Everton Women manager Brian Sorensen opted to focus on the positive’s of his side’s 3-1 defeat against Chelsea last weekend.
🤩 Record attendance! 🤩
1,668 spectators at Walton Hall Park this afternoon, a new record for our home!
Thank you for your incredible support! đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/jtI5TNGrNx
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) October 16, 2022
Everton were the better team at the beginning of both halves, speaking volumes for Sorensen’s ability to motivate and demand energy from his players:
“We have to take a shift in our approach as we want to hit teams with spells of intensity. I’m pleased with the attitude we showed and especially with the starts to both halves,” said the Everton boss.
Even with the strong start, Chelsea weathered the early storm and rallied to take a first-half lead through a Pernille Harder header just before half-time, frustrating Sorensen with the timing of the goal:
“It was disappointing to concede the goal so close to the break, we worked really hard out of possession to limit their chances, but that’s the way it is against top teams.”
Everton responded brightly and got a deserved equaliser at the beginning of the second-half. The goal came through perseverance following a set-piece and epitomised the spirit within the team.
Said Sorensen: “I told them to be more aggressive at half-time, I felt as if we let them take control after a good start, so to get the equaliser from a positive response was very pleasing.”
Similarly to the first half, the hard work was immediately undone as Chelsea regained the lead and began to control proceedings. Experience and quality shone through and the game was wrapped up in the dying minutes as substitute Niamh Charles made it 3-1.
The goal silenced a very positive and record Walton Hall Park crowd, but the fact that it took until the last minute for Chelsea to be comfortable reflects positively on the progress of Everton under Sorensen.
He said: “It is obviously disappointing to lose but I’m pleased with the patches we had in the game, our structure looks good now and we are looking more comfortable as a unit. We have to keep going now, we must not stop.”
Fortunately for Sorensen and his demands for more, there is no rest for the wicked as Everton will face Aston Villa in both the league and cup in upcoming weeks, a chance for his side to get back to winning ways: “It’s a good opportunity to bounce back from this loss, we know they are a good side but I know we will be ready. The players have been great for me so far and I’m excited for what comes next.”
From the first four games of the season, there are clear signs of improvement in Everton’s style and quality. The players seemingly love playing for Sorensen, and the sell-out crowds at Walton Hall Park sum up the good feeling around the club right now.
