Women's Super League

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport Senior Journalist

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Vivianne Miedema's knee surgery was a "minor procedure" and Taylor doesn't expect her to be out for too long, but he didn't put a timescale on her return.

• Naomi Layzell is "getting there" in her injury recovery and Taylor said "she has made a really strong, solid start to the season and getting that player back will be really important".

• Taylor is "super impressed" with Jill Roord who scored twice for the Netherlands in the international break.

• "For her to gain that confidence has been important," he added.

• On Lauren Hemp's WSL player of the month award for October, Taylor said: "I've seen huge growth in Lauren's game. It was a really solid month for her and she drove the team to high levels."

• He said Crystal Palace present a "tough challenge" having never played them before and Taylor said "we are are aware of the threats they carry".

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Everton boss Brian Sorensen has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Chelsea at Goodison Park (kick-off 18:45 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• In terms of injuries, Sorensen said "it wasn't the best international window for us" and some players need to be assessed.

• He doesn't think Clare Wheeler will be available on Sunday after suffering with sickness.

• Asked about Everton's struggles in front of goal, Sorensen said: "That's something we need to fix".

• He added: "I think we have the players in the squad to do it [score], but the ones we have out [injured], there is big, big quality missing".

• The Everton boss is hopeful his side can get "four or six" points out of the upcoming fixtures before the next international window.

• On Megan Finnigan, Sorensen said she is struggling with injury issues but added: "She's a true blue and Evertonian and she loves the club, and she's really good captain."

• Chelsea have an "unreal" squad and it will be "the biggest ask" to win three points against them on Sunday.

• Sorensen said "we have to be at our very best, as we were at Emirates", when they held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw earlier this season.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Marc Skinner hopes to work with England's Grace Clinton for "many years to come".

Clinton joined United from Everton in July 2022 on a three-year deal, with an option to extend for a further year.

She excelled in loan spells with Bristol City and Tottenham before returning to United this season as an England international.

The 21-year-old impressed in England's 2-1 friendly victory over South Africa, raising speculation about her future and the need for United to tie her down.

Asked if a contract extension was in the pipeline, Skinner said: "When I signed her, she was one I identified early at Everton and thought she had a fantastic future.

"I’m sure the club and her representatives will be speaking. I just don’t have involvement in that.

"My job is to make sure Grace is performing on the field and at the minute, she is doing fantastic.

"She loves being here – I know that. I want to work with her for many years to come."

Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Arsenal (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jayde Riviere and Melvine Malard have trained with the squad this week having recovered from injury.

• Skinner was asked about the prospects of England midfielder Grace Clinton signing a contract extension and said he "does not have involvement in that" but hopes to work with her "for many years to come".

• While admitting Arsenal have gone through a "turbulent time of late" following the departure of manager Jonas Eidevall, Skinner said the match will be a good "measuring stick" of where United are at this season.

• Asked whether there is more pressure on United to win this time around, he added: "We play under pressure every game because we want to win. Arsenal are in good hands until they find the manager they want. I don’t feel there’s any added pressure for our players."

• Skinner said he is "really proud" to represent Manchester United as he prepares for his 100th game in charge against Arsenal.

• "There’s been a lot of growth in that time and a lot of ups and downs. It’s a great milestone but I have to try to win the game and that’s what I’m here to do. I want to be successful and to do that we have to win, win trophies and keep progressing. I’m hungrier than I’ve ever been."

Leicester City boss Amandine Miquel has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Brighton (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from her news conference:

• "We've been lucky on this international break, because we have no injuries among the ones coming back," Miquel said.

• However, she confirmed Noemie Mouchon had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training.

• Jutta Rantala's injury is not an ACL injury, but it's "quite a good wait" before she will be able to return.

• Missy Goodwin is "not 100%, but she's feeling better" after missing the win against Everton with an ankle injury.

• On facing Brighton, Miquel said: "It will be a difficult game because I think they're doing things that are interesting with some good quality players with experience."

• Despite having a lack of attacking players because of injury, the Leicester boss said: "What my feeling right now is that anyone that has two arms and two legs can score."

• "The start [of the season] has been slow, and we are going through difficulties with injuries, but I still believe that the main thing is the mentality," Miquel added.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The Football Association has released its new four-year strategy for women and girls' football and there are four key elements to it:

• Build and protect the uniqueness of the women's game

• Win a major tournament at international level

• Build robust, high-quality competition

• Deliver equal opportunities for women and girls to play.

As part of these four priorities, the FA will look specifically at female health and wellbeing, safeguarding, refereeing, coaching, and diversity and inclusion.

One of the things they hope to achieve is for 90% of schools to deliver equal access for girls to play football in key stages two and three.

They also want to encourage "significant investment" in the game in the wake of the takeover of the Women's Super League and Women's Championship by independent company Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL).

They are also considering the expansion of leagues - but did not specify if that included the WSL - and want to increase prize money in the Women's FA Cup.

The FA's director of women's football Baroness Sue Campbell said: "In order to grow, we must continue to honour our history and recognise those who have contributed towards making it so unique.

"We want to bring all of our distinct qualities to everyone in the game, ensuring it is appreciated and valued in its own right; building and protecting what makes us special.

