Category: Report

A much-changed Rangers side signed off their cinch Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win away to Scottish Cup final opponents Hearts.

Ibrox manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst rested all his big guns ahead of a big week in which his team will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final in Seville on Wednesday before meeting the Jambos at Hampden next Saturday.

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, in contrast, gave game time to all of those expected to feature in the final and the move appeared to backfire as top-scorer Liam Boyce limped off with a groin injury in the first half.

Peter Haring gave Hearts the lead, but goals from Cedric Itten and Alex Lowry turned the game around before half-time and debutant Cole McKinnon wrapped up victory for Rangers late on.

There were six changes to the Hearts side that started the 2-1 defeat at Motherwell in midweek as key men Craig Gordon, Michael Smith, Stephen Kingsley, Ellis Simms, Cammy Devlin and Barrie McKay returned to the side, with Ross Stewart, Taylor Moore, Nathaniel Atkinson, Ben Woodburn, Josh Ginnelly and Andy Halliday dropping out.

Craig Halkett and John Souttar were both named among the substitutes as they stepped up their bids to prove their fitness for the final, and both got on in the second half.

Rangers, with 10 changes to the side from Wednesday’s win over Ross County, had the first attempt of the match after seven minutes, but Scott Arfield’s low half-volley from the edge of the box was straight at Gordon.

Hearts suffered a blow in the 12th minute when Boyce pulled up clutching his groin and had to be replaced by Ginnelly.

Rangers defender James Sands had to slide in and make a vital intervention in the 19th minute to stop Simms turning in a Ginnelly cross.

The Jambos made the breakthrough four minutes later when Haring fired in a low angled shot after being teed up by Simms just inside the box.

Rangers equalised in the 32nd minute, however. After Itten saw a shot pushed behind by Gordon, the Swiss striker rose to power home a header from the resulting corner, taken by Lowry.

The visitors went ahead in first-half stoppage time when Lowry slotted a low finish beyond Gordon from 12 yards out after some good footwork to create space for himself.

McKay went close to an equaliser with a couple of efforts from the edge of the box around the hour mark before the Hearts playmaker blazed a close-range effort high over soon afterwards.

But Rangers stretched their advantage in the 81st minute when 19-year-old McKinnon, on as a substitute, fired into the bottom corner from 15 yards out.

GvB: Rangers are ready for Seville

Rangers manager Van Bronckhorst was delighted with the way his side performed, despite making 10 changes and leaving out all his main men ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.

“It was very pleasing,” he told Rangers TV. “It was the last game before two finals, so I decided to change the team and give players some rest.

“I was really impressed by the win and the way we played. You couldn’t see the changes we had made, especially with so many youngsters on the pitch. I think they performed really well. We dominated against a very good side with a very young team. I’m very proud.”

Teenager Cole McKinnon came off the bench to seal the win with a goal on his debut. “It was great to see Cole in the first team,” said Van Bronckhorst. “I’m really pleased for him with this special moment.”

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s Europa League final, Van Bronckhorst added: “It’s going to be amazing, a fantastic occasion. We will bring as many supporters as we can. We have to enjoy the occasion but make it a memorable night in Seville.”

Meanwhile, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is hopeful a groin problem will not keep top-scorer Liam Boyce out of next weekend’s Scottish Cup final.

The Northern Irish striker was forced off just 12 minutes into the league defeat by Rangers. The two teams meet again next weekend at Hampden and Neilson is optimistic the issue will not rule Boyce out.

“It was just a tight groin,” said the Hearts manager. “He thinks it’s just a tightness. That’s all it is.

“As soon as there was any issue we just got him off. There’s no point in taking any risks. It will just be dependent on the next day or two if it is just a tightness.”

A much-changed Rangers side signed off their cinch Premiership campaign with a 3-1 win away to Scottish Cup final opponents Hearts.

Ibrox manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst rested all his big guns ahead of a big week in which his team will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final in Seville on Wednesday before meeting the Jambos at Hampden next Saturday.

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson, in contrast, gave game time to all of those expected to feature in the final and the move appeared to backfire as top-scorer Liam Boyce limped off with a groin injury in the first half.

Peter Haring gave Hearts the lead, but goals from Cedric Itten and Alex Lowry turned the game around before half-time and debutant Cole McKinnon wrapped up victory for Rangers late on.

