Championship and Scottish roundups
Reading 1-2 West Brom: Championship report
Spurs 2-2 Everton: WSL report
I’m going to wrap up here, but stay tuned for reports and roundups from all tonight’s action. Thanks for joining me – I’ll leave you with a snap of David Beckham at Clevedon Town tonight:
David Beckham it was an absolute pleasure having you watch our U18s tonight. The boys were made over you took the time for a photo. Massive thanks to Millfield for the friendly and all the best guys ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/r6IipSqgjC
— Clevedon Town AFC (@ClevedonTownFC) February 12, 2020
FT: Stoke 0-2 Preston
And it’s all over at the bet365, where Preston took their chances to stay on track for the play-offs.
FT: Reading 1-2 West Brom
A big three points for Slaven Bilic’s side, who go six points clear of Leeds and Fulham thanks to Kyle Bartley’s second-half header.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Brom | 32 | 23 | 62 |
| 2 | Leeds | 32 | 17 | 56 |
| 3 | Fulham | 32 | 14 | 56 |
| 4 | Brentford | 32 | 27 | 54 |
| 5 | Nottm Forest | 32 | 12 | 54 |
Updated
All eyes on the Madejski Stadium, with West Brom closing in on victory, and a six-point lead at the Championship summit.
FT: Huddersfield 0-3 Cardiff
Cardiff canter to an impressive win at Huddersfield; they’re unbeaten in the league since losing 6-1 at QPR on New Year’s Day.
FT: Luton 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Luton keep their slim survival hopes alive with James Collins atoning for his missed penalty with the winner.
WSL result: Brighton 1-1 Man Utd
United led in the first minute, but Aileen Whelan’s header on the stroke of half-time earned the hosts a point.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City Women | 15 | 30 | 39 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 14 | 36 | 38 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 14 | 26 | 33 |
| 4 | Reading Women | 14 | -3 | 21 |
| 5 | Man Utd Women | 13 | 11 | 20 |
Updated
Scottish Premiership full times
Celtic 5-0 Hearts
Hibernian 3-0 Ross County
Kilmarnock 2-1 Rangers
Livingston 2-1 St Mirren
St Johnstone 2-1 Motherwell
Full time! Bristol City 3-2 Derby
City hold on, with Diédhiou missing a chance to add a fourth on the break. Lee Johnson’s side are seventh – but just three points behind Leeds. Tight at the top.
Full time! Millwall 1-1 Fulham
It was Neeskens Kebano whose looping header came off the bar in stoppage time, but Fulham have to settle for a point. Somehow, Leeds are still in the top two!
Full time! Kilmarnock 2-1 Rangers
A hammer blow for Rangers’ faint title hopes, as Kilmarnock bounce back to cause a shock. Celtic surge 10 points clear.
Elsewhere, St Johnstone have grabbed a win, Christopher Kane striking in stoppage time against 10-man Motherwell.
Updated
GOAL! Stoke 0-2 Preston (Barkhuizen 75’) Tom Barkhuizen turns home a loose ball to double Preston’s lead. Meanwhile at the Den, Fulham hit the bar!
“Bristol City are clinging on a bit,” reports a nervy Ben Fisher at Ashton Gate. Derby’s Lawrence sees his tame shot saved at the near post.
Full time! Celtic 5-0 Hearts
Five different scorers – Ntcham, Jullien, McGregor, Christie, Simunovic – and a thumping win over the bottom club. Celtic fans now wait for news from Rugby Park ...
Chance for Brighton against Manchester United in the WSL, but Amanda Nilden fires over from a narrow angle. In the Championship, Fulham are pushing forward at the Den, with time running out.
Updated
GOAL! Kilmarnock 2-1 Rangers (Brophy 88')
A goal from Eamonn Brophy, and Celtic have one hand on the trophy. The gap is set to open to 10 points!
Updated
WSL results: Reading 2-0 West Ham, Spurs 2-2 Everton
Reading will go fourth if Manchester United can’t find a winner at Brighton, while Spurs produced a late fightback to earn a draw with Everton.
