Man Utd boss Marc Skinner fires FA Cup final warning to favourites Chelsea
Marc Skinner insists Manchester United’s “rebels” are closing the gap on Chelsea going into the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday. Wembley is expecting a 90,000 sell-out crowd – a record for a women’s domestic club match – for the showdown between the top two teams in the Women’s Super League. United hold a one-point lead over Chelsea but Emma Hayes’ side have a game in hand and, with three WSL matches to play, are favourites to win a fourth consecutive title. Chelsea also have a firm hold on United with six successive victories against the Red Devils, including a potentially decisive 1-0 home win in March – the only time Skinner’s side have failed to score in 28 games this season. Skinner said: “We are getting closer. We remember the Chelsea game last time and I’m absolutely convinced – and we have got VAR this time – we should have had two penalties and you might be talking about the title race differently. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if you want to pick a favourite then Chelsea should be put on that mantle because they’ve done this before. “But the reality is we have a team of rebels and that might not be the fact on Sunday. “Single game, single focus, and we will try to accept all the psychological challenges and manage and adapt the best we can. We are there to try and win it.” Chelsea have been in fine form since bowing out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Barcelona. They have beaten Liverpool, Everton and Leicester to narrow the gap on United and scored 15 goals in the process. “I’m sure the coaches of Leicester and Everton will be disappointed with the mistakes in those games that made it a little bit easier for Chelsea to score those (13) goals,” said Skinner, who has labelled Blues top scorer Sam Kerr a “machine”. “But they did score them and they are deadly. We’ve got to make sure we keep that to a minimum. “Chelsea create chances in every game they play, so we’ve got to hurt them at the other end. “If we do that, and play to that mentality, then it’s going to be a really exciting game. “We know we can beat Chelsea and that’s not saying we’re going to beat Chelsea because we know how difficult that is. We’ve got to trust our process of play.” The United team were only formed in May 2018 and this is their first final. But England Euro 2022 heroes Alessia Russo, Ella Toone and Mary Earps, as well as Norwegian midfielder Vilde Boe Risa, have won every single final they have played in. Toone also scored against Brazil in the 2023 Women’s Finalissima last month, which England won on penalties with Earps proving a shoot-out heroine. Asked if United had practised penalties ahead of Sunday, Skinner said: “Absolutely. It would be remiss not to do that. We’ve been doing it over the last few weeks. “Mary’s experience will be massive, but we can’t win this on individuals’ experience. We have to do it as a collective, because we’re going to have to suffer.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Eurovision has disrupted Man City’s schedule, Pep Guardiola says Everton have their edge back at the right time in relegation battle – Sean Dyche Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton
2023-05-13 18:45
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals Man Utd turned down Erling Haaland deal
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What Christian Eriksen learned about life and living after suffering a cardiac arrest playing for Denmark
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David Moyes admits Declan Rice likely to leave West Ham this summer
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'Quality players want to come' - Erik ten Hag drops huge Man Utd transfer hint
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Everton have their edge back at the right time in relegation battle – Sean Dyche
Everton manager Sean Dyche believes his side have got their “edge” back at just the right time. A surprise 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday has raised hopes of escaping relegation and he knows that ability to find something extra will be crucial as they host Premier League leaders and treble-chasers Manchester City. Dyche took over a side at the end of January that had lost eight of nine matches but after the initial bounce a new manager occasionally brings, beating Arsenal and Leeds in his first three games, results tailed off again. The team had registered just one win in 11 before victory over the Seagulls but Dyche thinks that result – after encouraging signs in their previous outing in a 2-2 draw at Leicester – shows that much sought-after X-factor is returning. “I looked at some of the performances, the body language, intent and meaning behind the performance and in some way, I thought some things were lacking,” he said. “We’ve adjusted that side of it, the purposefulness of the side, some of the quality moments, some of the defensive side but the actual feel of the performance and mentality of the performance has grown. “Watching the intent, body language and desire of a team, it’s hard to explain, but I know it when I see it, I’ve been in the game all my life. “You get stats – our team and their team – and it can look like there’s nothing in it, but there’s a big difference in body language intent and desire from those stats. “Compared to some of the performances since I got here, that kind of edge has improved.” Everton’s win over Brighton was a huge morale boost but facing City, even at Goodison Park, is a daunting task for a side who probably require at least one more win from their remaining three games to extend their top-flight status into a 70th successive season. And while time is running out to save themselves, as they did on the penultimate game of last season, Dyche is keen to change the view on the significance which has been placed on coming good when it is needed at the end of a campaign. “The thing I’m trying to get to here is that every single game should matter. Every single game should be the most important one. We are trying to build that momentum,” he added. “I’ve never believed in ‘the business end of the season’. The first game should be the business end of the season because that might be the one that wins you a title, gets you promoted or keeps you in a division. “If you take big games along the way then fantastic – it’s great for you, great for the team, great for the prowess of the club and the badge, great for everything. “But that should be the mentality on day one, not just because you’re playing Man City and it’s near the end of a season. “We are trying to adjust that, it is a longer-term thing, but that is my belief. Of course it is a fantastic occasion to take on one of the biggest teams in terms of winning trophies, but that doesn’t make it easier.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season
2023-05-13 16:29
Anything can happen in football – Pep Guardiola wary of threat posed by Everton
Pep Guardiola is wary of an Everton side he feels should not be in a relegation battle. Guardiola takes treble-chasing Manchester City to Goodison Park on Sunday for a match crucial at both ends of the Premier League table. Leaders City need points to retain their advantage over title rivals Arsenal while the Toffees are battling for survival. Everton have endured a miserable campaign but they dramatically boosted their hopes of beating the drop by claiming a stunning 5-1 win at European hopefuls Brighton on Monday. “They have the history and the quality of team to not be in this position,” said City manager Guardiola. “Brighton is one of the toughest places to go and the result had a real impact, I am sure, not just in the table but in their mood. “Brighton have had incredible results against Wolves and Man United but immediately they were surprised by two early goals. “The defensive structure, the physicality Everton have, is really good and anything can happen in a football game.” The importance of the fixture means City cannot afford to ease up ahead of the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid next Wednesday. The champions played out a 1-1 draw with the Spanish giants at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday. The challenge facing them at Goodison will be completely different and Guardiola recognises it requires a change of mindset. “The way they play is special, we have to adapt as quickly as possible,” he said. “There are four games left in the Premier League and it is really important for us to be there, to keep our destiny – or what you play for – in our hands and we have to prepare as best as possible. “When we play for all competitions, you have to switch and adapt.” The human being can have incredible energy that you don't believe you have. Pep Guardiola Guardiola admits his side’s current schedule is draining but, with the team still firing on three fronts, he expects their determination and winning mentality to carry them through. He said: “Winning helps to be better. It you win the previous game your mental recovery is better. “The human being has incredible resources to move forward, keep going. If you desire mentally, the human being can have incredible energy that you don’t believe you have.” City will check on the fitness of defender Nathan Ake, who missed the game in Spain through injury. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Moises Caicedo has no point to prove against admirers Arsenal – Roberto De Zerbi Jurgen Klopp happy Liverpool ‘could show up a little bit’ before end of season On this day in 2006: Liverpool win thrilling FA Cup final against West Ham
2023-05-13 16:26
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