Sørensen not expecting fatigue to be a factor when Everton face Chelsea | OneFootball

Everton manager Brian Sørensen is not expecting fatigue to play a factor when his side take on Chelsea in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals at Walton Hall Park this afternoon.

The Blue Girls have had a full week to prepare for the game whereas Chelsea were in FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup action against Manchester City on Thursday evening.

Everton should go into this afternoon’s game the fresher of the two sides, however, manager Sørensen does not expect opponents Chelsea to be fatigued.

“I was hoping that City would score at the end, so that they would have to play another 30 minutes,” Sørensen said when speaking in the pre-match press conference.

“They were very ruthless with the chances that they created and put one in. They also defended really well in the key moments and the keeper was really excellent. That’s Chelsea, they know how to get a lead and look after it, they have the quality.

“It was a good game to watch but it’s nothing new in terms of what they are doing and nothing surprised me. We’ve been preparing all week for this game.

“They are used to playing three games in a week, so I don’t think that fatigue will play into it. They want to progress in the FA Cup for sure. That win [against City] will have given them a lot of belief and confidence, so it’s going to be an extremely tough challenge.”

Everton defeated Chelsea at the same stage of the competition on their way to reaching the final in 2020. Sørensen said that it is possible that The Blue Girls can recreate history this weekend.

He said “It’s something that we are aware of. Meg [Finnigan] and Lucy [Hope] were a big part of that and they remember it.

“It gives us belief that it’s possible of course, that’s for sure. We know it can happen and we feel that it’s getting closer for producing that big result that we need. We hope that’s this weekend.”

Everton’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Chelsea kicks-off at 1pm this afternoon.