WSL break begins: Everything fans need to know ahead of FA Cup derby in Everton vs Liverpool
Everton Women have picked up form as of late.
Scott Phelan took over as interim head coach at the top of the month and has overseen successive wins against London City Lionesses and West Ham.
The Women’s Super League has since been put on pause until 15 March, due to a packed schedule for other sides and the upcoming international break.
Everton sit eighth in the standings, having formed an eight-point gap to Leicester City, who occupy the relegation spot.
While league action is paused, Phelan’s side are back out on the pitch this weekend, as they face city rivals Liverpool in a big FA Cup fifth round clash at Anfield.
Why is there a month-long WSL break?
Everton’s recent push in the league has been put on pause following their matchweek 16 win, with fixtures not set to resume until 15 March.
The break is largely driven by fixture congestion across multiple competitions. Since the return from the winter break in January, clubs have navigated four WSL rounds alongside FA Cup ties, League Cup semi-finals and the return of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
While Everton themselves are not juggling European commitments, they are preparing for an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Liverpool, while Arsenal and Manchester United have European fixtures against Leuven and Atletico Madrid to balance.
Early March is then reserved for World Cup qualifiers, the Asian Cup and other international fixtures, before WSL action restarts in just under a month.
Scott Phelan looks ahead to Merseyside derby
Sunday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield is undoubtedly the biggest FA Cup clash of the weekend, and it is a bout that Everton head into as favourites.
The Toffees have already beaten the Reds at Anfield once this season, as Ornella Vignola starred in a 4-1 win on the other side of Stanley Park, netting three goals to open the campaign.
Speaking to the BBC following Everton’s win against West Ham last time out, Phelan expressed his excitement for the cup tie.
“We live in a football city, and there are certain games throughout the calendar that we look for, and Liverpool are one of them.
“It’s definitely exciting, and we wanted to use the cup to add some extra excitement to the season as well. The fact that it’s Liverpool as well makes it extra exciting,” he concluded.
Everton face Liverpool once again at Goodison Park at the end of March, where they will dream of picking up three wins in a season against their rivals.
Before then, their WSL season resumes on 15 March, as they travel to North London to face Champions League chasers Tottenham.
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