Having seen Everton hand the FA Women’s Super League’s best a run for their money more than once, Chloe Kelly believes that the Toffees can upset table-toppers Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Last weekend, an injury-time header from Louise Quinn saw Everton fall to a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the semi-finals of the SSE FA Women’s Cup while this term, Kelly’s side have also lost by just a single goal against the Gunners and their midweek opponents Chelsea in FA WSL 1, as well as Manchester City.
The 20-year-old forward, who scored from the penalty spot against her former side in Sunday’s cup defeat, reckons that Wednesday’s clash with the Blues should hold no fear for the Toffees.
“At the weekend, I think we showed what we have been doing all season,” said Kelly.
“We have a great character in our team and we’ve run the top teams close in all of the games that we’ve played against them this season.
“We’re disappointed in not getting a result at the weekend but we showed good character to get back into it and I’m proud of the team for doing that, and hopefully, on Wednesday night, we can show again what we’re made of.
“I think Chelsea are a great team. They have some great individuals. As a team, they work hard and with the ball, they’re a great team.
“I think our game plan is to stop them but show what we can do as well.
“We’ve done that all season; not being afraid of the top teams but performing in the big games.
“I think we shouldn’t get too caught up in the occasion, relax, and show what we can do.”
Kelly, who has found the net 10 times so far this season, was initially due to spend 2017-18 on loan at Everton but in January, her move from the Gunners was made permanent.
The England U-20 international is simply loving life in the north west.
She added: “I needed some game time and I’ve exactly that at Everton – it was a great move for me.
“At a young age, moving up from London, it was difficult at first but I’m comfortable here at Everton, enjoying my football and showing what I can do on the pitch, and I feel like I’ve got a great team behind me.”
FIXTURES:
Wednesday 18 April
FA WSL 1
Bristol City v Liverpool (Stoke Gifford Stadium, 7pm)
Everton v Chelsea (Marine FC, 7pm)
Manchester City v Sunderland (Academy Stadium, 7pm)
Arsenal v Reading (Boreham Wood FC, 7.30pm)
Yeovil Town v Birmingham City (Taunton Town FC, 7.45pm)
FA WSL 2
Millwall Lionesses v Aston Villa (St Paul’s Sports Ground, 7.45pm)
London Bees v Brighton & Hove Albion (Barnet FC, 8pm)
Thursday 19 April
FA WSL 2
Doncaster Rovers Belles v Durham (Doncaster Rovers FC, 7.30pm)
Oxford United v Tottenham Hotspur (Oxford City FC, 7.45pm)
By Sportsbeat
To buy tickets to an FA Women’s Super League match near you click here: www.fawsl.com/tickets
