Megan Finningan’s header was the only goal as Everton beat Liverpool at Anfield in the Women’s Super League to register their first points of the season, writes Darren Timson at Anfield.

Both teams came into the game in contrasting form. The home side were looking to build on two wins out of two and a best ever start to a WSL season, whilst Everton were hoping to get their first points on the board.

It was the hosts who started brilliantly, creating two chances within the first six minutes as they made the Blues defence struggle initially.

Liverpool-born Missy Bo Kearns thought she scored the opener in the fourth minute after running into the box to latch on to Taylor Hinds’ cross, however, unfortunately for the forward, the referee’s assistant raised her flag for offside.

Two minutes later, the Reds were in again. This time it was midfielder Ceri Holland to try her luck on goal. The Welsh international picked up the ball on the left of the box and cut back inside before letting fly a rocket. Holland’s effort struck the bar and bounced agonisingly close to crossing the line and was eventually cleared.

Liverpool began to rue their missed chances after being so dominant early on in the game, as their Merseyside rivals started to look dangerous. Winger Nicoline Sorensen had become the focal point for the Toffees’ attack and it was her blocked shot that went out for the corner which resulted in the Dane’s side drawing first blood.

Kathrine Veje’s cross found Finnigan alone at the back post and the captain was able to leap onto the inswinging ball as she headed home the opener in the 30th minute.

Both teams came out after the break to get that all-important next goal but they could only muster half-chances between them.

For most of the following 45 minutes, the match was fairly even with limited chances as neither side committed too many players forward, preferring not to leave themselves vulnerable.

In the 82nd minute, substitute Katja Snoeijs found herself in the box with the ball at her feet and attempted to double the Blues’ lead, but the Dutch international’s effort agonisingly rattled the crossbar.

The home side came alive in the dying moments but it was too little too late as the Reds could not find a clear goalscoring opportunity against Everton’s solid defence.

Sorensen’s side will be delighted to register their first points of the season, made the merrier coming at Anfield where Liverpool are yet to score against the Blues in a run that now stretches to four defeats here.

 

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