"No girl or woman should be constrained by historical prejudices and we want to encourage everyone to follow their dreams, whatever they may be."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic has received the Women's Super League manager of the month award for October.

Vidosic has guided Brighton to fourth in the WSL table after five games and they sit just three points behind leaders Manchester City.

The Australian oversaw wins against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace this month, while they also fought back to claim a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

Vidosic, who won the award ahead of Chelsea's Sonia Bompastor and Manchester City’s Gareth Taylor, said he has felt "so welcome" since joining the Seagulls from Melbourne City Women in July.

"It's a family club which makes it really easy to settle in very, very quickly," he said on Thursday.

"From the club in general, everyone's asking how are you, even just as simple as that - just to make a minute to talk and to see how's things.

"This is more an award for everyone else than me."

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp has been named the Women's Super League player of the month for October.

Hemp, 24, helped Gareth Taylor's side keep a 100% win record during October, scoring two goals and making two assists in their three league games.

The England international scored first in City's 2-0 win over West Ham at the start of the month, while she set up Khadija Shaw’s first goal at Anfield as City fought back from a goal down to beat Liverpool 2-1.

In City's last league outing against Aston Villa, Hemp netted an equaliser before teeing up Jill Roord's winner.

Hemp beat Manchester United's Celine Bizet, Crystal Palace's Annabel Blanchard, Leicester City's Sophie Howard, Chelsea's Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Brighton's Nikita Parris to the award.

Manchester City sit top of the WSL, although Chelsea are just one point behind having played a game less.

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Women's Super League game against Leicester (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The players who have returned from international will be assessed on Friday, but Vidosic said there was no cause for concern in terms of injuries and fitness.

• Jelena Cankovic won't be available to face Leicester, but she could be back to face Arsenal or West Ham.

• They are waiting for scan results for Pauline Bremer, but she will be out for "a couple of weeks at most".

• On Kiko Seike winning the Asian Football Confederation women's player of the year, Vidosic said she has been "really, really good" while also adapting to a new language and challenges of a new league.

• He said it is "awesome to see" a new broadcast deal in place for the WSL.

• The Brighton boss expects a tough game against a "resilient" Leicester, whose "defence is very, very good".

• Vidosic hopes Nikita Parris can find a way back into the England squad, adding: "All she can do is put in her best performances and give their coaching staff as big of a headache as possible and make it difficult to leave her out."

Image source, Getty Images

Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said "it's brilliant to be able to continue bringing the WSL to audiences" after a new five-year deal was confirmed.

The deal, which runs until 2030, will see top-flight matches remain on BBC television and iPlayer, with selected match commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

"It’s great to see the WSL growing and growing and I’m delighted that the BBC are carrying on as a partner on that journey," Kay-Jelski said.

"There are so many great players, matches and stories each season and this deal allows fans to enjoy them for free wherever they are, whether it’s clips on website, iPlayer and social media or the full 90 minutes on TV, radio and BBC Sounds."

Women's Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) chief executive Nikki Doucet added: "Agreeing the next cycle of broadcast rights was a priority for us and we are very fortunate to have two premium broadcast partners in Sky Sports and the BBC who believe in the future and value of women's football as much as we do.

"The growth of the game is undeniable, and this deal is another step in the right direction and positive news for the fans, the players and the clubs."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea's Women's Super League game against Manchester United will now be played on 24 November after it was postponed last month.

The game had been due to take place on 6 October but was postponed at a week's notice because of a conflict with the Blues' fixtures in the Women's Champions League.

Chelsea's group game at home to Real Madrid has been scheduled for just two days after the United game and the club said they had been unable to find an "amicable solution to this scheduling conflict".

The rearranged meeting at Kingsmeadow will kick off at 12:00 GMT and will be shown live on Sky Sports as originally planned.

Manchester United's Women's League Cup game at Everton, which was due to be played on Friday 22 November, will now take place two days earlier on Wednesday 20 November.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have appointed former Sweden international Therese Sjogran as their women’s director of football.

The 47-year-old, who won more than 200 international caps, replaces Dane Nils Nielsen, who left the role in June.

The former midfielder joins from Swedish side FC Rosengard, where she has been sporting director since 2015.

Sjogran will "oversee and support" head coach Gareth Taylor, as well as taking charge of player recruitment when she officially starts the role on 1 December.

Managing director Charlotte O’Neill said: "She is an undisputed icon of the game and has made a real impact on and off the pitch in both a playing and directorial capacity over the past two decades.

"We have a fantastic team working behind the scenes to help the club compete for the top honours, and Therese is an excellent addition to that cohort."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey finished eighth in the 2024 women's Ballon d'Or awards.

The trophy was won by Caldentey's Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati, who claimed the accolade for the second successive year.

While eight Women's Super League players were nominated for the award, Caldentey was the only one to finish in the top 10.

She was part of the Barcelona side that won Liga F, the Champions League, Supercopa and Copa de la Reina.

The 28-year-old forward joined the Gunners from Barcelona in the summer and has scored four goals in 11 games for the north London club.

Where did other WSL players finish?

Lauren James 13th

Khadija Shaw 15th

Lucy Bronze 20th

Mayra Ramirez 21st

Sjoeke Nusken 25th

Yui Hasegawa 26th

Lauren Hemp 28th