Albion return to WSL action against Everton at the Broadfield Stadium tonight (7pm) knowing that victory could lift us up two places in the table to tenth.
Team news
Head coach Melissa Phillips reported no new injury worries after Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester United with defender Rebekah Stott fit and available for selection after being named in the matchday squad. “We had a couple of other faces back in the squad like Dejana Stefanovic and Kayleigh Green and we’re in a good position for the week ahead.”
View from the dugout
Phillips said, “I was incredibly pleased with the performance against United, we know that has to be a new standard for us going forward. The attitude and application and how we responded to conceding goals and key moments in the match were impressive and will help propel us forward.
“It’s game by game. Our full focus is on Everton now. It’s not just about staying in the league, we want to build an identity and focus on who we want to become. Everton are a strong side, who are well organised and disciplined in their system and who maintain possession really well. There are things we’ll have to combat but it’s all about us putting our own stamp on the game.”
Form Guide
Everton have maintained consistency throughout the season with only one WSL defeat in 2023, when they went down 2-0 at Goodison Park against Aston Villa. Since then they have drawn 0-0 at Leicester City and 1-1 against Liverpool before a 2-1 win over Spurs at Walton Hall Park last time out. They have also drawn 0-0 with leaders Manchester United since the turn of the year although they were knocked out of the FA Cup 1-0 by Championship side Birmingham City.
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Previous meetings
Brian Sorensen’s team have lost only once in four previous away matches against Brighton in the Women’s Super League, with our most recent meeting ending 1-1 at the end of last season when Aileen Whelan scored our equaliser in her last appearance for Albion. Whelan had also been on target at Walton Hall Park in November 2022, when she scored the goal in a 1-0 victory.
No days off! 👊 pic.twitter.com/p04YOii1IQ
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) April 18, 2023
Player to watch
Striker Jess Park is Everton’s top goal scorer with five goals for the campaign. The versatile forward has netted five goals and contributed three assists in the WSL for the Toffees with a 67 per cent shot accuracy.
Stats and facts
Brighton have lost one of their last five league matches against Everton (W2 W2), although that defeat was a 5-0 drubbing at home.
The average age of Everton’s starting XIs is the youngest of any side in the Barclays Women’s Super League this season (25 years, 10 days).
Albion’s Danielle Carter has scored five Barclays WSL goals against Everton, her joint-most against any opponent, though all five were scored between 2012 and 2014 for Arsenal.
Everton’s Izzy Christiansen has been directly involved in three goals in three Barclays WSL matches against Brighton (2 goals, 1 assist).
Match officials
Referee: Lauren Impey
Assistants: David Middleton & Gareth Dunn
Fourth Official: James Durkin