There were six changes to the Hearts side that started the 2-1 defeat at Motherwell in midweek as key men Craig Gordon, Michael Smith, Stephen Kingsley, Ellis Simms, Cammy Devlin and Barrie McKay returned to the side, with Ross Stewart, Taylor Moore, Nathaniel Atkinson, Ben Woodburn, Josh Ginnelly and Andy Halliday dropping out.

Craig Halkett and John Souttar were both named among the substitutes as they stepped up their bids to prove their fitness for the final, and both got on in the second half.

Rangers, with 10 changes to the side from Wednesday’s win over Ross County, had the first attempt of the match after seven minutes, but Scott Arfield’s low half-volley from the edge of the box was straight at Gordon.

Hearts suffered a blow in the 12th minute when Boyce pulled up clutching his groin and had to be replaced by Ginnelly.

Rangers defender James Sands had to slide in and make a vital intervention in the 19th minute to stop Simms turning in a Ginnelly cross.

The Jambos made the breakthrough four minutes later when Haring fired in a low angled shot after being teed up by Simms just inside the box.

Rangers equalised in the 32nd minute, however. After Itten saw a shot pushed behind by Gordon, the Swiss striker rose to power home a header from the resulting corner, taken by Lowry.

The visitors went ahead in first-half stoppage time when Lowry slotted a low finish beyond Gordon from 12 yards out after some good footwork to create space for himself.

McKay went close to an equaliser with a couple of efforts from the edge of the box around the hour mark before the Hearts playmaker blazed a close-range effort high over soon afterwards.

But Rangers stretched their advantage in the 81st minute when 19-year-old McKinnon, on as a substitute, fired into the bottom corner from 15 yards out.

GvB: Rangers are ready for Seville

Rangers manager Van Bronckhorst was delighted with the way his side performed, despite making 10 changes and leaving out all his main men ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.

“It was very pleasing,” he told Rangers TV. “It was the last game before two finals, so I decided to change the team and give players some rest.

“I was really impressed by the win and the way we played. You couldn’t see the changes we had made, especially with so many youngsters on the pitch. I think they performed really well. We dominated against a very good side with a very young team. I’m very proud.”

Teenager Cole McKinnon came off the bench to seal the win with a goal on his debut. “It was great to see Cole in the first team,” said Van Bronckhorst. “I’m really pleased for him with this special moment.”

Looking ahead to Wednesday’s Europa League final, Van Bronckhorst added: “It’s going to be amazing, a fantastic occasion. We will bring as many supporters as we can. We have to enjoy the occasion but make it a memorable night in Seville.”

Meanwhile, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is hopeful a groin problem will not keep top-scorer Liam Boyce out of next weekend’s Scottish Cup final.

The Northern Irish striker was forced off just 12 minutes into the league defeat by Rangers. The two teams meet again next weekend at Hampden and Neilson is optimistic the issue will not rule Boyce out.

“It was just a tight groin,” said the Hearts manager. “He thinks it’s just a tightness. That’s all it is.

“As soon as there was any issue we just got him off. There’s no point in taking any risks. It will just be dependent on the next day or two if it is just a tightness.”

A stunning Vitaliy Mykolenko volley and another Jordan Pickford masterclass saw Everton move out of the Premier League relegation zone with a battling 2-1 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

After Burnley’s loss against Aston Villa on Saturday and Leeds’ defeat at Arsenal, Frank Lampard’s side, who started the day in 18th position, climbed above their rivals into 16th and have a game in hand on both sides.

In a frantic start, Ukraine international Mykolenko’s sublime strike from the edge of the box after an Alex Iwobi cross gave Everton an early lead (6), before Leicester forward Patson Daka levelled the game just five minutes later following a defensive mix-up between Yerry Mina and Seamus Coleman.

The visitors, who then lost Mina to injury in the first half, scored what would prove to be the winner on the half-hour mark when Mason Holgate nodded in after Kasper Schmeichel could only parry Richarlison’s header from a Demarai Gray corner.

After the break, it was all about Jordan Pickford. After a string of fine saves in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park, England’s No 1 produced another inspired performance. First, he expertly tipped Nampalys Mendy’s curling effort from the edge of the box around the post, before twice denying substitute Harvey Barnes from close range and from distance.

