second-half substitute having joined Liverpool on loan from Chelsea earlier this month.
"Julia is a fantastic player, she's so comfortable on the ball [and] she's a little bit feisty as well, which we like," Beard added.
"She would have come on last week [against Brighton] but unfortunately Hannah Silcock hurt her knee.
"We've had to patiently build her up because she's not played many minutes for Chelsea – it's only really been [with] the Spanish youth national team. She's going to be a good addition for us."
O'Brien return a 'big boost' for Foxespublished at 18:21 26 January
18:21 26 January
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Amandine Miquel says the return of forward Shannon O'Brien in Leicester's 2-1 win over Liverpool was a "big boost" for the remainder of the campaign.
O'Brien made her first start of the WSL season against the Reds having initially been eased back to into action with appearances from the bench following knee surgery last year.
"We are getting players back. Shannon couldn't start the last time and now she can," said Foxes boss Miquel
"It's not a secret that the more options we have the better it is to rotate because at some point when you only have 15 players available you get tired.
"It's a big boost the fact that Shannon played a few more minutes today. Hopefully now we are going to have a few more options if we don't get any more injuries."
Miquel was pleased Leicester had something to show for their endeavour against Liverpool after being on the wrong end of a narrow defeat to Spurs last time out.
"It was important because we felt like we deserved something from last week's performance," added the 40-year-old Frenchwoman.
"Sometimes you play well and don't get anything. So for us it was important.
"We told each other to play well but also to get something because at the end of the season if we play well and get no points it isn't working.
"We are trying to keep both. Playing well and getting results."
Goal shy Everton still looking over their shoulderspublished at 18:00 26 January
18:00 26 January
Ciara Fleming BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Brian Sorensen will have liked plenty of what he saw from his Everton side on Sunday afternoon, but he will have been left with a very familiar feeling of frustration as they fell to yet another avoidable defeat.
The Toffees dominated possession 54.8% to West Ham's 45.2%, registered an expected goals ratio of 2.19 to West Ham's 1.77, and had five more shots at goal than their hosts.
However they failed to beat their opponents in the area that matters most: goals.
As Kelly Gago and Katja Snoejis missed golden chances to open the scoring inside the opening quarter of an hour, West Ham striker Shekiera Martinez had one chance and grabbed it.
Then Viviane Asseyi slammed home her penalty to give West Ham a two-goal cushion.
While the visitors remained in the contest, in reality the second goal sealed West Ham's win. Everton have yet to come from behind to win this season.
In fact they have scored more than one goal on just one occasion, their shock 2-1 win over Manchester City before the winter break.
Their only other victory this season was also by a one goal margin, their 1-0 Merseyside derby victory in November.
Everton's four point gap to the relegation spot remained in tact as Crystal Palace also lost on Sunday. However if goals continue to be a problem it may only be a matter of time before the division's newcomers overtake them.
Image source, Getty Images
