WSL Preview: Toffees look to continue fast start while playing hosts to Spurs

MATCH DETAILS

Everton will play their second match of the 2020/21 WSL campaign this Sunday (September 13), squaring off against Tottenham Hotspur at 8 a.m. ET. After beating Bristol City away last weekend, the Toffees will be back home at Walton Hall Park.

Live stream info in tweet below.

RECENT FORM

The Toffees enter Sunday’s contest with three points and are coming off a superb 4–0 drubbing of Bristol City, while Spurs enter the fixture with one point after drawing 1–1 to West Ham United at the weekend. While Everton scored three team-goals and one penalty, Tottenham needed an own goal to earn the point.

With regards to statistics, Spurs had five shots on target, completed 464 passes and held 56-percent possession. Defensively they committed 13 total fouls but were not booked. Everton, meanwhile, logged seven shots on goal, completed 525 passes and maintained 66-percent possession. On the defensive side of the ball, the Toffees accrued 14 fouls and were shown one yellow card.

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

As last season was Spurs’ first campaign in the WSL, there are only two prior matches in the top-flight between the two teams. In the first game between the two sides last season, Everton won 3–1 at home. Of the three goals, however, one was an own goal and one was scored by Molly Pike — who is no longer with the team. The other goal scorer from that game, though: Lucy Graham.

Spurs did have more possession (45/55) in the affair, but Everton held the advantage in shots on target (9/1) and in corners (6/0), with Tottenham committing 21 total fouls.

When the teams met in London, Tottenham played a much more complete game, with the final score being a hard-fought 2–2 draw. Neither of the two goal-scorers for Everton — Chloe Kelly and Inessa Kaagman — remain with the team, although Simone Magill did notch an assist.

Tottenham again held possession, although it was almost even (51/49), but Everton had a total of 20 shots, seven of which were on target. Despite committing eight fouls to Everton’s 18, a late red card meant Spurs couldn’t put the game away.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton

An overall team effort led to the Toffees’ first win of the season last Sunday, but there were some individual standout performances. Starting in the heart of the defense, with Gabby George still rehabbing from ACL surgery, Megan Finnigan and Rikke Sevecke displayed what is sure to be a strong partnership in front of goal. Danielle Turner was also dangerous marauding up the left flank all game long and it was her cross that led to the penalty kick.

In midfield, look for Izzy Christiansen, who is finally fit after a lengthy layoff post-ankle surgery. Before her injury, Christiansen was a regular for the Lionesses and played for the likes of Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais. Against Bristol City, she was instrumental in the build-up play that led to the team’s second goal and operated in the six, eight and at times ten role for the Everton midfield.

No analysis of the Everton midfield is complete without the mention of Graham. The skipper netted twice and assisted on the other two goals. She can drop back and defend as well as push the ball forward. A dynamic midfielder, Graham is the heartbeat of this team.

Up top, keep an eye on Australian Hayley Raso and Dane Nicoline Sørensen. Both Raso and Sørensen provide pace on the wings and have the ability to drive past defenders in one-on-one situations. Whether it is Valérie Gauvin or Magill up top, goals don’t happen without Raso and Sørensen.

Tottenham

Spurs brought in veteran defender Kerys Harrop from Birmingham this summer to play alongside Hannah Godfrey in central defense. Despite several nervy moments from Harrop in the opener, the two did well overall to stifle a dynamic West Ham attack.

In midfield, Spurs rely heavily on captain Josie Green to be the link between the defenders and forwards. As a hybrid six, Green fluctuates from operating as a third center-back to moving all the way up the field into a more offensive role. She looks to stretch the field with long passes and is a tough tackler of the ball.

Despite news breaking that USWNT star Alex Morgan has signed with Tottenham, she probably won’t be ready for a couple weeks. Even without Morgan, the London outfit still has a capable taliswoman in 21-year-old Rianna Dean, who was the team’s leading scorer in their inaugural campaign with six goals.