Lineker's Lugs

I’ve been to two semi finals: Birmingham v Bristol Academy at the Lamb in Tamworth and Everton v Notts County in Derbyshire somewhere, possibly Alfreton. Which makes it even dafter that they used to be at neutral venues then someone decided to change it.

Tuesday morning apparently - BBC Breakfast around 8.20am per the live text page for today's game.

Yeah, the pitch was unplayable and gifted USA their first, though the defender should have known not to try a back pass in those conditions. It was weird that Leon took the first pen straight after scoring the equaliser from the spot in injury time. Everybody watching, including the keeper, knew she’d go the other side.

Strong suspicion of an own goal about that. Time for a second successive 6-2?

Oooh aargh x 9?

Quick, sign some more Japanese!

Looked like a cross to me, but great work by Momiki before that.

Oops!

Surely the commentator realises that was a time out rather than an injury, it happens every game.

I think this is going to be easier than the people who think it won't be as easy as some people think think. Possibly.

Well I've just learnt Missy Goodwin's real first name is Deearna thanks to the BBC match report. I thought they'd messed up, but technically not. Entertaining game and ultimately a comfortable win, but conceding two to a Championship team isn't great.

Agree with the BIB, but I actually have Leicester 2 points up on what I would have expected at the start of the season and that's only because at that point I would have gone for a draw at Everton. I can't be bothered to look back but I think I posted pre-season that either 8th or 9th was the best Leicester could expect. 7th is definitely in play now, but I'd make Villa favourites for that. I rate Carla Ward and I'm amazed how Villa have under-performed but I still expect them to get their arses in gear sooner or later. Maybe it won't happen though, especially if they lose Blindkilde Brown.

Thibaud, now that she seems to have settled, is the only one I really rate in the middle. I thought the signing of Ale might mean one of the previous full backs would move inside, but there is no sign of that yet. It won't matter this season but going forward improvement in central defence is definitely needed. As I frequent this thread more than any other it's probably time to come clean and explain that after a quarter of a century of following women's football I only support the Lionesses and am neutral regarding club football (in the men's game it's the opposite - I only care about Leicester and I don't give a toss about England or any league Leicester are not in). I have history that makes me reluctant to commit to Leicester going back to their ultimately unsuccessful attempts to manipulate the County Cup in 2016-17 (I know how to bear a grudge!). My team from then no longer exists at the same level though that night of celebrating with them at the Baracuda Bar will never be forgotten. I'm still on the committee of that club which now primarily runs junior teams. I watch all the WSL as a neutral including Leicester's games but I'm finding a lot of likeable characters in the squad, especially the horrifically unfortunate Hannah Cain, so I'm slowly coming around. In the meantime it's interesting to see the opinions of those that are more committed to Leicester, whether that's concerns about relegation or criticism of the referee against Everton, both of which, as a neutral, I think are completely unfounded.

Fare is though!

I know nothing about her, but the length of contract suggests it's considered she'll ultimately be an upgrade on one or more already at the club. Interesting how contracts of this length are becoming increasingly common in the women's game. Until recently it was season by season.

One of the most knuckle-headed whole team/coaching staff performances I've seen in a long time.

Can't stand Mahomes, can't stand Kelce, sick to death of Taylor Swift. That drive didn't end well for me!

I didn't think the lead was particularly deserved at the point they scored, given the chances Everton had had, but having taken the lead they just took control and deserved it overall. Takarada POTM.

Job done.

Nice goal!

Pretty even game on chances. Interesting to see Kop in a more competitive game than the cup ties. She's done well overall. Leicester still need to address the glaring weakness at centre back that's been there since promotion.

Well, I was wrong about it being a decent game! Villa are a cut above despite not being great themselves. It's amazing Leicester haven't yet addressed their defensive deficiencies in this transfer window. Looks like Rose is coming on though, good news.

Villa have seriously underperformed this season. I'm expecting them to start putting that right tonight, but it should be a decent game.

I was doing a quiz on a coach journey a few years ago. My teammate was former Leicester player Steve Wilkinson. One question was about PL teams from London. We tried listing the whole division to find the London teams. We got 19 out of 20 - the missing one was Palace, so you're absolutely correct!

I used to work with his daughter. I remember showing her his entry in Fossils not long after he died. Her son Robbie came into our place to work on the odd occasion to earn a bit of cash during school holidays - I wonder if that’s the grandchild you’re referring to? None of which helps you, but you’ve sparked some memories!