Nikita Parris has insisted that Everton Women need to find a way to win after the Blues fell to another defeat at Goodison Park, this time to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The former Toffees striker, who spent seven years on Merseyside at both youth and senior level, acknowledged Brian Sorensen’s footballing ethos but now feels a change of focus is needed as his side remain in tenth place in the WSL after Jelena Cankovic’s first-half strike ensured the head coach’s 100th game in charge ended in defeat.
Everton had the majority of possession but that counted for nothing as a lack of cutting edge was ultimately punished by the Seagulls, who completed a second consecutive league double over the Blues with their victory.
And Parris feels that there has to be a change in what the Toffees are doing on the field if they are to pick up points and move away from the WSL relegation zone.
“Naturally when you lose another game at home, a place where you want to keep it as a fortress, make it difficult for teams to come and get points, but that hasn’t quite happened where they have picked up points,” she said.
“Yes, there is going to be a lot of disappointment in that dressing room, but they have to find a way to win.
“We talk about the way Brian Sorensen wants to play; possession-based football, nice and pretty, but sometimes you might have to go a but direct, get them players facing their own goal and cause a bit of chaos going that way.
“But, as an Everton side right now, they must find a way to win.”
Courtney Brosnan’s return in goal was one of five changes from the team that cruised past West Bromwich Albion eight days ago, with Hannah Blundell getting a first start in the back four since making her move to Merseyside, and Hikaru Kitagawa replacing Maz Pacheco at left-back.
Clare Wheeler and Honoka Hayashi came in for Karen Holmgaard and Aurora Galli in midfield, with Sorensen choosing to leave his front three unchanged.
The first real chance of the evening fell to the Blues after a tight opening twenty minutes; Payne’s cross almost found Momiki, who was inches away from turning home in front of the Park End.
But it was the visitors made their chance count when Kiko Seike found Cankovic, who finished calmly past the advancing Brosnan to give her side the lead four minutes before the break.
Payne was the main threat for Sorensen’s side, and the Blues’ No.9 came close five minutes after the interval, but should have done better when Chiamaka Nnadozie sloppy pass landed at hr feet on the edge of the area, only for the Nigeria international to hesitate before pulling the trigger which allowed the stopper to make the save.
Sorensen made a number of changes as the match wore on and was nearly rewarded when sub Pacheco hit a half-volley with virtually her first touch.
Vignola’s lofted ball was nodded back across the area and into the full-back’s path, but Nnadozie made up for her earlier error with a superb stop to guarantee her side all three points and leave the Blues with much to ponder as their Goodison dream has fast become a nightmare.
Attention now turns to Everton’s upcoming clash next week when the Blues welcome Aston Villa on Sunday, 1 February, at 11.55am GMT (6.55am ET, 3.55am PT).