Barnes then headed a brilliant chance wide in the 82nd minute as Leicester went in search of a point, but Everton held on for a crucial result in their quest for survival and their first away win in the Premier League since August.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Sunday 15th May 4:00pm


Kick off 4:30pm

Leicester are back in action on Wednesday when they host relegated Norwich (kick-off 7.45pm). The Foxes then travel to Watford on May 15 (kick-off 2pm).

Everton head to Watford on Wednesday as they continue their fight for Premier League survival (kick-off 7.45pm). Frank Lampard’s side then welcome Brentford to Goodison Park next Sunday, live on Sky Sports (kick-off 4.30pm).

Leicester’s remaining fixtures

May 11 – Norwich (h)

May 15 – Watford (a)

May 19 – Chelsea (a)

May 22 – Southampton (h)

Everton’s remaining fixtures

May 11 – Watford (a)

May 15 – Brentford (h), live on Sky Sports

May 19 – Crystal Palace (h)

May 22 – Arsenal (a)

Arsenal will take a four-point gap to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when they face Tottenham on Thursday, live on Sky Sports, after securing a nervy 2-1 win over 10-man Leeds United, who dropped into the bottom three.

Following Spurs’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday night, the Gunners knew a win would see them solidify fourth place ahead of a crunch north London derby and they got the perfect start as Eddie Nketiah’s double inside the first 10 minutes set them on the path to victory.

Leeds struggled to get any foothold in the game and their fate was sealed when Luke Ayling was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Gabriel Martinelli, after a VAR intervention saw his initial booking upgraded to red card.

After the break, Leeds grabbed a lifeline from out of nowhere as Diego Llorente squeezed his strike in at the far post to set up a tense finish, but the Gunners, who were hanging on at the end, clung on for what eventually was a very nervy victory.

It sets up a huge game on Thursday (kick off 7.45pm) when the Gunners, who are now just one point behind third-placed Chelsea, could seal Champions League football with a victory over rivals Spurs.

Meanwhile, a disappointing day for Leeds – who put in a spirited second-half display – ends with them in the relegation zone with three games to go after Everton’s 2-1 victory at Leicester.

More to follow…

What’s next for Arsenal & Leeds?

Thursday 12th May 7:00pm


Kick off 7:45pm

Arsenal are back in action at Tottenham on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports, as the north London rivals battle it out for Champions League qualification; kick off at 7:45pm. Mikel Arteta’s side then travel to Newcastle on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports; kick-off at 8pm.

Wednesday 11th May 7:00pm


Kick off 7:30pm

Leeds play host to Chelsea on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports, as they continue their fight for Premier League survival; kick-off at 7.30pm. Jesse Marsch’s side then welcome Brighton to Elland Road on Sunday; kick-off at 2pm.

Arsenal’s remaining fixtures

Thursday – Tottenham (a), live on Sky Sports

May 16 – Newcastle (a), live on Sky Sports

May 22 – Everton (h)

Leeds’ remaining fixtures

May 11 – Chelsea (h), live on Sky Sports

May 15 – Brighton (h)

May 22 – Brentford (a)

Manchester City clinched the final WSL Champions League spot with a 4-0 win at Reading, as Spurs signed off a successful season with a 1-0 victory against Leicester at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

At kick-off, City knew that if they lost and local rivals Manchester United won they would be pipped for third place, but City were comfortable by half-time after goals from Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw.

An 85th-minute goal from Ellen White and an added-time penalty from Alex Greenwood made the result safe, and means City head into next Sunday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea in fine form.

It has been quite the resurgence from Gareth Taylor’s side, who saw his team decimated by injury early on in the season.

But a turnaround in the second half of the campaign has seen them secure the final European place, pipping local rivals Manchester United to third place after they lost 4-2 to WSL champions Chelsea.

Tottenham consolidated fifth place with a 1-0 win over Leicester thanks to Ashleigh Neville’s goal early in the second half, while Brighton and Everton drew 1-1.

Nathalie Bjorn’s penalty in stoppage time gave the Toffees a half-time lead but it lasted just seven minutes after the restart when Aileen Whelan pulled Albionlevel.

