Everton striker Toni Duggan hopes her side can use this Sunday’s Merseyside derby as a springboard to launch a charge up the Women’s Super League table.
The Blues are set for another derby clash against fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield in the WSL for the second time in three years.
The Toffees have endured a disappointing start to the new season. Losses to Brighton and Hove Albion and Leicester City in their opening WSL fixtures mean the Blues find themselves 10th in the table.
Duggan, who missed most of last season after giving birth, said the derby presents an opportunity.
She told evertontv: “There’s no better way to turn things round than winning the Merseyside derby.
“It’s a massive game, but you don’t want to ride the occasion. We just got to see as three points. We’ve got to get off the mark in the league.”
The 32-year-old also recognised that the season hasn’t quite gone off to the start her side would have liked.
She said: “We have a great team, great quality players. It’s been a slow start, but we know what we’re capable of, we just need to show it on the pitch.”
Their Merseyside counterparts have had wins over title contenders Arsenal and Aston Villa in the lead-up to this weekend, in what looks set to be a challenging encounter for the blue half of Liverpool.
Captain Megan Finnigan has been a shining light after a gloomy start for Everton so far this season, scoring the only goal for her side in the WSL, against Brighton at Walton Hall Park on the opening day.
Meanwhile, a missed a penalty from centre back Justine Vanhaevermaet against Leicester last Sunday meant the Blues succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in their latest WSL outing.
Six games coming up for you this weekend in the #BarclaysWSL 🤩👊 pic.twitter.com/JbSMLSqnHJ
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 13, 2023
The Toffees suffered further defeat in the FA WSL Cup on Wednesday 11th October, as they lost 2-1 to four-time FA League Cup winners Manchester City at home.
It was a disappointing performance in midweek as Brian Sørensen’s side could only muster four shots in total. Striker Duggan’s 93rd-minute goal was the only shot on target.
In this fixture at Anfield last season Everton won 3-0 as goals from Finnigan, Jess Park and Hanna Bennison rounded off a resounding victory against their biggest rivals.
The Blues will be hoping that an away win against Liverpool will kickstart their season.
The match will take place at 4:30pm on Sunday at Anfield and will be shown live on Sky Sports.
