Brian Sorensen has declared his Everton Women squad are confident and hungry ahead of Friday’s WSL encounter against Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park, but knows full well how tough the game against the Seagulls will be.
Still searching for the first league win at the Grand Old Lady, the Blues have mounting injury concerns, including Katja Snoeijs and Karen Holmgaard, who join long-term absentees Meg Finnigan, Lucy Hope and Elise Stenevik in the treatment room.
Sorensen also confirmed the squad has a couple of ‘small niggles’, including Melissa Lawley, who took a knock in the win over West Bromwich Albion but has returned to training.
Another player unavailable for Friday’s game is striker Kelly Gago, who while the head coach has declared both unfit and unavailable, has also confirmed that the France international wants to leave the club.
The Dane did say though, that he believed 27-year-old won’t be going anywhere at the minute, but does have a release clause in her contract that means she is available to go if the fee is met.
The ongoing Gago situation and Snoeijs’ injury may well see Yuka Momiki lead the line on Friday. The Japan star bagged a brace against West Brom, and Sorensen is for the game he knows will be a tough test, but is relishing the chance to play at Goodison under the lights.
“We are confident going in to this game, whilst knowing it will be a very tough game,” he said.
“It is a game that can go both ways, we want to be on top that is for sure. Brighton have a lot of quality across their front-three, that is something we will have to be aware of.
“We are super hungry. We are in a good place. We take a lot of confidence from our last game against the best team in the league.
“It is Friday night under the lights! We are excited.”
The Opposition
Eighth in the WSL and also in the last 16 of the Women’s FA Cup, Brighton have endured some upheaval as head coach Dario Vidosic temporarily stepped away from coaching duties due to family reasons, with Sorensen offering his words of support, while praising Chris Roberts, who has assumed control for the time being.
“I want to send all my thoughts to his [Dario Vidosic] family. It is never fun if you have to take leave off work for family circumstances.
“But, Chris Roberts is a very good guy. Brighton are in good hands and I am looking forward to welcoming him.”
Three wins and three defeats in their last six games suggests indifferent form for the Seagulls, who boasts the experienced WSL and Australia icon Fran Kirby within their ranks, and a player Everton will have to nullify if they are to take the points.
Kiko Seike is probably Brighton’s main goal threat, with the striker topping her team’s scoring charts, but her ability and prowess will be well known to the Toffees, with the 29-year-old netting a hattrick on her WSL debut against the Blues last season.
Previous Meetings
One star who Everton won’t have to worry about is Michelle Aygemang, who has returned to her parent club Arsenal after sustaining an ACL injury while on-loan with the South Coast club. The England star only played five games for Brighton but did score the winner against the Blues when the two sides met at Broadfield Stadium earlier in the season.
Last season saw the two sides play out a five-goal thriller at Walton Hall Park that went the way of the visitors thanks to a Nikita Parris winner deep into added time, which ensured a league double over the Toffees in that camapign.
May 2023 was the last time Sorensen’s side bested Brighton at home, with Hanna Bennison the hero in that game when she netted a late winner after Snoeijs had put Everton ahead only for Katie Robinson to restore parity.
Everton Women take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday, 23 January, at 7pm GMT (2pm ET, 11am PT).
