Everton’s long-standing unbeaten WSL record against their Merseyside rivals came to an end with a narrow 3–2 defeat to Liverpool at Goodison Park.
Three first-half goals from the visitors left the Blues with a mountain to climb, but Aurora Galli’s deflected free-kick sparked hope after the break. Zara Kramzar then made the improbable feel possible with an emphatic 90th-minute strike following a wave of late pressure, though Everton were ultimately left to rue their slow start.
Liverpool settled quickest, with Sophie Roman Haug forcing Courtney Brosnan into an early save from close range, before Jenna Clark rattled the crossbar with a header.
However, Brosnan was beaten in the 11th minute, diving the wrong way as Ceri Holland converted from the penalty spot after Imna Gabarro was adjudged to have handled in the box.
Just nine minutes later, Liverpool doubled their lead as Alejandra Bernabé’s cross took a cruel deflection off Martina Fernández and looped into her own net.
That setback sparked a response from Everton. Kramzar headed narrowly wide, while Gabarro came close from a tight angle, her effort just clearing the bar.
But Liverpool struck again before the break, with Holland producing a moment of brilliance, driving forward before rifling the ball into the top corner to make it 3–0.
Everton’s frustrations continued early in the second half when Gabarro was forced off with an injury, though her replacement, Ornella Vignola, soon tested Liverpool with a long-range effort that drifted just wide.
On 64 minutes, Galli finally gave Goodison something to cheer, her free-kick taking a deflection off the wall and wrong-footing Jennifer Falk.
The momentum shifted further in Everton’s favour when Grace Fisk was shown a second yellow card, reducing Liverpool to ten players.
With five minutes remaining, the Blues turned up the pressure. Maz Pacheco went close with an audacious volley, before Kramzar struck the bar from inside the area.
The Slovenian forward would not be denied moments later, bringing down Galli’s lofted pass before powering home her first Everton goal to set up a tense finale.
Despite a relentless late onslaught, Liverpool held firm to claim all three points in a game that proved a tale of two halves.
About The Author
Leave a Reply