Everton had an unsuccessful return to Women’s Super League action as they were beaten 2-0 by table toppers Manchester City.
Goals from Kerolin Nicoli and Vivianne Miedema ensured The Toffees remain in 10th place and just four points above the drop zone.
The hosts stamped their authority on the game early on as Bunny Shaw tested Courtney Brosnan with a fierce volley, but the Irish keeper parried it wide.
City made their early pressure pay on 26 minutes, when some neat footwork from Kerolin allowed her to beat Maz Pacheco, cut inside and find the back of the net via a deflection off the unfortunate Martina Fernandez
Fernandez almost atoned for the error, when she stabbed the ball home from a corner, but the referee pulled play back for a foul on City keeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Blues striker Katja Snoeijs was stretchered off before half time after a lengthy stoppage to compound Everton’s first half woes.
Shaw continued to dominate aerially, but struggled to find the back of the net as Brosnan frustrated the Jamaican, who finished the game with six shots on target.
Everton still couldn’t find a rhythm and City ultimately made them pay, when Shaw clipped a ball into the box and Miedema had time to take it down and smash home past Brosnan.
City couldn’t add anymore gloss to the scoreline, mainly thanks to the heroics of Brosnan to keep the league leaders from running away with it.
Substitute Hannah Blundell had Everton’s best chance of the game, when the ball rolled across the box, but she could only sting the palms of Yamashita.
The away following remained vocal all game despite the score but ultimately had little to cheer as City stay top and Everton remain in a relegation fight.