Birmingham, who were already relegated to the Championship, ended the season on a high with a 1-0 win over Midlands rivals Aston Villa. Greek forward Veatriki Sarri netted the only goal in the 10th minute

Manchester City clinched the final WSL Champions League spot with a 4-0 win at Reading, as Spurs signed off a successful season with a 1-0 victory against Leicester at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

At kick-off, City knew that if they lost and local rivals Manchester United won they would be pipped for third place, but City were comfortable by half-time after goals from Lauren Hemp and Khadija Shaw.

An 85th-minute goal from Ellen White and an added-time penalty from Alex Greenwood made the result safe, and means City head into next Sunday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea in fine form.

It has been quite the resurgence from Gareth Taylor’s side, who saw his team decimated by injury early on in the season.

But a turnaround in the second half of the campaign has seen them secure the final European place, pipping local rivals Manchester United to third place after they lost 4-2 to WSL champions Chelsea.

Tottenham consolidated fifth place with a 1-0 win over Leicester thanks to Ashleigh Neville’s goal early in the second half, while Brighton and Everton drew 1-1.

Nathalie Bjorn’s penalty in stoppage time gave the Toffees a half-time lead but it lasted just seven minutes after the restart when Aileen Whelan pulled Albionlevel.

Birmingham, who were already relegated to the Championship, ended the season on a high with a 1-0 win over Midlands rivals Aston Villa. Greek forward Veatriki Sarri netted the only goal in the 10th minute

Two stunning second-half goals from Sam Kerr helped Chelsea to the Women’s Super League title, beating Manchester United 4-2 at Kingsmeadow, as Arsenal finished a point behind in second place after a 2-0 win at West Ham.

After clinching a fifth WSL title for Chelsea, Hayes described it as her best win yet, telling Sky Sports: “Relief, I say it every time we win. It’s out the way, hallelujah! We had to dig deep but we’ve done it all year.

“This is by far and away the best one. 2-1 down first half and then went on to win 4-2. We’re champions because of the second half of the season. We know how to get over the line.

“We can get it done, you can’t legislate that.”

But it was heartbreak for Arsenal – who had spent 182 days at the top of the WSL table – and manager Jonas Eidevall described the team as ’empty’ after finishing second.

He told the BBC: “It feels very empty right now. I am very proud of the players how they handled the situation. We have been phenomenal.

“When you take 55 points, you know you can win it. We just feel empty that we didn’t do it.

“Obviously you can feel the atmosphere here at the stadium. You feel the tension during the game. You love it and it’s great to see how the players reacted under the pressure. I loved that.

“Of course, it’s emotional. It’s so hard to summarise at this moment. One part of me is so proud with what we achieved. We were pretty close to being unbeaten all season. Another part feels so empty to not get a trophy. This is a test for us. We need to keep believing and up our game next season.”

How Chelsea beat Arsenal to the WSL title

Chelsea did not make it easy on their way to a third successive WSL trophy – a record for consecutive wins – after a poor first-half performance.

Martha Thomas fired Man Utd ahead inside 13 minutes only for Erin Cuthbert to hit back with a reply five minutes later. But Ella Toone assured the visitors would go into the break 2-1 up with her 25th-minute goal.

Arsenal were held to a goalless draw in the opening 45 minutes, but were top of the table on goal difference at half-time.

But once again, Hayes made two title-winning substitutions at the start of the second half to turn the game on its head, introducing Beth England and So-Yun Ji for her final Chelsea appearance.

“The subs really impressed me,” Kelly Smith told Sky Sports. “Man United were all over Chelsea in the first half and she [Hayes] changed it slightly.

“She bought on Ji to get her on the ball and dictate the tempo in the middle of the park. Then England up top to try and hold the ball up and it really worked… Her tactical choices in the second half really made the game.”

Kerr scored the first of her stunning double 47 seconds after the break as she volleyed a half-clearance into the top corner. Man Utd had struggled to deal with England’s cross from the right flank.

Guro Reiten then put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the game soon after. Ji slotted Pernille Harder through down the left, with Reiten sending the cross past Mary Earps.

But the goal of the game – and possibly the season – came as Kerr looped a stunning effort over Earps from range to seal the title for Chelsea. They were her 19th and 20th goals of the season, winning her the Golden Boot ahead of Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema.

The Gunners scored both of their goals at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in six minutes, but it did not prove to be enough.

Stina Blackstenius scored with her first touch in the 60th minute before Steph Cately added the second, but Jonas Eidevall’s side ultimately finished a point behind Chelsea in second place.

