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SUNDAY 28 JAN 2024 | 12.30PM KO | OFFICIAL DIGITAL PROGRAMME

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Official Matchday Programme

MANAGER’S NOTES

BRIAN SORENSEN

Good afternoon, Evertonians. Welcome back to Walton Hall Park for our match against Leicester City. Just like our supporters, we are incredibly excited to get back playing on Merseyside today and hopefully earn our first home win of the season. Before our midweek cup match at Leicester, we had started the year incredibly well. Our squad produced two excellent performances in the win against Aston Villa, and the way we competed against Arsenal was pleasing as well. Today is about continuing that level of performance against a very good Leicester team, but one we feel we are capable of beating. I am writing these notes prior to our midweek meeting with Willie Kirk’s side and while I am unable to comment on how the game went, this afternoon’s match presents a different challenge. We know exactly how we will approach today’s game and I am confident we will be able to cope with any team or style Leicester approach us with. After a disruptive first half of the season with regards to injuries, it has been pleasing to have a near-fit squad at our disposal so far this year. It was probably the first time in a year and a half that we named the same team in back-to-back games which was refreshing, and we were able to gain some consistency because of that. More numbers in training has increased the competitive nature of our sessions, too. Operating in that style of the environment is a credit to the girls, every single player is ready to make an impact

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whether it is from the start or from the bench. Our squad is so important, and I reiterate to the players that they all have a role to play in the team. Confidence is growing among the group; we know the quality of our squad and I hope the issues with injuries are now behind us. The league table is tight. We are seven points off fourth and six points off bottom. Everything is achievable. We just passed the halfway point in the season, and I would have loved to have had at least five points more than we currently have. I think the way we have been playing, we deserve that. However, the reality is we did not capitalise in the key moments against Bristol City and Leicester. The second half of the season is about how we rectify that, pick up the points we deserve, and confidence will continue to grow as a result. Improving our home form is another focus for us over the coming months. When you look at our upcoming games, there is a fantastic opportunity to build momentum and it is something as a group we have discussed. Today is the beginning of that process and we are ready for the challenge that awaits. Enjoy the game, Brian

Here for blowing warm breath into freezing hands. Here for watching down the pub, at home, or in the stands. Here for the clack clack of the turnstile. And the smell of fried onions, let’s queue a while. Here for the last-minute dramas, nothing can compare. And for the moments you say: ‘you had to be there’. Here for the legends who paved the way. Here for the rivalries, and derby day. Here for the girls knowing they can play too. And the WSL pulling in crowds of 59,042. Here for the little baller in an oversized shirt. And for the footwells covered in dirt. Here for bringing communities together. Here for the volunteers working to makes things better. Here for all levels of the beautiful game. But not for the comments posted to inflame. Here for those goals, every tackle, home and away. Here for the competition but also the “play”. Her for coaching, playing, reffing, championing, supporting. Him for standing up for her when everyone, or no-one’s watching. Here for the blue, the red, the rainbow. And for our Community Football Fund helping the game grow. Here for creating equal access in our schools. Here for determined girls shattering outdated “rules”. From schools to stadiums, we’re here for it all.

Here for the Land of Football.

Official Matchday Programme

CAPTAIN'S NOTES

MEGAN FINNIGAN

Good afternoon and welcome to Walton Hall Park for today’s match against Leicester City. It is great to be back home for our first game on Merseyside for 2024. There is a positive feeling around the group at the minute following our win against Aston Villa and how we ran Arsenal close last weekend, too. The team is in a good place, we are confident and have worked hard this week to ensure we earn our first home win of the season.

points from these fixtures and we hope to do just that this afternoon. There has been a lot of progress since then. I feel we have developed, several of our players have elevated their game, and we have some new faces in the group in Kathrine and Rikke, who have been welcome additions to our squad.

Looking back to our performance against Arsenal, there are a lot of positives in how we nullified their attacking threats for large portions and how we stayed in the game until the end.

