Can Everton Women beat Manchester City and retain top spot?

It’s truly amazing to see Everton Women at the top of the table after enduring a disappointing season at the bottom of the Women’s Super League in 2018/2019. And while it’s only been two games and Bristol City and Birmingham City may not be as good as they were last year, it’s obvious that the Toffees have improved. But did they improve so much that they can actually win against a Top 3 WSL team like Manchester City?

The odds are not in Everton’s favour. According to Opta Stats:

• Manchester City have won each of their last six WSL games against Everton, scoring 18 goals while Everton has scored 3.
• Everton manager Willie Kirk has lost every time he has faced Manchester City in the WSL, including when he was manager of Bristol City. Kirk has been beaten six times by City, conceding 25 goals and scoring only three.

But Everton is off to their best start yet, having won both of their league games without conceding a single goal. Chloe Kelly is in form and making headlines for her incredible goals and new keeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela is making a name for herself in the WSL. Plus, City is dealing with quite a few injuries, most notably striker Ellen White, who underwent knee surgery and has yet to debut for her new club. Forward Georgia Stanway is out with a hamstring injury and fellow forward Lauren Hemp is out due to a shoulder injury.

Even with injuries, City are a Champions League team chock full of England Lionesses, so beating them would prove to be very difficult. This Sunday, however, Everton Women have an opportunity to prove that they can compete with one of the toughest opponents of their league.

Match Details

Everton v Manchester City

Haig Avenue

Sunday, 29 September

12.30pm (UK)

Watch on The FA Player

Check out the new Everton Women gifs: