Everton seek early momentum under new manager Scott Phelan
Everton enter the 2026-27 Women’s Super League season with cautious optimism under new manager Scott Phelan, after finishing eighth last year. A revamped forward line and a favourable early fixture list could help the club establish momentum, although its comparatively limited budget underlines the challenge of competing with the league’s leading sides.
Everton have signed Jutta Rantala, Noémie Mouchon, Hannah Cain and Australia striker Holly McNamara, while making Zara Kramzar, Hannah Blundell and loan defender Naomi Layzell permanent or temporary additions. They face promoted Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City early, and avoid last season’s top three until November; the Guardian writers’ average prediction is 10th. Everton scored four counterattack goals last season despite having the third-fewest shots, suggesting their open-play attack remains an area to improve.
- Everton hope new attackers boost a modest-budget squad.
- Early fixtures offer a chance for a strong start.
- Guardian writers’ average prediction places Everton 10th.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Everton can reasonably see the new season as a chance to build quickly under Scott Phelan. The additions of proven and varied attacking players could give the side more threat and depth, while an early run against newly promoted opposition offers a valuable opportunity to establish confidence and points before facing the division’s strongest teams. Supporters of this view would argue that smarter recruitment, tactical clarity and effective counterattacking can partly compensate for a smaller budget.
The case against
Caution is also well founded because a new manager and several new signings may need time to form a coherent team, particularly in attack. Everton’s low shot volume and limited open-play output last season suggest that counterattacking efficiency alone may not be enough to sustain results, while the club’s financial constraints make it difficult to match the quality and depth of the leading sides. From this perspective, favourable early fixtures do not remove the longer-term risk of being drawn into a competitive lower-half battle.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Women’s Super League 2026-27 preview No 8: Everton”.