Andy Spence was pleased to see the depth in his Everton Ladies squad pass its toughest test after three big games in eight days brought four points.

The Blue Girls opened last week with an impressive 3-2 win over a strong Reading side in the Continental Cup at Southport but fell to defeat to Manchester City in the League on the Thursday.

Three days later, they faced reigning WSL champions Chelsea and came within a whisker of taking all three points against the Londoners.

Head Coach Spence made four changes to his side for the visit of Chelsea, handing first starts of the season to Hannah Cain, Taylor Hinds and Simone Magill, as well as recalling midfielder Abbey Stringer.

The quartet caught the eye, with Magill in particular only denied a stunning winner by the outstretched palm of Chelsea keeper Carly Telford.

But while he was impressed with those who came into the team on Sunday, Spence has warned his squad that they all must be ready to step up when called upon.

“The message has been clear to all the players – we need all 18 players currently in the squad,” he said. “That will be 19 once Olivia Chance is back from injury. It is so important in these three-game weeks when you look at the efforts the girls put in.

“We played Reading, Manchester City and Chelsea in a week we have needed to use the squad and people have to be accepting of that.

“We made changes for the Chelsea game and the girls who came in were brilliant. That is credit to them for being in a good place despite not being in the team.

“Abbey, Hannah, Taylor and Simone have all come in and it was great to see them have an impact on the team. They deserve a lot of credit for the way they have worked even when not in the starting line-up.

“They have put in a lot of effort on the training ground in order to be ready for their opportunity. I was really pleased with the four girls who came in.”