Emma Mitchell’s equaliser even caught the eye of Lucy Bronze:
A @SpursWomen leveller and in stunning fashion! 🤩
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) February 12, 2020
What a strike from @emsmitch3...#TOTEVE #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/n1nhZMb4Qa
Some Scottish news away from the Old Firm – Hibs are 3-0 up on Ross County through Adam Jackson, while Christy Manzinga has been sent off for Motherwell, who are level at St Johnstone. At Parkhead, Marcel Langer has been shown a straight red – it’s a miserable night for Hearts.
GOAL! Bristol City 3-2 Derby (Martin 82’) Comeback very much on at Ashton Gate, as Chris Martin taps in from Tom Lawrence’s low cross.
Updated
Staying in Stoke, Preston’s Ben Pearson is booked for his role in a fracas, and is absolutely furious with the referee! He needs to cool his jets, or he’ll be off. At Kenilworth Road, Dan Potts’ goal is chalked off – but Luton still lead 1-0.
GOAL! Stoke 0-1 Preston (Browne 58’) Stoke have had the better of an attritional affair, but Alan Browne has struck for Preston, who will hold onto their top-six spot with a win.
Updated
GOAL! Kilmarnock 1-1 Rangers (O'Donnell 77')
Is this the goal that ends the title race? Stephen O’Donnell equalises for Killie from the edge of the area, and the gap to Celtic is nine points as it stands. Just to rub salt in the wound, Jozo Simunovic makes it five at Parkhead.
GOAL! Huddersfield 0-3 Cardiff (Paterson 69) Job done for Neil Harris’s side, and Huddersfield aren’t safe yet. At the Den, Ivan Cavaleiro is on with notes for his teammates. “GOAL PLS”, something like that.
Speaking of comebacks ... In the WSL, Spurs have rallied from 2-0 down to level – with Emma Mitchell’s long-range equaliser coming moments after Rosella Ayane was sent off for Spurs. Now they have to hang on ...
Updated
GOAL! Reading 1-2 West Brom (Bartley 49')
Four minutes into the second half, Kyle Bartley sends a header back across goal and in, and the turnaround is complete!
Might a comeback be on at Ashton Gate? Martyn Waghorn has pulled one back for Derby ...
Updated
GOAL! Celtic 4-0 Hearts (Christie 67’) Ryan Christie comes on for Griffiths, then fires Celtic’s fourth moments later.
Half-time: Reading 1-1 West Brom
In the Championship, the leaders struck back through Matheus Pereira after George Puscas’s early penalty. In the other 8pm kick-off, it’s Stoke 0-0 Preston.
GOAL! Bristol City 3-0 Derby Famara Diédhiou rifles home from a corner, and City are in total control.
WSL result: Chelsea 2-0 Birmingham
Goals from Guro Reiten and Beth England earn Emma Hayes’ side a win against stubborn opponents. They stay right on City’s heels at the top of the table.
WSL GOALS! Reading 2-0 West Ham, Tottenham 0-2 Everton Brook Chaplen strikes on the break for Reading, with Inessa Kaagman on target for Everton.
🏃♀️💨@Brooklyn_7 races through on goal and slots in to double @ReadingFCWomen's advantage#REAWHU #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/3d2MERYViq
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) February 12, 2020
Updated
WSL result: Man City 1-0 Bristol City
Gemma Bonner’s early goal looked set to be the first of many, but it turned out to be the winner as the visitors dug in. It wasn’t spectacular, but it’s a WSL-record 11th straight win for Manchester City.
Updated
GOALS! Celtic 3-0 Hearts Christopher Jullien powers home a header from Leigh Griffith’s corner to start the second half, before Callum McGregor makes it three from Greg Taylor’s cut-back. No stopping the league leaders this evening ...
Updated
Beth England almost gets her 14th goal of the season – but her shot pings away off the far post! We’re back under way at Reading v West Ham, and Tottenham v Everton. At the Academy Stadium, Pauline Bremer replaces Ellen White for the final 10 minutes.
Scottish Premiership half-times
Celtic 1-0 Hearts
Hibernian 2-0 Ross County
Kilmarnock 0-1 Rangers
Livingston 1-0 St Mirren
St Johnstone 1-1 Motherwell
Half time! Brighton 1-1 Man Utd
It started terribly for Brighton, conceding inside the first minute – but Aileen Whelan has levelled on the stroke of half time!
🔥 @AileenWhelan can't stop scoring...
