While Covid effects the resumption of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, there’s much better news for Coventry United.
West Ham’s match with Manchester United was first to fall, followed by the Friday night fixture between Chelsea and Spurs and Saturday’s game of Aston Villa v Everton.
There have been 40 positive tests across the WSL and Championship for the week-ending 3 January, down from a record high of 44.
Aston Villa face Everton for a Saturday lunchtime fixture, Brighton meet Manchester City in Sunday’s early kick off, with the visitors seeing Steph Houghton return to training after injury.
Leaders Arsenal are at basement side Birmingham, Reading play a Leicester side buoyed by their first ever WSL victory.
Championship leaders Liverpool start 2022 at Blackburn, third-placed London City are at lowly Watford. Crystal Palace face a long trip to Sunderland, while Charlton have home advantage over Sheffield United.
Coventry United’s trip to Bristol City was called off after the Midlands side were set to enter voluntary liquidation, although a last-minute agreement has been reached which would saved the club.
Lewis Taylor, chief executive of West Midlands energy company Angels Group, hopes to finalise the takeover deal within a week.
Head coach Jay Bradford told BBC CWR: “Relief is probably the first emotion knowing, effectively, we’ve all got jobs again and then my brain is immediately going towards fixtures and players and transfer windows.”
“We knew the end was in sight – one way or another – but hopefully now plans can be put in place for everyone to come back to work.”
Points deduction
The FA have imposed an immediate 10-point deduction on Coventry United Ladies ‘pursuant to Rule 19.2.2 of The FA Women’s Super League and The FA Women’s Championship Competition Rules’.
The automatic points deduction may be appealed by Coventry United Ladies FC in accordance with Competition Rule 19.2.9.
Sunday 9 January
FA WSL
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City (Crawley Town, 12pm) – live on BBC Red Button/BBC iPlayer/BBC Sport Website
Birmingham City v Arsenal (Birmingham City FC, 2pm) – live on Sky Sports
Reading v Leicester City (Reading FC, 2pm) – live on The FA Player
West Ham United P-P Manchester United
FA Women’s Championship
Lewes P-P Durham
Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool (Bamber Bridge FC, 2pm) – live on The FA Player
Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United (VCD Athletic, 2pm)
Sunderland v Crystal Palace (Eppleton Colliery Welfare, 2pm)
Bristol City P-P Coventry United
Watford v London City Lionesses (Kings Langley FC, 3pm)
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