Everton players celebrate with Honoka Hayashi after she gives the side the lead against West Ham United.Getty Images
At a glance
Honoka Hayashi gives Everton an early lead
A mix-up at the back nearly gifts the Toffees a second
Kinga Szemik denies Inma Gabarro from close range
PLAYER RATER
Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist
An early goal from Honoka Hayashi against her former club proved to be the difference as Everton sealed a third straight win in the Women's Super League for the first time in three years.
The Japan midfielder pounced at the back post inside the opening 10 minutes to tap home a great cross from Hannah Blundell and earn a huge three points for the Toffees.
West Ham started the better but it was the hosts that took the lead when Hayashi bundled home following an excellent breakaway move.
A long ball from Yuka Momiki caused confusion between Tuva Hansen and goalkeeper Kinga Szemik and nearly gifted Everton a second but Szemik recovered well to clear.
And the Poland stopper was soon called into action again, this time getting down brilliantly to deny Inma Gabarro a second goal in as many games.
West Ham upped the ante in the second half but continued to struggle to test the goal of Courtney Brosnan.
It was Everton that should have put the game to bed when Gabarro found herself in acres of space inside the penalty area but her tame effort was denied by the feet of Szemik.
The visitors pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but the hosts defended valiantly to hold on for a third WSL win in as many games.
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1 Give it up
10 Pure perfection
Everton
West Ham United
Starting XI
1C. Brosnan
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13H. Kitagawa
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5Martina Fernández
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30R. Mace
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2H. Blundell
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18Ornella Vignola
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6H. Hayashi
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7C. Wheeler
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29Y. Momiki
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8R. van Gool
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10Inma Gabarro
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22A. Galli
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21Z. Kramžar
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33M. Pacheco
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Starting XI
1K. Szemik
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28E. Cascarino
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5T. Hansen
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2Y. Endo
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29V. Hanshaw
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4O. Siren
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10K. Zelem
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27L. Wandeler
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20V. Asseyi
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9R. Ueki
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19S. Martinez
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Substitutes
7I. Belloumou
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23F. Morgan
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77S. Piubel
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15Y. Tennebø
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After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
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