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) February 12, 2020
The @OfficialBHAFC forward equalises for the Seagulls on the stroke of half-time#BHAMUN #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/PQUGnYooYV
Half times: Huddersfield 0-2 Cardiff, Luton 1-0 Sheffield Wed
Cardiff are up to eighth as it stands, while Luton are off the bottom, but still eight points from safety.
Half time! Millwall 1-1 Fulham
Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Fulham in front after two minutes, but Jon Dadi Bodvarsson equalised from what looked an offside position. Millwall then won a penalty, but Jed Wallace blazed it over the bar.
What of Bristol City’s women’s team? They’re hanging on, still a goal down at Manchester City. The chances keep coming for the hosts, but Ellen White’s radar has been off in this second half.
Half time! Bristol City 2-0 Derby
“When we get promotion, this is what we’ll sing, we are City, we are City, [Lee] Johnson is our king,” is the chant from the home crowd at Ashton Gate. They’re moving back into the top six as it stands, after goals from loanees Nahki Wells and Filip Benkovic.
Updated
GOAL! Bristol City 2-0 Derby (Benkovic 44’) After Nahki Wells’ opener, another loanee making his full debut strikes. Defender Filip Benkovic heads home a looping ricochet to put the Robins two goals up.
GOAL! Reading 1-1 West Brom (Pereira 26’) Matheus Pereira had already gone close to a leveller with a free kick, but does the necessary here after Cabral parried his volley back out. The leaders are level.
Updated
GOAL! Bristol City 1-0 Derby (Wells 38’) Wayne Rooney’s Derby have been in cracking form, but they’re behind at Ashton Gate, Nahki Wells heading home after fine work by Jay Dasilva down the left.
At the John Smith’s Stadium, Cardiff lead Huddersfield 2-0, Josh Murphy and Will Vaulks with the goals. And there’s a goal at the Madejski ...
Updated
WSL half times: Reading 1-0 West Ham, Spurs 0-1 Everton
Reading and Everton are on track to consolidate their top-six WSL places at the interval.
Updated
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Birmingham (England 58’) Chelsea have been frustrated for much of this game, but Beth England splits the Birmingham defence and fires past Hampton for her 13th goal of the season!
Updated
GOALS! Celtic 1-0 Hearts, Kilmarnock 0-1 Rangers Moments after Olivier Ntcham puts the Scottish leaders ahead, Scott Arfield strikes for Rangers at Rugby Park.
Luton have taken the lead against inconsistency’s Sheffield Wednesday, Collins atoning for his penalty miss. Interesting kit combo there – Luton in orange, Wednesday in racing green.
GOAL! Reading 1-0 West Brom This could be a big goal in the promotion race. West Brom concede a penalty, and George Puscas slots it home to put the Championship leaders behind!
Updated
Back under way at Manchester City and Chelsea in the WSL. City are adjusting to life without former manager Nick Cushing, but he’s still following the game:
Come on @ManCityWomen 👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/oStPUEUUB3
— Nick Cushing (@nickcushing80) February 12, 2020
Millwall miss a penalty! The ref can expect a volley of polite indignation from the Fulham contingent – he’s given the hosts a penalty. To be fair, it looked a stonewaller. Jed Wallace steps up ... and absolutely skies it! Oh dear.
We’re under way at Reading v West Brom, and Stoke v Preston. Up at Easter Road, Marc McNulty has put Hibs ahead against Ross County.
In the WSL, Reading lead West Ham through Jade Moore, while Chloe Kelly’s ninth of the season has put Everton ahead at Tottenham.
Updated
It seemed that the assistant thought the ball to Bodvarsson came off a Fulham boot – but replays suggest otherwise. Jon Dadi BodVARsson, anyone?
In the WSL, Walsh makes a smart save to deny Jackie Groenen. The Brighton keeper conceded early on, deflecting Lauren James’s cross into her own net.
In the WSL, Manchester United lead Brighton – the goal, ruled an own goal from Seagulls keeper Megan Walsh, came within the first minute. Doesn’t sound good for the hosts, to be honest.
Another bad start at Kenilworth Road, where Luton got a penalty in the first minute – but James Collins’ spot kick clattered off the crossbar.
GOAL! Millwall 1-1 Fulham (Bodvarsson) Controversy at the Den, as Jon Dadi Bodvarsson prods home from what looked an offside position. Referee Andrew Madley checks with his assistant, then gives the goal. Scott Parker is furious!
