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Futbol

Glasgow Go Top After Hibs Lose And Celtic Hold Rangers

Glasgow City moved to the top of the Scottish Women's Premier League after Hibernian lost to Heart of Midlothian, while Rangers and Celtic fought out a 1-1 draw in Sunday's other big derby. Hibs started the day two points clear at the summit, but a 2-1 home defeat in Edinburgh gave City the chance to go top - and they took the opportunity with a convincing 4-0 win over Motherwell. Rangers would have ended the afternoon on top with a victory in the final game of the day, but Kirsty Gallagher's second-half equaliser leaves them a point behind while reigning champions Celtic are fourth, only ahead of Hearts now on goal difference. Rangers swept into the lead after just 10 minutes at Broadwood, with forward Kirsty Howat firing into top corner against their Glasgow rivals. Scotland striker Amy Gallacher fired the equaliser after the break moments after coming on as a substitute to rescue a point, but it now leaves Celtic eight points adrift of the leaders. Hibs also made a swift start at Meadowbank as Kathleen McGovern's clever backheel put the hosts ahead after 12 minutes. However, Lisa Robertson smashed in the equaliser after the break and, after McGovern's header hit the crossbar, Emma Brownlie fired what turned out to be the visitors' winner after a fine run. It took half an hour for Glasgow to break the headlock at home to sixth-top Motherwell through a Brenna Lovera header, but the striker smashed home another to quickly doubled the lead then almost immediately set up Katie Lockwood to fire the third. Lockwood slotted her second after the break to put the 16-time champions in pole position with seven games remaining. At the other end of the table, Dundee United, who have taken only four points all season, had their relegation confirmed after a thrilling 4-3 defeat by Partick Thistle that lifts the visitors to the top of the bottom six on goal difference above Aberdeen, who lost 4-2 at home to Spartans. Eva Thomson fired Aberdeen ahead, but Zara Andrews equalised after missing a penalty and Olivia Chomczuk put the visitors ahead before the break. Kerry Beattie equalised for the Dons, but Mya Bates restored the lead shortly after and Erin Rennie secured the points that lift Spartans to within a point of their hosts and ease their relegation worries. Freya Brien gave United the lead against Thistle after only 30 seconds, but goals from Tiree Burchill levelled, before Carla Boyce, Demi Falconer and Cara Henderson put the Glasgow visitors in control by half-time. Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Brien reduced the deficit after the break, but United could not find an equaliser. Meanwhile, Montrose have fallen eight points behind Spartans after a 0-0 draw away to second-bottom Queen's Park.

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Futbol

The Smallest Pitch Invader - Mouse Stops MLS Game

Vancouver Whitecaps striker Brian White scored four goals in a 5-1 victory over rivals Austin in the MLS on Saturday... only to be upstaged by the world's smallest pitch invader. A surprise appearance by a mouse stole the spotlight at BC Place in Vancouver, with play stopped while players and staff attempted to catch it. It scurried across the halfway line in the seventh minute as Austin prepared to take a corner, prompting the referee to pause the action. Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver eventually assumed the role of part-time pest control, using his gloves to scoop up the miniature intruder before gently escorting it off the field. Stuver received a warm round of applause from supporters, but spent much of the rest of the game picking the ball out of his own net as the Whitecaps tightened their grip at the top of the Western Conference. They are four points clear of Minnesota United and are through to the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals, where they take on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami on April 30.