The result at Kingsmeadow also sees Man Utd end the season in fourth place – pipped to third spot by local rivals Manchester City, who beat Reading 4-0 on the final day. West Ham end the campaign in a respectable sixth place.

Hayes: Subs made the impact we wanted

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told Sky Sports:

“I changed the shape [at half-time] and Beth and Sam ran the channels really well. Ji So Yun has a calf injury and she really put her body on the line.

“We were too back-footed in the first half. We had 3v3 in midfield but we were overrun. All the subs made the impact we wanted.

“I think Millie Bright has been unbelievable. Sam Kerr wins you games but Millie has been available every game. That leadership when Magda Eriksson was out was important.

“She’s not just a leader in the group but she can always find another level in herself.

“You don’t win the league on the first game of the season but to keep confidence high, you have to believe in the rotations.

“I miss my boy and I’m looking forward to a couple of months with him!”

Kerr wins WSL Golden Boot

It’s a second successive Golden Boot for Kerr after also netting 21 WSL goals in the 2020/21 season.

Perhaps most impressive about her haul is that none of her goals came from penalties – all 20 this campaign were from open play – as well nabbing four assists.

It adds to her Golden Boot from the Asia Cup, where she scored seven goals, and continues to rack up the air miles during international breaks playing for Australia.

Kerr told Sky Sports: “The first half we played a bit nervous, the second half it was playing about how we play. That’s why we’re champions. When we play like that, no-one can stop us.

“I don’t care who scored! We won and that’s what matters. I actually visualised scoring crazy goals like that all the time. Guro headed it to me and I had a pop. I didn’t even know the goalkeeper was out.

“This is one of the best matches I played in Kingsmeadow. The Manchester United fans made it good to. I want to score as many goals I can, I just do what I can to win.”

Was this Miedema’s final game for Arsenal?

Transfer speculation continues to grow around Miedema’s future at Arsenal, and Sunday’s game could mark her final appearance for the club. She is out of contract this summer.

But the striker says she will now take a break before deciding on her future, telling the BBC: “I was focused on today. I will have a couple of weeks holiday and will make a decision then.

“I’m speaking with the club and Jonas Eidevall. I really want to win titles. This year I haven’t won anything. If I feel like the club is moving in that direction then maybe I stay another year or two years. Right now I have not made my decision.”

Eidevall added: “All football clubs are looking at the transfer window. The ambition is to be stronger for next season.

“Some of the things Vivianne Miedema does are astonishing. It was a stellar performance. She’s on a level that no one else is on in the league. Our ambition is the same, we want to keep her and will do everything we can to keep her.”

Eriksson: A squad win | Bright: We’re like a family

Chelsea captain Magda Eriksson told Sky Sports: “It means much winning a league, but winning it this way is even more. We’ve used every single member of the squad, everyone has contributed. It’s a squad win.

“Other teams had injuries and it showed on the pitch in their results. We’ve had setbacks and injuries and even though it’s not been smooth, we’ve found a way to win. It’s the team, the girls help each other to win.”

Millie Bright told Sky Sports: “Really proud. Everyone says it’s like a family and it really is. I absolutely love every single one of them [team-mates]. The part of the game we hate is losing players.

“In those moments, we’ve learned how to deal with each other. We didn’t even get out of gear. It was about executing it and doing the fundamentals of the game plan.

“Start to finish has been really tough. I think all season our mentality has been to be brutal. It was really tight at the top, it was like a cup final. You saw from the results it was 1-0 games and we found a way to win.”

Erin Cuthbert told Sky Sports: “It means everything to everyone. We’ve been through a lot and just got on with it. A lot of the year we’ve been out of the limelight, a lot of people wrote us off in the middle of the season. But we never did.

“There’s the mentality in the dressing room to claw back from games.

“We weren’t playing a game in the first-half but we showed it was ours to win. We used the crowd, we needed them today. It was amazing.”

Two stunning second-half goals from Sam Kerr helped Chelsea to the Women’s Super League title, beating Manchester United 4-2 at Kingsmeadow, as Arsenal finished a point behind in second place after a 2-0 win at West Ham.

After clinching a fifth WSL title for Chelsea, Hayes described it as her best win yet, telling Sky Sports: “Relief, I say it every time we win. It’s out the way, hallelujah! We had to dig deep but we’ve done it all year.

