Everton women came into the 2022/23 Super League season rejuvenated after a disappointing season prior, after finishing 10th in the league, just 9 points from potential relegation, last suffered by the blues in 2014, which would be their first relegation from top-flight football for 21 years.
Since last season’s fight against relegation that saw the club maintain their WSL status for another season, things have been looking up. The toffees started the summer transfer window brightly by appointing Danish coach Brian Sorensen as their new manager, after going through 3 permanent managers last season alone. They would go on to make 9 signings during the window, the most prominent being the signing of Manchester City prodigy, Jess Park on a season-long loan.
However, the blue’s start to the new season did not reflect their good work in the summer transfer window, with their first fixture of the new season away at West Ham, ending in a 1-0 loss, thanks to a goal just before half-time from former Arsenal and Bayern Munchen striker, Lisa Evans.
Everton would then go into one of their most important games of the WSL season, a trip over Stanley Park to Anfield, in order to play newly promoted Liverpool. After becoming Women’s championship champions last season, Liverpool also had an impressive summer window, going into the season as contenders to take one of the two Champions League qualification places.
Although some might have seen Everton as underdogs going into the fixture, this was far from the case as soon as the game started. Everton came out of the blocks quickly, with former Liverpool fan, Megan Finnigan putting the toffees in front at Anfield after just 9 minutes. Star player, Jess Park would grab the blue’s second and Hanna Bennison a late third to seal an unforgettable win.
The blues would go on to beat fellow strugglers from the season prior, Leicester City 1-0 thanks to a last-minute own goal from former Everton goalkeeper, Kirstie Levell, making it 2 from 2 in the league for Sorensen’s team.
Everton women haven’t finished in a Champions League Qualification spot in the WSL since the 2012/13 season, matching their best league finish since the inaugural WSL season in 2011/12. Could this be the season that they match that 3rd place finish or even better it?
Will the blue's make Champions League Qualification?
YES
NO
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