Brian Sorensen may choose to use some fringe players or even blood some youngsters as Everton Women head to Gateshead International Stadium in their third Group A match of the Subway Women’s League Cup.
With one defeat to Manchester City and a shootout victory over Nottingham Forest, the chances of qualification for the Blues is very slim and their fate could already be decided when they take to the field against the Magpies on Sunday.
This may see minutes for talents such as Issy Hobson, Kenzie Weir, Macy Settle and Ellie Jones, while record signing Ruby Mace will hopefully get a run in midfield rather than being deployed in defence as she has been for the past few games.
Veteran star Hayley Ladd may well also feature, with many fans feeling that the Welsh star should have seen more game time, particularly with Everton’s recent run of form and lack of direction.
Next up for the Blues is a trip to Champions Chelsea in two weeks time, so Sorensen may well utilise the Newcastle game as a chance to give minutes to some stars returning from injury, although with no update on the fitness of some of his sidelined stars, it remains to be seen who will make the starting XI.
The Dane has always prioritised the WSL over cup competitions, but with no game next week will he take the risk on a returning star to try and secure what would be at least a morale-boosting win.
And with the Toffees winless in the league since the opening day of the season and coming off the back of a 3-0 defeat to West Ham United, a win will be far more beneficial for the confidence of the team rather than the slim chance of progression from a competition that Everton have never advanced past the group stages of while under Sorensen.
The Opposition
Fourth in the WSL 2, Newcastle have had a mixed season of winning three, drawing four and losing two of their nine league games so far.
The division’s fourth top scorers with 17, interim boss Claire Ditchburn’s team will fancy their chances of scoring against their top-table visitors, with former Chelsea star Emily Murphy keen to add to her tally of four goals in 12.
The Magpies’ squad also boasts former Arsenal star and England stalwart Jordan Nobbs, who headed north in July 2025 after two years with Aston Villa, although the 32-year-old has yet to feature for her new team.
The competition so far has not been a success for Newcastle, who were defeated 2-1 by Nottingham Forest in their Group A opener.
But while they were also the losing side against Manchester City, it took a 7-6 shootout win for the Citizens to claim victory, after a six-goal thriller ended all square after 90 minutes.
Previous Meetings
Courtney Brosnan will certainly be one who will never forget the last time the two sides met just over a year ago at Kingston Park, with the stopper saving all three penalties she faced as the Blues bested their hosts on penalties following a 1-1 draw after normal time.
And with Everton securing victory over Forest via a shootout and memories of the last year, Newcastle will be hoping matters can be settled before the dreaded spot-kicks have to be called for.
But with Sorensen’s side in a miserable run of form, a performance that brings goals is crucial, even if it is just to show the fanbase that this team is capable of achieving the potential it is capable of.
However, even a comprehensive victory may not be enough to save the head coach, who is well into the territory of needing a ‘Kevin Brock’ moment to turn around his and his team’s fortunes.
Everton Women take on Newcastle United on Sunday, 23 November, at 2pm GMT (9am ET, 6am PT).
