Wheeler: ‘we need to be tougher’.
Clare Wheeler cut a frustrated figure and declared that Everton Women have to get themselves out of the position they are in after defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion made it four losses on the spin for the Blues.
Michelle Agyemang’s first-half goal proved to be the difference at Broadfield Stadium, in a game where the Toffees once again failed to take their chances.
And Wheeler – who was handed the captain’s armband today – made no excuses for the defeat and is now looking ahead to Everton’s next WSL encounter away at Leicester.
The Australia international is also hoping Brian Sorensen’s team can rediscover the form they showed on the opening day of the campaign against Liverpool.
“It’s frustrating, obviously, and it’s three weeks now,” said Wheeler.
“We started really well at the start of the season, against Liverpool but we just haven’t found that form again.
“Even though it was a close game, 1-0, it’s not the three points. It’s not what we came here to do.
“It’s a tough competition [the WSL], we had the opportunities to take, and they capitalised on theirs. We just couldn’t find a way back in to the game and it is one of those ones we wish we could have done better.
“I feel like it’s a shame to have that kind of stance to say it wasn’t our day. I feel like it is a couple of weekends in a row to have that same feeling.
“We want to do better and now we have a big game against Leicester where we have to get ourselves out of this position.
“It’s a tough competition, but we need to be tougher and we need to come away with then three points.”
Emily Ramsey kept her place between the sticks in a side that showed three changes from the team that started in the midweek defeat to Manchester City.
Wheeler replaced Rion Ishikawa, who was absent from the squad after picking up a knee injury in training, and lined up in a backline of Maz Pacheco, Martina Fernandez and Elise Stenevik.
Hayley Ladd made way for Ruby Mace, who sat deep in midfield Rosa van Gool, while Katie Robinson was replaced by Katja Snoeijs, with the Netherlands star leading the line alongside Ornella Vignola,
Japanese duo Honoka Hayashi and Yuka Momiki retained their places in the starting XI and operated behind the front two.
Rosa Kafaji registered the first attempt of the afternoon, forcing Ramsey in to a strong save on 18 minutes but the Blues responded through van Gool, who was found by Momiki inside the area following Pacheco’s dangerous cross.
The Dutch star let fly with her first touch but was denied by Chiamaka Nnadozie, who brilliantly palmed the ball away from the top corner.
Agyemang gave the hosts the lead one minute later. Fran Kirby lofted the ball to the back-post, where Kafaji found the England international, who chested it down to make it 1-0.
The hosts had majority of the possession as the first half drew on but it was the visitors that created the more dangerous chances.
The best of which fell to Hayashi, who fired narrowly wide from 20 yards with Nnadozie rooted to the spot.
Everton began the second 45 on the front foot and Hayashi created the first chance of the half.
Dispossessing Maisie Symonds in the middle of the park, the midfielder found Vignola, who spread it to Momiki. The 29-year-old then picked out Pacheco, who fired a stinging effort that whisked agonisingly wide of Nnadozie’s goal.
Karen Holmgaard and Hikaru Kitagawa were Sorensen’s first two changes on the hour mark, replacing Mace and Pacheco, as the visitors looked to take advantage of their sustained period of possesion.
Vignola had the Toffees best opportunity, and looked to catch Nnadozie out at her near-post, but the shot-stopper did well to deny the forward and continue Leicester’s long-standing tradition of goalkeepers playing exceptionally well against Everton.
Ladd, Robinson and Toni Payne were all introduced into the action as the half wore on, but Dario Vidosic’s side remained resolute to see out the contest and claim all three points.
Next up for Everton Women is Leicester City at King Power on Sunday, 5 October, at 11.55am BST (6.55am ET, 3.55am PT).
Category: General Sports
