Blues looking to end four-game streak of losses
Manager Brian Sorensen believes that the weekend’s game against Leicester City will be a big test as Everton Women are coming up against a physically strong team that defend well.
The Dane has also confirmed that the Blues will be without Kelly Gago, Rion Ishakawa, Courtney Brosnan and Aurora Galli, who all remain sidelined along with long-term absentee Megan Finnigan.
One player who will be available for selection is Issy Hobson, who has returned to Merseyside from her loan spell at Women’s Super League 2 club Nottingham Forest.
Sunday’s clash at King Power Stadium gives the Toffees a chance to end a run of four winless league games – the latest a 1-0 reverse away at Brighton & Hove Albion – before Everton welcome Manchester United to Hill Dickinson Stadium on 12 October.
Speaking on the upcoming fixture with the Foxes, Sorensen declared that he can rely on Hobson, should he need to, but she and her teammates are coming up against a team that will be difficult to break down.
“Leicester are physically very strong and very good in defending.
“You have to break them down. They’ve been looking good in the first few games, a solid unit, and it’ll be a test like every game is in this league.
“We have five injuries. We will put out a good team against Leicester still but some of those are key figures that would normally play and start.
“We have to manage that but we still have a good squad available.”
On Hobson
“I spoke to her and she was happy to be back.
“She enjoyed being (at Forest), but she’s an Evertonian and a Blue.
“It’s a big jump for a young player to break into a team in the best league in the world, but I know 100% defensively I can rely on her.”
Hobson’s versatility will give Sorensen more options, as Clare Wheeler at right back didn’t work for Everton against Brighton, while the midfield pairing of Rosa van Gool and Ruby Mace seemed lightweight and against the Seagulls.
Wheeler and/or Ladd in a deeper midfield role allows Maz Pacheco greater licence to move forward and provide the crosses that have been one of Everton’s more useful attacking threats so far this campaign.
The team’s formation saw Japanese duo of Honoka Hayashi and former Leicester City star Yuka Momiki operate behind a front two of Katja Snoeijs and Ornella Vignola in a system that didn’t look a comfortable fit for the Blues.
if Snoeijs is to remain Sorensen’s first-choice striker, then the Netherlands star will surely benefit from Toni Payne on the wing, given the Dutch forward’s aerial ability.
Or does the head coach go with Momiki as the leader of the line against her former club? The 29-year-old would love to score against the Foxes and with her compatriot Hayashi playing in the no.10 role behind a front three that should include Vignola, and could well see Everton end their winless run.
Hayashi in the right areas allows for chances and the former West Ham United star may well be Sorensen what Jack Grealish currently is for David Moyes.
The Opposition
Sitting one place below their weekend visitors thanks to an inferior goal difference, Leicester will also be looking to add to their tally of just one win in four league games.
Rick Passmoor’s team have struggled in the goalscoring department, although the Foxes did plunder five against Ipswich Town in their opening League Cup fixture.
In the WSL Leicester have contested some tough games, which have included losses to champions Chelsea and prospective challengers Manchester United, but did overcome Liverpool in their opening home thanks to a second half header by Emily van Egmond
The experienced Australia international’s goal has so far been half of her team’s overall return in league goals this season.
A team with big personalities, veteran midfielder Sam Tierney remains pivotal to the side but Passmoor, much like Sorensen, needs his strikers to start firing regularly.
Previous Meetings
Momiki’s eighth minute goal was enough to ensure that Leicester claimed all three points in this fixture last season, although Everton would take revenge later in the season with Hayashi and Snoeijs amongst the scorers in a 4-1 win.
November 2021 was the last time the Toffees secured an away victory in this fixture, in a season where they would go on to do the double over the Foxes, in a contest that usually provides goals and has suddenly become a hugely important game for both sides.
Everton Women travel to King Power Stadium on Sunday, 5 October. Kick-off against the East Midlands outfit is at 11.55am BST ((6.55am ET, 3.55am PT).
The Toffees then welcome Manchester United the following week at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Tickets for that fixture can be purchased here.
Category: General Sports
