Everton fell to a harsh defeat against Brighton in the WSL after a last-minute Nikita Parris winner snatched all three points at Walton Hall Park.
Sarah Holmgaard gave the Blues a brilliant opening goal in the 9th minute before Michelle Agyemang drew Brighton level from close range.
Just two minutes later, Katja Snoeijs restored Everton’s lead with a driving shot to the left post, but Brighton responded again with a powerful Fran Kirby strike on the edge of half-time.
However, an unfortunate stoppage-time goal delivered a crushing blow to the Toffees as Parris slotted her strike into the bottom left corner.
From the outset, the afternoon promised intensity, with both sides showing positive momentum and enjoying strong spells of possession.
The visitors produced the first opportunity as Kiko Seike’s shot flashed across goal, before Holmgaard shielded it away for a corner.
But it was Everton who materialised their chances quicker as Holmgaard connected with Snoeijs’ lofted delivery, looping the ball over Melina Loeck and into the net.
Buoyed by the opener, the Toffees continued to press, with Snoeijs coming close after Honoka Hayashi’s surging run down the left flank. The Japanese international pulled the ball back, but Loeck produced a good stop to deny the forward.
Brighton levelled the score in the 21st minute as Agyemang turned in Seike’s cross from close range.
However, the Blues didn’t wait long to re-establish their lead as Toni Payne picked out Snoeijs in the centre of the area, who drove the ball into the bottom left corner
In the following spell, Everton created more chances with Justine Vanhaevermaet forcing another save from Loeck with her header.
Defensively, the Merseyside team stayed alert, with Martina Fernandez and Elise Stenevik both making crucial tackles to deny Brighton opportunities.
Eventually, the visitors’ pressure paid off as Kirby fired beyond Courtney Brosnan just before the break.
Payne had a chance to restore the lead early in the second half but couldn’t connect cleanly with Clare Wheeler’s threaded pass.
After a frantic first half, the tempo settled, with fewer clear chances.
Everton stayed composed, making key defensive interventions, including a brilliant Stenevik block to cut out Seike’s cross.
In the final 20 minutes, the intensity rose again. Holmgaard nearly doubled her tally, with a header landing on top of the net, while Jelena Cankovic fired weakly after losing her balance on the edge of the box.
As the game neared its close, it looked like both sides would share the points, until Parris struck late to leave Everton empty-handed.
The Blues now turn their focus to the Merseyside Derby, aiming to complete the double over Liverpool after a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park in November.
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