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Preview
Everton faces fellow WSL champions Chelsea in the Fifth Round of the Women’s FA Cup on Thursday, May 20th at 2:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. BST, with the game being played at Kingsmeadow. It could be the Blues’ final match of the 2020/21 WSL season but should they prevail with a win, the Merseyside outfit would advance to the sixth round, set to be held in late September of 2021.
The Toffees finished the league campaign in fifth place, boasting a record of nine wins, five draws and eight losses — all of which came against the top four clubs in the Super League. Despite falling 15 points behind Manchester United for fourth place, Everton held a comfortable five-point lead over Brighton & Hove Albion in sixth. The Blues were the highest-scoring team in the league — outside of the top four — netting 39 times. They also allowed the fifth-fewest goals, conceding 30 times through 22 games (1.36 goals-against average).
After being awarded the WSL last season on a points-per-game basis, Chelsea left no doubt this season by hoisting the trophy on May 9th. Chelsea finished top of the league in points (57), goals scored (69), goals allowed (10) and wins (18). The London club tied with Manchester City for the fewest losses (1).
The league champions also cruised to the FA Women’s League Cup title. After finishing first in their group, Chelsea defeated City (4–2), West Ham (6–0) and Bristol City (6–0) en route to trophy number two of 2020/21. Despite their domestic success, the Londoners were embarrassed in the Champions League final this last Sunday, losing to FC Barcelona, 4–0.
#WomensFACup memories
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) May 18, 2021
Chelsea challenge
Cup preparation
Team news
The talking points from @WillieKirk's press conference ahead of Thursday's trip to Kingsmeadow...
Prior Meetings
Thursday will be the fourth meeting between the two squads in blue. With the 2019/20 FA Cup pushed to this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Everton earned a shock 2–1 win over Chelsea in the quarterfinals. And while the Toffees dumped Chelsea from the cup, the Londoners routed their opponents in the league twice this season, winning 4–0 and 3–0.
With precedence on their side, Everton Manager Willie Kirk hopes for a repeat come Thursday.
“We will take inspiration from the game against Chelsea at Goodison. That day we beat them, but we felt like there was so much more to come from this group. Seven or eight months on and we’re ready to go again.”
Match Details
Competition: FA Women’s Cup
Date and start time: Thursday, May 20th at 2:00 a.m. ET/7:00 p.m. BST
Stadium: Kingsmeadow, London, England, United Kingdom
Capacity: 2,265 (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)