Episode 2 The Women's Football Show

Hello and welcome to the Women's Football Show, which this week comes

from the north-east. We have Arsenal against Sunderland at the Hetton

Centre. We will also be looking at Manchester City in the Champions

League. First of all colour Alex Scott went to speak to some of the

Arsenal players. Kim, they say never go back - what

made you come back to Arsenal wanted it is like anything in life, are you

going to stay or are you going to improve and develop? For me, it was

another change. I think change is good, it means you are able to go

again, learn again and to develop. Little! Goal! Number eight! And it

is great! What experiences did you get from your time in America? I

think it allowed me to take my game to a different level in terms of

just playing with different players, playing in a different style. It is

quite fast, and it made me have to make decisions much quicker than

when I was in the league here. I played with such great players. From

being at Arsenal before, when we had the big characters like Kelly Smith,

Rachel Yankey, they have all gone, so do you feel that responsibility

now? Another reason why I came back was because, yes, it was going to

give me that different experience. Vice-captain, I had never really

thought about it, I never really wanted to be a captain. But maybe it

was my time to take that responsibility. Now, it is, what can

I do on and off the field to help people? That is the big change that

I have seen from the Kim before, and the Kim now, you have got this error

of confidence about you. You were recently on question of sport. Is

this the sort of thing that you are adding to Kim Little, little nuggets

but you can take from somewhere else? Yeah, having travelled and

experienced different things, it opens you up to different things,

and I have taken it upon myself to read books, life books, how you can

develop yourself, things which are relevant to sports teams. You read

all of these books and different things and you're going to pick up

habits which make you better and make the people around you better.

That is what I will try and do. Scotland have qualified for their

first major tournament. How proud I you? Yeah, I have never been in the

squad for ten years, since I was 16. Qualifying campaigns, European

campaigns. We have been so close to love this time, we made it. And

obviously, the first game is against England. Do you feel there is more

pressure on the England team then there is on you guys? I think so,

but I think that's just natural. England have done so well in the

past few years. So, pressure I think is more on England, but that's

pretty normal. So, your Scotland team, what are your strengths? I

think we are very strong and compact defensively" direct going forward as

well. I am writing this down! We have got great attributes and

hopefully we can minimise our weaknesses so that they don't get

exposed! That is all I will say! You're going to have a new Arsenal

manager after the Euros, how do you see Shelley Kerr progressing the

team? She has got a lot of different experiences within the game. I think

our current coach has been there for a long time, so I think a change is

a good thing. I think it will bring new ideas and I'm looking forward to

having a new coach. I hope that I can bring my experience as well, and

having a lot of caps with the national team can help. With

Scotland, our team is very young as well so I hope I can help develop

the next generation. Journey Kim Little will no doubt have a huge

part to play both for Arsenal and for Scotland in the Euros in the

summer. She can't play here today, which might be good news for

Melanie. The likes of Carli Lloyd, Kim Little, what does it say about

the standard of the league? It's certainly going to make the league

very interesting. It is a credit to the FA that we can have a league

which is so competitive. Big changes for you, how are you enjoying your

first stint at the helm but when it has been about five weeks now and we

have worked really hard to try to get our ideas over to the girls. And

you are a former player at Sunderland, but transitioning from a

full-time team last season to what is now part-time, what has that been

like? It hasn't really changed much, to be honest. We've still got nine

full-time players. So we start at about three o'clock every day and

work through. The schedule is pretty much the same as what it was last

year. Best of luck, Melanie. Will Sunderland, after holding Birmingham

in their last match, be able to hold out against this potent attacking

force, Arsenal? The Gunners have softened the blow of losing Kelly

Smith to retirement by signing a former USA international Heather

O'Reilly. She has a World Cup winners medal, amongst others. Also

returning to face her former club for the first time... Kim Little's

return should provide a constant supply line to the forwards. While

she won't be playing today, the Gunners are not short of creativity.

They have got 23 goals in their last five meetings against Sunderland.