A lot of hard work has gone into this season already and we have picked up important wins as a result. That said, the external narrative of our season is that we are struggling, that we are below our best. For me, that is just added motivation to prove those people wrong.

We are respectful of Leicester in how they have recruited and the results they have produced so far this season, but tests don’t come much tougher than Arsenal. We stood up to them well despite a narrow defeat, and that underlines that we can match anyone on our day.

Already this year we have produced two excellent league performances, a near-fit squad for the first time this season and players beginning to gain form.

I know we will be eager to show our best against Leicester this afternoon as we try to make amends for the defeat in the reverse fixture back in October.

Exciting times are ahead for us, and I know our fans recognise that, too. Your support has been incredible in the away trips so far this year and just like you, we are desperate to get back to Walton Hall Park.

Looking back on our season so far, the two games that have disappointed us the most in terms of not getting any points are the matches against Brighton and Leicester.

Our girls love playing here, the pitch is fantastic. The last little piece of the jigsaw obviously is winning.

Both are good teams, but sides I think we should be able to turn up against, perform to our ability and look to dominate. We should be winning those games and there is an element of frustration because of that. It is in the past now, but it is important to remind ourselves there is an expectation to generate

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Looking ahead to our upcoming home games, there is a really good opportunity for us to build some momentum and recreate the level of performances we have seen on the road this season. We hope that begins today. Enjoy the game, Meg

PLAYER PROFILES 1

COURTNEY

KATRINE

MEGAN

BROSNAN

VEJE

CAMPBELL

COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POSITION: GOALKEEPER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POSITION: DEFENDER

CLARE

WHEELER

JUSTINE

TONI

VANHAEVERMAET DUGGAN

COUNTRY: AUSTRALIA POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: BELGIUM POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: FORWARD

Official Matchday Programme

EVERTON 10

HANNA

EMMA

EMILY

BENNISON

BISSELL

RAMSEY

COUNTRY: SWEDEN POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: GOALKEEPER

LIBBY

LUCY

MARTINA

HART

HOPE

PIEMONTE

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: GOALKEEPER

COUNTRY: SCOTLAND POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: ITALY POSITION: FORWARD

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PLAYER PROFILES 19

HEATHER

MEGAN

KATHRINE

PAYNE

FINNIGAN

KÜHL

COUNTRY: REPUBLIC OF IRELAND POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: MIDFIELDER

AURORA

SARA

KATJA

GALLI

HOLMGAARD

SNOEIJS

COUNTRY: ITALY POSITION: MIDFIELDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: NETHERLANDS POSITION: FORWARD

Official Matchday Programme

EVERTON 26

RIKKE

ELISE

KAREN

MADSEN

STENEVIK

HOLMGAARD

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: NORWAY POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: MIDFIELDER

