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A hard fought and well earned three points for Everton Women with 1-0 victory over Aston Villa

Everton returned to peak form with a 1-0 Barclays Women’s Super League victory over Aston Villa at the Poundland Bescot Stadium thanks to Lucy Graham’s second-half goal.

Brian Sorensen’s team were full value for the victory in the West Midlands after impressing for long minutes against champions Chelsea in a 3-1 loss last time out. Graham netted the winner just before the hour mark with a nice finish at the back post after a sweeping counter-attack.

Everton climbed up to fourth in the WSL table, ahead of their encounter with Villa in the Continental League Cup on Wednesday night at Walton Hall Park.

The Blues got off to a good start, looking at ease on the ball and building steadily from the back. However, it was Villa who had the opening chance of the game, as Rachel Daly fired wide from close range.

Everton maintained possession of the ball, and Jess Park’s strong run along the right channel carried their assault into the final third, with the ball finishing at Katrine Veje’s feet, whose long-range shot was saved by Anna Leat.

The Blues’ momentum had carried them deep into Villa’s half, when Karen Holmgaard won a free-kick in an advantageous situation. Graham connected with a glancing header that went just wide after Hanna Bennison delivered from wide.

Rikke Sevecke and Megan Finnigan both had chances from Everton’s opening corner of the game, but both were denied by a tenacious Villa defence.

Villa intensified their pressure on the Toffees late in the first half, with several crosses from both flanks.

Courtney Brosnan was called into action as Daly raced free to find herself one on one with the Everton goalkeeper, but the Everton stopper got out swiftly to dive at the Villa forward’s feet and prevent the home side from going up.

Brosnan then collected a powerful strike from a great distance to ensure the two teams went in level at the interval.

Everton were forced to absorb a lot of pressure as Villa opened the second half the same way they ended the first.

In the Everton penalty area, Nathalie Bjorn and Sevecke were a formidable pair, clearing their lines from additional Villa crosses.

Srensen’s team enjoyed the benefits of their patient and tenacious defence as they seized the lead on 58 minutes.

Bennison was the first to recover a clearance down the left flank, and he cleverly found Finnigan inside.

Everton’s number 20 drove deep into Villa territory before releasing Park down the right side, who switched the play as Gabby George overlapped from wing-back into the penalty box.

Graham finished brilliantly on the half-volley after George’s superb cross towards the back post put the Blues ahead.

Everton’s outstanding defence continued, limiting Villa to crosses and long-range efforts that were easily dealt with by the backline on route to three hard-earned points.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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