Sunderland make one Show from their impressive draw with Birmingham. You

signings Anke Preuss and Dominique Bruinenberg both play. Beth Mead, on

the bench today for Arsenal, after breaking her collarbone. Kim Little

is also out injured. Carter, almost got the header in on

goal. The manager will be pleased with how his side has started this

game. Sunderland, hanging on at the moment. Preparing to take the corner

is van de Donk. That's saved well by Preuss. Good opportunity for

Arsenal. What a save! Well, Sunderland that time

worked it well. The quality delivery was there, and it's an excellent

save from Van Veenendaal. So, another opportunity for Sunderland.

Arsenal haven't quite got this one away yet... And the shot from

Bruinenberg flashes just wide! Sunderland certainly showing Arsenal

they are capable of troubling them. Good run by Begovic, finds a bit of

space. Opportunity for Arsenal... -- good run by Nobbs. Good save by

Preuss, turning it away from the onrushing Carter. Arsenal

threatening. The ball in, and O'Reilly, just across the face of

goal! Great play. Staniforth, good tenacity and early pressure from

Sunderland in this second-half. Bruinenberg tries one, and van de

Donk had to tip it over! The Arsenal goalkeeper called into action again

from Bruinenberg! Sunderland getting closer! Leon... Maddy Hill...

Straight at Van Veenendaal. Good movement from Sunderland, and the

execution just needed to be better from Hill.

Van Veenendaal arriving, it's supposed to! -- van de Donk. The

Arsenal forward has been penalised for a foul on Abby Holmes. So close

for Arsenal. Excellent recovery by Hayley Sharp, danger still not

cleared. Well, in the end, Sharp got out again to put her off, but

Arsenal's movement in and around the box, causing Sunderland problems.

Nice turn by van de Donk. Cleared behind for a corner by Holmes.

Sunderland having to hold firm, particularly with Arsenal taking

this corner short. Punched behind by Preuss. Begin, Arsenal take it

short. Headed away by Williams. It falls to Patten. Now, another

corner. This time, van de Donk swings it in. Nobbs, great save!

Preuss keeping Arsenal at bay! Katie McCabe chips it in, looking for

Carter. Back to Nobbs. And the shot again saved by Preuss.

In the end, Miss controlled by van de Donk. Another good stop by

Preuss. And there is the full-time whistle. A hugely impressive point

for Sunderland against Arsenal. Their first point against the

Gunners since 2009. Arsenal just could not find a way through.

So, honours even here at the Hetton Centre. The first taste of the

spring season, a frustrating afternoon, I can imagine? Yeah,

absolutely, from our respect, we expect more from that for ourselves.

When we had the chances, we did not create as many as we wanted, but it

was not our best football. I think we don't have too much time, we have

Liverpool on Thursday. We are capable of a lot more in this Spring

Series. We have to keep you leave in our system and in each other, and

we'll be fine. You have got a lot of players out but it did seem it was

the final third, maybe the final ball, lacking in quality? I think it

is all about connection in football, it's all about linking up with your

team-mates ready for whatever reason, we were just off in that

final third. Wasn't anybody's fault. 11 people out there have to be on

the same wavelength. It just didn't seem that way in the final third. To

be fair, Sunderland played a really good game, I was really impressed

with their physical capacity. I was impressed with the way that they

strung together some really good football. They had good outlets. I

thought they played a little bit, I was really impressed with their

team. And the way that they tried to play. Then again, coming back to us,

we are capable of a lot more. I have a lot of belief in this group and

the manager does as well. You mentioned the connection between

players, there is a lot of excitement about the Arsenal squad,

but there are a lot of new faces - is it to be expected that it might

take a while to jail? I think so. To be fair, we have been training

together since January, so we have had a fair number of months together

now, so we expect more. We know what we can do on the training pitch and

in matches. That being said, I think we will grow into the Spring Series.

All the best for your next game, against Liverpool, later in the

week. So, Sunderland, defensively, they were very strong. They were,

they limited Arsenal to very few shots in the first half. There were

lots of crosses in. Known real free play from the centre, Sunderland

stop that happening. This is the third clean sheet in a row for

Sunderland, who were letting in a lot of goals towards the end of last

season, so I think they have made improvements. We will see how they

kept on as the Spring Series goes on. It has been a decade since

Arsenal became the first British side to lift European silverware.

