This week in the FAWSL, we were treated to a spectacle that saw a near 28’000 fans under the lights at Anfield Stadium, as You’ll Never Walk Alone echoed around the terraces in a sea of red. Though in the end it was the blue side that prevailed as Everton cruised to a 3-0 victory over their local rivals.
Liverpool defied expectations last gameweek, as they overcame reigning champions Chelsea upon the Reds return to the FAWSL. But the home side started slowly with Everton having the best of the chances through Megan Finnigan who took just nine minutes to break the deadlock. Liverpool failed to clear a corner allowing Finnigan to power the ball past keeper Rachael Laws.
Katie Stengel looked to spearhead the response from the Reds and build upon her first week heroics but was unable to find the target at the end of a promising counterattack. A problem her counterpart Jess Park did not have when Nathalie Björn’s incisive through ball found Park, who rounded the keeper and put Everton two up at the interval.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard had talked before the game about the importance of his side hitting the areas needed to win football matches, after the break it was Ceri Holland who came closest to hitting the right area. Finding space in the box, her curled effort just evaded the far corner almost bringing her side back into the game.
At the other end Katja Snoeijs had the chance to add to the scoresheet but she was unable to tap in Isobel Christiansen’s driven cross. Snoejis was later replaced by Giovana Queiroz who expertly dispossessed Megan Campbell allowing Park to drive forward and slide the ball across to Hanna Bennison who slotted the ball past the onrushing Laws to cap off an excellent night for the team in blue who earned their first victory of the season.
Beard conceded that the Toffees were the better side in the match, labelling the defeat as an opportunity to learn. With Liverpool now not playing until after the international break, Beard’s side will have plenty of time to learn and prepare before they travel south to face Tottenham Hotspur. Everton will be hoping to carry forth the momentum from this monumental victory when they host Leicester City later on this week.