It took almost 62 minutes before we saw the first goal of the match today, and against the run of play, it was Everton who saw it fly into the net. After a neat bit of play and a strong strike from new signing Inma Gabarro, the ball flew into the roof of the net making the game 1-0 to the Toffees.
Up until this point, it was all London City. Everton were against the wall and struggled to take control, but a perfect counterattack meant they found themselves in front.
Turning to the rest of the match, it started in a very slow fashion, with both teams happy to contain the ball in their defensive halves as much as they could. No mouth action, but a clear plan from Everton to try and fizzle out the confident Lionesses for the first 10 minutes, through their high pressure and slow progression when on the ball.
However, London City Lionesses held their first major chance in the eighth minute, when the returning Alanna Kennedy saw her header cleared off the line from a corner, by Hikaru Kitagawa. The chance then set the tone for the half.
Everton struggled to gain any possession and any rhythm. Chance after chance, corner after corner for the Lionesses. Kennedy, the unlikely goal-threat, had numerous opportunities to make the game 1-0. The defender saw one more header cleared off of the line and another fall just wide.
Pressure mounted, and corners increased. Kosovare Asllani struck the post in the 23rd minute, after a quick short corner allowed the Swede to whip in a flat cross, skimming three heads and smashing the post.
The half was the Lionesses, they just needed that elusive goal.
The second half fell the same, but it was Everton who ultimately took the opportunity when they needed it. The Lionesses struggled with their efficiency and in the second-half struggled to create any real clear chance apart from a moment of brilliance from Freya Godfrey.
The Everton keeper played an amazing game today, showing why she is the captain. Godfrey’s amazing, curling effort looked destined to be in in the 58th minute, but somehow an orange shirt flew to the rescue.
London City Lionesses stay to 6th after Brighton dropped points to West Ham today, whilst Everton stay 9th, now five points away from the relegation zone.