Everton Women 0-5 Chelsea: WSL Match Report and Reaction
Today at 06:00 AM
No time to rest as Blues boss knows team need to be better
Brian Sorensen has told his team there is no time to rest as Everton Women were ruthlessly beaten by reigning WSL Champions Chelsea at Goodison Park.
The Blues knew they were in for a tough ride from the off, something which former Toffee loanee Aggie Beever-Jones confirmed when she headed the visitors in front on 14 minutes.
Goals from Erin Cuthbert Guro Reiten ensured that Sonia Bompastor's team were in firm command come half-time, before Wieke Kaptein and Ashley Lawrence completed the scoring in the final 10 minutes of the game at Goodison Park.
Sorensen was in no doubt of the quality his side was facing, but insisted his side need to, and will, keep working hard to be better.
"There is no time to rest. Head up, chest up, today should not take confidence away from us," he said.
"[Chelsea] are a top, top team.
"We know what we need to be better at and will work super hard to be that."
Issy Hobson and Toni Payne were the only two changes from the starting XI against Leicester as Clare Wheeler was only deemed fit enough for the bench following a bout of sickness, while Sara Holmgaard was omitted from the matchday squad.
The tone was set early as Beever-Jones met Reiten's cross to head past Courtney Brosnan. The 21-year-old's - who received a warm reception from the home crowd - muted her celebrations following the opener.
Brosnan knew she was in for a busy evening and was her usual reliable self as she denied Bompastor's side on a number of occasions.
The Toffees did fashion some offence; Payne isolating the dangerous Sandy Baltimore before weaving inside only for her shot to sail wide of Hannah Hampton's goal.
Lucy Hope did test the Chelsea stopper on 28 minutes when her free kick forced the former Aston Villa stopper into a smart save, something which drew applause from the crowd.
But it was the visitors who doubled their lead when Cuthbert slotted past Brosnan on 43 minutes, before Reiten made it three during stoppage time.
Wheeler and Emma Bissel were introduced before the second half commenced, with the former ignoring her sickness to ensure her team would be at least more competitive in the middle of the park.
The Australian had a few chances, all of which dealt with Hampton, while at the other end Brosnan drew more applause from the fans when she dived full length to divert an effort over the crossbar.
But the Republic of Ireland star was a mere spectator when Baltimore thundered an effort off the bar as the game became more end-to-end.
Veatriki Sarri came close with a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area that fizzed over, however it was Chelsea added to their lead with two goals in the space of two minutes in the closing stages through Kaptein and Lawrence.
Up next for Sorensen and Everton is a trip to WSL newbies Crystal Palace on Sunday, 10 November, before the Blues return to Goodison Park a week later in the season's first Merseyside derby.