ABBY

ANNIE

KAROLINE

CLARKE

WILDING

OLESEN

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: FORWARD

COUNTRY: ENGLAND POSITION: DEFENDER

COUNTRY: DENMARK POSITION: MIDFIELDER

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PLAYER PROFILES 1

JANINA LEITZIG

COURTNEY NEVIN

SAM TIERNEY

CJ BOTT

Goalkeeper

Defender

Midfielder

Defender

SOPHIE HOWARD

AIMEE PALMER

DEANNE ROSE

JUTTA RANTALA

Defender

Midfielder

Forward

12 10

LENA PETERMANN

AILEEN WHELAN

JANICE CAYMAN

MONIQUE ROBINSON

Forward

Midfielder

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LEICESTER CITY 14

JOSIE GREEN

SAORI TAKARADA

JULIE THIBAUD

REMY SIEMSEN

Midfielder

Defender

Forward

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MISSY GOODWIN

HANNAH CAIN

LIZE KOP

Forward

Goalkeeper

SHANNON O’BRIEN

YUKA MOMIKI

AVA BAKER

Midfielder

Forward

Midfielder

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Official Matchday Programme

Elise Stenevik and Lucy Hope feel they have returned to match fitness with a new lease of life. The Everton duo have missed the majority of the first half of the season through injury, Stenevik’s only appearance coming in the opening day encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion, while Hope was injured moments into the Merseyside derby win at Anfield in October. But both players returned to action during the impressive 3-0 away victory over Aston Villa in the Women’s FA Cup at the beginning of the year. “First and foremost, the 3-0 win was truly amazing,” Stenevik told the Official Matchday Programme. “It’s not just the win, the performance was good, especially in the first half. I’m really, really happy with that. “For myself, I’ve never been through such a tough injury in my life. evertonfc.com

“It was frustrating because we were just kicking off the season and then I get injured.

Hope believes Everton can be a force to be reckoned with over the next six months.

“It wasn’t supposed to be that long, then I re-injured it. It was really frustrating in the autumn but now I’m thankfully back, I can put it behind me and look forward.

“I say it all the time but there’s so much potential with this group,” she added.

“I’m over the moon with that. It was really fun to play in the cup match.” Hope replaced Stenevik midway through the second half at the Bescot Stadium and echoed her teammate's enthusiasm for being back in the squad. “I’m absolutely buzzing to be back with the girls, being involved, back in training,” said Hope. “I feel like I’ve got my life back. I get to see them all, I’m not stuck in the gym behind closed doors. “It’s given me a new lease of life; I’ve started the year well and hopefully it continues that way.” Despite inconsistencies during the opening half of the season,

“I think maybe the first half of the season we didn’t show it, we showed it in glimpses. We were a little bit inconsistent. “We’ve spoken about that, to start the year as we mean to go on. We did that against Villa, we absolutely bossed it. “Again, I just hope we can gather momentum, take that into the next games. “Everybody who has come off the bench, everybody involved has chipped in. Hard work goes a long way. “Hopefully if the games aren’t going our way; we’re pulling together, working hard, staying in them, and keeping them competitive.”

Kathrine Moller Kuhl has expressed her excitement to be reunited with Brian Sorensen on Merseyside. The Denmark international joined the Club on loan this month from Arsenal in hope of continuing her development under the guidance of her fellow Dane. The pair worked together at FC Nordsjaelland as Sorensen promoted ‘Kee’ to the senior squad back in 2019 and quickly became a key figure in his midfield. Success soon followed as Kuhl’s debut season was marked with her first piece of silverware. The then 16-year-old was named Player of the Match in the Danish Women’s Cup final, an early indication of the promising future ahead for the teenager. Five years on from her competitive debut and a year into her journey as a Women’s Super League player, Kuhl retains an eagerness to learn and improve with the counsel of her familiar boss. “It feels really good to sign for Everton,” the 20-year-old told the Official Matchday

Programme. “I’m really looking forward to this experience.

really happy to be at Everton.

“Everton’s a big club and it’s a privilege to be here.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of people about the Club, and I’ve heard a lot of positive things.”

“My experience so far in the Women’s Super League has been really good. I feel I’ve learnt a lot having come from the Danish league to England. It’s a big step.

Kuhl is one of several Denmark internationals in the Everton squad - including Rikke Madsen who also joined the Club in the January window.

“It’s an enjoyable and competitive league, and I enjoy playing here.

The young talent said she is grateful to have familiar faces within the squad and believes it will help bring the best out of her game.

