Chelsea Blown Away in Champions League First Leg | Fowler ACL Confirmed

April 21, 2025

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

  • Picks from the pitch: Hanson, Holmgaard and Smith dazzle

  • Latest headlines: Lionesses get Jamaican send-off to Euro 2025

  • Kit drop: AC Milan launches women’s collection

  • What we’re watching: Our pick of the week’s upcoming matches

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

🏆 UWCL SEMI-FINALS

Arsenal and Chelsea Under Pressure After First Leg Ties

Arsenal 1-2 Lyon (Highlights)
Lyon edged Arsenal at the Emirates with Kadidiatou Diani opening the scoring and Melchie Dumornay netting a late winner. Mariona Caldentey equalised for Arsenal from the penalty spot, but Lyon’s quick response means the Gunners must come from behind in France to reach the final.

Barcelona 4-1 Chelsea (Highlights)
Barcelona seized control of the tie with a dominant 4-1 win at home. Ewa Pajor opened the scoring, Clàudia Pina came off the bench to net twice, and Irene Paredes added a header. Sandy Baltimore’s goal briefly gave Chelsea hope, but the Blues (missing Lauren James through injury) now face a huge task overturning a three-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge.

Both English sides have it all to do in the second legs on 27 April, with Barcelona and Lyon now strong favourites to reach the final.

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Our Top Five WSL Moments this Week

  1. Kirsty Hanson powered through on goal, single-handedly holding off the Spurs defence.

  2. Karen Holmgaard headed home an assist from her sister to bag Everton a draw against City

  3. Olivia Smith was terrifying defenders again, powering home for Liverpool

  4. Caitlin Foord’s clinical finish from Maanum’s cross was 👌

  5. Ebony Salmon kept her cool to score after running onto a Daly flick-on from inside her own half.

RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 19

AS IT STANDS

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

👚 A new study finds women’s football fans are still struggling to find decent merch. Replica kits are often limited in size and style, and many clubs don’t offer men’s fits or larger sizes for women’s teams. Researchers say better merchandise is key to fan engagement and growing the game. Read more.

🏆 England U19's have been drawn in a tough group for UEFA Women’s U19 Euros. The Young Lionesses will face Spain (the reigning champs), the Netherlands, and Portugal in Group B at this summer’s U19 Euros in Poland. The tournament runs June 15–27 and also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 U20 World Cup. Full draw | UEFA announcement

🇯🇲 The Lionesses are set for a Jamaican send-off at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on 29 June in their final friendly before Euro 2025. It’s the first-ever meeting between the two sides and a key test ahead of the Lionesses’ group stage opener against France. Read more

🇳🇱 England assistant coach Arjan Veurink will step down after Euro 2025 to become the head coach of the Netherlands. Veurink has been Sarina Wiegman’s right hand since 2021, helping guide England to Euro glory and a World Cup final.

🧐 Hull City Ladies’ chairman has asked the FA to relegate the club from the third tier, reportedly to punish players after they spoke out about poor conditions and financial mismanagement, including a lack of medical insurance. The move has left the squad fearing for their futures and sparked widespread criticism. Read more.

📅 Chelsea’s (men’s) final Premier League home match against Manchester United has been moved to Friday, 16 May (20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports) to avoid a clash with the Women’s FA Cup final between the same clubs that Sunday. The switch lets fans attend both fixtures and is the first time a men’s match has been moved to accommodate a women’s game.

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING
👀 FAVE FINDS

Footballers Unfiltered: Food & Football

FIFPRO’s latest Footballers Unfiltered episode dives into the sport’s complicated relationship with food. Spurs’ Molly Bartrip opens up about her experience with anorexia, and experts discuss why disordered eating is still a hidden issue in the women’s game. Watch the episode here.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

  • Chelsea has extended the contract of Canadian international Kadeisha Buchanan until 2027.

  • Olga Carmona’s contract at Real Madrid expires in the summer, and it’s rumoured that the left-back will be heading to PSG.

  • Alexander Straus is rumoured to be the next manager of Angel City after informing Bayern Munich he’ll be leaving at the end of the season.

🩼 ACL + INJURY UPDATES

  • Mary Fowler Ruptures ACL: Manchester City and Australia forward Mary Fowler has ruptured her ACL, ending her season and putting her 2026 Asian Cup hopes in doubt. Fowler is the latest in a long list of City absentees, joining Shaw, Miedema, Greenwood, and Roord on the sidelines.

  • Lauren Hemp Returns to Training After Knee Surgery: Lauren Hemp is back on the pitch after five months out with a knee injury. She’s building up fitness just in time for England’s Euro 2025 prep.

  • Trinity Rodman Takes Indefinite Leave for Back Injury: USWNT and Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman is stepping away from football to address ongoing back issues. The 22-year-old has struggled with the injury since last season and will return once fully recovered.

  • Lauren James Out with Hamstring Injury: Chelsea’s Lauren James faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury during England’s win over Belgium. The forward will miss upcoming club and international fixtures as she begins rehab.

👟 KIT DROP

AC Milan has dropped its debut women’s collection - seven pieces mixing classic Rossoneri style with preppy, country club vibes. The launch reflects the club’s push to connect with its growing female fan base. See the collection.

PUMA’s new V-S1 sneaker borrows design cues from the iconic V1.08 boot—think low-profile shape, bold colourways, and plenty of nostalgia. Perfect for anyone wanting a bit of ‘00s flair coming into spring. Take a look.

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

BallerFC x Signature Brew Haggerston (E8 4EA)
UWCL Semi-Finals: Sunday, 27 April, doors 13:00.
14:00 - Chelsea vs Barcelona
17:00 - Lyon vs Arsenal

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up.

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Women's Super League
Wednesday 23 April
19:15 - Chelsea vs Crystal Palace [BBC Three, BBC iPlayer]

Sunday 27 April
12:00 - Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur [WSL YouTube]
12:30 - Crystal Palace vs West Ham United [BBC iPlayer]
14:00 - Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion [WSL YouTube]
15:00 - Leicester City vs Manchester City [WSL YouTube]

Women's Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg
Sunday 27 April
14:00 - Chelsea vs Barcelona [TNT Sports 3, DAZN]
17:00 - Lyon vs Arsenal [TNT Sports 3, DAZN]

All kick-off times are BST

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

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