Thank you so much for joining me for this WSL match! Defending champions Chelsea proved too strong for Everton but the Toffees are a much improved side and one to watch this season. If you want to recap and action have a read of Suzy Wrack’s report below:
The other two WSL matches happening right now remain 1-0. Man City are leading Leicester and if they hold on they will bag their first WSL win of the season. While Tottenham are ahead over Liverpool.
Pernille Harder has been out of action for a while with injury but scored a brace in today’s match and has spoken about what it meant to her. Journalist Amee Ruszkai tweeted the star said: “You find out how much you love playing when you’re away from it.”
Take a look at the goal from Charles, it was a superb solo effort:
The RUN + the FINISH 🔥
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 16, 2022
Take a bow, @niamhcharles7 that’s unreal! #BarclaysWSL @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/IYy1buGrED
Peter and Gaynor have got in touch via email and said: “It’s a beautiful afternoon here in Buckinghamshire. We would expect to be over in Reading watching the women take on Arsenal, but the kick-off has been pushed back from the originally planned 2pm to 6:45, presumably for TV reasons. Unfortunately the forecast is saying we’ll be watching them play in some quite heavy rain. Let’s hope the Met. Office are wrong on this one.” Yeah that game has been selected for Sky Sports, I hope the weather holds off!
A very fun fact, provided by Tom Garry on Twitter, today’s match ended Everton’s run of eight consecutive WSL games without scoring against Chelsea. The Toffees may have lost the match but they are definitely heading in the right direction.
Updated
The United Brighton game finished 4-0 earlier today and there are some other matches happening as I type. Manchester City are leading Leicester City 1-0 and Tottenham also have a 1-0 lead over Liverpool, both of those games are at half-time.
The win has put Chelsea second in the WSL with Manchester United ahead on goal difference. But Arsenal are yet to play today, their game against Reading kicking off at 6.45 so table positions are subject to change.
Full-time: Everton 1-3 Chelsea
The first half saw a great defensive performance from Everton with just a goal from Pernille Harder the difference. An own goal from Kadeisha Buchanan saw the hosts equalise but a penalty from Harder and a late Niamh Charles goal sealed the defending champions’ win.
GOAL! Everton 1-3 Chelsea (Charles, 90+5')
Charles makes a cracking run from halfway and manages to finish off the opportunity by beating three defenders and the keeper.
Updated
90 + 4 min: Everton are having to build from the back to try and find a late equaliser here.
90 + 2 min: How has Fleming not scored there? Beautiful work from England and Rytting Kaneryd but Fleming’s shot sails over the bar.
90 min: There will be seven minutes added here.
89 min: England puts in a good pass and it leads to a corner. The ball comes in with a header from Buchanan over the bar, a close chance though.
87 min: Wheeler pops a cross in but James clears. There is another Chelsea change as James comes off for Ingle.
85 min: Sorensen is frustrated as James regains possession and the shot comes in but Brosnan collects. Time is running out for Everton to find an equaliser.
83 min: Veje is back to her feet and thankfully she will remain in the game. The free kick sees Everton building from deep but Chelsea win a throw in.
81 min: Everton win a free kick as Wheeler is fouled by Cuthbert. Before the set piece more changes are made with Bennison and George off for Quieroz and Maier. Everton take the free kick but Bright clears and then the Toffees get another free kick with James putting in a horrid challenge on Veje, the player still on the floor. James does not receive a yellow though.
79 min: Park has a shot but it sails over the bar, definitely needed more patience there. The loanee makes a great run in another attacking spell but Chelsea clear.
77 min: Kerr and Reiten are off for Chelsea as England and Charles enter the pitch. Kerr not quite finding her groove yet this season. England receives a great reception from the travelling fans with chants of ‘oh Bethany England’ rings around. James pulls the trigger on a chance but it is just wide.
75 min: That was so close! Kerr feeds Rytting Kaneryd who smacks the woodwork with a great effort. Sorensen screaming at his players to be ‘aggressive’ on the touchline as Kerr’s latest attempt goes wide.
73 min: Chelsea are starting to take control of this match as Everton take more of a defensive role with the Blues hunting for their third.
71 min: A lovely one two between Kerr and Rytting Kaneryd but Sevecke cuts off the chance. Chelsea have the corner but Everton do well to clear. Everton make another change as Stenevik is off for Christiansen.
69 min: Bright comes to the rescue as Everton look to equalise once more. Their efforts so far do deserve a point from this one, they just need more patience in the final third.
67 min: Chelsea have a free kick in a great position after James is fouled. The ball is popped into the box but Kerr handballs. Brosnan makes a cracking save as James gets a shot away, the offside flag was up regardless.
64 min: James feeds Kerr who can’t quite get to the pass. Everton make a few changes as Holmgaard and Bjorn come off for Wheeler and Galli.
62 min: Park makes a great run to feed Bennison but the shot goes wide and there is a first change of the game as Harder is off for Rytting Kaneryd. Chelsea rattle off multiple chances with James and Reiten having shots blocked.
60 min: The call from the referee will come under scrutiny, Reiten was not in a shootable position and whether Brosnan made any contact is uncertain. But Everton have to rally now, they have equalised once they could do it again.