Half time: Man City 1-0 Bristol City, Chelsea 1-0 Birmingham
Gemma Bonner scored for City very early in the half, Guro Reiten very late for Chelsea. But both the title challengers are ahead at half-time.
GOAL! Millwall 0-1 Fulham (Mitrovic 3’) An early goal at the Den! Joe Bryan turns and whips a ball into the box, and Mitrovic beats the offside trap before stabbing home!
Updated
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Birmingham (Reiten 45’) Chelsea finally make the breakthrough, Guro Reiten controlling a loose ball in the area and slotting beyond Hampton. Chelsea are fortunate to be leading at half-time ...
Right on half-time @guro_reiten puts @ChelseaFCW ahead 🔵#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/Wp62iofDv1
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) February 12, 2020
Updated
Chelsea have the chance to whip a free kick in, but the visiting defence hold firm again. Still goalless here, and in the 7.30pm kick-offs: Reading v West Ham, and Spurs v Everton.
News from Ben Fisher that Clevedon Town could have a very famous face in their crowd tonight:
“Wayne Rooney may be at Ashton Gate tonight to take on Bristol City with Derby, but David Beckham is thought to be in attendance at Clevedon Town, on the outskirts of Bristol, to see his son Romeo play in an Under-18s match.”
Chelsea fans are a touch disgruntled with their team’s stuttering attacking play – and Birmingham almost snatch the lead on the break, with Lucy Staniforth firing narrowly over the bar.
“The Reading starting lineup boasts players named Moore, Pele, and Puscas (read: Puskas). Yowzers! Is it 1960s Retro Golden Greats Night at the Madejski?” asks Peter Oh.
Now there’s an idea: tribute football teams!
Evans again denies White, this time going in a little heavily on the England forward as she broke through. Looked a possible penalty, but the ref says no, and no replays/VAR to get a second look.
Manchester City still pushing for a second, with Caroline Weir denied by Baggaley in the Robins goal, twice in quick succession. At Kingsmeadow, Chelsea still struggling to create any clear-cut chances.
Terrific defending from Gemma Evans to deny Man City a second! Ellen White was played in behind the defence, and skipped around the keeper, only for Evans to get back and intercept!
Some more team news, starting at Rugby Park:
Kilmarnock v Rangers
Kilmarnock: Koprivec, O’Donnell, Del Fabro, Findlay,
Hamalainen, Power, Dicker, Burke, Brophy, McKenzie, Kabamba.
Subs: Johnson, Hendrie, Connel, Kiltie, Millen, Taylor, Lyle.
Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Katic, Halliday,
Arfield, Jack, Aribo, Hagi, Morelos, Kent.
Subs: Kamberi, Edmundson, Davis, Foderingham, Flanagan, Jones, Stewart.
Reading v West Brom
Reading: Rafael Cabral, Yiadom, Morrison, Moore, Obita, Felipe Araruna, Pele, Ejaria, Swift, Meite, Puscas. Subs: Walker, Rinomhota, Baldock, Olise, Blackett, Adam, Richards.
West Brom: Johnstone, O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi, Townsend, Livermore, Sawyers, Krovinovic, Matheus Pereira, Robson-Kanu, Robinson.
Subs: Furlong, Phillips, Grosicki, Austin, Harper, Bond, Hegazi.
Bristol City have fought back gamely after that early concession, and they have a dangerous free-kick – but from Daniels’ delivery, Evans’ header is straight at Ellie Roebuck.
Over at Kingsmeadow, Chelsea are struggling to break down Birmingham, who are sitting deep and offering a threat on the counter.
Team news from the Den, and Celtic Park:
Millwall v Fulham
Millwall: Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper, Romeo, Molumby, Woods, M Wallace, J Wallace, Bradshaw, Bodvarsson.
Subs: Smith, Ferguson, Steele, Leonard, Mahoney,
O’Brien, Skalak.
Fulham: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Bryan, Onomah, Arter, Cairney, Kamara, Mitrovic, Reid.
Subs: Bettinelli, McDonald, Kebano, Johansen, Ivan Cavaleiro, Christie, Sessegnon.
Celtic v Hearts
Celtic: Forster, Ajer, Simunovic, Jullien, Forrest, Brown,
McGregor, Taylor, Ntcham, Griffiths, Edouard.
