After an emphatic victory against Leicester City in the Women’s Super League, Everton boss Brian Sørensen is looking forward to facing Chelsea in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup this Sunday.
Everton have not reached the final of the competition since 2020, when they finished runners-up. This year’s edition saw them knockout out last year’s finalists Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round, but they will have to pull off an upset against five-time winners Chelsea to reach the quarter-finals.
Sørensen told reporters his side, featuring several January signings, are beginning to gel ahead of Sunday’s fixture.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat did Brian Sørensen say?
Everton are fresh from an emphatic 4-1 win over Leicester on Sunday. Bolstered by a host of January signings – including Norway captain Maren Mjelde, French international Kelly Gago, midfielder Hayley Ladd, and several young loanees.
Sørensen said: “It’s always more fun to work on Monday after a result like that.
“We know what we can do, but we still need that time to gel, it’s starting to pay off and the girls are responding well to how we want to play – it was a good performance.”
Gago stood out against Leicester, netting a brace. After arriving from FC Nantes, her goalscoring prowess could prove vital for Everton – who before the winter break had only scored six WSL goals. They are now up to 11.
Embed from Getty Images“I think she’s raw, but what she brings in terms of speed, physicality but also calmness in her finishing which we need.
“We have a player in there that we can develop, if you look at her history she’s played in Serie B in Italy and over in France so she’s never had that exposure at the highest level with the demands of the tactical side.
“She is responding really well, she is so humble and hardworking.”
Though Everton were one of the most active sides in January in terms of numbers in and out of the door, all eyes were on Chelsea. The Blues brought in Naomi Girma for a world-record £900,000 and Keira Walsh for roughly £400,000.
Asked if Everton could compete, Sørensen said: “Looking at it from points per million, we are way ahead of Chelsea – so if that was the pyramid we were playing at then we’d be okay!
“I think fair play, if the owners are ready to do that investment then for everyone else we have to try and catch up.
“Luckily it’s still decided on the pitch and I really think we have a chance, we know it’s going to be extremely tough because they have world class players in all positions, but we will still try to play our game and do our best to get a result.
“We want to be in the best league in the world and Chelsea are bringing the best players in.”
Embed from Getty ImagesWith the Toffees eighth in the league and out of the Subway Women’s League Cup, Sørensen was clear on the importance of his side’s FA Cup run.
“We want to do well, it’s a historical competition.
“When I was younger, I would always watch it on the TV, the FA Cup drama, and it means so much for everyone in this country.
“It is the only trophy we can get this season, if we are going to get anything.”
“The stuff we are working on is unfolding on the pitch, so that’s super pleasing as a coach.
“The new players are settling in well, so I’m excited for what is to come because we are still new in building relationships and learning.
“We have a lot of things to be better at, but I was happy with the performance this week and the amount of chances we created.
Everton’s form might be showing promising signs – but the boss acknowledged how tough Sunday’s test will be. Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to 21 games last weekend with a narrow victory over Aston Villa – and captain Millie Bright has said a quadruple is the aim.
Sørensen said: “They are going to be super hungry to show they can do better, it is never a good time to play such a magnificent squad.
“I see places where we can hurt them, but they also see places where we can be hurt. So we will try and nullify their threat but hopefully it will be a super exciting game.”
The fixture will take place at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, with kick-off at 15:00.