PENALTY! Everton 1-2 Chelsea (Harder, 58')
So easy for Harder, the keeper goes the wrong way.
Updated
58 min: Chelsea players are screaming as Reiten is taken out but Brosnan and a penalty has been given! The keeper can’t believe it! Harder steps up
56 min: Confirmation that the equaliser has been given as an own goal! Chelsea are trying to get the lead back but eventually the offside flag is raised. The Blues are pressing to find their winner.
54 min: It was bad luck for Buchanan, George got a foot to the ball but as Berger saved it hit the defender at pace. I will triple check if it is given as an own goal but I think it will be.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Chelsea (Buchanan OG, 52')
Now Everton have a player down as Veje takes her time to get back to her feet but she earns a free kick in the process. The ball is hurtled into the box and Berger saves but Buchanan hits in the rebound
51 min: Buchanan got back to her feet and was not limping, a relief for Chelsea. She will remain on the pitch. Kerr almost pounces on a loose pass from Everton’s defence but the hosts get away with it.
49 min: Bennison took two chances but Chelsea blocked both, a corner to come. They take a short one but it eventually comes into the box, Buchanan and James work well to clear it. After the latest defensive effort Buchanan is on the ground, it looks as though she was clutching her face but medics are looking at her leg now.
47 min: Not a lot to report from the early stages of this second half but Everton are pressing for the equaliser.
Back underway! Everton 0-1 Chelsea
The game is back underway and they have announced the attendance for the match. 1,668 people are at Walton Hall Park, a new record for the club!
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In other news in the WSL, United v Brighton is about to finish up with the hosts adding another goal through Leon to be 4-0 up.
Half-time: Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Everton put in an impressive defensive effort for a large part of the first half but Chelsea broke the deadlock at 37 minutes through Pernille Harder. Toffees are still in this but they need to be the next to score.
45 min: There will be a minute of injury time I believe, tried to hear the stadium announcement but it was slightly muffled!
43 min: Reiten almost gets a cross to James but George deflects for a corner. Brosnan came off her line but didn’t punch it away and the ball glossed across the front of goal. So close to a second the visitors.
41 min: Chelsea have set their attacking fire and they come streaming through, Kerr crosses into the area and Harder gets a foot to it – the chance sailing over the bar. A great ball almost sees Fleming in but Brosnan does enough to smother the ball, the Blues are alive and kicking now.
39 min: That will be frustrating for Everton after such an impressive defensive performance so far. But they don’t look rattled as George gets a shot away and wins a corner as Buchanan blocks. The ball pings around but is cleared. Eriksson and Sevecke come together in the box but both are fine to continue.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Chelsea (Harder, 37')
Bright takes the free kick and Chelsea run the ball through the team. Reiten pops the ball into the box and Harder gets on the end of it.
Updated
35 min: The ball pinballs around but Eriksson gets a header on target, Brosnan is quick to it though and the deadlock remains. George challenges Harder and the Chelsea player wins a free kick, the Danish international is receiving treatment and so there is a break in play. Good news for Chelsea fans though as she is back on her feet and remains on the pitch.
33 min: Bright does well to cut out a Bennison cross and it starts another Chelsea attack. Reiten gets a shot away but Brosnan collects easily. Everton look to build but Graham is ruled offside. Chelsea come forward again and James has the closest chance of the game! Brosnan punches a shot away and then James smacks the crossbar! A corner to come.
30 min: Park makes a great run into the box but Buchanan makes a great tackle to thwart the chance, giving away a corner though. Eriksson heads away the set piece ball but Everton retain possession.
28 min: This has a feeling of a 0-0 draw with neither side looking lethal in front of goal, Chelsea have made more chances but nothing to worry Brosnan yet. I believe if it remains 0-0 it will be the first draw of the WSL season.
26 min: Bjorn makes a great tackle to prevent a defensive blunder as the hosts lose the ball cheaply in the box.
24 min: A great bit of play from Chelsea see Kerr pounce at the edge of the goal, her shot is easily stopped by Brosnan though – may have been worth waiting for support before pulling the trigger there. Chelsea are growing into this one as Kerr is ruled offside as she tries to find her scoring boots.
22 min: Reiten pops the ball into the box but Brosnan plucks it before it can find Kerr. A huge mistake from Buchanan as she stumbles just outside her own box and gives the ball away but Chelsea rally and are able to clear it. Cuthbert tries to smash the ball into the are but it goes way off the target she wanted.
20 min: Possession exchanging hands as both teams attempt to break the deadlock. Harder lays off the ball to James in the area but Everton swarm each player to force them to work the ball backwards. It has been an impressive defensive effort from Everton.
18 min: Park loses the ball and Chelsea look to get the scoring underway but Everton defend really well to prevent a corner. Everton now make their way up the pitch, they just need a final touch and shot to capitalise on their good pressure.
16 min: Everton get in a great position but Bennison doesn’t have enough space to get a shot away. Chelsea intercept and Kerr chips it to James, whose shot goes over the bar. Cuthbert almost pounces on a ball in the box but Everton defend it well. Eriksson gives away another free kick and the hosts are forced to build from their own half.