Manchester City were on course to become the second, but they had it

all to do as they headed to Lyon to try to overturn a 3-1 deficit. And

inside the opening two minutes, Lyon have a penalty. Great all, equaliser

for Manchester City! Shot! Lyon take the lead again! Le Sommer finishes,

and it will be a mountain for Manchester City to climb in the

second leg in France! Three away goals required for Manchester City

if they are to progress to the Champions League final in their

debut season in the competition, otherwise it will be a

record-equalling sixth final 43 times winners Lyon. Shot! Not a bad

effort at all from the German international! And a decent save

from Bardsley. Ada Hegerberg, Le Sommer... Shot shoots from distance

again. Bardsley, confident with that one.

Here's Majri. Back to Majri! Saved by Bardsley at her near post. I

think Ada Hegerberg wanted her to cut that one back. Lovely skill.

Jill Scott has a chance to shoot...! Went for placement, comfortable save

in the end from Sarah Bouhaddi. Lovely ball down the line by shot.

Oh! So close! It was merely an own goal from Stephs! -- from Kritzer!

Lloyd... Good save. Good chance, this. For Manchester City. What a

dreadful error by the goalkeeper! And Carli Lloyd gives Manchester

City hope! A dreadful attempted pass by Sarah Bouhaddi. It was only going

to end one way. City lid on the night. And it's touched in by Le

Sommer! But it's not going to count! The French striker, adjudged to be

offside, and rightly so. City get away with that one. And that's it.

Manchester City's Champions League journey comes to an end at the

semifinal stage. They have won on the night, but just too much to do

from the first leg. Lyon are through. So, it will be Lyon against

Paris Saint-Germain in the first all French Women's Champions League

final on the 1st of June in Cardiff. For Manchester City, it was a big

step up and they must take great optimism from going over to Lyon and

beating them over there? Yeah, that's no easy task. Nobody normally

gets anything from there. I think it is really a sign of how much

Manchester City have progressed, playing against a Lyon team which is

full of world-class players. We spoke about how Manchester City have

improved their squad over the years and how dominant they have become in

this league. Ringing in Carli Lloyd, but at Lyon, they have world-class

players across-the-board. So I think City have made huge progress. It was

a great opportunity for them to go up against a team like Lyon - how

far away are Manchester City from regularly competing at that level

and perhaps going even further? I think they're a vision when they

started, just a few years ago, was to win trophies and get into the

Champions League. -- I think their vision. They really have matched

Lyon in a lot of departments, and that's what the likes of Manchester

City and Chelsea will progress. I can see Manchester City coming, with

the resources that they have at the club, a dominant force across

Europe. It's just going to take a bit more time. These experiences,

for a lot of them, it is their first time up against the likes of Lyon in

such a big name. That will stand them in good stead. Some of these

Manchester City players are still valid young. Wall this experience

will help them for next year. For Manchester City, attention now turns

back to domestic matters. And that is what we will do now. If more

matches to catch up on, starting with one of the favourites for the

Spring Series title, Chelsea. Yeovil Town made their first trip to west

London to take on a new look Chelsea side. It was Ji So-Yun who opened

the scoring at the end of the first half. One minute later, Karen

Carney's corner led to this... After hitting the woodwork in the first

half, it was US international Crystal Dunn with a close range

header. A super run down the middle from Ji set up 18-year-old Cuthbert.

And Dunn powered past the defence to get Chelsea's fifth. The Blues would

find their sixth goal but not without drama. Yeovil's goalkeeper

Charlie Haynes was injured and replaced. There was no mistaking

Liverpool this week, as they turned up against Reading in their correct

kit. They made their intentions clear with Natasha Harding getting

them off to a good start. Reading responded quickly through Chaplen.

