Everton Captain Megan Finnigan has reflected on an impressive personal Merseyside Derby performance in confident mood with a jovial “catch me if you can” jibe. The centre-back remains Everton’s only goalscorer of the new campaign
The game at Anfield started with Liverpool as the dominant force, but it was the Toffees who struck first with Finnigan’s first half header the only goal of the score of the game.
However, it was her teammates, particularly Clare Wheeler who the centre-back was full of praise for.
“We really had to dig in, they had some near chances, but I thought you know I could go through everyone, especially Clare Wheeler, coming in at the start of the game, playing out of position at left wing-back and kept a clean sheet which will do her confidence really good.
“I am so proud of the girls, we really dug in there towards the end.” Said the defender.
The result means that Everton are now unbeaten at their rival’s home since May 2019, an achievement Finnigan is all too aware of, and even using it to their advantage as the Blues fans were seated in the famous Kop end.
“We’ve got a good record and definitely didn’t want that to come to an end today.” Said the defender.
“That was strange (celebrating in front of the Kop). At the toss I said, because there’s no fans at the other end, I wanted to attack our fans towards the end just in case we needed that extra boost.”
The centre-back was made captain for the 23-24 season but admitted it had been a frustrating opening few games.
“I think for us today, it was almost like a six-pointer because we started the season so poorly and that was so disappointing but there’s no better game than a derby to turn that around and the girls have been up for it. ” Finnigan added.
The Toffees now face an even tougher run, but it is a challenge the Everton Acadmey graduate is well up for.
“We’ve got a tough run now, United, Spurs and Chelsea but every game in this league is hard and everyone can beat anyone, but on our day I back us to beat anybody and hopefully we can really kick on now.” Finished the 25-year-old finished.
Everton’s 1-0 win means the Blues move up to eighth in the Women’s Super League and will now prepare for Manchester United on the 22nd of October.
