England and Chelsea right-back Niamh Charles, now 24, began her career at an early age on the Wirral in Merseyside. Charles spent her youth at the West Kirby Wasps and excelled as the only female on the pitch, playing against boys up to the age of 14. “Playing in boys’ teams growing up was all I knew so I can’t really compare it to anything else but I loved it,” she has said. “Some of the things that I had to learn as the boys got older and stronger and some of the things I had to adapt and grow about my game have helped me now in terms of the physical side of football. I wouldn’t change playing for boys’ teams because I really liked it.” After that success at junior level, Charles became a member of Liverpool’s FC Academy youth setup and found herself climbing the ranks. She made her Women’s Super League debut at just 16 and appeared 59 times for Liverpool, scoring 11 goals, but left the club following their relegation and signing for Chelsea in 2020, where manager Emma Hayes has hailed her as “tenacious” and a “willing competitor”. She has since won back-to-back doubles with the Blues and started in the Champions League Final against Barcelona in 2021, aged just 21. She has also represented England at under-17, under-19 and under-20 levels. In 2018 at the Under-20s World Cup, Charles made an impression as she helped the young Lionesses win bronze. That same year, she was voted “Rising Star” at the North-West Football Awards. Her debut for the senior side came in a friendly against France in 2021 and she has since added six more caps, a total she will be seeking to increase further in Australia and New Zealand this summer. Read More England Women’s squad for World Cup 2023 England women World Cup fixtures and route to the final England’s World Cup hinges on a defining question

Inter Miami have started construction on their new home.

Sean Dyche branded Craig Dawson’s decision not to send Ibrahima Konate off in Everton’s Merseyside derby defeat bizarre and incredible as he criticised the referee and called for VAR to be used to determine bookable offences. The Liverpool defender, who was on a booking, was spared a second yellow card for a foul on Everton substitute Beto – a decision which Dyche accused Pawson of rushing to and which he felt was stunning and almost impossible. Dyche claimed he had no idea why he was booked in Everton’s 2-0 loss, which was sealed by a late brace from Mohamed Salah. He did not complain about the award of the penalty for the Egyptian’s opener, for handball against Michael Keane, but questioned the first caution Ashley Young received for his first-half red card, though he admitted the second was correct. But Konate’s reprieve, when the game was still goalless, bemused him. “I have no clue,” Dyche said. “I have asked the referee and he said he didn’t feel it was a bookable offence. I think people who were here today would be stunned it was not a second yellow.” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp promptly replaced Konate and said afterwards that the Frenchman could have been sent off and that he understood Dyche’s frustration. “Jurgen couldn’t wait to get him off because he knows,” the Everton manager said. “Fair play. I think that is an honest view. I don’t want to bleat too much because we lost. I can’t remember the last time I spoke this openly about referees but that one is incredible to me. And I got a yellow card, I don’t know what for.” Dyche was annoyed by Pawson’s swift decision-making, explained: “I have seen the footage back and within a second he is saying, ‘No chance no chance.” You aren’t giving yourself thinking time. If you give yourself 10 seconds, you think, ‘That has to be a yellow’. That is just bizarre to me. How that is not a second yellow is nearly impossible in the modern game.” Whereas Pawson was sent to the monitor to review the handball that led to the penalty, there is no scope for VAR to intervene for bookings but Dyche said: “I think there is where VAR should step in. In a game of this magnitude, I think VAR should be there to correct it.” Read More How Sean Dyche turned Everton into a better attacking team than Liverpool Northern Ireland rising star Isaac Price grateful to former boss Frank Lampard Mikel Arteta pinpoints moment Arsenal made ‘phenomenal’ response at Chelsea

In today's NFL rumors, Deshaun Watson is projected to miss more time, the Raiders' 2023 draft plans get revealed, and the Eagles look to add safety depth.

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Manchester United boss Marc Skinner called for changes to the qualification rules and criticised the referee after his side failed to reach the Champions League group stage. The Women’s Super League side were beaten 3-1 in the second leg of their second-round qualifier against Paris St Germain at the Parc des Princes to go out 4-2 on aggregate. Skinner felt it was a tough draw for United while other clubs may have been given an easier passage. “It’s crazy that we have to play PSG in this qualifying round, crazy,” he told reporters at a press conference. “It needs to be something that is addressed. Having said that, we will learn from it. We’ll come back stronger. We got a taste of it. I’m going to make sure we’re driven to make sure we are a constant fixture in the Champions League.” United gave themselves hope when Lisa Naalsund cancelled out Lieke Martens’ opener to level at 1-1 early in the second half. Yet Martens responded quickly with her second of the game and a third from Sandy Baltimore secured PSG’s win. United fought on and Skinner was enraged when Leah Galton controversially had a header ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Katarzyna Kiedrzynek. Skinner said on MUTV: “We’ve scored a goal that should stand. It’s ridiculous. If that’s the level of officiating at this standard, it’s not good enough. It's crazy that we have to play PSG in this qualifying round, crazy Marc Skinner “That’s a goal and we’re in the ascendancy then to get more. We’ve come into an intimidating situation and we’ve been the better team. “That’s all credit to our players and shows everybody else in Europe what they’re going to get used to over the next few years, because we as a team are absolutely growing and going to where we want to be. We’re not going to let anybody stand in our way.” Skinner is confident his team will bounce back. He said: “We’ve got to learn from tonight and we’ve got to be accountable for our mistakes. “If we do that, we’ll grow again and again and then there’ll be no team that can touch us. We can go into Europe and dominate.” Read More Declan Rice taking lessons from Rugby World Cup as England eye Euro 2024 glory Ollie Chessum says England ‘improving week-by-week’ ahead of South Africa clash Mohamed Salah calls for Gaza to be given humanitarian aid immediately Man Utd miss chance to secure Champions League football after losing in Paris Ian Foster warns New Zealand not to be ‘softened’ by plaudits after Ireland win Sandro Tonali under investigation for alleged betting activity

Jaxson Dart accounted for 308 yards and passed for two touchdowns and No. 20 Mississippi pulled away to beat 24th-ranked Tulane 37-20 on Saturday as injured Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt watched from the sideline

The Detroit Lions have sold out of season tickets for the first time in 22 years playing at Ford Field

Marcus Rashford has boosted Manchester United’s top-four Premier League hopes by returning to training. England striker Rashford, who has scored 29 goals this season, missed Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Wolves with a leg injury. “There is good news regarding Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay, who have both returned to training,” a United statement read after Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad trained at Carrington on Wednesday. “Our leading scorer took part in the session after missing the win over Wolves due to injury.” Scotland midfielder McTominay is also closing in on a return, having not played since scoring in a 2-0 win over Everton on April 8. France defender Raphael Varane, who Ten Hag said was replaced late on against Wolves as a precaution, also trained on Wednesday. Marcel Sabitzer this week joined Lisandro Martinez and Donny van de Beek on the sidelines for the rest of the season. Fourth-placed United continue their bid for Champions League football at Bournemouth on Saturday. After their trip to the south coast, United conclude their league campaign with home games against Chelsea and Fulham. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live