League Cup Opening Match Preview

 

Just before I get in to the match preview, despite what the graphic says above kick off is in fact 7:00 PM not 7:45 PM. 

Newcastle United Women get their highly anticipated run at the Women's League Cup underway this evening with a rematch against WSL side Everton who came away 4-0 victors in a behind closed doors pre-season friendly in August. Yes, in theory, we could've got what many would consider a much easier group but three WSL opponents is great for the fans and there's always the possibility of at least one upset (see you in December Man Utd).

There has only been one previous meeting between both clubs, excluding this summer's pre-season friendly, NUW hosting Everton in the Women's FA Cup on 24th February 2008. Fara Willaims, with 177 England caps the Lionesses most capped player, opened the scoring for the visitors with a 12th minute penalty on their way to a 1-3 win, 86th minute consolation goal coming via our own Rachel Furness who would've been the same age in that match as Elysia Boddy is now. I wonder how many in attendance tonight can say "I was there" back in 2008. Rob maybe? 

Everton finished second in the FA Women's Premier League National Division, precursor to the WSL, in that 2007/08 season 5 points behind league and FA Cup winners Arsenal. They did however win that season's FA Women's Premier League Cup, the equivalent of the competition we are playing in tonight. 

Although historically the league cup has been a successful competition for Everton, W52 L38 D6 (4 draws going to penalty shoot outs) with 35 clean sheets, it is a competition they have struggled with in recent seasons losing their last 6 matches. Everton's last away win in the competition, also their last league cup win, was a 0-2 victory over Sheffield United on 26th November 2022, prior to that their most recent league cup away wins were 1-3 at Leicester City on 3rd November 2021, 0-4 again at Leicester City on 11th December 2019 and 1-3 against Merseyside rivals Liverpool on 16th December 2018. Could a cup upset be on the cards straight away? Everton haven't got off to a great start in the WSL this season, a 0-4 away loss to Brighton on opening weekend followed by a 0-1 home loss to Manchester United, maybe we are playing them at a good time?

In an interview with WSL Full Time, Everton manager Brian Sørensen has hinted at playing a not entirely full strength side with a WSL trip to the Emirates coming up on Sunday and injuries to Aurora Galli and Inma Gabarro already this season. "We play Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday so we have to manage it in the right way." "We don't go into any game not wanting to do our best but of course we will play some of those players that haven't played as much because we need to take care of the squad"

For our part, with a top of the table clash with Durham ahead this weekend, I suspect Becky Langley may rotate some of the starting line up given the strength in depth we have. Potentially game time for players who haven't quite broke into the starting 11 yet this season, the likes of Kacie Elson, Georgia Gibson and Katie Barker. Could Sophie Haywood or Isabella Sibley be in line for a start and might we see a few second half minutes for Emma Kelly? I wouldn't be entirely surprised if Claudia Moan was given the night off. But we will see when the team is announced this evening. 

Depending on quite how strong a side Sørensen decides to put out, potential Everton players to watch include new signings Toni Payne and Veatriki Sarri, Melissa Lawley who moved from the red to the blue half of Merseyside this summer and Italian striker Martina Piemonte in her second season with Everton. 

Remember to bring your scarf and, hopefully, it'll be a memorable night of football under the Kingston Park floodlights, it's been 18 months since the last one.