Keira Walsh gives update on Mary Earps after error and post-match breakdown

04 December 2023 , 15:52

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Keira Walsh (left) is backing goalkeeper Mary Earps (right) to bounce back from her error against Netherlands (Image: Andy Stenning)

Keira Walsh has backed Mary Earps to bounce back from her goalkeeping error against the Netherlands ahead of England's Nations League showdown with Scotland.

Lionesses No.1 Earps said she "really let the team down" when she let a tame Lineth Beerensteyn shot through her hands for the Dutch's second goal.

England did eventually come back to win 3-2 with second-half goals from Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and an injury-time finish for Ella Toone. But Earps still felt responsible for her error and was in tears at the full-time whistle.

Sarina Wiegman's European Champions would have boasted a superior head-to-head record over the Netherlands had they won by two goals. That, in turn, would have kept their Nations League fate in their own hands.

Instead, they now must beat Scotland on Tuesday in Glasgow and hope the Netherlands also slip up against Belgium or finish with a higher goal difference if both sides win. But ahead of the pivotal derby clash, Walsh revealed Earps has already put her mistake firmly behind her.

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"Mary (Earps) has saved us in so many situations," Walsh told a pre-match press conference. "I mean she even saved me in the World Cup final when I gave away a penalty.

"I think she has always been there in the big moments for us. So she doesn't need to take the mistake on herself. It always has to get past 10 other players before it gets to her and I think there were numerous mistakes leading up to that one (goal)

"But she's in good spirits now. Even at breakfast this morning, she was making jokes about it (the mistake) so I think she's in a good space. She knows what she has to do in the game tomorrow. Mary's delivered before, so she'll definitely deliver again."

Team GB's Olympic hopes rest on England reaching the Nations League tournament final, or finishing third if the host nation of the Games, France, make the final. But to have any chance, England must get past a Scotland team they only narrowly defeated back in September.

"It's almost a derby game isn't it really," added Walsh. "And we're aware of what their attacking threats and what they are going to bring to the game.

"But hopefully it will be an exciting one for the fans and showcase how far the women's game has come in both countries. I'm looking forward to it. We know we have to be on the front foot.

"Just to qualify for the Olympics in general is very difficult. If we do get through the (Nations League) group, there are only two places along with France and we have some top European countries still against us. But you want to be playing in the best competitions against the best teams. This Nations League has been really exciting and hopefully, it gets us to another Olympics, but it is going to be really difficult to do that."

Jack Lacey-Hatton