“This is by far and away the best one. 2-1 down first half and then went on to win 4-2. We’re champions because of the second half of the season. We know how to get over the line.

“We can get it done, you can’t legislate that.”

But it was heartbreak for Arsenal – who had spent 182 days at the top of the WSL table – and manager Jonas Eidevall described the team as ’empty’ after finishing second.

He told the BBC: “It feels very empty right now. I am very proud of the players how they handled the situation. We have been phenomenal.

“When you take 55 points, you know you can win it. We just feel empty that we didn’t do it.

“Obviously you can feel the atmosphere here at the stadium. You feel the tension during the game. You love it and it’s great to see how the players reacted under the pressure. I loved that.

“Of course, it’s emotional. It’s so hard to summarise at this moment. One part of me is so proud with what we achieved. We were pretty close to being unbeaten all season. Another part feels so empty to not get a trophy. This is a test for us. We need to keep believing and up our game next season.”

How Chelsea beat Arsenal to the WSL title

Chelsea did not make it easy on their way to a third successive WSL trophy – a record for consecutive wins – after a poor first-half performance.

Martha Thomas fired Man Utd ahead inside 13 minutes only for Erin Cuthbert to hit back with a reply five minutes later. But Ella Toone assured the visitors would go into the break 2-1 up with her 25th-minute goal.

Arsenal were held to a goalless draw in the opening 45 minutes, but were top of the table on goal difference at half-time.

But once again, Hayes made two title-winning substitutions at the start of the second half to turn the game on its head, introducing Beth England and So-Yun Ji for her final Chelsea appearance.

“The subs really impressed me,” Kelly Smith told Sky Sports. “Man United were all over Chelsea in the first half and she [Hayes] changed it slightly.

“She bought on Ji to get her on the ball and dictate the tempo in the middle of the park. Then England up top to try and hold the ball up and it really worked… Her tactical choices in the second half really made the game.”

Kerr scored the first of her stunning double 47 seconds after the break as she volleyed a half-clearance into the top corner. Man Utd had struggled to deal with England’s cross from the right flank.

Guro Reiten then put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the game soon after. Ji slotted Pernille Harder through down the left, with Reiten sending the cross past Mary Earps.

But the goal of the game – and possibly the season – came as Kerr looped a stunning effort over Earps from range to seal the title for Chelsea. They were her 19th and 20th goals of the season, winning her the Golden Boot ahead of Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema.

The Gunners scored both of their goals at the Chigwell Construction Stadium in six minutes, but it did not prove to be enough.

Stina Blackstenius scored with her first touch in the 60th minute before Steph Cately added the second, but Jonas Eidevall’s side ultimately finished a point behind Chelsea in second place.

The result at Kingsmeadow also sees Man Utd end the season in fourth place – pipped to third spot by local rivals Manchester City, who beat Reading 4-0 on the final day. West Ham end the campaign in a respectable sixth place.

Hayes: Subs made the impact we wanted

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told Sky Sports:

“I changed the shape [at half-time] and Beth and Sam ran the channels really well. Ji So Yun has a calf injury and she really put her body on the line.

“We were too back-footed in the first half. We had 3v3 in midfield but we were overrun. All the subs made the impact we wanted.

“I think Millie Bright has been unbelievable. Sam Kerr wins you games but Millie has been available every game. That leadership when Magda Eriksson was out was important.

“She’s not just a leader in the group but she can always find another level in herself.

“You don’t win the league on the first game of the season but to keep confidence high, you have to believe in the rotations.

“I miss my boy and I’m looking forward to a couple of months with him!”

Kerr wins WSL Golden Boot

It’s a second successive Golden Boot for Kerr after also netting 21 WSL goals in the 2020/21 season.

Perhaps most impressive about her haul is that none of her goals came from penalties – all 20 this campaign were from open play – as well nabbing four assists.

It adds to her Golden Boot from the Asia Cup, where she scored seven goals, and continues to rack up the air miles during international breaks playing for Australia.

Kerr told Sky Sports: “The first half we played a bit nervous, the second half it was playing about how we play. That’s why we’re champions. When we play like that, no-one can stop us.

