Chelsea W vs Everton W: FA WSL Clash Preview

Goodison Park stages a compelling FA WSL clash in April 2026 as 8th‑placed Everton W host title‑chasing Chelsea W. With the regular season entering its decisive stretch, the stakes are clear: Everton are trying to stay clear of the relegation scrap and prove they can bloody the nose of the elite, while Chelsea arrive in Liverpool needing points to keep their Champions League‑bound, and potentially title, ambitions on track.

Context and stakes

In the league across all phases, Everton sit 8th on 20 points after 19 matches (6 wins, 2 draws, 11 defeats), with a goal difference of -9 (23 scored, 32 conceded). Their recent form line of “LLWWW” in the table suggests a late surge after a difficult campaign, but their home record is a concern: just 2 wins and 7 defeats from 9 matches at Goodison, with 9 goals scored and 18 conceded.

Chelsea, by contrast, travel north as a heavyweight. They are 2nd in the FA WSL on 40 points from 19 games, with 12 wins, 4 draws and only 3 losses, and a healthy goal difference of +18 (36 for, 18 against). Their away form is strong and resilient rather than flawless: 4 wins, 4 draws and just 1 defeat in 9 away fixtures, scoring 17 and conceding 10.

The league table sets this up as a classic top‑versus‑mid‑table narrative: Chelsea chasing perfection, Everton trying to turn a fragile home ground into a statement stage.

Tactical outlook: Everton W

Everton’s season statistics underline a team that has struggled for control but carries a punch when it clicks. Across all phases they average 1.2 goals per game, conceding 1.7. At home, that profile becomes more extreme: 1.0 scored and 2.0 conceded per match, a ratio that explains their 7 home defeats.

Formationally, Everton have leaned on pragmatism. Their most used shapes are:

• 4‑4‑2 (5 matches)
• 4‑2‑3‑1 (3 matches)
• 4‑1‑4‑1 (3 matches)

Those setups suggest a side that oscillates between a compact mid‑block 4‑4‑2 and a slightly more possession‑oriented 4‑2‑3‑1, depending on opponent. Against Chelsea’s fluid attacking lines, the temptation will be to pack central zones with a 4‑1‑4‑1 or 4‑2‑3‑1, trying to deny space between the lines and protect a back four that has conceded 32 league goals.

Key to Everton’s structure is Honoka Hayashi. The Japanese midfielder is their standout in the top‑scorers data: 4 league goals from midfield in 16 appearances, with a strong 7.03 average rating and an 86% pass accuracy. Her profile in the numbers is that of a two‑way operator: 11 tackles, 11 interceptions and 4 blocks underline her defensive workload, while 323 completed passes and 2 key passes show her as a reliable outlet in build‑up.

Hayashi’s ability to break pressure and find forward runners will be vital if Everton are to escape Chelsea’s press. With Everton having failed to score in only 4 of their 19 league games, they are capable of creating chances, but they have just 3 clean sheets all season. Realistically, Everton’s route to a result lies in turning this into a broken‑field game where Hayashi can spring transitions and the front line can exploit any space left by Chelsea’s adventurous full‑backs.

Discipline is another subplot. Everton’s yellow‑card distribution spikes between 46 and 75 minutes, indicating they often arrive late into duels as games open up. Against Chelsea’s technical attackers, mistimed challenges in that phase could be costly in dangerous areas.

On penalties, Everton have a perfect team record this season (1 scored from 1, none missed). If they can draw fouls in the box, they have shown composure from the spot.

Tactical outlook: Chelsea W

Chelsea arrive with the numbers of an elite side. They average 1.9 goals per game both home and away, while conceding just 0.9 across all phases. On the road, that becomes 17 scored and 10 conceded in 9 matches, reinforcing their capacity to control matches away from Kingsmeadow.

Their tactical flexibility is evident in the formations used:

• 4‑1‑4‑1 (5 matches)
• 4‑2‑3‑1 (2 matches)
• 3‑4‑2‑1, 4‑2‑2‑2, 3‑5‑2, 3‑4‑1‑2 (1 match each)

This variety hints at a squad comfortable shifting between back‑four and back‑three structures. A 4‑1‑4‑1 would allow Chelsea to dominate midfield with a single pivot screening transitions, while a 3‑4‑2‑1 could pin Everton’s full‑backs deep and overload half‑spaces.