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Futbol

Chelsea Show 'ruthless' Mentality As Quadruple Bid Still On

It was another game, another win for Chelsea as their quadruple hopes stayed intact. But it was also a familiar story for Sonia Bompastor’s side as they had to come from behind to beat Liverpool and reach the FA Cup final. It was the eighth game since January in which the Blues had to produce a comeback or find a late winner to keep their campaign on track. Academy product Aggie Beever-Jones scored a 94th-minute header as Chelsea narrowly avoided extra time in their latest rollercoaster victory. "Ruthless is the only way to describe this Chelsea team," former Chelsea midfielder Fara Williams told BBC Sport. "They have a crazy winning mentality. "They didn't win pretty today - it looked ugly at times." Despite Chelsea being far from their free-flowing, brilliant best and being pushed all the way by Liverpool, the outcome never really felt in doubt. There is a growing belief both in the Chelsea group and in the wider media that they always have what it takes to win. "We said collectively a goal was going to come - and it did," ex-Chelsea defender Anita Asante added. Boss Bompastor challenged her players to show the "best version" of themselves as they returned from an international break having dropped points in a 2-2 draw with West Ham in their previous game. The stats from Saturday’s victory were heavily in the Blues' favour, with 60% possession and 24 shots. However, only four of those were on target, despite an astonishing 54 touches in Liverpool’s penalty area. While Bompastor did not get the version of her players that she hoped for, she said she could not have asked any more of them. "They fought really hard and gave everything they had in the legs," the Frenchwoman said. "Sometimes we could have played a little bit better, but they brought all the energy on the pitch and that is what I expect. "Sometimes as players you try so hard that you make mistakes and that's fine - they are human. "I will always support them when they make mistakes because I know they have the right mentality." Beever-Jones had an international break to remember as she scored her first England goal in the Nations League over Belgium. The 21-year-old is Chelsea's top scorer this season with 11 goals in all competitions and was the Blues' bright spark - particularly in the second half - in the bid to return to Wembley. Beever-Jones had the best of the Blues' second-half chances and her frustration was clearly growing with each missed opportunity, but her persistence paid off and she peeled off in ecstasy as she celebrated what proved to be the winning goal. "It's been a whirlwind," Beever-Jones told BBC Sport. "I'm in shock a little bit still. "It's the Chelsea mentality - never giving up - and I'm delighted I got on the scoresheet and helped my team." With Sam Kerr and Lauren James sidelined, it was apt that the academy product stepped up to send her side to Wembley, where Beever-Jones has never played. "The last week has been really good for her," Bompastor said. "Aggie is a really young, talented player. She makes a big impact for the team creating opportunities but also scoring goals. "This goal will bring more confidence to her and the team. Aggie has the right mindset." With the score 1-1, Liverpool captain Taylor Hinds hit the woodwork in the 90th minute as Chelsea's quadruple dreams almost slipped through their fingertips again. The Reds provided a tough test but ultimately caved to Chelsea's pressure as their winning mentality shone through. Blues midfielder Erin Cuthbert told BBC Sport that reaching Wembley is "where the club want to be" as they look to add to their silverware this season. Having won the League Cup, Chelsea sit six points clear at the top of the Women's Super League and have a Champions League semi-final against holders Barcelona coming up. While Barca will punish Chelsea in ways Liverpool perhaps could not, Bompastor said her side are at the stage of the season where results are more important than performances and they head to Catalonia full of confidence. "In this part of the season, that's the most important and decisive moment in the season. You need to win the games, no matter the performance," Bompastor said. "Sometimes when you don't perform the way you want to, but you win the game -that's the most important. "We are going to play the biggest team in Europe. The best way to prepare is to win for the confidence." Head here to get involved

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Futbol

Leeds United returned to the top of the Championship table with a deserved victory over mid-table Preston to move closer to a return to the Premier League. Sheffield United's third successive defeat - at lowly Plymouth - means the Whites are now five points clear of the third-placed Blades with four games to play. Daniel Farke's men took the lead after four minutes through Manor Solomon's super curled strike from 20 yards but the visitors equalised 107 seconds later when right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden cut in on to his left foot and thumped home an emphatic finish. Parity was short-lived, though, as Leeds went back in front after 13 minutes through Jayden Bogle's close-range finish from Solomon's fine cross from the left. The promotion-chasing hosts totally dominated thereafter and should have wrapped up the win when striker Joel Piroe smashed a close range shot against the crossbar. Preston never looked like getting a second equaliser and they have now won just one of their past 11 league matches as their season peters out. Leeds' vastly superior goal difference means seven points from their remaining four games will now be enough to guarantee promotion. Burnley had knocked Leeds down to second with a 2-1 win over Norwich on Friday but the Whites made the perfect start on Saturday to reclaim top spot. Farke's side scored inside the first five minutes for the seventh time this season - and second time this week after Daniel James' goal at Middlesbrough on Tuesday - when Tottenham loanee Solomon curled home a sumptuous effort. However, a goal from another Premier League loanee quickly silenced the vast majority of Elland Road, as Aston Villa's Kesler-Hayden scored his second goal in three matches. Leeds have now won 16 of their 21 home games, though, and once Bogle got in between two Preston defenders to put them back in front they had more than enough to win the match. Top scorer Piroe, now without a goal in eight games, should have made it 3-1 and Joe Rodon also missed a chance from close range from a Solomon corner. The Whites visit struggling Oxford on Friday evening, while Paul Heckingbottom's side host Queens Park Rangers earlier that same day in pursuit of just a second league win since 11 February. Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds: "It feels pretty good after an exhausting week with three difficult games. It was a priceless three points for us. "It was a really good performance and we could have made life easier by taking a few of our chances, it must have been one of our highest expected goals of the season. We should have scored six or seven. "If you don't score the third goal and miss this crazy amount of chances then you always need to stay switched on because Preston played with freedom. It was crucial that we returned to our best behaviour against the ball. "I didn't know the scoreline at Plymouth but you sense the reaction of the supporters. I wanted to make sure that we stayed focused and not thinking about what happened on other pitches. "I like the balance because we played with fire in the heart but cool in the head." Preston North End boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire: "I'm really disappointed with the two goals we conceded, I thought they were poor on our part. "We were brave with how we passed the ball and tried to take the game to them, I was really pleased with that. "We knew if we could keep one goal in it then we'd get opportunities but they defended their box well and we couldn't open them up. "Overall I'm delighted with the effort and commitment of the players but Leeds had the better chances."