Preview: Everton (A).

City make the trip north to face Everton on Sunday (1pm).

Lauren Smith’s side will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt from the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last time out, seeing them fall below Villa and find themselves bottom of the Women’s Super League.

The nature of how tight the division is means that only four points separate the Robins and Leicester City in 7th.

City come into this seeking back-to-back away wins, having defeated West Ham United 3-2 in their last game on the road, thanks to goals from Brooke Aspin, Ella Powell and top scorer Amalie Thestrup.

City have a good record against Everton in recent years, winning seven and drawing three of their fifteen league meetings with the Toffees.

Smith rued her teams ‘passive’ performance in the defeat against Villa, and will be looking for a reaction from her players: “We lost the change in pace that we normally have which goes and threatens teams, because we were static in our shape. That’s a learning curve for us, that even if the teams against us play slower, when we go we need to make sure we’re explosive.”

OUR OPPONENTS: EVERTON

Founded: 1983
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Nickname: The Toffees
Manager: Brian Sorensen
Finish Last Season: 6th

Since appearing in the Champions League in 2011, Everton have struggled to recapture the form that secured them a place in Europe.

The Toffees were even relegated from the Women’s Super League in 2014, spending three years in the second tier before securing promotion back to the top flight in 2017. They have been a stable WSL since returning to the division, finishing comfortably mid-table every season, and finishing in a respectable 6th place last term.

Brian Sorensen’s team have endured a tough start to the campaign and find themselves 10th going into the fixture against City, with a gap of only a point separating them from Lauren Smith's side. Everton are the only team in the WSL still yet to have scored from open play this season, with their three goals coming courtesy of two corners and a penalty.

With a mix of youth and quality experience such as England legend Toni Duggan at his disposal, Sorensen will be hoping his side can find a bit of form and drift away from the relegation zone.

MATCH DETAILS

When: Sunday, November 19th (1pm)
Where: Walton Hall Park
Competition: Barclays Women’s Super League

Referee: Ade Soneye
Assistant referee: Abby Dearden
Assistant referee: Grace Lowe
Fourth Official: Tom Nield

TICKETS

Tickets are still available, so get behind the team on the road this weekend.

Words: Kory Cook