England are into the knockout stages of the 2023 Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand after the Lionesses finished comfortably at the top of their group with a 6-1 win against China.
The Lionesses had been limited to a single goal in each of their two opening games against Haiti and Denmark but ended up cruising into the round of 16 thanks to a hat full of goals, two of the most special coming from Chelsea’s Lauren James and the fifth of which came from Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly.
The Euro 2022-winning hero wasn’t the only Manc-centric player to find the back of the net either, as former United star Alessia Russo opened the scoring in just the fourth minute with a great touch and finish into the bottom left corner of the Chinese goalkeeper’s net.
Her first effort was nice enough but we could watch this second goal from Lauren James back all day:
Admittedly, it was a bit of a lacklustre performance from the Chinese, who have finished as runners-up in the both Women’s World Cup and the Olympics, as well as regularly dominating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, but the Lionesses preyed on their weakness at every opportunity.
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England women’s found their sixth through a reactive volley at the back post from Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly and despite a few wobbles in concentration early in the second half, Sarina Wiegman’s squad showed the kind of quality that helped them become the European champions that they are.
While there was plenty to choose from, our pick of the bunch might just be Lauren Hemp’s, though, more because it showed every aspect of the Lionesses game, from their doggedness in the press, pace in the transition and clinical finishing ability when they’re in the mood.
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Just look at how quickly this goes from China in possession to an England goal:
The Lionesses closed out Group D with all nine points available and a total of eight goals scored, although the opening two games were, admittedly, a much more closely run affair.
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England will now face Nigeria in the round of 16 on Monday, 7 August at Brisbane Stadium, with the West Africa side having finished second in their group behind host nation Australia.
Keep it going, girls, we’re right behind you. It’s coming home.
Phil Foden picks up Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester City forward Phil Foden has picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season.
Having enjoyed the best statistical campaign to date, with two games still left to play, the Stockport-born star City and England star has swept up his first-ever Premier League POTY award at the age of 23.
The attacking midfielder has already swept up Young Player of the Year twice in his career (2021 and 2022), which was awarded to former teammate Cole Palmer on Friday, and this accolade just goes to show how much of a first-team star he’s become over the past couple of years.
With both awards going to Manc footballers and Foden being the first Englishman to win it since Jamie Vardy in 2015/16, you’ll hear no complaints from us.
Foden has 25 goals and 11 assists this season, his highest tally ever, and with the chance of a domestic double still looming, he could be set for another unreal 12 months in sky blue.
Pep Guardiola’s side simply needs to beat West Ham this Sunday to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title and with a Manchester derby FA Cup final waiting for them next week, the local lad has a big fortnight ahead of him.
Having already become a treble winner with Man City last season, not to mention emerging as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Three Lions, he’s graduated from one of the most talented youngsters to one of the most impressive in Europe – and he’s got the stats to back it up.
Here’s hoping he can round off this year with some more silverware while wearing an England shirt. Here are some of his highlights from this season:
A huge congratulations to Phil Foden on winning the 23/24 Premier League Player of the Year; regardless of who you support, you can’t deny he’s been unreal this season.
In fact, his emergence as a senior figure and somewhat of a leader in this current City side has given us a lot faith for the summer and we’re more convinced than ever that Gareth Southgate must try and build around him if we stand a chance of going for in Euro 2024.
Is it coming home and will a lad from Stockport play a big part in bringing it here?
Cole Palmer wins Premier League’s Young Player of the Year for 2023/24
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred footballer, Cole Palmer, has won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award for 2023/24 following a spectacular breakthrough campaign.
The ex-Manchester City youth product made his big-money move to Chelsea at the start of this season and has been comfortably one of the best players in the league this year, once again proving the old adage that if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Sitting second in the race for the Golden Boot behind former teammate Erling Haaland and shining as one of the most creative midfielders in Europe in his first full season, you could have banked on him winning it months ago.
🔵⭐️ OFFICIAL: Cole Palmer wins the award as Premier League Young Player of the Year. 🧊
Chelsea star has scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/HYpthQiOU3
Having bagged a hattrick in Chelsea’s remarkable turnaround against Manchester United as well as bagging four against Everton, just to name a couple of his most impressive performances over the past 12 months, he doesn’t like a player who only made a handful of appearances last year.
With the 22-year-old fittingly netting 22 goals not to mention 10 assists and quickly establishing himself as Mauricio Pochettino’s main man, despite the multi-billion squad assembled around him, it’s been nothing short of a remarkable emergence onto the biggest stage.
Having earned his first senior international call-up through his efforts too, he now looks set to be one the players England fans are dying to see start at the Euros – the point where many Blues are now wondering whether they made a mistake letting him go.
Congratulations to the Wythenshawe native on his well-deserved award and we sincerely look forward to seeing what he does in an England shirt this summer.
As for who will pick up the outright Premier League Player of the Year, surely Palmer picking up the youth award means that Phil Foden is set to mop up the main prize?
A clean sweep for Manc footballers. We like the sound of that.