Everton manager Willie Kirk was delighted with his team’s midweek 1-0 Continental Cup win over Manchester United – and hopes they can take that momentum into their Women’s Super League encounter against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Blues currently sit fifth – two places behind Joe Montemurro’s Gunners, and with a game in hand after their game against Birmingham City was postponed last weekend.
And with a run of patchy form in November, Kirk hopes that the cup victory will give his side the impetus they need at Meadow Park.
“Of course we needed a win [on Wednesday],” he told the media. “Football's not all about momentum but momentum is certainly important, and hopefully that can create a little bit of momentum going into this big match on Sunday.”
He praised the team’s shape which enabled them to keep a clean sheet against Casey Stoney’s threatening United team – and was particularly impressed by young goalkeeper Sandy Maciver.
“Successful teams are built on good defensive structures,” he said. “I thought we were pretty solid defensively. We stood strong and we defended our goal well and Sandy had one top top save and a couple of routine ones. It always helps to get a clean sheet and give you the platform to go and win the game.”
Kirk has no new injury concerns, and will still be without long-term absentees Gabby George, Claire Emslie and Valerie Gauvin, although he hopes at least one of them will be available for selection immediately after the Christmas break.
Goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela will be back in the squad having missed the United game after sustaining a concussion in training.
And the Blues go out there knowing that a win would take them to within two points of their third-placed opponents.
“We want to finish this year strongly,” Kirk added. “We want to stay in touch with that top four for the Champions League places. We've got the game in hand after the game being called off last week so we want to make sure that that game in hand can have an impact, and that means winning this weekend.”
