A second-half hattrick from Yuka Momiki helped Everton Women to their biggest win at Goodison Park to date as Scott Phelan’s team made it four straight wins in this season’s Subway Players Cup at the expense of Durham.
Jutta Rantala was on the scoresheet for the first time as a Toffee, giving the Blues the lead at half time as the WSL 2 side, who will have been more than happy to go in just the one behind at the break.
But Willie Kirk’s side were in for an onslaught after the restart as a trio of substitutes
that included Momiki were part of a second half that plundered five more goals, with the tireless Noemie Mouchon netting a brace to take her tally to four for the season.
The victory puts Everton second in this season’s Subway Players Cup table behind Manchester United on goal difference and in a strong position for qualification to the knockout stages.
After Saturday’s war of attrition away at Chelsea which saw the Blues defence endure a lot of pressure from Sonia Bompastor’s team, the Toffees made sure it was they who set the tone for the evening, with Mouchon rifling an effort in to the palms of Cat Sheppard within the opening minute.
Rantala then tested the Durham keeper with an effort of her moments later before going even closer on nine minutes as her rising shot rattled the crossbar.
The much changed XI from Saturday were duly rewarded on 20 minutes went the Finland international opened both the scoring and her account for the Blues with a fine finish after collecting Hannah Cain’s inviting cross.
Rylee Foster-Inman and Megan Finnigan – each of whom making their fourth starts in the competition – were largely spectators at the back as the home side continued to torment Kirk’s team, who were more than glad to hear the whistle for the break.
It may have been a combination of knowing how precarious a 1-0 lead can be and the fact that his team have a tough fixture away at Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday that saw Scott Phelan elect to make a trio of changes during the interval, as Rosa van Gool, Maz Pacheco and Momiki replaced Clare Wheeler, Hikaru Kitagawa and Ornella Vignola, but the choice was an inspired one as Momiki’s impact was almost immediate.
Found by the clever Aurora Galli, Everton’s number 29 elegantly placed the ball in to the bottom right corner as the Goodison crowd saluted the lady who is fast becoming a talismanic figure for the Toffees.
Mouchon was next to find the net and did so on 64 minutes. The French star brought the ball down brilliantly and pulled the trigger early for her first of the evening.
Academy graduate Zara Plano, who had missed out on making her debut against Sheffield United, then made history when she entered the field of play a minute later, just in time to witness Momiki’s best strike of her three.
The Japan international took aim from the edge of the box and curled a sublime effort in to the far corner as the Goodison faithful erupted in appreciation.
Mouchon was also in the mood to grab the headlines and secured a brace of her own with five minutes of the game remaining.
The former Leicester City star saw an initial strike saved, but prodded home the rebound with a poacher’s instinct that will give Phelan food for thought as to who will lead the line against Spurs.
But the evening belonged Momiki who secured the match ball on 88 minutes thanks to another Cain assist to conclude a brilliant evening for an Everton Women side that looks confident, organised and ready for any challenge that is put in front of them.
And that next challenge will come in the form of Martin Ho’s side, who will welcome the Blues on Saturday, 14 November, with kick-off for the fixture at 3pm GMT (10am ET, 7am PT).