“Everton felt like a good opportunity for me to come and play alongside some really good players and hopefully gain some minutes. “Brian helped me a lot moving from youth football to going to the senior team. “He really helped me develop when I was in my younger years. He has been a big part of my journey so far and I’m looking forward to be working with him again. “It’s a really nice feeling to work with a coach who believes in you. I feel that with Brian, and I’m

“I know some of the girls on the team already so that made the decision [to come to Everton] easier,” Kuhl continued. “I’m a person who really appreciates when I’m settled down and that’s when I play my best football. “To have a lot of Danish girls here, it will help me a lot to settle in quickly and I’m looking forward to being able to work with them every day.” Kuhl made her first appearance in royal blue during the Women’s

Official Matchday Programme

FA Cup win over Aston Villa alongside new recruit Madsen. A league debut for Everton still awaits the 20-year-old as she hopes to help the squad rise up the table while gaining valuable experience along the way. “I hope to develop a lot in these next six months,” Kuhl added. evertonfc.com

“It’s a good way for me to develop certain aspects of my game at Everton. “I hope I can get into the team, prove myself and help Everton grow. Hopefully that can help my own development at the same time.

of this group, it has a lot of potential. “What I’ve seen so far is a really good team with really good qualities, and I’m looking forward to bringing some of mine to the team, too.”

“I’m really excited to be part 15

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Official Matchday Programme

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Official Matchday Programme

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TO PROMOTE PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE Everton has announced an extension of its partnership with FIGS, Inc. (NYSE: FIGS), the directto-consumer healthcare apparel and lifestyle brand. In addition to its on-pitch collaboration, FIGS will be supporting the work of the Club’s charitable arm, Everton in the Community, to benefit local healthcare causes. The partnership will extend throughout the remainder of the season, starting with a focus on preventative health in January and will include a charitable donation programme and support for medical professionals. During the end of the season in May, the partnership will focus on mental health awareness. The first activation, called ‘New Year, New You’, kicked off this month with FIGS supporting Everton in the Community in offering fans complimentary,

non-invasive health screenings within The People’s Place, the charity’s purpose-built mental health and wellbeing hub, outside of Goodison Park ahead of the match. The screening included a blood pressure check and electrocardiogram (ECG), and as necessary will provide recipients with further information including referrals for anyone living in Liverpool 4, 5 or 6. Because many health issues are asymptomatic, performing these tests can help to identify irregularities that could lead to significant health issues if left untreated. Lucy McLean, Everton in the Community Health Screening Coordinator, said: “Health checks are a quick and easy way for you to keep on top of your health. They are non-invasive and can help detect a problem early, even

before you have any symptoms, and are a great way to empower you to make informed decisions about your health. I’d like to place our thanks on record to FIGS for their support in helping us create a healthier Merseyside.” Michelle Gaster Wasserman, FIGS’ General Manager, International, said, “We are thrilled to extend our support of Everton in the Community. FIGS’ mission is to serve those who serve others, and the work we’re doing with Everton in the Community directly advances that mission. Raising awareness and availability of preventative health, supporting those who provide volunteer health services, and promoting mental health are all great ways to support not only healthcare professionals but the entire community.”

If you wish to make an appointment for a future screening event then please email peoplesplace@evertonfc.com

Official Matchday Programme

Here for the Land of Football.

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Official Matchday Programme

EVERTON

LEICESTER CITY

Manager: Brian Sørensen

Manager: Willie Kirk

Courtney Brosnan

Janina Leitzig

Katrine Veje

Courtney Nevin

Megan Campbell

Sam Tierney

Clare Wheeler

CJ Bott

Justine Vanhaevermaet

Sophie Howard

Toni Duggan

Aimee Palmer

Hanna Bennison

Deanne Rose

Emma Bissell

Jutta Rantala

Emily Ramsey

Lena Petermann

Libby Hart

Aileen Whelan

Lucy Hope

Janice Cayman

Martina Piemonte

Monique Robinson

Heather Payne

Josie Green

Megan Finnigan

Saori Takarada

Katherine Kühl

Julie Thibaud

Aurora Galli

Remy Siemsen

Sara Holmgaard

Missy Goodwin

Katja Snoeijs

Hannah Cain

Rikke Madsen

Lize Kop

Elise Stenevik

Shannon O’Brien

Karen Holmgaard

Yuka Momiki

Abby Clarke

Ava Baker

Annie Wilding

Karoline Olesen

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