“I don’t care who scored! We won and that’s what matters. I actually visualised scoring crazy goals like that all the time. Guro headed it to me and I had a pop. I didn’t even know the goalkeeper was out.

“This is one of the best matches I played in Kingsmeadow. The Manchester United fans made it good to. I want to score as many goals I can, I just do what I can to win.”

Was this Miedema’s final game for Arsenal?

Transfer speculation continues to grow around Miedema’s future at Arsenal, and Sunday’s game could mark her final appearance for the club. She is out of contract this summer.

But the striker says she will now take a break before deciding on her future, telling the BBC: “I was focused on today. I will have a couple of weeks holiday and will make a decision then.

“I’m speaking with the club and Jonas Eidevall. I really want to win titles. This year I haven’t won anything. If I feel like the club is moving in that direction then maybe I stay another year or two years. Right now I have not made my decision.”

Eidevall added: “All football clubs are looking at the transfer window. The ambition is to be stronger for next season.

“Some of the things Vivianne Miedema does are astonishing. It was a stellar performance. She’s on a level that no one else is on in the league. Our ambition is the same, we want to keep her and will do everything we can to keep her.”

Eriksson: A squad win | Bright: We’re like a family

Chelsea captain Magda Eriksson told Sky Sports: “It means much winning a league, but winning it this way is even more. We’ve used every single member of the squad, everyone has contributed. It’s a squad win.

“Other teams had injuries and it showed on the pitch in their results. We’ve had setbacks and injuries and even though it’s not been smooth, we’ve found a way to win. It’s the team, the girls help each other to win.”

Millie Bright told Sky Sports: “Really proud. Everyone says it’s like a family and it really is. I absolutely love every single one of them [team-mates]. The part of the game we hate is losing players.

“In those moments, we’ve learned how to deal with each other. We didn’t even get out of gear. It was about executing it and doing the fundamentals of the game plan.

“Start to finish has been really tough. I think all season our mentality has been to be brutal. It was really tight at the top, it was like a cup final. You saw from the results it was 1-0 games and we found a way to win.”

Erin Cuthbert told Sky Sports: “It means everything to everyone. We’ve been through a lot and just got on with it. A lot of the year we’ve been out of the limelight, a lot of people wrote us off in the middle of the season. But we never did.

“There’s the mentality in the dressing room to claw back from games.

“We weren’t playing a game in the first-half but we showed it was ours to win. We used the crowd, we needed them today. It was amazing.”

Harry Cornick’s moment of quick-thinking on the stroke of half-time saw Luton secure their Championship play-off place with a 1-0 victory over Reading.

Up against a side who had nothing to play for, a win was all the hosts needed and they managed it thanks to Cornick’s 13th goal of the season.

Any result might have done for the hosts depending on scores elsewhere while with Middlesbrough and Millwall going on to lose, it meant events at Kenilworth Road actually didn’t matter a great deal in the end.

Town wasted a glorious chance in the opening minute as Jordan Clark sent Cameron Jerome clean through but the experienced striker could only shoot low down at Orjan Nyland, who saved comfortably.

Allan Campbell then fired over the bar on the run from Jerome’s knockdown as Town looked to make a fast start to proceedings, Campbell also heading straight at Nyland and Sonny Bradley putting James Bree’s free-kick too close to the Royals stopper.

Jerome had another effort when meeting Reece Burke’s cross but couldn’t keep his header down.

Reading threatened to spoil the party when Ovie Ejaria broke into the box but his deflected attempt was parried by the body of Matt Ingram.

At the other end, Bree tried his luck from a free-kick which did not miss the bottom corner by much.

Town then took the lead on the stroke of half-time with a goal Nyland will not want to see back again.

After gathering Amari’i Bell’s low cross, he took his time before dropping the ball to the floor to clear, only to fail to see Cornick lurking behind him.

The Luton attacker nipped in to take a touch and slot the ball into the net for a huge goal in Town’s play-off bid.

After the break, Cornick was first to show once more, his header going over the top from Burke’s delivery.

Town stayed on the front foot, though, a rebound falling to Bree 25 yards from goal as he curled narrowly wide of the target before Jerome fashioned a shooting chance all for himself, crashing his effort against the woodwork and away.

Reading went close when Michael Morrison reached a deep cross at the back post, his header rebounding off keeper Ingram before Yakou Meite dragged wide from the edge of the box.

