Everton lost their opening Women’s Super League (WSL) match of the year 2-1 at Walton Hall Park to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Elisabeth Terland was there to score the rebound after Katie Robinson’s shot hit the crossbar in the fourth minute, giving the hosts a terrible start. Ten minutes later, Terland doubled Brighton’s lead by calmly tapping past Emily Ramsey following an inch-perfect through pass from Robinson.
In the minutes that followed, a superb ball into the box from Nathalie Bjorn was headed wide by Nicoline Sorensen for Everton, but she came close to restoring parity. After the break, the Blues significantly improved, as summer acquisition Martina Piemonte forced a deft stop from Sophie Baggaley after rising to meet a corner kick from Hannah Bennison.
Megan Finnigan, the new club captain, cut the lead in half with a cool finish on the 65-minute mark, but the Blues were unable to find a late equalizer and now find themselves at the bottom of the standings ahead of their trip to Leicester City the following weekend.
Everton’s finest defender in the first half, Lee Geum-Min made some crucial early interceptions and provided lots of energy down the left wing. Subbed.
Despite turning too readily for Brighton’s second goal, he was essential in propelling Everton forward. with a lovely pass into the area in the first half, almost set Sorensen up.
Bullied off the ball a little bit too readily in the first half, but like many of her colleagues, she got better after the intermission. Finnigan’s goal was the result of an excellent corner delivery.
She wasn’t able to do much to affect Brighton’s opening. hastily left her position in an effort to save the second. After the break, there wasn’t much to do, but with five minutes left, Everton was still in it thanks to a brilliant save.
did well to hold the ball up a few times early on to help ease some pressure from Brighton. Hit the bar with a well-placed effort, but perhaps a header in the early half would have been preferable. After the break, Piemonte nearly became the provider. Subbed.
Together, they worked effectively down the right side to create a couple nice chances for Everton in the opening period. The key to Everton’s comeback in the second half was relentless running.
Cut a lonely figure in the front and had hardly any contact in the first 30 minutes. did well to secure a free kick for Everton in a risky spot before halftime. After the interval, they became really dangerous and forced a few good saves from Sophie Baggaley.
In the lead-up to Brighton’s second goal, she let Katie Robinson pass past her legs but recovered well. Everton got back into it after the break with a very calm finish.
Dispossessed a couple of times far too easy. in the lead-up to Brighton’s second, failed to contain Robinson. in the second half, improved.
Early on, she occasionally seemed a little out of her element, but she improved and produced some crucial interceptions in the second half.
Despite her boss calling her “one of the best Scandinavian players I’ve seen in the last 10 years” prior to the match on Sunday, she was unable to make an impact against a strong Brighton midfield. Before being replaced, he was more active in the second half.
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