Brian Sorensen: Everton FC coach heaps praise on Toni Payne

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The head coach of Everton FC women, Brian Sorensen, has praised Nigeria star Toni Payne after a 4-1 win over Leicester City in the English Women’s Super League (WSL).

After 12 games without any goal-scoring impacts, the former Sevilla player provided two assists for the Toffees.

The double assists attracted the praise of her team coach.

“She [Payne] is playing to her strength. She’s getting into those channels, driving into the box,” Sorensen told Everton TV after the weekend’s game.

“It’s hard to be a defender when she’s there and facing you. It’s really good that she is clicking. Now she understands her role.”

It took Payne 13 games to provide two assists for Everton FC.

Everton FC women occupy the eighth position on the 12-team WSL log with 13 points from 13 games, two points behind their Merseyside neighbors, Liverpool.

Payne joined Everton from the Spanish side Everton FC ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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