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Post by rugbytoffee on Apr 25, 2022 14:16:57 GMT
Sunday at Walton Hall Park featured two teams that went into the season with similar aspirations but whose paths diverged very early in September. The yellow brick road for Arsenal this season has been a legitimate chance to win its first title since 2018/19, while the rocky route for Everton has featured a battle for continued existence in the Women’s Super League.
With the Gunners at full strength, it was always going to be a difficult contest for the Toffees; at the full 90, the away side came out on top, 3-0. Arsenal held 68% possession, but Everton’s defensive effort nearly kept the visitors off the scoresheet for the first half with the Gunners failing to break the Blues’ defensive shape until the 43’.
Newly-minted England captain and defensive stalwart Leah Williamson sprayed a long ball to winger Caitlin Foord, who needed a single touch to settle the ball and place a shot past goalkeeper Sandy MacIver in the far corner.
Foord’s tally was the latest goal the Merseyside outfit surrendered since conceding in the 74’ against Reading on Feb. 6th. Sunday also was the first time in 39 days the Toffees played in front of their home faithful after a stretch away from Liverpool.
Arsenal attacked early and often Sunday evening, eventually doubling its lead in the 67’ through midfielder Beth Mead. Vivianne Miedema picked out Mead inside the 18, and the England international made no mistake to double the Gunners’ advantage.
About 10 minutes later, Jordan Nobbs struck a close-range shot that flew past MacIver and ended any hope of an Everton comeback. And while a three-goal defeat may seem like a fitting result for a disappointing season, there were some positive moments from Walton Hall.
Defender Gabby George again displayed why she is one of the smartest defenders in the league; the 25-year-old positioned herself in front of several of Arsenal’s 25 shots; winger Hanna Bennison earned a free kick for the home side after a display of quick feet in possession; and MacIver made an acrobatic save late in the affair to keep the away side from depositing a fourth marker.
The Merseyside outfit has two remaining league fixtures — Tottenham (May 1, H) and Brighton & Hove Albion (May 8, A). The Gulls suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table Birmingham City Sunday, so the Toffees could realistically take six points from their final two fixtures.
Everton currently sits in 10th and trails Reading (8th) by six points, Aston Villa (9th) by three and leads Leicester City (11th) by six.
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Post by Everton News. on Apr 26, 2022 7:35:08 GMT
Gabby George insists Everton Women's players must do more to honour the Club’s values following defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Despite a strong opening half for the hosts, Chris Roberts’ side were defeated 3-0 by the Gunners at Walton Hall Park.
Long-serving defender George gave an honest account of the result and the Blues’ season, believing the team have to show more fight against top opposition in the Women's Super League.
“It was always going to be difficult coming into this game,” the England international told evertontv.
“I felt that in the first half we kept Arsenal quiet and played some nice football, but overall, it wasn’t good enough.
“I think if we look at ourselves individually, it’s something that we have lacked this season so it’s something we need to build and keep progressing because that’s what our values are as a club.
“It’s always been that for the past seven years that I have been here, and we need to get that back.
“I’m a defender and I’m a winner.
“This season has been hard for me and for the whole team.
“No one likes losing, and when we’re losing 3-0, 4-0 against opposition that we want to go and compete with, it hurts.
“The only thing we can do when we come onto the pitch is give 100 per cent and I’ll always do that when I put on an Everton shirt.”
Two games remain for Everton in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season as Tottenham Hotspur travel to Walton Hall Park on Sunday 1 May.
George insisted that preparation for next season begins now as the squad want to repay their loyal support with a win this weekend in their final outing at Walton Hall Park for the campaign.
“We’re building for next season, but we want to finish this campaign on a high,” the 25-year-old explained.
“We want to take six points from the next two games.
“That’s what we want to do for the fans and ourselves.
“We work hard every single day, and we need to start putting in performances on matchdays.”
George has been a standout for the Blues this season, playing in every match in the league with the exception of Birmingham City when she was suspended.
The centre-back has continued to improve since returning from her ACL injury at the end of last season and that growth was rewarded with a call-up to the senior England squad over the international break.
George was honoured to return to the Lionesses setup and hopes she can take the experience to continue to help Everton at club level.
“Being back with England was amazing,” she said. "Obviously, I had been out of the senior setup for around three years, so it was something that I wanted, and I was working hard for it since I came back from my injury.
“At the same time, I knew it wasn’t going to be something that happened overnight.
“When I got the call-up, I was quite surprised, but I enjoyed every single moment of it and took on loads of details on how to improve my game.
“Hopefully I can keep pushing on as an individual and continue to help the team.”
Everton FC
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