Everton preserved their perfect record in their Subways Players Cup Campaign, overcoming Sheffield United with a convincing 2-1 victory at the Attis Arena.
The Blues made an excellent start to proceedings, with Rosa van Gool and Noemie Mouchon both finding the net inside the opening 14 minutes to give Scott Phelan’s side an early advantage.
Lucy Willis reduced the deficit for the hosts in stoppage time, though the strike proved little more than a consolation as Everton remained comfortable winners.
Everton wasted little time in taking control of the contest, with van Gool opening the scoring after eight minutes. The midfielder won possession in the Sheffield United half before calmly guiding her effort beyond Sophie Hillyerd and into the bottom corner.
The visitors doubled their advantage just six minutes later. Van Gool was involved once again, delivering a dangerous ball into the penalty area which Hillyerd could only parry into the path of Mouchon, who made no mistake from close range.
With Everton firmly on top, Mouchon came particularly close to extending the lead in the closing stages of the first half, connecting with another van Gool delivery before seeing her effort crash against the post.
Sheffield United looked more assured defensively after the interval, making it increasingly difficult for Everton to find the same attacking opportunities they had enjoyed in the opening half.
Scott Phelan turned to his bench as the second half progressed, with substitute Hannah Cain coming close to making an immediate impact after firing narrowly wide from Aurora Galli’s pass.
At the other end, Foster-Inman was called into action in the closing stages, producing an excellent stop to keep out Abbie Jones after the Sheffield United forward had found space inside the penalty area.
The hosts did manage to find a breakthrough in the 91st minute when Lucy Willis converted from close range following Jones’ assist, but the late goal proved insufficient to change the outcome as Everton saw out the remaining minutes.
The result extends Everton’s winning start to the Subway Players Cup campaign, with attention now turning to Saturday’s WSL meeting with Manchester United at Goodison Park.
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