Everton Women vs. Chelsea FCW, Women’s FA Cup: Team news, preview, how to watch

More than nine months after its postponement, the 2019-20 Women’s FA Cup resumes on Sunday, with Chelsea FCW looking to finish what we’ve started.

While the Blues already have sights set on winning four competitions this season, we have a chance to add to last season’s trophy cabinet as well. Chelsea won a domestic Double in 2019-20, winning the league as well as the League Cup (i.e. Conti Cup), but we could complete the Treble with the FA Cup.

To do so, first we’ll need to get past a quarterfinal matchup against Everton Women, who are in fine form.

Date / Time: Sunday, September 27, 2020, 1:00pm BST; 8:00am EDT; 5:30pm IST
Venue: Goodison Park
Referee: Simon Mather
Forecast: Mild, Dry

On TV: none
Streaming: The FA Player

Everton team news: If Everton’s first two matches of the WSL season are any indication, Chelsea should anticipate a stiff test on Sunday. The “other” Blues have begun the season with two victories and have yet to concede a goal. A 4-0 victory over Bristol City on opening day of the WSL season got Everton off to a nice start, but the following week’s resilient 1-0 over Tottenham was more impressive. After being considered by some as a pre-season “dark horse” challengers to the usual WSL big guns, Sunday’s FA Cup match against Chelsea will serve as a measuring stick for Everton.

Everton have been well organized, showing stability particularly in the middle of the park. After arriving from Bristol City in July 2019, midfielder Lucy Graham has settled in well and has been a steady presence in the midfield. She is off to a flying start to the season, contributing to all four Everton goals against Bristol City. Fellow midfielder Izzy Christiansen recently arrived from Lyon and scored an impactful first club goal to take all three points against Spurs. Expect to see young defenders Megan Finnigan and Rikke Laentver Sevecke as part of a back four protecting goalkeeper Sandy MacIver.

Chelsea FCW team news: After throttling Bristol City to the tune of 9-0 in the previous match, Chelsea will be looking for consecutive strong performances. Two matches in, only Millie Bright and Magda Eriksson have played all 180 minutes. They are likely to do so again, and after scoring against Everton last time out, Hannah Blundell may well join them in defense.

Sophie Ingle was given the day off against Bristol City, but she is likely to rejoin the Chelsea midfield alongside Melanie Leupolz. Leupolz has been a strong addition to the Blues this season and provided a goal for Germany while representing her country as captain during last weekend’s international action.

Pernille Harder also scored while captaining her country over the international break. She has yet to make her full Chelsea debut, but it may well arrive on Sunday. Harder followed up her first Chelsea goal against Bristol City with a nomination for the 2019-20 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. She may find it tougher getting in the Chelsea starting lineup than taking home Player of the Year. After all, Sam Kerr and Bethany England won’t cede playing time without a fight. Emma Hayes can only hope that competition between the ridiculous amount of attacking talent in the squad will be a case of iron sharpening iron.

Whoever wins won’t have long to revel in glory as the semifinals await just a few days later, against the winners of Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Birmingham City.

Previously: The two teams haven’t met since January of 2019. On that day, Chelsea scored two second half goals through Drew Spence and Hannah Blundell to eliminate Everton 2-0 from the FA Cup.