Everton overcame Bristol at Ashton Gate in the FA Cup.
Teams
Bristol City:
Sophie Baggaley; Gemma Evans (Flo Allen); Frankie Brown (c); Poppy Pattinson; Ebony Salmon; Yana Daniels; Charlie Wellings; Jeon Ga-Eul (Megan Wynnne); Katie Robinson; Olivia Chance; Faye Bryson
Everton:
Tinja-Riikka Korpela; Danielle Turner; Gabby George (Kika Van Es); Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah; Inessa Kaagman; Chloe Kelly (Molly Pike); Esme Morgan; Hannah Cain; Lucy Graham (Abbey Leigh Stringer); Megan Finnigan; Maeve Clemaron
Score
0 v 5 (Graham x2; Morgan; Kaagman; Cain)
Player of the Match
Chloe Kelly – Since returning from injury, Kelly has been having a stand-out season for Everton. She was at her very best on Monday night, driving through the Bristol defence and exploiting the spaces. Whether breaking through midfield or out on the flank, she posed a constant danger with her desire to shoot and her delivery from the wide areas. An England call up to SheBelieves awaits and it is certainly deserved.
Stand Out Moment
Hannah Cain’s volley – It may have been the goal to cap of a dominant Everton performance but Everton’s 5th goal was the best of the bunch. It was executed brilliantly from start to finish. Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah ran onto a long ball and held it up well in the box. Her cross found Cain in the centre who swivelled to volley it sweetly past Sophie Baggaley in the Bristol goal.
Key Takeaways:
- Everton’s confidence – A lot has changed in the 18 months or so since Willie Kirk has taken charge. From the first whistle to the last, you could see that this young Everton side that is brimming with confidence. The manager was full of praise for a dominant performance in which they never let up, barely giving Bristol a sniff at goal: “We played with real intensity and purpose. Our work rate was excellent. We deserved our victory and our clean sheet. We worked hard even when we were ahead.“
- Bristol’s defensive frailties – It was at times too easy for the Everton forwards, who were having a field day with the space afforded to them by the Bristol defence. Their inability to cope with crosses in from either flank is a big problem that Tanya Oxtoby needs to address. Stuck in a relegation battle, they will need to shore things up quickly to have a chance at remaining in the FAWSL next season.
- Injury ravaged Bristol – It is not an excuse but there is no hiding how decimated are by injuries. With Loren Dykes, Jasmine Matthews and Carla Humphrey just a few of those sidelined, they then lost Gemma Evans from the centre of their defence early on. Post match, Tanya Oxtoby commented on the situation after the game: “ In the stands, the quality of players we have got unavailable is ridiculous. As a coach and a manger I’m frustrated because every single week we’re trying to make wine out of water and make players play in positions they’re not used to.“
Quote of the Day
Hannah [Cain]’s been working so hard to get her goal and deserved that tonight. She worked her backside off and got her reward in the end.”
WILLIE KIRK, EVERTON MANAGER
