Everton’s remarkable Women’s Super League record at Anfield came to an end on Sunday as Liverpool claimed a deserved 2-0 victory in the Merseyside derby.
Scott Phelan’s side had made a habit of winning at the home of their neighbours, including a memorable 4-1 victory there last season, but goals at either end of the game from Beata Olsson and Cornelia Kapocs finally ended Liverpool’s wait for a WSL derby victory at Anfield.
The Everton Women arrived with three wins from their opening three league matches, but they were behind after only four minutes and never quite recovered.
Liverpool were the stronger side for much of the afternoon and the underlying numbers reflected that. The hosts finished with 17 attempts to Everton’s eight, and an expected-goals figure of 2.21 compared with 0.75 for the Blues.
Early Olsson goal leaves Everton chasing derby
Everton knew from the build-up to the Merseyside derby that Liverpool were unlikely to be short of motivation given their previous Anfield record in this fixture.
They were given the perfect start when Vivien Endemann’s early run and cross required Naomi Layzell to intervene, with Liverpool scoring from the resulting corner.
Natalia Ramos delivered towards the near post and Olsson directed her header across Courtney Brosnan and into the far corner after four minutes.
Everton did threaten a response. Ornella Vignola headed over after Liverpool goalkeeper Khiara Keating failed to deal cleanly with a cross, while the Blues also had an effort ruled out during the opening half.
Phelan made changes after the break as Everton attempted to work their way back into the contest, with Mayumi Pacheco, Yuka Momiki and Holly McNamara among those introduced.
Liverpool continued to look the more likely side to score. Endemann struck the crossbar and Kapocs had an effort cleared from the line as the hosts pushed for a second.
First defeat after three wins…
It eventually arrived four minutes from time. Kapocs finished in front of the Kop to make it 2-0 and finally bring Everton’s extraordinary sequence of WSL victories at Anfield to an end.
The defeat is Everton’s first in the league this season after three successive victories, but Phelan’s side remain ahead of Liverpool in the early WSL standings.
More disappointing was the performance itself. Everton had enjoyed this fixture enormously in recent seasons, but this time Liverpool were worthy winners.
Everton: Brosnan; Blundell, Layzell, Silcock (Finnigan 78), Kitagawa (Mouchon 79); Mace, Wheeler; Cain (Pacheco 59), Van Gool (Momiki 70), Vignola; Kramzar (McNamara 70).
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