Second-half goals from Natasha Harding and Niamh Charles earned Liverpool victory over Everton in the opening game of the 2017-18 Women’s Super League.
Liverpool created the better chances throughout the game but were frustrated by their local rivals until Harding turned the ball in after Alex Greenwood’s free-kick created havoc in the Everton area. Liverpool made sure of victory in injury time when 18-year-old substitute Charles reacted quickest after Everton goalkeeper Lizzie Durack had parried Ashley Hodson’s shot.
After Scotland international Caroline Weir tested Durack with a fierce shot, Everton almost opened the scoring against the run of play after 16 minutes. Gemma Bonner’s header to Siobhan Chamberlain was too short, and Casey Stoney was forced to clear Claudia Walker’s lob off the line. Harvard graduate Durack again denied Liverpool after 37 minutes, turning Beth England’s shot behind from point-blank range after Jess Clarke had hit the bar.
Liverpool began the second half strongly, with Weir’s creativity and left-back Greenwood’s deliveries from deep causing problems, and England heading wide five minutes after the restart, and steering a half-volley just over the bar 10 minutes later. Everton were aggrieved by an errant offside flag as new signing Courtney Sweetman-Kirk raced through on goal, and moments later fell behind. The pressure finally told in the 70th minute as Welsh international Harding struck. Everton were unable to muster a fightback, Dutch defender Siri Worm sending a free kick wide before Charles’ late strike.
Here’s Liverpool captain Gemma Bonner: “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we stuck to the gameplan, got the two goals and thoroughly deserved the win.”
And opening scorer Natasha Harding: “We haven’t had the best of pre-seasons, but today was a clean slate. It’s a derby, we knew Everton would be tough but we got the three points.”
Teenager Niamh Charles settles this one, teeing up Hodson down the right and reacting quickest after Durack parried her team-mate’s angled shot! That’s her first WSL goal.
83 mins: Everton are struggling to make any headway, and Liverpool look comfortable with just over five minutes to go. Ashley Hodson comes on for Liverpool, replacing Beth England.
“Thanks for this MBM,” says Sarah Rothwell. “I’d like come up with some funny banter to entertain you, but for now I’m just grateful that I can follow this match so that’ll have to do.”
Glad to be of service, and funny banter is by no means a pre-requisite. If we don’t do it, why should you, etc and so on.
75 mins: Liverpool sitting back momentarily, but Everton are unable to take the game to them. Perhaps fitness is becoming an issue in Everton’s first season as a full-time side...
72 mins: Liverpool getting more time and space in the final third now, and Coombs picks out Weir with a well weighted cross. Weir can’t get a clean shot away under pressure, and Durack saves low to her left.
71 mins: Andy Spence may feel aggrieved at that offside call a moment before, but he’ll need to change Everton’s counter-attacking gameplan to rescue a point now.
Liverpool win a free kick on the left, near the corner flag. Greenwood serves up another tricky delivery and after a goalmouth melee, Natasha Harding stabs the ball home!
Liverpool’s Natasha Harding stabs the ball home. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images
68 mins: Harding’s effort from distance is gathered by Durack, who launches a counter-attack. Sweetman-Kirk latches on to a diagonal ball and is through on goal – but the flag is up! Wrongly, as replays show.
66 mins: Jodie Brett has options either side of her in midfield, but opts for a long-range effort that’s on target, but easy for Chamberlain to gather.
64 mins: Liverpool looking the more likely once again, and another belting Greenwood cross causes panic in the Everton defence. The visitors just need to get that final touch...
“The Everton goalie studied biology at Harvard?” says Peter Oh. “Johan Cruyff said that football is a game you play with your brain, so she’s got a bright future...” Indeed. I can’t think of many other footballers with Ivy League degrees, but happy to be corrected.
61 mins: Almost a terrific finish from England, stretching to meet a low cross from the left and sending her shot inches over the top corner. Durack wasn’t stopping that one...
60 mins: Another opportunity on the break for Everton, with Sweetman-Kirk stroking the ball into Walker’s path. A neat stepover puts her into a foot race with Bonner, who does well to clear the ball under pressure.
57 mins: Durack stays on her line and Stoney is almost there to meet the corner – but Walker does just enough to put her off, and Everton scramble the loose ball away!
55 mins: Everton break again and Brett’s diagonal pass finds Walker, who barrels at the Liverpool defence this time. Her shot is well struck, but easy enough for Siobhan Chamberlain.
Everton’s Claudia Walker shoots at the Liverpool goal. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA
53 mins: Munsterman wins possession with a thumping challenge on Murray, and Everton can break forward – but Walker passes sideways and the chance is gone.
51 mins: Everton captain Danielle Turner does well to stop Harding from jinking past her on the byline. Liverpool keep the ball, but England’s shot on the turn is blocked.
49 mins: Another chance goes begging for Liverpool! Greenwood’s cross from the left is perfect for England – but the striker can’t get her header on target.
Lizzie Durack impressed in the first half, making saves from Weir and England to keep Everton level. She’s had quite the journey – born in Sydney, she played in the W-League before moving to Harvard to study biology. An e-mail inquiry from the FA led Durack, whose mum was born in Doncaster, to England under-19 trials. Now at Everton full-time, she’s also played six minutes as a full England international.
Lizzie Durack saves from Beth England in the first half. Photograph: Paul Currie/FA/Rex/Shutterstock
Plenty of effort and intensity, not much in the way of clear-cut chances as the first half ends goalless. Jess Clarke hit the bar for Liverpool, with Casey Stoney clearing off the line at the other end. Back soon.
44 mins: Everton enjoy a spell of possession but can’t bring Walker or Sweetman-Kirk into the game – something they’ve struggled with in the first half.
42 mins: It’s all gone a little quiet again, as Sweetman-Kirk is flagged offside. Everton’s nickname, by the way, is the Blue Girls. Not the best, is it?
40 mins: Play restarts with a drop-ball, which I’m happy to report was actually contested. Liverpool win it, but Everton’s pressing forces them back into their own half.
