WSL: Everton record final Goodison Park derby win after controversial penalty | OneFootball

Everton recorded a massive win in their last Women’s Super League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park. A controversial penalty proved decisive but Courtney Brosnan was inspired to help preserve the win over Liverpool.

The Toffees found themselves at the bottom of the WSL table before their latest fixture.  Matt Beard’s side, meanwhile, have found consistency hard to come by.

Starting XIs

Everton

Brosnan; Payne, Finnigan, Vanhaevermaet, Holmgaard, Hope, Snoeijs, Hayashi, Wheeler, Lawley, Payne

Liverpool

Micah; Clark, Bonner, Silcock, Nagano, Fisk, Hinds, Höbinger, Holland, Smith, Kiernan

Everton penalty decides the match

The opening 20 minutes passed by without much fanfare. Neither side kept possession particularly well in a scrappy opening. A Leanne Kiernan shot that grazed the top of the crossbar in the opening minutes was all either side had to show for their efforts.

The game spluttered into life just before the half-hour mark. Taylor Hinds flashed a shot just wide of the far post for Liverpool and Toni Payne curled just over for the hosts. Everton finished the half stronger. Mel Lawley forced Tegan Micah into a start save to keep the scores level.

Just before the break came the decision that changed the game. Fuka Nagano was adjudged to have fouled compatriot Honoka Hayashi in the box. However, on second viewing, the foul looked to have happened just outside. Nonetheless, Katja Snoeijs stepped up and slotted home, sending Micah the wrong way.

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A final derby win at Goodison

Following the start of the second half, Liverpool were only denied an equaliser by the brilliant Brosnan. Olivia Smith’s cross was turned away by Justine Vanhaevermaet but only as far as Nagano. Her initial shot was beat away by the Everton keeper and she was up to turn Nagano’s rebound away for a corner.

Liverpool had begun to overwhelm their rivals as Everton dropped deeper as time went on. Kiernan and Smith both had chances that were comfortable for Brosnan. Ceri Holland had appeals for a penalty waved away with just under 15 minutes to play. To their credit, Everton dug in. Repelling wave after wave of Liverpool raids into their box.

Into the fifth of eight minutes of added time and Brosnan came up big again. Mia Enderby fed a lovely ball through for Gemma Bonner. However, Brosnan stood her ground superbly and parried the first-time shot away.

A late Liverpool corner came to nothing as Everton held on to the delight of the Goodison Park crowd. As a result of a harsh penalty call and an inspired performance from Brosnan, Beard and his side were left to rue their latest Merseyside Derby.

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