Posted on April 15, 2021 in Articles
Having had almost no opportunity to play international fixtures for over a year, the pandemic is partly to blame for a string of recent poor performances by England. However, as Jessy Parker Humphreys writes, if their fortunes are to change, then Riise must be willing to take greater risks with her selection policy.
Ahead of England’s two fixtures against France and Canada, interim coach Hege Riise insisted that these games were less about figuring out who to pick for her Team GB squad, and more about getting England right.
After the two matches though, she is still left with large question marks over both.
Jessy Parker Humphreys provides analysis of Chelsea’s 6-0 Continental Cup win over Bristol City.
There was always a sense that Chelsea had already played the final of this competition when they beat Manchester City in the semi-finals. Few expected the final against Bristol City to be a close game but the completeness of the 6-0 win by Chelsea was impressive. No team had previously won the Continental Cup final by more than three goals, and Chelsea had scored four before the end of the first half.
Chelsea lined up in the 4-4-2 formation with which they were so effective last season. This year, with the arrival of Pernille Harder and return of Fran Kirby from injury, Chelsea have tended towards playing either a diamond in midfield or a 4-3-3. Yet with Bethany England out injured and players like Harder and Ji So-Yun rested, this was the return of the flatter set-up.
If Bristol City manage to beat Chelsea in the Continental Cup final, it will go down as one of the greatest upsets ever seen. However, as Jessy Parker Humphreys explores, you can never write off Bristol City.
Source: 90min.com
Bristol City have the chance to put their relegation fears to one side on Sunday, as they face Chelsea in the Continental Cup final.
Bristol City have a habit of making the unexpected happen.
Last season they surprised many when they managed to maintain their Women’s Super League status on a Points Per Game basis after the season was curtailed as a result of COVID-19, leaving Liverpool to be relegated.
WSL: Five Things we learned this offsiderulepodcast.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from offsiderulepodcast.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Jessy Parker Humphreys highlights some of the biggest talking points from this weekend’s WSL fixtures.
Mewis return adds to Manchester City’s impressive squad
Given Manchester City’s recent form, the return of Sam Mewis from injury was not exactly a necessity, but return she did – and in style. Making an immediate impact, Mewis scored two goals as City broke down a stubborn Birmingham City side.
The transformation of potentially weak links in the squad into excellent starters has been part of what has been so impressive about Gareth Taylor’s side. Mewis’ injury was initially thought to be a big loss but it has barely been noticed. Meanwhile, Laura Coombs looked impressive in midfield, offering yet another option in an increasingly competitive area.