Scott Phelhan began life as Everton Women interim head coach with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over London City Lionesses in the WSL at the Copperjax Stadium.
Inma Gabarros decisive second half strike proved the difference in a fiercely competitive encounter – her first goal since retuning at a loan spell at Sevilla.
The afternoon burst into life early on as Courtney Brosnan was called into action, parrying away a dangerous cross from Poppy Patterson, before Everton responded at the other end. Ornella Vignola teed up Gabbaro, whose rising effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
Brosnan delivered a commanding player-of-the-match performance, remaining central to the action throughout the first half. The Irish international expertly marshalled her area, punching clear Alanna Kennedy’s header following a swinging Kosovare Asllani delivery at the back post, before reacting sharply to get down low and deny Jana Fernández at the bottom right-hand corner.
Ruby Mace also contributed immensely to the defensive efforts, producing a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Kennedy once again as Everton absorbed sustained pressure from the hosts.
Continuing the first-half pattern, Brosnan produced another outstanding fingertip save, clawing away Isobel Goodwin’s header that looked destined to break the deadlock and sending the sides into half-time level.
Everton reasserted their attacking threat early in the second half as Vignola dragged an effort narrowly wide, before Gabarro forced Elene Lete into a smart save with a venomous strike heading towards goal.
At the other end, Brosnan underlined her importance with arguably the save of the match, acrobatically tipping away Godfrey’s curling effort that was arrowing towards the top corner.
Just four minutes later, the breakthrough arrived. In the 62nd minute, Gabarro fired clinically into the roof of the net, capitalising on relentless pressing from Yuka Momiki, who dispossessed the hosts high up the pitch to create the opportunity.
The goal sealed back-to-back wins for the Toffees and a positive start to Phelan’s tenure.
Everton now return to Goodison Park on Sunday to face West Ham in a crucial test at the foot of the table.
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