Everton Women vs Manchester City: WSL Match Preview

12/15/2024 04:32 AM

Blues play last game of the year looking for a win

Brian Sorensen has promised that his Everton Women side will do everything they can to finish off 2024 with a good result but has admitted his team need to be sharp against an inform Manchester City.

The Blues welcome the Citizens to Walton Hall Park this weekend, with Gareth Taylor's team currently riding high in second place in the WSL.

The Toffees boss has also confirmed that there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash, with Karen Holmgaard back in training and in contention for Sunday.

Should Everton avoid defeat, it would see them climb above Leicester City, while a win could see them rise as high as eighth.

But Sorensen remains happy with his squad and feels injuries and a lack of consistency has been a factor in their results so far.

"We will try and see if we can finish off for Christmas with a good result. Despite the injuries they [Manchester City] have, they are playing really well at the moment," he said.

"Their positional play is second to none, so we will have to be super sharp.

"We have the plan, it is there. I still think if we had not had injuries with big personnel, we would have been doing a lot better.

"Our issue has been that we do not have the next in line. I am focused on what we control and am happy with the players that we do have.

"The girls have been doing everything they can, this league is extremely tough. We just need a bit of consistency and we will be okay."

The Opposition

Only league leaders Chelsea have scored more than Taylor's side so far this season, as Man City have moved to establish themselves as the main threat to the West Londoners' WSL dominance.

Taylor has injury concerns of his own, with former Blue Alex Greenwood requiring a scan on her knee after being stretchered off during the Citizens 2-0 win over St Polten on Thursday night.

Jill Roord will more than likely feature in the squad following her recovery from injury, while Naomi Layzell, Laura Coombs and Chloe Kelly are all back in training and in contention for the trip to Walton Hall Park.

Khadija 'Bunny' Shaws, who pulled in training this week, is unlikely to feature before the new year due to a lower leg issue.

Previous Meetings

Everton are currently on a run of 16 consecutive WSL defeats v Man City and 25 consecutive defeats in all competitions.

Taylor's team are also on an impressive run of 22 wins from their last 25 in the WSL.

Shaw was the scourge in last season's fixture, with the Jamaican notching a hattrick in a 4-1 win as the Toffees were effectively out of the contest after 25 minutes.

But the Blues have resilience in abundance and, coupled with the time of year that alleges miracles and their male counterparts eking out a result away at Arsenal, Sorensen will be determined to end 2024 on a positive.

Everton Women take on Manchester City in their final game of the season on Sunday, 15 December.

Kick-off at Walton Hall Park is at 12.30pm (GMT).