Reading then scored again. Harding then added to her tally, making it

two apiece. Liverpool restored their lead before the break, a tidy tap-in

from Caroline Weir. And victory was sealed for Liverpool early in the

second half, faxed to Laura Coombs, leaving Liverpool sitting pretty at

the top of Women's Super League One, with Reading right behind them. In

the early stages of this Spring Series, it is Liverpool who lead the

way. Chelsea are now in second. Manchester City are yet to get their

campaign under way. Bristol City and Yeovil Town are still looking for

their first points of the series. Big result for Chelsea there, how

big a statement is that? I think it is. You look at the signings that

they've made in the off-season, it has all come together. Absolutely

blowing away Yeovil, who unfortunately so far, they have

leaked a lot of goals. You can see there is a big gap. And I think it

is a statement. Likes of Man City, Arsenal overhaul contending for the

title, for this series, and for next year, it is huge, they have got

players from all over the world now. To bringing these players, like

Crystal Dunn, not only does it bring the standard of women's football up

within Chelsea, it really highlights to the rest of the league what teams

need to be doing to compete. It is difficult for the players who were

at Notts County, but some good news, in that they will now be able to

sign for clubs in England and abroad. The difficulty will be

trying to find a club who still needs players? And clubs who still

have a budget for players as well. The announcement was two days before

the start of the season. At that point, most teams have their house

in order. They have done their pre-season, they do not really have

any spots left in their roster. So for the likes of the England

international players, Laura Bassett, Carly Telford, they will be

on the doorstep, ready to go to the Euros, they need to be playing

regularly. I hope that they can quickly find a new home and get back

to playing regular football, because that's what this next couple of

months is all about. Up in Scotland, may be cropping down a level, or

just sent a clubs, I will play for nothing? I would play for nothing,

100%. It's all about preparing for the European Championships. --

dropping down. Whatever it takes. Keep training every single day, I

need to be part of an infrastructure, part of a club, at

ever it takes. So what, it is two months out of your whole career.

Maybe they will have to suck it up, really, but it is for the bigger

picture. And we wish them all the best. Today we saw the launch of the

BBC Women's Footballer Of The Year Award. Here are the five nominees.

TRANSLATION: Our goal was to win a medal and in the end, we got old.

That was an amazingly beautiful feeling. I have never before made it

to the finals at the Olympics. It was an enormous success for me. And

because of that, I knew then that I would stop after the Olympics. The

highlight was with the new Champions League trophy. It was a great

feeling, winning with the team after so many months of hard work, and

having the same ambition, I would say it was much more special than I

thought it would be, winning the Champions League. Contact I had gone

the right way five times and I managed to save two. The last save

is probably the one that I was most proud of, because I really had to

stretch. Weep performed above everyone's expectations. It was an

exciting time, it was a big rush, but it was worth it, because it was

an historic moment for me and I think overall for women's football.

I remember my first couple of years on the national team, and thinking,

how the heck do we have two score so many girls in her career?! Nobody is

ever going to reach that. I had her jersey growing up, and to think that

I passed her last year, it's kind of crazy. You can vote by heading to

the BBC Sport website. Rachel, that would be some 5-aside team, wouldn't

it just a little bit! Any one of those would be a worthy winner.

Speaking of international football, the draw for the Women's World Cup

qualifiers was made earlier this week. Here are the groups. While in

Group 3... England have got to be fairly happy with their group,

Rachel, they were always going to get a decent group, being in the top

pot, but it is nice to have Wales in there as well? Oh, it is, it is

fantastic to get two Home Nations matched up against each other.

England will be happiest, Scotland and I think will also be happy with

the draw. Yes. It does give them a little hope for perhaps finishing

with one of the best second placed positions? And how wonderful would

that be, to get Scotland into a World Cup? It is where they expect

themselves to be. And opportunity to qualify for a World Cup is a great

opportunity. That is about all we have time for. But there is plenty

more sport coming up on the BBC. On Monday afternoon, coverage of the

world snooker championship final continues on BBC Two. Liverpool then

continue their pursuit of a top four finish at Vicarage Road, facing

Watford at eight o'clock. Commentary is on Radio 5 Live. And there is

more WSL Spring Series action on Wednesday night, Manchester City

hosting Birmingham. That's a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup final. You

will be able to see it live on the red button and on the BBC Sport

website. We will be backed back next Sunday to look ahead to that FA Cup

Final. Goodbye for now. Full disclosure - you're looking at

a room of double glazing salesmen. we're not quite the social pariahs

you lot probably know and loathe.