Willie Kirk says Everton must convert their dominance of possession into a greater number of chances and goals as the Blues target a vital victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (2pm GMT).

Everton go into the game fifth in the Women’s Super League, three places and seven points ahead of Spurs.

The Blues have enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in each of their past four WSL matches. Those games have yielded only five points for the Toffees, however - one win, two draws and one defeat.

Kirk explained how Everton have placed a focus on their attacking patterns of play in training at USM Finch Farm over the international break, as they seek to return to the free-scoring performances they produced earlier in the campaign.

“We’ve had some really good time together as a slightly smaller group,” said Kirk, who was speaking at his pre-match press conference.

“The group was still large enough that we could focus on tactical aspects.

“In the last few games, we’ve dominated the ball. But our final third play has got to be better. We want to create more chances. 

“We have certainly had enough final third entries over the past few games to score more goals. We have had a big focus on that.

“We are fully determined to make up for some of those lost points we’ve had recently in the upcoming games.”

Everton beat Tottenham 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Walton Hall Park in September. Spurs have since appointed a new manager in Rehanne Skinner – and Kirk says Everton will face an entirely different proposition when the teams meet at Barnet FC’s Hive Stadium on Sunday.

“They have picked up a lot since we last played them,” he said.

“They play slightly differently now. They certainly look fitter and they’ve got a little bit more structure to the shape of their team. They are well organised and have a lot of players who can cause you problems going forward.

“We are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll go there on Sunday and hope to take three points by playing to our strengths and exploiting some of their weaknesses.”

Everton duo Sandy MacIver and Jill Scott each achieved significant career milestones in England’s 6-0 victory over Northern Ireland on Tuesday.

The match represented midfielder Scott’s 150th international cap, while goalkeeper MacIver made her senior Lionesses debut.

“It’s been a great week for both of them,” explained Kirk. 

“For Jill, to win 150 caps is just incredible. And I’m sure there will be a lot more to come. 

“The attention Jill’s achievement has got has taken her aback. That’s great, because it shows her humility. And she still has more she wants to do. 

“Sandy is just starting her journey – she only has 149 to go to catch up!

"It’s great for her, she deserves it. It was a big moment for her and hopefully that’s the start of a long England career.

“I sing her praises a lot. I feel she can be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”

Kirk added defender Gabby George is “in contention for a starting place” at Tottenham as she nears peak fitness after more than a year out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The defender has been an unused substitute in the Blues’ past two WSL matches.

“Gabby has done fantastically well [in her recovery] and she is so eager to get on that pitch,” Kirk said.

“And I’m sure it won’t be too long before we see her there. 

“She’s been available for the past few games. 

“But it’s a lot easier [to ease players in] if they are forwards – you can throw them on for five or 10 minutes and it’s not going to hugely affect the flow of the game. When it’s a centre-back, it’s a little bit more difficult. 

“She played 45 minutes for the Under-21s last week – and she is in a place now where we think she can follow that up with 45 minutes for the First Team. 

“And when you get to that level, you’re competing for a place in the starting XI.”