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Everton has got a diamond called Chloe Kelly. The striker, on loan from Arsenal, entertained the home crowd last night with a hat-trick in the Continental Cup game against Oxford United.
Kelly’s first came early in the game, with the Blue Girls going up in the 10th minute from a Simone Magill assist. The goal scoring glut really started in the second half after substitute Jodie Brett set up Claudia Walker with a well-placed through ball.
The score then went to 3-0 with Kelly’s strike from the edge of the box into the top corner of the goal. Two minutes later, Walker drew a foul in the box, setting up Kelly to score the penalty, making it 4-0 on the night.
The star striker was still buzzing from the result:
“I'm very happy with a hat-trick and a great team performance, particularly in the second half. This is my first senior hat-trick, so I am very happy.
“I was confident in the second half that if we showed our quality in possession and were patient, the chances would come. We knew it would be hard to break them down but it was important that we didn't get frustrated.”
With the win, the Toffee Girls are very likely to progress to the knockout stages. This is no small thing, considering they were in a very tough group that includes Manchester City, who currently sit at the top of the WSL 1 table.
Everton’s tournament future is contingent upon a win by WSL champs Man City over Birmingham City Ladies on December 3rd.
Woman of the Match
Hmmm…. This is a tough one… wonder who it could be? We are going out on a limb here and choosing Chloe Kelly.
Kelly is in good form, scoring a total of 6 goals this season, and is a serious contender for WSL Player of the Month.
Coach Andy Spence also gave a shout out to Olivia Chance, Jodie Brett, and Siri Worm for subbing on in the second half and making a huge impact in the game.
Line-Up
Everton (4-2-3-1): Kirstie Levell, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, Georgia Brougham, Gabrielle George, Danielle Turner, Angharad James, Megan Finnegan, Chloe Kelly, Simone Magill, Claudia Walker, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk
Substitutes: Olivia Chance for Finnegan 20, Siri Worm for Sweetman-Kirk 60, Jodie Brett for James 64
Substitutes Not Used: Lizzie Durack, Jodie Brett, Marthe Munsterman, Mollie Green, Faye Bryson
Next Up
Everton Ladies play Sunderland at home on December 10th.
This seems cruel as the Ladies have found their winning ways and that’s a whole three weeks away!
A first senior hat-trick for @Chloe_Kelly98 has @EvertonLadies' #FAWSL @ContiUK Cup campaign in rude health
— The FA WSL (@FAWSL) November 16, 2017
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