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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sam Carroll

Everton Women 'all talking' about specific goal after FA Cup final loss

Willie Kirk says Everton Women are determined to compete for honours 'as quickly as possible' following their defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Sunday.

Everton lost the rearranged final in extra-time, conceding twice after Valerie Gauvin had originally cancelled out Sam Mewis' first-half header inside 90 minutes.

Despite the defeat, Kirk believes he has 'learned a lot' about his team and has taken 'comfort' from their performance in London.

"It was a fantastic few days, Wembley itself was excellent, the result went against us but the experience is one the players and I want to repeat - but next time be successful," he said.

"I learned a lot about them on Sunday and it gave me a lot of comfort and a lot of confidence in the group moving forwards.

"It's a really good learning curve, not just for myself, but for the players getting to know each other, who they can rely on, who can pick themselves up and who are the leaders in the changing room.

"We have a very determined group of young women who are all talking about getting back [to Wembley] as quickly as possible."

When asked about his own mood after the loss, Kirk added: "It's been fine. I cannot come in with no energy. I can't show I'm still reflecting on what's gone on behind us, I have to be looking forwards.

"I've done that and I feel I was already in that mode when we woke on Monday morning. I'm very ambitious, I want to get to finals and that has only further strengthened my ambition and determination to get there."

Kirk is in talks with Everton to extend his contract which expires in the summer.

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