Brian Sorensen has urged his side to do better to his players ahead of an ‘important’ week in the season of Everton Women.
The Blues take on Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow at Walton Hall Park in the Women’s FA Cup ahead of what will be the team’s last chance of silverware this season, before the Toffees welcome 11th place Leicester City to Merseyside in what will be a WSL six-pointer.
New loan signing Louna Ribadeira will be ineligible to feature against Spurs, due to the France international joining after she was registered to play after the deadline for the original date of the fixture with Spurs.
Photo by Richard Pelham – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
The boss also confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday morning he has no new injury concerns but, regardless of team selection, the Dane feels his side must take advantage of the quick turnaround, with the midweek tie presenting a chance to get back to winning ways and start a cup run.
“We are focusing on right here, right now. Tomorrow is important, Leicester on Sunday is important,” he said. “We have targets ahead of us and we need to do better.
“It is up to us to create space and break them [Spurs] down. I think at Walton Hall Park, it is going to be a good game, there are two teams that want to press forward and take chances.
“Hopefully, we can hit the ground running, but we definitely need to take our chances, that is for sure.”
The Opposition
Robert Vilahamn has promised to name a ‘really strong XI’ but will be selecting his team for Wednesday by how he can get the best energy from the squad.
Spurs endured League Cup heartbreak last week with defeat to West Ham United, so Vilahamn is in a similar position to his Everton counterpart in terms of playing for silverware.
Spurs currently sit in sixth spot in the WSL, and are uneaten in four in the league, last tasting defeat in the North London derby in November.
Veteran star Drew Spence has trained and is in contention for Wednesday, with Spurs only missing goalkeeper Lize Kop and new signing Josefine Rybrink, both of whom miss out due to not being registered in time for the original date of the fixture.
![Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Barclays Women’s Super League](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fX81R9Fq2b0nDZm3q2m-AVmKaYE=/0x0:5696x3797/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:5696x3797):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25850068/2189383550.jpg)
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
Scoring goals has not been a problem for Vilahamn’s side, but Spurs do have the leakiest defence in the WSL top six, having conceded 25 goals in just 12 league games.
Previous Meetings
Sorensen is wary of the challenge Spurs possess. The Londoners edged the Toffees when the two faced off in the league earlier this season, with a disputed Beth England penalty denying Everton in the second half.
Speaking of tomorrow’s opposition, the Blues boss said:
“They have quality players, you can see that in the league – they are getting wins and want to be aggressive in their approach.
“They are a very good team, we played them just before Christmas.
“If we do not have a game plan and we do not click, they have the tools to hurt us.
“I am looking forward to it, it is always a good battle against them. The games are a little more open, but that suits us more. I think it is going to be a good game.”
![Tottenham Hotspur v Everton - Barclays Women’s Super League](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/223sPzvuB62IvCjYCBEicydRyxU=/0x0:5016x3344/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:5016x3344):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25850071/2189383141.jpg)
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
Everton’s FA Cup fourth round fixture takes place on Wednesday, 29 January, at Walton Hall Park. Kick-off is at 7pm.
Bissell Departs
Emma Bissell has left the Blues this month to join Charlton Athletic on a permanent transfer.
The winger signed for the Toffees from Bristol City in August 2023 and netted her first WSL goal for the Club against the Robins as Everton cruised to a 4-0 victory on the final day of the 2023/24 season.
The 23-year-old opened her account for the 2024/25 campaign – her final goal for the Blues – in October, levelling the scores against Newcastle United in the Women’s League Cup as Everton went on to defeat the Magpies on penalties.
Everyone at Royal Blue Mersey wish Emma the very best with her career and thank her for her contribution to the Toffees cause.