BREAKING NEWS: “I see football that way,” Everton’s brave decision to face relegation was validated.
According to the well-known quote from Albert Einstein, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
But this weekend, Everton’s manager Brian Sorensen was validated for what some may consider his own brand of insanity as his team won the Women’s Super League (WSL) at home for the first time this season against West Ham United. This season, the Dane has come under fire from some places for sticking to his possession-based, front-footed playing style, even though it hasn’t always worked out for the Blues.
Losses to colossal beasts This season, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City have demonstrated the high cost a side may incur by choosing to go head-to-head with the WSL’s top players. Even with this season’s inconsistent play, Sorensen has managed to maintain his commitment to his managerial values and has developed a distinct on-field persona that his players clearly embrace.
And in the final ten minutes of Sunday’s match at Walton Hall Park, when the hosts defeated the Hammers to move eight points clear of the relegation zone thanks to goals from Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli, that sense of Everton’s footballing integrity may have never been more evident. Admittedly, the contest wasn’t particularly exciting for the most of it. The opening half of the match had all the makings of a match between two teams that knew they couldn’t afford to lose.
However, Everton gained momentum, and seven minutes from time, replacement Piemonte nodded home from Galli’s cross. Shortly after, the provider became goalscorer, sending a stunning effort past Mackenzie Arnold and into the top corner. “This has been a long time coming,” Sorensen remarked following the game. “I believe that we controlled the game in the first half of today’s match, but we talked about that at halftime because we became too impatient and kept trying to score every time instead of lowering a little bit more and then finding the proper moments when we didn’t start to break into the organization.
“The substitutes arrived and had an impact. The front three were putting in a lot of effort, and when Martina entered the game, she scored a goal that really stood out. Aurora Galli (Yaya) also displayed amazing finishing.
The best indication of Sorensen’s goals for Walton Hall Park, however, came from his evaluation of his own philosophy of football. “I know the quality the girls possess and they are totally into how we want to play,” he stated. “We play this way no matter what, which is why we struggle to get a result when we play the top clubs. But the fact that we don’t have to make any changes helps us heading into a match like this one (against West Ham). Just carrying out our previous actions against Chelsea.”
“That’s how I see football,” he continued. We don’t discuss about being in a relegation struggle because I want a distinct style, and the players have faith in what we’re doing. They adore it because, in addition to being enjoyable, it can produce long-term results. For this reason, I don’t think it’s wise to give up on something and hope for a one-hit wonder to succeed (especially when playing the best teams).
“You have to be extremely fortunate if you give up 35 shots on goal. We work in that industry. We don’t give up as many goals or transitions when we maintain possession of the ball versus teams. That’s what I’m attempting to establish here, despite the difficulties brought on by uncontrollable circumstances. I’m concentrating on my players because I believe they’re doing a fantastic job helping us accomplish our goals.”
It is uncommon to hear a manager express their dedication to their own personal ideology so openly in a field where the league table rules and achieving results frequently takes precedence over adopting a unique footballing mindset. Of course, some might contend that this kind of thinking is naive. Undoubtedly, there have been times this season when it has appeared like Everton would be better off just closing their doors. That’s not Sorensen’s style, though.
As a realist, the Dane understands how unlikely it is that the Blues will disturb the league’s delicate balance given their current position in the WSL. So why shouldn’t he make an effort to impart a playing style that is, at minimum, entertaining? Why wouldn’t he try to create an Everton team known for their own style of football?
Naturally, achieving that goal will require some time. Everton’s season has been unpredictable due to injuries, high-profile departures, and financial constraints. The Blues have occasionally suffered as a result of their carelessness in front of goal.
However, the outcome from last weekend gave Everton a glimpse of what may be if they could regularly play in the manager’s way. It is now their responsibility to use the victory as a springboard for growth in the remaining games of the season.
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