Boss looks at previous record ahead of cup clash
Brian Sorensen has hinted that one or two of Everton Women’s fringe players will get a run out this Wednesday as the Blues begin their 2025/26 Subway League Cup at Manchester City.
The Toffees are looking to get back on track following two WSL defeats at Goodison Park, but the head coach is positive ahead of the trip to the Joie Stadium, particularly following some recent positive results against the Citizens.
Courtney Brosnan will miss the Group A opener after sustaining a knee injury, with Kelly Gago will also sidelined due to concussion protocols.
But Sorensen is looking for more games to bed in his nine new signings and hopes that those who have not featured as much as others will take their opportunity when it arrives.
“We are still building, gelling and working on the relationships within the squad. Some of the ones that maybe haven’t played as much will feature and get a run out,” he said.
“It is a big opportunity for them. I hope they take it. Overall, we have a good record against City – we took four points off of them last year with a win at home and then a draw at their place.
“Hopefully, we can make it an even game tomorrow.”
The Opposition
With two wins from three games in the WSL, Andrée Jeglertz has confirmed that his squad in a good place ahead of Wednesday but has confirmed that Lauren Hemp has had a scan on her ankle and is unlikely to feature in City’s League Cup opener.
Jeglertz may too rotate his squad ahead of a busy set of league fixtures, but with eight goals already plundered in three games, with seven different players already registering in the early stages of the campaign.
An injury-hit campaign to club record scorer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw hurt City’s campaign last season, and it remains to be seen whether she will be risked on Wednesday, although the squad is packed with quality, with two former Toffees and current England starts Alex Greenwood and Grace Clinton both well known to the Blues.
Previous Meetings
Goals from Shaw and former Everton loanee Jess Park settled matters the last time the two sides met in the League Cup back in October 2023, with Toni Duggan replying for the home side in stoppage time in what was a continuation of a one-sided rivalry in favour of the Citizens.
That changed last season when the Toffees gave the fans an early Christmas present as goals from Lucy Hope and Honoka Hayashi ensured that Sorensen’s side would claim their first ever victory over their Manchester rivals in the WSL era.
Mary Fowler’s late penalty somewhat flattered the visitors that day in what was arguably last season’s best performance from the Blues.
Karen Holmgaard’s equaliser at the Joie Stadium cancelled out an early Kerstin Casparij goal, as the Blues dared to dream of a league double over City, with the visitors having chances to seal all three points before having to settle for a share of the spoils.
That form and the desire for the fringe players to play their way into Sorensen’s plans.
Everton Women take on Manchester City in the first game of 2025/26 League Cup on Wednesday, 24 September at 7pm (2pm ET, 11am PT).
Category: General Sports
