A double win on a Sunday is a nice way to finish the weekend. Liverpool Women were able to keep their good run in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup going by defeating Everton at St. Helen’s Stadium 2-1, sending them through to the quarterfinals. Of course the match wasn’t without it’s drama, with Mia Enderby having to be stretchered off shortly after scoring the opening goal, but we can take the silver linings where we can.
Gareth Taylor also continued his streak of positivity in the press, giving credit where
it was due following the match. And maybe having one or two tiny little quibbles.
“I didn’t think we were great first half if I’m being honest. We were happy to be 2-0 at half-time, I’ll be honest,” Taylor began.
“I didn’t even know that Mia had scored the first goal, I thought it had gone behind, and obviously a blow to lose her because we had to restructure a few things and Beata did well on the right side but we know it’s not a favoured position. But I was just really pleased with the second-half performance and the way we fought, showed some quality at times and obviously it was a bit tense at the end but the FA Cup is always like that.”
The other bit of drama was that unfortunately Everton’s only goal came as an own goal from goalkeeper Jennifer Falk in the second half. It’s a comfort to know that we’re capable of keeping Everton from truly scoring, and even Falk really not being at fault is an even colder comfort, but it only halved the deficit on the day.
“Really pleased. I think the group give a lot, I think they’re really humble in what they want to do and they’re really honest and they are really open to learning and getting better,” the manager continued.
“We’ve had a lot of tough moments this season, things that have gone against us on and off the pitch have been really tough and you can see now that we’re starting to come into a little bit more confidence, a little bit more fight and endeavour and that’s what the FA Cup is all about.
“You have to earn it and we certainly did towards the end. But the players were nervy, you could feel that, which is natural. You can’t ignore it and we’re nervy on the sidelines as well with 15 to go.”
The dark cloud of Enderby’s injury still hangs heavy over the match, but Taylor gave an optimistic update on the severity of the injury, after Enderby was able to return from the treatment room on crutches.
“I just spoke to her briefly then, she kind of felt like a kneecap popped out of place… nothing’s great, obviously, in the knee area, but the first thing you think about is what everyone talks about [an ACL injury],” Taylor explained.
“But hopefully she seems to be OK. We could have done without that, if we’re honest, because we didn’t have Alice [Bergstrom] today, and hopefully she won’t be too far away. But I think it just limited us a little bit with our options from the sidelines.”
The manager continued to speak on his joy at the result and getting through to the quarterfinals of the tournament, with the quarterfinals set for the weekend of April 5. The draw for the next round happens Monday, February 23rd, just before the match between London City Lionesses and Tottenham Hotspur, and includes Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
“I think it was about getting the job done today,” Taylor said of the fifth round.
“Of course, you want a good performance and there were elements of our play that were really good. But again, it’s about the win and against your local rivals, we suffered at the hands of them at the beginning of the season – which I thought was a bit harsh, the scoreline on us – and today the girls deserve that.”
And his hopes for the next round?
“An easier one would be nice! But I just feel here at St Helens, it’s great because we have the fans behind us. A home tie would be nice but let’s see.”
