Issy Hobson already gains heroic status for Everton Women after iconic You’ll Never Walk Alone image
Everton Women academy graduate Issy Hobson has already gained heroic status at the club.
The 18-year-old has returned to the fold at Goodison Park after loan spells with Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest – swiftly returning from the latter due to injury issues on Merseyside.
Graduating from the Everton academy, Hobson became the youngest-ever Women’s Super League goalscorer in 2024, when she netted a stoppage-time equaliser against Arsenal aged 16 years and 180 days.
Following her 18th birthday in October, the youngster signed her first professional contract with the club.
After her exploits against Arsenal two years ago, she has gone further in gaining the fanbase’s affinity, with Everton fans loving her most recent exploits.
What did Issy Hobson do to gain the trust of Everton fans?
With the WSL on pause until 15 March, sides went head-to-head for their respective places in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, with Everton travelling across Stanley Park to city rivals Liverpool.
The Toffees had already beaten their rivals once this season, having secured a 4-1 triumph at Anfield on the season’s opening day.
Looking to repeat the result, Hobson was captured putting her fingers in her ears during Liverpool’s pre-match anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone.
The photo, shared by Laura Gates via X, already looks iconic.
However, Everton would fall to a 2-1 defeat thanks to first half goals from Mia Enderby and Beata Olsson.
The loss would be the Toffees’ first in three matches, and the first under interim manager Scott Phelan.
Everton are back in action on 15 March, as they travel to face Tottenham upon the WSL’s return.
Read more: Everything fans need to know about the WSL break
WSL break provides Everton time to reset
Sunday’s derby defeat was a shock to the system after recent weeks.
Everton have seen an uptick in form across February, with wins against Aston Villa, London City Lionesses and West Ham, leaving them eighth in the WSL table over the break.
The Toffees have formed a gap to the relegation zone, and now have ample time to reset over the break, with no more football to focus on other than their league form until the end of the season.
With Phelan in charge on an interim basis, the club now have an ideal period to figure out their direction, and build form again ahead of a crucial run of fixtures following the end of the pause.
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