FA WSL Preview: Everton Women vs Man City | Toffees look to slow in-form City

Everton Women face fellow WSL side Manchester City on Sunday, March 7th at 9:00 a.m. ET/2:00 p.m. GMT, with the game being played at the Manchester City Academy Stadium. Sunday’s game marks the fourth meeting between the two sides this season in all competitions.

After pleading with his team for a result, Everton Manager Willie Kirk’s side finally delivered. The Toffees last Sunday defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3–2, courtesy of two Valérie Gauvin penalties and a Jill Scott header. The win made it a pair of victories in 10 matches for the Merseyside club. And while it would be nice to build on the momentum of last weekend’s three points, City have played foil to the Blues all season long.

The two clubs have met thrice thus far: in the FA Cup Final, in the Continental Cup group stage and in the league. Everton are 0–3 in those matches and have conceded nine goals, scoring only twice. Although the scores indicate a lack of competitiveness, two of the fixtures were incredible displays from two high-quality teams. It took a pair of late goals in the second portion of extra time for City to win the FA Cup, and the Citizens needed a double in the second half for their Continental Cup win. The only match that was not particularly close was when the two clubs met in the league, which City handily won.

The Manchester outfit have been running rampant in league play, winning their last eight fixtures by a combined score of 32–2. They currently sit two points behind Chelsea for first place — both have played 15 games. And their sizzling form extends to Europe as well. Last Wednesday, City torched a helpless Fiorentina — that didn’t have a shot on target — smoking the Italian team, 3–0.

With a fit squad, Kirk hopes to be able to pick from a full side — save Scott, who is on loan from City and therefore is ineligible to play against them — against one of the dominant forces in the European game. Look for Izzy Christiansen, who, according to Kirk, “has a daily standard that is very, very high — and it’s contagious, it rubs off on people. She is very important for any future success at this club.” Elsewhere on the field, Sandy MacIver looked convincing in her return to net last weekend, and Claire Emslie and Nicoline Sørensen continue to impress on the wings.

City’s starting XI, meanwhile, boasts the majority of England’s national team, three World Cup-winners and one of the savviest midfielders in Caroline Weir. And when you look at the players available to manager Gareth Taylor on the bench, his substitutes form a side that would be a top-four club in most leagues. Regardless of who he rolls out for the opening minutes, Everton are in for a challenging affair.

Last Meeting

These two sides last met on December 6th, a game that City won within the first 25 minutes. Everton held only 43-percent possession and were kept to three shots on target. The game never looked as though it would skew in the Toffees’ favor, and City effortlessly put three goals past MacIver on a frigid afternoon in Liverpool.

Match Details

Competition: FA Women’s Super League

Date and start time: Sunday, March 7th at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. GMT

Stadium: Manchester City Academy Stadium, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Capacity: 7,000 (behind closed doors)

How to Watch/Listen

TV & Radio: N/A

Match Center: evertontv

Live stream: evertontv (free for members, registration required), FA WSL (free, registration required)

Lineups TBA