WSL 2022/23 Preview 5: Everton
WSL 2021/22 final position: 10th
Keen to avoid a repeat of last season’s turmoil, Everton have brought in new manager Brian Sorensen and signed highly-rated England Under-21 goalkeeper Emily Ramsey on a season-long loan from Manchester United.
How we fared last season
Two defeats by a single goal to Everton last season showed the fine margins separating Leicester between a relegation battle and the relative comfort of lower mid-table.
21 November 2021: Leicester City 0 Everton 1
A recurring theme of Leicester’s opening WSL campaign was a tendency to concede damaging late goals. Everton had enjoyed the better of the first game between the sides but it took until the 81st minute for them to score the only goal. Leicester goalkeeper Demi Lambourne was helpless as Simone Magill latched onto a fine through ball and finished well. It was an eighth straight defeat for the home side, while Everton ended a run of three losses in a row.
12 March 2022: Everton 3 Leicester City 2
In perhaps the most entertaining of Leicester’s WSL games last season, a topsy-turvy encounter ended with the Toffees claiming all three points - but not without a worry or two along the way. Without first and second choice goalkeepers Kirstie Levell and Demi Lambourne, Sophie Harris started in goal for Leicester, but it was the other end of the pitch that saw the first action of the game with Jemma Purfield’s fine long-range strike opening the scoring.
Everton turned things around with goals from former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid forward Toni Duggan and Anna Anvegard, but Sam Tierney’s equaliser sent Leicester in at the break on level terms. Seven minutes into the second half, Anvegard’s second goal proved to be the winner despite late pressure from the visitors that saw Natasha Flint and Purfield, again from long range, bringing fine saves from Everton goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.
When we face them this season
Away: 29 September 2022
Home: 11/12 March 2023
What the papers say
‘Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong for Everton last season did. With just five wins all year, and two managers and an interim coach later, they finished 10th having flirted with relegation.’
Sophie Downey, The Guardian - read Sophie’s full Everton season preview
View from the stands: Peter MacFarlane
How happy were you with Everton in the WSL last season?
It was a very tough season for us, not helped by a lot of upheaval with the chopping and changing of managers.
We had brought a number of new players in during the summer and it took a while for us to really settle, but the end of the season and the performances the players put in gave us renewed hope and this season is an opportunity for a bit of a reset.
What are your expectations for this season and are you happy with your transfer business so far?
I think this season is all about stability and, hopefully, unity. New manager Brian Sorensen has come in with fresh ideas and brought a number of players with him, and has also made a huge effort to get to know the supporters and our football club.
Our supporters club have met him on numerous occasions already, and it's hard not to feel inspired by him and his coaching team. A number of players left in the summer, including long-time servants Dan Turner and Simone Magill, who were such well-liked and well-respected members of our squad, but the new signings have given us a fresh look and renewed optimism.
Which Everton player should we look out for most?
It will be interesting to see the team that Brian puts out as we've seen a number of different starting elevens during pre-season, but I'd say our new signings Jess Park, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Dutch international Katja Snoejis are the ones to look out for - three very talented and dangerous forward players who will be looking to make a mark on their debut for the Toffees.
Did any Leicester players stand out in our games against you last season?
Jemma Purfield scored a brilliant goal for Leicester last season to give you an early lead against us at Walton Hall Park, with a quality left-footed finish, in a match which could've gone either way.
I felt at the time that Leicester were still finding their feet in the league after the step up from The Championship, so I'm expecting Leicester to make their mark this season. We are all aware of the quality in your squad, with a number of former Blues in there.
Kirstie Levell is as good as any goalkeeper on her day and Molly Pike is an assured and quality midfielder. It's such a shame that Hannah Cain's season was cruelly cut short through injury but I'm hoping to see her back soon. She will add real quality, energy, a fantastic attacking threat and fight to your side, so let's hope it's not too long before she is back, fit, and scoring goals.
Lastly, how was Euro 2022 for you?
The Euros was absolutely fantastic for so many reasons. I was lucky enough to go to a number of games, following our Everton players representing Italy and Sweden, and also managed to see The Lionesses three times, including the opening game at Old Trafford, the semi-final at Bramall Lane, and, of course, the final at Wembley!
It was such an incredible, incredible experience, one that I will never forget, and to see our former player Chloe Kelly get the winner, I couldn't have asked for more. Chloe was such an exceptional talent when she was at Everton, and you could always tell she was destined for the very top, and for those big moments, but to see her coming back from injury to win our nation The Euros for the first ever, it was just beyond what I ever could've imagined.
I think everyone associated with Everton would agree that it couldn't have happened to a nicer and more deserving person, we are just so proud to have seen her develop into the player and person she is today. Every single player in the Lionesses squad did themselves, and our country proud, and gave us all memories that we will cherish, at a time of such uncertainty away from the football pitch. Heroes every single one of them.
Peter MacFarlane is Secretary of the Everton Women Official Supporters’ Club.
Follow Peter on Twitter at @peterjmacca and check out The Blue Room EWFC Podcast.