Bradley did superbly to block from Morrison as the centre-back had a go from range, slicing tamely wide of the goal.

The final few minutes turned into a celebration for the Hatters’ faithful, safe in the knowledge their season was extended by a further two games and hopefully a final at Wembley.

Semi-final first legs

Friday May 13, 7.45pm – Luton vs Huddersfield

Saturday May 14, 3pm – Sheff Utd vs N Forest

Semi-final second legs

Monday May 16, 7.45pm – Huddersfield vs Luton

Tuesday May 17, 7.45pm – N Forest vs Sheff Utd

Play-off final

Sunday, May 29 2022

Celtic are on the brink of being crowned Scottish Premiership champions after coming from behind to beat Hearts 4-1.

After drawing with Rangers last weekend, Celtic knew victory would mean their Old Firm rivals could match them on points but they have a vastly inferior goal difference.

Ellis Simms looked to spoil their party as he put the visitors in front after just three minutes.

Daizen Maeda pulled Celtic level with Kyogo Furuhashi getting the title party started when he forced the ball over the line to take the lead before half-time.

Matt O’Riley guided the ball past Craig Gordon in the second half before Giorgos Giakoumakis came off the bench to make it 4-1 in injury time.

Celtic can officially be crowned champions as early as Sunday if Rangers fail to beat Dundee United at Ibrox.

How Celtic moved to the brink of the Scottish Premiership title

Hearts started on the front foot and took the lead inside three minutes as Simms lashed home from 12 yards after Liam Boyce had helped on Alex Cochrane’s cross. Carl Starfelt appealed for offside as he failed to cut out the flick-on but his trailing leg was probably playing Simms on.

The on-loan Everton forward had a chance to add to his tally but Josh Ginnelly’s cross was inches too high and he could not get enough power on his header to beat Joe Hart.

Celtic pushed forward and Gordon made an excellent stop from David Turnbull before saving Furuhashi’s header. Turnbull then teed up O’Riley but the midfielder’s effort was headed clear by Stephen Kingsley.

Despite the pressure, there was an audible anxiety among the home fans when moves broke down.

The home nerves calmed on the half-hour mark when Jota burst through the Hearts backline on the counter-attack and squared for Maeda to sweep home.

Hearts complained strongly to referee Don Robertson that Toby Sibbick had been fouled by Celtic skipper Callum McGregor when possession was turned over.

There were more arguments as Celtic went ahead seven minutes later.

Gordon scooped away Furuhashi’s header after Jota had headed O’Riley’s cross across the goal line but assistant referee Dougie Potter signalled for a goal. Television replays vindicated his decision.

Celtic could have moved clear before half-time but Gordon saved from O’Riley’s free header.

Maeda failed to make the most of two chances early in the second half and O’Riley struck the inside of the post from 18 yards.

The tension reappeared as Hearts came back into the game and forced several set-pieces but the atmosphere was transformed in the 69th minute.

Jota was involved again, bringing down a high ball and feeding Greg Taylor’s overlap. The left-back’s deep cross was taken down by O’Riley and the midfielder side-footed the ball inside the far post.

Celtic Park went into celebratory mode and James Forrest and Reo Hatate came close to further extending the goal difference advantage before Giakoumakis fired home the fourth in the last minute following Forrest’s cutback.

What the managers said

Kids come first for Ange Postecoglou as he admits he will not to watching what Rangers do against Dundee United:

“I just thought they were outstanding again, we played some outstanding football, scored four goals and probably should have had another four. Craig Gordon was outstanding as well.

“I just never get a sense with this group that they’re going to veer off course or lose any belief in what we’re trying to build.

“They’ve done it consistently this year with every challenge thrown at them.

“[Sunday] that’s my kids’ day so there’s a new movie out that’s on the agenda so we’ll keep an eye on that!”

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson was frustrated by Celtic’s equaliser, believing they should have been awarded a free-kick:

“One hundred per cent, but I think the less said about that from Don’s (Robertson) perspective.

“When you come through to Glasgow you have to get these decisions. If you don’t get these decisions then it’s going to be a very difficult game.

“One the day did we do enough to win the game? Probably not.”

What’s next?

Celtic are away to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports Football; kick-off 7.30pm. Hearts travel to face Motherwell the same night, that game kicks off at 7:45pm.