Merseyside Derby: Everton annihilates Liverpool with a 3-0 victory
Everton earned their first points of the season with a 3-0 victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield, thanks to goals from Megan Finnigan, Jess Park, and Hanna Bennison.
A crowd of 27, 574 set a new Barclays Women’s Super League record for Liverpool, but the Toffees won the game with a stunning performance.
Megan Finnigan is boss.pic.twitter.com/DZPuksTMgA
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 25, 2022
This was only the third meeting between these two sides at Anfield, and with the Blues having won the previous two, they went about making it three in a row with a quick start.
Gabby George forced Laws into an early save, finishing a well-worked set-piece routine only to have her header tipped over. Then Megan Finnigan tested Rachael Laws from a distance, and Everton took the lead around the next corner. Taylor Hinds inadvertently flicked on Katrine Veje’s corner, picking out the above- mentioned Finnigan to head home.
FT. Merseyside is 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘!
🔴 0-3 🔵 #LIVEVE pic.twitter.com/YYe4KWE2Yq
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 25, 2022
Brian Sorensen’s side capitalized on their early pressure on the Liverpool defense, with Veje’s low drive being tipped round the post by Laws. That advantage was quickly doubled, and in grand style. Natalie Bjorn put Park through, and the Manchester City loanee showed great calmness to round Laws and slot home. Katie Stengel’s curling effort narrowly missed the far post as Liverpool narrowly reduced the deficit.
Toffees ✊ pic.twitter.com/g51dNV6K8w
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 25, 2022
Katja Snoeijs came agonizingly close to adding a third goal moments before halftime. Izzy Christiansen dribbled one across the six-yard box, but the Dutch forward was unable to connect.
🔵🔵🔵UP THE TOFFEES 🔵🔵🔵 pic.twitter.com/D4lhMlCuza
— Izzy Christiansen (@IzzyChr17) September 25, 2022
The Toffees carried that momentum into the second half, which started similarly. Snoeijs had two shots on goal in quick succession, both of which were well saved by Laws. Hanna Bennison and Gio Quieroz Costa were both introduced and contributed to the visitors scoring a third goal.
What colour is Merseyside, girls? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Hk85UEUWBq
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) September 25, 2022
Park was able to gain possession and slip in Bennison at the far post thanks to Gio’s determination to win possession in the final third. The Swede finished calmly into the far corner in front of the away end, which had been outstanding throughout the game. A fantastic result for Brian Sorensen’s side, who will look to carry their momentum into their first home game of the season against Leicester City on Thursday evening.
