Everton Women are back on the road this weekend, and the task is a clear one: pick up their first WSL away points of the season when they travel to London City Lionesses.
The Toffees have been excellent at Goodison Park, where they have won three from three, but that form has not carried over into their away matches. They have failed to score in both of their league trips so far, leaving Scott Phelan with an early-season issue to solve as Everton try to turn strong home performances into results on the road.
A difficult trip to the league’s surprise package
London City Lionesses have emerged as the league’s surprise package so far, and they come into this fixture after a 6-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last week. That result only adds to the size of the challenge for Everton, who will need a sharper attacking display if they are to leave London with points.
There is recent history here too. Everton lost 2-1 to London City Lionesses at Goodison Park last season, when Isobel Goodwin scored both goals for the visitors. Earlier in that campaign, Inma Gabarro decided the fixture at the Copperjax Community Stadium with a goal in the 61st minute, which shows how fine the margins can be between these sides.
What Everton need to change
For Phelan, the key question is whether Everton can bring their home confidence into a tougher away setting. The Blues have shown they can be productive in familiar surroundings, but the next step is proving they can be just as effective away from Merseyside. This trip arrives at a good time to measure that progress.
There are also selection questions to consider after Zara Kramzar sustained an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury against Birmingham City earlier this month. Whatever shape Everton take, they will need more threat in the final third if they are to end their away-point drought and build on a start that has been much stronger at Goodison Park than on the road.
