Everton suffered a disappointing 4-1 defeat to reigning champions Chelsea at Goodison Park in the WSL.
Sam Kerr set the early pace of the contest with a breakthrough goal in the 6th minute, but Chelsea’s advantage was short-lived as Yuka Momiki restored parity with a stunning long-range effort.
The visitors proved too strong for the Blues as Kerr completed her brace just after the interval, before Ellie Carpenter and Erin Cuthbert added the final blows to secure all three points.
Chelsea found the opener just after the five-minute mark when Lauren James surged through the middle and picked out Cuthbert on the edge of the area. The Scott immediately laid the ball into the path of Kerr, who clinically guided her finish beyond Courtney Brosnan.
However, just three minutes later, Everton drew level in spectacular fashion. Momiki punished Hannah Hampton after spotting the goalkeeper off her line, producing an audacious lob that dropped into the back of the net.
The Blues did well to head into the break level, with Courtney Brosnan producing a fine full-stretch strong save to deny Alyssa Thompson at her near post.
Everton nearly turned the game around shortly after the restart when Toni Payne delivered a pinpoint cross towards the far post, but Maz Pacheco could only rattle the crossbar.
Chelsea made the let-off count minutes later as Kerr raced onto another through ball from James and slotted beyond Brosnan to restore the visitors’ lead.
Everton attempted to weather the storm, with Martina Fernandez producing a crucial headed clearance off the line to deny Kerr a hat-trick.
But Chelsea’s pressure eventually told when Carpenter lifted a composed finish over Brosnan to double the advantage in the 53rd minute.
Cuthbert then added a fourth on the 70th minute mark, riffling an effort into the bottom-left corner to put the result beyond doubt.
Despite the defeat, there was a positive moment for Everton as Laila Harbert made her debut after replacing goalscorer Momiki in the closing stages.
The Blues now turn their focus to the Capital, where they face Arsenal on Wednesday, 13th May.
About The Author
Leave a Reply