As the 2026/27 Women’s Super League (WSL) season commences, Everton Women are eager to make a statement in their opening match against newly-promoted Crystal Palace at VBS Community Stadium on Sunday, September 6. Under the guidance of head coach Scott Phelan, who is entering his first full season at the helm, the Toffees have made significant changes to their squad, bringing in nine new players during the transfer window.
Among the notable signings are former Liverpool defender Hannah Silcock and Australian international forward Holly McNamara, who joins from Melbourne City. Additionally, Phelan has secured permanent deals for loan players Zara Kramžar and defender Hannah Blundell. These acquisitions are expected to bolster the squad, especially after the departures of Kelly Gago and Martina Fernandez to West Ham United and Barcelona, respectively. With a healthy roster and no injury concerns, Phelan has a wealth of options as his team prepares for the challenge ahead.
Historically, Everton has struggled with slow starts to their seasons, a trend they hope to break this year. Last season, they began with a memorable 4-1 victory over Liverpool, inspired by Ornella Vignola, but that success was short-lived as they did not secure another win until December. With a full pre-season under Phelan's pragmatic approach and the challenges of their inaugural season at Goodison Park now behind them, there is a renewed sense of optimism among the squad. The return of captain Megan Finnigan is also expected to provide a significant boost as they seek to silence skeptics.
On the other side, Crystal Palace returns to the WSL after a brief stint in the second tier, having finished bottom in the 2024/25 season. Under the leadership of manager Jo Potter, the Eagles secured their promotion by finishing second in WSL 2 last season. Like Everton, Palace has also been active in the transfer market, adding nine new players to their roster. Among these are experienced forward Bethany England and defender Molly Bartrip, both joining from Tottenham Hotspur. The team has also infused youth into their ranks, signing England U-23 forward Lexi Lloyd-Smith and midfielder Fūka Tsunoda, who is on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, Palace will have to navigate the season without key midfielder My Cato, who is sidelined due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during pre-season training. Despite this setback, the Eagles aim to combine experience and youth to establish themselves in the top tier and avoid another relegation battle. Making a strong start and maintaining solid home form will be crucial for their aspirations this season.
In their previous meeting, the two teams played to a 1-1 draw at VBS in November 2024, with Honoka Hayashi equalizing after Indiah-Paige Riley's early goal for Everton. Facing a newly-promoted team can often be challenging, and Palace will be eager to assert their presence in the league right from the outset. As Scott Phelan seeks answers to the many questions surrounding Everton, a positive result against Crystal Palace would set the tone for the season ahead.
The match kicks off at 2 PM BST (9 AM ET, 6 AM PT) and will be followed by another home fixture for Everton against Charlton Athletic on September 13, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the club.
Leave a Comment