Brian Sorensen felt ‘gutted’ for his Everton Women side after a battling performance at Goodison Park against the now league-leaders Manchester City ultimately counted for nothing.
Kelly Gago made it four
goals in her last three games with a clever finish that brought the Toffees level after Vivianne Miedema had given the visitors the lead in a first half which saw an evenly matched game between the two sides.
Khadija Shaw headed home nine minutes after the interval in what turned out to be the winner, but it must be said that Everton’s last two performances have deserved far more than just a solitary point.
And Sorensen is convinced his team are on the right path, pointing out his team’s effort while also praising the performance of the Citizens’ goalkeeper, Ayaka Yamashita.
“I think on behalf of the girls I’m very gutted for them because they deserved more,” he said.
“I think we put everything into the game. I don’t see teams very often go through City like we did today. It’s just that sharpness, finishing our chances.
“Yamashita also had a good day. We just need to keep going and doing what we’re doing because we are on the right path.”
With Rion Ishikawa replacing the injured Elise Stenevik at the back as the only change to the side that started last week’s draw against Aston Villa, Everton looked to try and match their high-flying guests, in what was an even opening 20.
Both sides had sightings of goal; the dangerous Shaw saw her effort inside the box blocked, while Ornella Vignola warmed Yamashita’s palms after good work from Clare Wheeler.
But it was City who broke the deadlock on 21 minutes through Miedema. Found by Iman Beney, the 29-year-old kept her composure to confidently slot home.
Everton responded and Yamashita had to be at her best to thwart Gago’s looping header from Maz Pacheco’s cross. The French striker’s header seemed destined for the net only for the Japan stopper to make a brilliant save and keep her side in front.
Keeper and striker would do battle again on 40 minutes only this time it would be the latter who would come out on top.
Toni Payne latched on to a inch-perfect through ball from Ruby Mace before finding the by-line and delivering a low cross. And the skilful, deft touch from the pivoting Gago diverted the ball in to the back of the net, much to the delight and appreciation of the home support.
A tight opening ten minutes of the second half was blown apart by Shaw, who restored the visitors’ lead in the 54th minute, heading past Emily Ramsey after meeting Leila Ouahabi’s lofted cross from the left.
Sorensen rang the changes as his side looked to for an equaliser, something that the crowd thought they had as Ornella Vignola’s rifled effort off cannoned the post on 61 minutes. The Spanish star danced away from her marker before arrowing her strike off the inside of the upright.
An already yellow-carded Pacheco made way for Hikaru Kitagawa 11 minutes later, and the Japan international very nearly found the net against the Manchester outfit as she had done earlier in the season.
Fellow sub Katie Robinson evaded both Lauren Hemp and Ouahabi before sending a ball to the back-post, where the full-back poked the ball goalward only to be thwarted by her compatriot, who made a superb stop to deny an equaliser.
Yet another defeat for Everton at home, but there is a different feel to this side now, thanks in no small part to the front three of Payne, Gago and Vignola, who have shown that they can cause problems for the very best teams in the WSL.
But it is points the Blues need and with both Arsenal and Chelsea both on the horizon in December, next week’s trip to bottom of the league West Ham United is must win for the Toffees.
The crunch clash in the capital takes place on Sunday, 16 November, at 12pm GMT (7am ET, 4am PT).
