LIONESSES IN THE CROSS HAIRS

Kirby fears England have a target on their backs as rivals aim to spoil hosts’ party

FRAN KIRBY reckons England have a target on their backs because everyone wants to beat them.

The Chelsea forward believes every opponent will have “added fuel” because they want to spoil the hosts’ party in their home Euros tournament this summer. England began their Euros campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria at Old Trafford in front of a record crowd of nearly 70,000, a huge TV audience and sky-high expectation levels as they carry the weight of a nation on their shoulders.

Kirby was the first to admit they will have to play better to win the trophy but insisted that Sarina Wiegman’s side face an extra obstacle and pressure as hosts. “That first win is a weight off our shoulders, but no game is going to be easy in this competition,” said Kirby. “People were talking about how England were favourites going into this competition, but you come up against a strong Austrian side and see it’s not a walk in the park.

“No one’s going to give us this trophy. No other country wants us to win it and everyone has that added fuel to beat us because we are at home.

“We have to take each game as it comes, and make sure we’re ready to go at any game – and it’s another tough game coming up against Norway.”

England face the Norwegians at Brighton on Monday and then Northern Ireland at Southampton the following Friday, with all three Group A matches sold out. The 68,871 attendance at Old Trafford was a new Euros record and Kirby says the Lionesses must embrace the atmosphere and expectation levels.

They have now scored 85 goals in 15 games under Wiegman (below) with just three conceded so England were probably expecting a goal rush – and that never came.

But their forward line is their strongest asset and Kirby, who is just finding her way back to form and fitness after a stop-start season of injury and setbacks, says they know where they must improve, but they have time to get it right. She added: “We know we have to improve throughout the tournament, but Austria are a good team and have some really good players so overall we’re happy with the performance and we can build on it.

“You can’t peak in the first game, you want to build. I’d rather peak in the final!

“We know we can play better but we’re happy we put on a performance and I’m excited to see how much we can build throughout this tournament and keep growing as a team.

“The atmosphere was incredible. You come out to line up and everyone’s singing the national anthem. Then the whistle blows and it’s down to business.

“But it was a moment I won’t forget for a long time. My family and friends were in the crowd as well so you can’t ask for much better than that.”