Series Three Sisters Episode 51

Valencia have collaborated from the first minute with the police and all relevant authorities to clarify the events that occurred,” a statement from the club read following the initial punishment.In addition, we have applied the maximum possible sanction with the ban for life from our stadium for racist behaviour of the fans identified by police.”

Speaking at a news conference, Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja added: “I am not going to allow the Valencia CF fans and Mestalla to be smeared with labels that do not represent us.”

In explaining the partial stadium closure, the Spanish Football Federation had said: “It is considered proven that, as reflected by the referee in his minutes, there were racist shouts at Vinicius, altering the normal course of the match and considering the infractions very serious.”

The partial stadium closure will apply to the Mestalla Stadium’s south stand, an area a clearly angry and emotional Vinicius was seen pointing to during Sunday’s second half before reporting the issue to the referee.

He was sent off in the 97th minute of the 1-0 defeat, but the red card was later overturned by Spain’s competition committee.Vinicius Jr reacted angrily after the game, saying on social media that “La Liga belongs to racists”, opening up a wider debate on the issue in the country.

Khadija Shaw’s two goals sandwiched a Lauren Hemp stunner as Manchester City clinched a final day win over Everton.

Victory saw City end the campaign level on points with Arsenal in fourth, while the Toffees, who were flattered by the scoreline, finished up sixth.

There was a relaxed atmosphere at the Academy Stadium, with a tinge of emotion as Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen played her final match against her former club before retirement.

Everton’s commitment to playing out from the back caused early problems as City put a high press into action. Hemp headed on to the top of the bar before Chloe Kelly, who was a threat down the right, curled over.

Both sides had chances early in the second half. Hemp flashed a shot just wide before Nicoline Sorensen forced Khiara Keating into a smart save.

But City’s front three clicked into gear when Kelly found Hemp, who laid off for Shaw to slide home.

Hemp put City firmly in control on the hour with a sumptuous drive off the bar from the right-hand side, and it wasn’t long before Shaw rounded things off with an emphatic finish, taking her tally for the season to 20 goals.

The Toffees grabbed late consolations through Lucy Hope, who turned Sorensen’s cross in from a tight angle and substitute Leonie Maier’s bundled effort in the final minute.

Shaw holds key to bright City future
It wasn’t that long ago that City were in the heat of the title race, and they showed why at times in the second half. They exploited Everton’s slow build-up with a really effective press, which eventually unlocked their attacking players.

Kelly and Hemp were both impressive in wide areas, but it was Shaw’s clinical edge that made the difference when the game was simmering.

She may have just fallen short in a hotly contested race for the golden boot with Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly, but her performances this season will give hope that City can close the gap on Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal at the top next year.

Emotional send off for Toffee captain Christiansen
Izzy Christansen
Izzy Christansen received a guard of honour before kick-off
While the scoreline might suggest a tight affair, the reality is Everton played right into City’s hands with their approach from the start and never looked like winning.

The story of their day lies with Christiansen, who at the age of 31 is hanging up her boots. She received a guard of honour from both teams at kick off and was greeted warmly when brought on as a substitute.

The midfielder will be missed by Everton, who may be building something under Brian Sorensen but will need to play with more purpose in the big games if they are to challenge further up the table next year.