Everton extended their impressive WSL form with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Yuka Momiki’s early strike gave the Blues the lead before Signet Gaupset’s 76th-minute equaliser briefly brought Spurs level.
However, Kelly Gago restored Everton’s advantage just minutes later with a close-range finish, sealing a fourth consecutive league win for the visitors.
Everton came out the blocks quickly, with a defence-splitting pass from Aurora Galli picking out Zara Kramzar. The Slovenian international reacted instantly, prodding the ball wide to Toni Payne, who drove down the right flank and into the box, though brave goalkeeping from Lize Kop denied the visitors an early lead.
But it didn’t take long for that confident front-foot play to be rewarded. On her first start for the club, Kramzar made an immediate impact, cutting inside and squaring a precise ball to Momiki on the edge of the box, who drilled a low finish into the far corner to break the deadlock.
Payne’s continued attacking prowess soon caused problems again as she charged down the right channel and delivered a dangerous cross, but Tottenham’s defence just managed to deflect it behind for a corner before it could reach a blue shirt.
The Nigerian international then had two chances towards the end of the half to extend Everton’s advantage, showing her versatility as an attacking force.
Her first came when Ornella Vignola played a long pass into the centre of the box, but the effort narrowly missed the left post. She wasn’t finished, though – her next attempt from the left side of the area forced Kop into a smart save.
The second half took a cagier start, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.
Despite limited presentable chances for the hosts, Gaupset managed to make Tottenham level in the 76th minute with a precise low strike into the far corner.
Noting the growing edge to the game, Scott Phelan turned to his bench in the 65th minute, bringing on Melissa Lawley for Payne, before introducing Gago and Imna Gabarro in the 79th minute in place of Momiki and Kramzar.
This response seemed to work as Gabarro came close to taking back the lead from close range after Lawley squared the ball to her, but she fired slightly over the bar.
However, just a minute later, Everton had their lead back. Gabarro slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Gago in front of goal, and she made no mistake, turning it in from close range to put the visitors back in front.
Fired up, Lawley nearly added a third, but an impressive intervention from Kop saw her parry the effort onto the frame of the goal.
Gago’s decisive contribution ultimately secured their fourth win on the bounce, maintaining a strong run of form they will look to carry into their upcoming clash with Manchester United on Saturday.
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