A late goal from Aggie Beever-Jones helped Everton triumph over Tottenham in the Women's Super League.
The Blues went into Sunday's clash looking to complete a league double over Spurs for just the second time in the club's history, having romped to a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture at Brisbane Road back in December. Everton's pulsating 1-1 draw with Liverpool last time out marked their fourth straight game without a win, although their visitors had travelled to Merseyside off the back of a thumping 5-1 defeat in the North London derby, with just one win in their last 11 games.
Brian Sorensen made two changes from the side that started at Goodison Park, with Aurora Galli and captain Izzy Christiansen replacing Megan Finnigan and Aggie Beever-Jones. Meanwhile, former Liverpool boss Vicky Jepson - who took interim charge of Spurs following the dismissal of Rehanne Skinner last month - made two changes from last week's derby defeat, with Mana Iwabuchi and Becky Spencer restored to the starting XI.
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It was the hosts who made the brighter start to the contest; Nicoline Sorensen firing Everton into an early lead after some slick build up play down the right flank. The goal was Sorensen's first in more than two years; the winger having been sidelined for over 14 months after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in September 2021.
Everton continued to apply the pressure and nearly doubled their advantage when Gabby George's effort curled inches wide of the post following a well-worked corner routine. However, Spurs soon restored parity through Eveliina Summamen's stunning left-footed effort; the Finn racing onto Bethany England's cut-back and rifling the ball into the bottom corner.
Everton almost came up with an immediate response - Jess Park feeding the ball into Christiansen whose goal-bound effort was deflected to safety. It was Spurs, though who finished the half stronger, with George making an outstanding block to deny Mana Iwabuchi before Courtney Brosnan nearly spilled the ball into her own net after a tame strike from Celin Bizet.
Katrine Veje almost restored Everton's advantage with a brilliantly struck effort shortly after the break but she was denied thanks to a smart block from Molly Bartrip. Jess Park tested Becky Spencer at her near post with a powerful strike but it was a half of few clear cut chances, with Tottenham's best opening coming when Adams drilled a long-range effort just over the bar.
But a late onslaught saw Everton claim all three points; Aggie Beever-Jones rolling the ball into the bottom corner after brilliant run down the left-hand side. The win was Everton's first since January, with the Blues staying sixth in the table, eight points above seventh-placed West Ham.
Here's how the players got on at Walton Hall Park:
Courtney Brosnan - 7
Quick off her line to deny James in the first half. Could do little for Summamen's leveller. Came close to spilling the ball into her own net after an effort from Bizet but largely commanded her area very well.
Katrine Veje - 7
Defensively solid at left-back and regularly looked to get forward. Subbed.
Rikke Sevecke - 7
An audacious back-heel to escape the attentions of Mana Iwabuchi on the edge of the Everton box. Combined well with Brosnan to deny Neville a route to goal.
Nathalie Bjorn - 7
Could have perhaps done more to close down Bethany England in the build up to Spurs' leveller but made some crucial interceptions in the first half.
Gabby George - 7
Deployed at right back and showed her usual appetite to get forwards, though the goal came down her side. Came close with a curling effort and made an outstanding block from Mana Iwabuchi.
Clare Wheeler - 8
Continues to get better in an Everton shirt. Impressive in the opening stages and not afraid to get stuck into a tackle.
Izzy Christiansen - 7
Set up Sorensen for the opener and saw her goal-bound effort well blocked in the first half.
Jess Park - 7
Quieter than usual in the first half, though dropped deep to get on the ball and almost set up Christiansen.
Nicoline Sorensen - 8
Got Everton off the mark with a superb finish and nearly set up both Park and George with dangerous deliveries in the second half. Subbed.
Aurora Galli - 6
Did well in the build up to Sorensen's goal and made some decent runs forward. Subbed.
Katja Snoeijs - 6
Led Everton's press well although didn't see too much of the ball in the first half.
Substitutes:
Hanna Bennison - 6
Did a solid job in the middle of the park after her introduction.
Lucy Hope - 7
Straight into the action, winning a dangerous free kick in the attacking half. A loose touch nearly saw Spurs clean through on goal but she redeemed herself with an excellent sliding challenge.
Karen Holmgaard - 6
Made a couple of important interceptions.
Aggie Beever-Jones - 7
Got stuck in defensively and won a dangerous free kick. A composed finish to give Everton the three points in stoppage time.
Elise Stenevik
Minutes.
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