A 93rd minute goal by Nikita Parris saw the Everton women’s team lose 3-2 against Brighton in the Women’s Super League.
Everton came into the game strong after tying Manchester City the weekend before and were looking to offset the 4-0 loss they were dealt by Brighton last time the sides met.
The action-packed first half saw both teams relatively equally matched and Sara Holmgaard got the Toffees the opening goal in the ninth minute, volleying the ball into the goal off a cross by Katja Snoeijs.
Michelle Agyemang got Brighton the equalizer in the 21st minute, making it 1-1.
However the score did not stay tied for long, with Snoeijs putting the Blues back in the lead less than two minutes later, scoring from a pass from Toni Payne.
With less than a minute left in regular time in the first half, Fran Kirby scored the Seagulls their second goal, evening the score to 2-2.
The second half saw a difference in pace.
Payne had a big chance to put Everton back ahead in the 51st minute, but slipped just as she was about to shoot at the goal.
Despite some chances, both teams struggled to build up their attack and get past the other side’s defence for most of the rest of the second half.
Three minutes into the four minutes of added time Parris scored a close goal for Brighton, giving the away side their 3-2 win.
Word’s from the manager
Everton manager Brian Sorensen said: “We started really well and probably should have taken a bit more advantage of that first half so we could have led going into the break, of course it’s a big goal to concede in the end, but it wasn’t to be today.
“At the end of the day we are still missing some of our key players that would have made a difference today.
“I think the girls who played did it excellently and did everything they could.”
Reflecting on the last time they played Brighton he said: “It was a tough game but I think we’ve grown a lot since and we made it a very competitive game today.
“It’s a tough one of course, but we’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
Everton’s next game will be against Liverpool on Sunday at noon.
(Featured image by Kea Gerike)