14 min: James makes a great run, how good has she been this season, and she plays the ball down the entire pitch to create a chance. Kerr finds the back of the net but it’s ruled offside. Everton win a free kick in a great position but they choose to build from deep.
12 min: Brendan has got in touch with me via Twitter and said: “Hi from Norway Sarah. I’m afraid I’m no expert on the WSL but as a Chelsea fan I do like watching the team play the football Emma Hayes has got them playing. So wishing Emma a massive get well soon and fingers crossed for a good result to aid her recuperation.” Meanwhile in the game, Everton are piling on the pressure but can’t quite find the clinical last touch in the final third.
10 min: The ball is eventually cleared by Everton but there’s little control and it ends up with Berger. Harder nicks the ball in the midfield and Chelsea stream forward. The ball comes into the box but Harder’s chance sails over the bar.
8 min: You can hear both managers on this stream, so interesting to hear the calls being made – particularly from Paul Green who is shouting for the Blues to maintain their shape. Chelsea have the next chance but Kerr’s shot it off target. Eriksson then gifts Everton a free kick with a sloppy challenge and the Toffees weather the Chelsea storm.
6 min: Graham has a better shot but it is blocked and she earns a corner. The ball is plucked out of the air by Berger to stem the threat but Chelsea look vulnerable early on. Kerr earns the visitors a free kick which they take quickly. James sends the ball in and Harder takes a shot which is caught by Brosnan.
4 min: Everton pressure Fleming and she spills the ball out of play, great spell for the hosts so far. Graham gets a shot away but it is not on target, the Toffees the stronger side so far.
2 min: Bennison feeds Park early on but she can’t get a shot away. Chelsea are immediately on the counter but Kerr can’t pull the trigger. Everton wrestle back possession and are retaining the ball to settle into this one.
Kick-off! Everton 0-0 Chelsea
Here we go! Who will bag three points or will it be a draw? There was a slight delay on proceedings with the teams changing ends.
I’m guessing the players will be out on the pitch shortly but as the FA Player stream has not begun yet it remains a guess. Kick-off coming at 1pm!
We are just under 10 minutes away from kick-off as Walton Hall Park, any predictions for the match? Let me know via Twitter or email!
Manchester United have made it 3-0 against Brighton with Leah Galton the latest scorer. A mountain for Hope Powell’s side to climb to get any points from this one.
As well as the United Brighton match, which kicked off at 12, another game has already taken place this weekend. West Ham defeated Aston Villa 2-1 but the headlines are focused around Hawa Cissoko, who was shown red after striking Sarah Mayling in the face. Get up to date with all the action from that one here:
Fran Kirby is not a part of the Chelsea squad today and it is being reported she is not feeling well, in case anyone was wondering where the England star was.
An earlier kick-off came at 12pm in the WSL with Manchester United hosting Brighton. United have taken the lead through two goals from Ella Toone!
Updated
Chelsea’s Paul Green has said Emma Hayes will have a connection to the dugout on match days and will watch training online while she recovers from her hysterectomy.
“Emma will definitely still be involved,” he said. “She’ll be at home watching all the training online, she’ll be linked into the bench on the match days as long as she’s well enough to do that. I’m sure it’ll be difficult for her to watch the games at home.”
Read the full piece:
Chelsea players have ‘get well soon Emma’ on the back of their shirts as they warm-up for this clash. It has been reported the men’s team will also wear the message later today when they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.
The weather is stunning today, a perfect October Sunday and I spent the morning cheering on runners in the Bath half marathon. I had a cheeky latte too! How are you spending your Sunday? Let me know via Twitter, @rendellx, or email.
It’s the news everyone is itching to know on matchday, the team news!
The Toffees will see Karen Holmgaard make her first start as one of four changes for the side.
Everton starting XI: Brosnan, Veje, Sevecke, Bjorn, George, Bennison, Park, Graham, Finnigan, Stenevik, K Holmgaard.
Team news is in... 👀
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) October 16, 2022
Karen Holmgaard make her first competitive start for Everton as part of four changes to Brian Sorensen's side.#EVECHE | #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/RVPG4Dtofj
Chelsea, meanwhile, have star Pernille Harder back in the starting team after the forward had some time out for injury.
Chelsea starting XI: Berger, Bright, James, Reiten, Perisset, Eriksson, Fleming, Kerr, Cuthbert, Harder, Buchanan.
Chelsea team news is in! 👊#CFCW pic.twitter.com/xJnVuxUcJE
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) October 16, 2022
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to our Women’s Super League coverage as we look to see if defending champions Chelsea can bag an away victory over Everton following a bumpy start to the season.
They lost their season opener against newly promoted Liverpool but have managed to steer the ship back on track with two wins over Manchester City and West Ham. They will be without manager Emma Hayes though for the foreseeable future after the boss underwent emergency surgery with Denise Reddy taking over on-field decisions.
Everton meanwhile will be looking to cause an upset after a bright start to their campaign. They have registered two wins and a loss and are just one place behind Chelsea in the table.
But who lines up for each team? The starting XI’s will be announced shortly so stay tuned ahead of kick off at 1pm BST