Subs: Bayo, Bauer, Hayes, Christie, Rogic, Elyounoussi, Bain.
Hearts: Joel Pereira, Clare, Halkett, Souttar, Garuccio, Smith,Irving, McDonald, Naismith, Walker, Boyce.
Subs: Langer, Avdijaj, Zlamal, Washington, Ikpeazu, Damour, Moore.
Manchester City lead after two minutes! This could be a long night for bottom club Bristol City. They concede a free-kick almost immediately, and from it, Gemma Bonner is on hand to acrobatically turn the ball home.
Updated
Kick-off is about five minutes away at Kingsmeadow and the City Academy Stadium. We’ll have Championship and Scottish Premiership team news coming up, too.
So what’s at stake in the WSL tonight? Leaders City and second-placed Chelsea will both be expecting to see off teams who are battling to avoid the drop, and extend the gap to Arsenal in third. The Gunners face Liverpool tomorrow night.
Below the three-horse title race, there’s a battle going on to finish fourth. Casey Stoney’s Manchester United lead the way, but are only seven points above tonight’s opponents, ninth-placed Brighton. The four clubs sandwiched between them – Everton, Reading, Tottenham and West Ham – also face off tonight.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City Women | 14 | 29 | 36 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 13 | 34 | 35 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 14 | 26 | 33 |
| 4 | Man Utd Women | 12 | 11 | 19 |
| 5 | Everton Women | 12 | 1 | 18 |
| 6 | Reading Women | 13 | -5 | 18 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 13 | -10 | 16 |
| 8 | West Ham Women | 12 | -15 | 13 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 14 | -18 | 12 |
| 10 | Birmingham City Women | 11 | -15 | 7 |
| 11 | Liverpool FC Women | 12 | -9 | 6 |
| 12 | Bristol City Women | 12 | -29 | 6 |
Some pre-match reading from Suzanne Wrack, here:
Here’s team news via Twitter for Chelsea v Birmingham, and Man City v Bristol City – both kicking off at 7pm GMT:
Tonight's Chelsea team to take on Birmingham! 👊
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) February 12, 2020
Thoughts? #CFCW pic.twitter.com/SHYmBKtMpa
👀 TEAM: Here's how your Blues line up at @ChelseaFCW tonight
— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) February 12, 2020
Kick-off is 7pm at Kingsmeadow
Updates to follow #BluesLIVE pic.twitter.com/Dvx9t3YLld
🙌 TEAM NEWS IS IN! 🙌
— Man City Women (@ManCityWomen) February 12, 2020
Here's how we line up at the Academy Stadium tonight...
XI | Roebuck, Stanway, Houghton (C), Bonner, Stokes, Walsh, Weir, Scott, Hemp, Wullaert, White.
SUBS | Benameur, Coombs, Bremer, Toland, Park, Fidalgo.
📋 @HaysWorldwide
🔵 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/Kd24iAN1Hy
Wednesday night lights 💡#MCWBRC pic.twitter.com/EqCpClJzKU
— Bristol City WFC (@bristolcitywfc) February 12, 2020
Preamble
Bit quiet with the winter break, isn’t it? In a word, no. There’s loads of football on tonight, so have a word with yourselves. For starters, there’s a full Women’s Super League programme, with Chelsea and Manchester City resuming their title battle.
Later on, Tottenham and Manchester United are in WSL action, and the men’s Championship promotion race will doubtless take another turn with Fulham and West Brom away at Millwall and Reading respectively. North of the border, Rangers are hoping to reel in Celtic, with both Glasgow giants playing tonight.
Here’s the full fixture list:
Women’s Super League
7pm: Chelsea v Birmingham
7pm: Man City v Bristol City
7.30pm: Reading v West Ham
7.30pm: Tottenham v Everton
7.45pm: Brighton v Man Utd
Championship (7.45pm unless stated)
Bristol City v Derby
Huddersfield v Cardiff
Luton v Sheffield Wed
Millwall v Fulham
8pm: Reading v West Brom
8pm: Stoke v Preston
Scottish Premiership (all 7.45pm)
Celtic v Hearts
Hibernian v Ross County
Kilmarnock v Rangers
Livingston v St Mirren
St Johnstone v Motherwell
