Everton Women vs Manchester City: WSL Match Preview

Brian Sorensen has heaped praise on Manchester City ahead of their clash with Everton Women on Sunday, but is taking heart from previous meetings with the Citizens during the past few months.

The Blues have played Gareth Taylor’s side on three occasions already, losing by the odd goal each time.

And Sorensen is well aware of the task ahead, pointing to one former Everton loanee that is having to make do with a place on the bench for Sunday’s opposition as testament to their quality.

“Man City are a great team with an unbelievable squad and they have been playing great, too,” he said.

“With the amount of players we have out, it will be a tough ask. But we will do everything we can to our team ready and put in a performance that we can be proud of.

“Some of the football they have been playing has been superb. I thought even in the loss to Arsenal, they were excellent in that game.

“They are a top, top team in this league.

“And the players they can send off the bench are big, big quality. Jess (Park), who was unbelievable player for us last year, is coming off the bench for them so that tells you what kind of squad they are working with,” Sorensen continued.

“We have played them three times during this fall; twice in pre-season and once in the (League) Cup, and have only lost by one goal. So, we will take that in and, on the day, we can make a game out of it.”

Martina Piemonte returns after serving a three-match suspension, but Emily Ramsey is looking at a ‘significant’ period on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage sustained in the midweek defeat to Liverpool.

As yet it is unknown how long the ‘keeper will be out for but it is believed that surgery is not required.

Better news for long-term absentees Lucy Hope and Elise Stenevik though, with the former ready to get back on the pitch after Christmas, while Stenevik is already back in training.

The Opposition

Sitting third in the WSL and boasting the best defence in the division with just six goals conceded, Taylor’s side are in powerful form and will take some stopping at Walton Hall Park.

At the other end of the pitch, Khadija Shaw continues her impressive soring form. The Jamaican forward has seven league goals in nine and will be looking to sign off 2023 in style.

Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images

But this is a squad that is strong in every position, with the aforementioned Park having to settle for a place on the bench after returning to her parent club following a very successful loan spell on Merseyside.

Previous Meetings

Records are made to be broken and Everton’s WSL record against Manchester City is one the Blues will be desperate to break. Winless in 14, the Toffees have failed to score in 12 of the last 23 in all competitions against the Citizens.

A Toni Duggan hattrick in 2012 gave Everton a 5-1 win in the FA Cup in what was the Blues’ last triumph against their weekend opponents.

The veteran striker already has one against her former employers this season, and will be keen to keep tormenting Taylor’s team if selected.