LCFC Women vs. Everton – The Key Details
The Foxes are going in search of their first success during the WSL campaign, though Leicester did secure a maiden victory of the season in midweek, while the away side are without a win in five across all competitions.
Find out everything you need to know about Sunday’s fixture below…
The Foxes camp
Defeating FA Women’s Championship outfit Durham 2-1 in their second Continental Tyres League Cup fixture moved City up to third in Group B.
Shannon O’Brien and Molly Pike were on the scoresheet at Maiden Castle Sports Park, while captain Sophie Barker made her return to the starting XI following injury.
Manager Jonathan Morgan confirmed they will be without Kirstie Levell for the visit of her former club, however, with the goalkeeper ruled out for 12 to 14 weeks due to a knee injury sustained in the league defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
In the dugout
Jean-Luc Vasseur signed a three-year contract to become Everton Women’s new manager last month with the Frenchman’s first game in charge coming against the Foxes.
Taking over following the departure of Willie Kirk, Vasseur boasts an impressive CV having won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Lyon.
Named as FIFA World Women’s Coach of the Year in 2020, he also guided Lyon to the French league title, Coupe de France, Trophée des Championnes, and Women's International Champions Cup during 2019/20.
The opposition
It’s been a mixed start for Everton, who sit 10th in the WSL table, with seven points from their seven fixtures so far in 2021/22. An opening day 4-0 home reverse against Manchester City was followed by another defeat by the same scoreline at the hands of Chelsea.
The Merseysiders then got off the mark with back-to-back wins over struggling Birmingham City and Reading, scoring six goals in the process, but were soon on the end of a dominant display by early leaders Arsenal, losing 3-0.
Brighton also defeated the Toffees 1-0 in Vasseur’s first league game in charge, ahead of a 1-1 home draw with Manchester United last time out, when Everton's Northern Ireland international Simone Magill equalised at Walton Hall Park.
Ones to watch
England forward Toni Duggan made a return to the Toffees this summer, eight years after leaving to join Manchester City, where she won four trophies in four seasons. The 30-year-old, who has 76 England caps and 22 goals to her name since making her senior international debut in 2012, went on to play for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, winning a further four trophies during her time in Spain.
Another player to arrive back at the club is England midfielder Izzy Christiansen, re-joining the Toffees in January 2020, over a decade on from her first appearance. Her quality was clear to see as she picked up Everton’s Player of the Season prize in 2020/21 after contributing six goals and a further six assists, while also being nominated for the WSL Player of the Season award. Christensen previously turned out for Birmingham City, Manchester City – where she claimed the PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year – and then Lyon, winning the treble at the French club in 2018/19.
It was something of a coup for Everton to land French international forward Valérie Gauvin in August 2020, following six years with Montpellier. A total of eight goals in 20 games during her maiden season in England was an impressive return considering she spent time out injured. Not just known for her goalscoring ability, which saw her score at a better rate than one in every two games in France, Gauvin can also use her strong technique and aerial ability to bring others into play.
Talking points
In his pre-match press conference, Jonathan Morgan said: “Our players have really settled well now for the second half of the season and it’s a big opportunity to pull ourselves away. We will set up resilient and set up strong. Everton are a quality team, but we have to believe in ourselves.”
Esmee De Graaf told the media: “In the last couple of games, we have been quite unlucky. Against Brighton, were deserved to get at least a point. To finally get the win on Wednesday builds some momentum. I think it’s good for the squad to have a positive mindset and to build for Everton at the weekend.”
Ticket news
Match tickets will be available from the ticket office at Pirelli Stadium on matchday, priced at £7 for over-18s, £3.50 for seniors (65+) and £3 for under-18s, while under-8s go free.
Limited pay-on-the-day car parking is also available, priced at £5 per space.
Please note that online match tickets and Fox Travel for this fixture are now off sale. Click HERE for more information.
Last time out
The two sides met at Pirelli Stadium in the Continental Tyres League Cup earlier this month, with Everton coming out on top thanks to goals from Anna Anvegård, Izzy Christiansen and Valérie Gauvin.
Foxes defender Ashleigh Plumptre did notch her first goal of the season in the 3-1 defeat, which was City’s first home game to be played in Burton.
How to follow
LCFC Women's social media channels will house team news and live in-game updates, including short video clips, throughout the afternoon. A round-up of the day's action will be available shortly after full-time, with goals, highlights and post-match interviews to be posted on LCFC TV.
The clash is also set to be broadcast live on the FA Player.
All times GMT.