Willie Kirk heaped praise on the ‘outstanding’ Izzy Christiansen after paving the way for Everton Women’s comprehensive 3-1 victory over Aston Villa Women.
Christiansen scored a penalty and set up Lucy Graham’s opener for the Toffees, who were by far the better side at Walton Hall Park.
Graham later missed a spot-kick but it mattered little as Simone Magill wrapped up the points in the second half, rendering Chloe Arthur’s late goal just a consolation for the visitors.
Everton are enjoying a strong end to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League season – in no small part thanks to Christiansen in the heart of the midfield.
"[Izzy Christiansen was] excellent,” said head coach Kirk. “I thought she controlled the game from start to finish.
“I thought she was outstanding, she played off one and two touch when she had to, she took extra touches to try and draw pressure towards her which is a very unselfish role that the [number] six has got sometimes."
With the Champions League out of reach and their position in the top flight secure, Everton’s season could be left to fizzle out.
But Kirk is refusing to take his foot off the gas, knowing the importance of a strong end to the campaign.
The hosts were in control from the off, with Christiansen teeing up Graham for the first goal before the break.
Graham couldn’t double her tally in the second half, however, with goalkeeper Lisa Weiss thwarting her from the penalty spot.
She was helpless when Christiansen stepped up later in the half, converting her spot-kick before substitute Magill wrapped up the win with a tap-in.
The only blot on the Everton copybook came in added time when Arthur headed home for Aston Villa.
Kirk added: "[It was a] very professional performance. I thought from the start to the 92nd minute we were good and then we conceded that sloppy set-piece which was annoying.
"It's a good three points. We picked up a really good three points [against Brighton] and it was about trying to get that consistency at the end of the season to make sure this season doesn't die.
"We are in a position where we can't qualify for Champions League, we can't get relegated, I've seen in the past some teams the season just peters out. We're very conscious of not wanting that.”
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