Chelsea Women v Everton WSL preview, five league games left to go
At this point in the Women’s Super League campaign, the result matters far more than the performance.
Hayes has scored three or more goals in the last six contests in all competitions against the Toffees. The last time the Merseyside club defeated Hayes’ team was in the Women’s FA Cup quarterfinal in September 2020 at Goodison Park as current FC Fleury 91 striker Valerie Gauvin netted the winner in the 63′.
At some point during this run to end the season, Hayes is going to have to rotate players in and out. This Sunday at home has the feeling of a Zecira Musovic match, or even a potential return of Pernille Harder into the starting lineup for the first time since November 6 at United. There is no room to underestimate opponents, but there comes a time where Hayes has to give players like Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr a rest with a cup final right around the corner.
Expect Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, and Sophie Ingle to return to the starting XI as Hayes attempts to provide rest to as many players as she can given the injury dilemma the west London side are currently in. Kaneryd came on for Harder in the second half of the last meeting between these two sides, acting as a spark plug collecting three shot-creating actions, and two successful take ons in the final 30 minutes.
After the meeting with the Toffees, the Blues have to turn around a take on Leicester City in the club’s third consecutive mid-week contest. It is a tall order to ask, but this is not the first time a Hayes-led team has done it.
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Sorenson’s side has been one of the most uplifting stories of the season, taking a side from potential relegation back into the top-six. The only one domestic team can beat the Blues, and that is themselves. Maybe it was the free hot dogs outside of Kingsmeadow on Wednesday, but if Hayes’ side wants to win the title, they are going to have to start matches with far more intensity.