In attack, Alyssa Paola Thompson stands out as the headline threat. The 21‑year‑old forward has 6 league goals and 2 assists from 16 appearances, averaging a 7.08 rating. She has 21 shots (12 on target), which points to a high‑quality shot profile, and 16 key passes underline her dual role as scorer and creator. Her dribble numbers (17 attempts, 5 successful) show a willingness to take on defenders even if the success rate is moderate; combined with her pace, she is likely to test Everton’s vulnerable full‑back channels.

Behind Thompson, Chelsea’s collective is built on balance. They have kept 8 clean sheets in 19 league games and failed to score only twice. Their biggest wins (5‑0 at home, 0‑4 away) show they can blow teams away when they find rhythm. Their biggest away defeat (5‑1) is a reminder they are not invincible if caught high and exposed, but Everton’s scoring profile suggests Chelsea will expect to dictate terms.

Chelsea’s penalty record this season is also perfect at team level (1 scored, none missed), though they have not leaned heavily on spot‑kicks for goals. Their discipline is generally solid, with yellow cards concentrated just before half‑time and in the final half‑hour, but no red cards recorded.

Head‑to‑head: recent history

The recent competitive head‑to‑head between these sides is weighted heavily towards Chelsea, even if Everton have taken a notable scalp.

Looking at the last five competitive meetings (FA WSL and FA Women’s Cup only, no friendlies):

• December 2025, FA WSL, at Kingsmeadow: Chelsea W 0‑1 Everton W
• February 2025, FA WSL, at Kingsmeadow: Chelsea W 2‑1 Everton W
• February 2025, FA Women’s Cup 5th Round, at Kingsmeadow: Chelsea W 4‑1 Everton W
• November 2024, FA WSL, at Goodison Park: Everton W 0‑5 Chelsea W
• March 2024, FA Women’s Cup Quarter‑finals, at Walton Hall Park: Everton W 0‑1 Chelsea W

Across those five, the competitive record stands at:

• Chelsea W wins: 4
• Everton W wins: 1
• Draws: 0

Chelsea have dominated the cup ties and inflicted heavy league defeats, including that 5‑0 at Goodison in November 2024. However, the most recent league meeting in December 2025 saw Everton snatch a 0‑1 away win at Kingsmeadow, a result that injects real intrigue into this rematch. Everton have shown they can frustrate Chelsea and win by fine margins if their defensive block holds.

Key battles

• Hayashi vs Chelsea’s midfield pivot: If Chelsea go 4‑1‑4‑1, the duel between Hayashi and the visitors’ holding midfielder will shape Everton’s ability to progress play. If Hayashi is pinned back, Everton risk long spells without the ball.
• Everton full‑backs vs Thompson: Chelsea’s top scorer will look to isolate defenders in wide and half‑space channels. Everton’s full‑backs, already part of a defence conceding 2.0 goals per home game, must limit her shots and prevent cut‑backs.
• Set pieces and discipline: Everton’s card profile in the second half and Chelsea’s technical quality from dead balls could combine dangerously for the hosts. Avoiding cheap fouls around the box will be crucial.

The verdict

The data paints a clear picture of Chelsea as favourites: superior league position, stronger goal difference, more consistent form and a dominant recent head‑to‑head record. Everton’s home numbers are poor, and their defence has been porous at Goodison.

Yet Everton’s recent league form (“LLWWW” in the table) and that 0‑1 win at Kingsmeadow in December 2025 show they are not a soft touch. If they can reproduce the compact, disciplined display that earned that victory, and if Hayashi can influence both phases, they have a puncher’s chance of taking something.

On balance, though, Chelsea’s attacking depth, defensive solidity and tactical flexibility should tilt this contest their way. Expect Everton to be competitive and to create moments, but the most logical outcome is an away win, with Chelsea likely to score at least once and exert enough control to keep their title and Champions League push firmly on course.