Scott Phelan feels that it will be a tough game for Everton Women on Sunday, as the Toffees take on West Ham United at Victoria Road Stadium.
The Blues secured their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over new girls Charlton Athletic last week, in a game the boss felt should have been won by more.
With no fresh injuries concerns to the squad, Megan Finnigan will continue to be part of the side, but has so far been on the bench for both games, however the club captain will have been delighted with
the clean sheet against the Addicks.
Phelan felt his side dominated the encounter but still need to be a bit more ruthless in the opposition area, but knows that Rita Guarino’s side will be expecting to win the match, having recruited well in the summer.
“We were the dominant team in both of the games we have played so far,” he said. “It is not always easy when you have got a bunch of players protecting the goal. That is something we need to improve on.
“I imagine Sunday will be a different challenge. West Ham are at home and maybe will be more on the front foot this weekend. We have prepared for that. Spaces will be slightly different. It is about practice, hopefully we can be more productive in the final third.”
“They have recruited over the summer and the coach in charge has had more time to implement their ideas. We want to go there and be the best version. To be competitive and come out with the three points.”
“When you go to an away team in the WSL, it is always tough to compete and get three points. No game is easy, but when you are the away team, that adds a little bit more. We expect a tough game, hopefully West Ham are expecting the same.”
“They will be confident after last week’s result. Being at home, I am sure they will think they can win. We really need to be competitive and show what we can do.”
The Opposition
Like Everton, West Ham have one win and one defeat in their opening two games, including a home win over London City Lionesses and a debut goal for former Toffee Kelly Gago.
As well as Gago, the Hammers added FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Saki Kumagai, while the influential Viviane Asseyi penned a new contract which will keep the France international at the club until 2028.
While finding the net hasn’t been a problem so far for Guarino’s side, they are yet to keep a clean sheet having already shipped four goals in their two games.
Previous Meetings
The Hammers were very much the dominant side in last season’s fixture with a 3-1 win, although Everton did claim payback at Goodison thanks to a Honoka Hayashi strike which gave the Blues three points.
In a fixture where the home side usually emerges victorious, the Blues will need to channel their performance from December 2023 when a Karen Holmgaard header proved to be enough to guarantee all three points were coming home to Merseyside.
Everton Women take on West Ham United in the WSL on Sunday, 20 September at 2pm BST ( (9am ET, 6am PT).
