Everton lose
Football

Barclays Women’s Super League: Arsenal 1-0 Everton

Despite a valiant effort, Everton were defeated 1-0 by Arsenal on Saturday.

A score from Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema early in the first half proved the difference in the Blues’ gallant attempt in the Barclays Women’s Super League showdown at Meadow Park.

The Gunners tried hard to expand their lead, but Emily Ramsey came up with many saves to preserve the deficit to a single goal.

Everton had chances of their own to tie the game, but couldn’t get the decisive equaliser.

The hosts had the majority of possession in the open play but were unable to trouble the Everton defence.

When the Toffees did win the ball, they constructed nicely through the thirds and created their first opportunity of the game 17 minutes in.

Aggie Beever-Jones released Jess Park in the area, and she sent a low drive towards the goal that was stopped before ricocheting off the back of the forward and out for a goal-kick.

Despite a strong start by Brian Sorensen’s team, Arsenal seized the lead midway through the first half when Miedema displayed outstanding footwork to elude multiple Everton challenges inside the penalty area before sending a curling effort into Ramsey’s top corner.

Soon after, the Everton goalkeeper was thrown into a flurry of stops as the hosts upped the intensity in an attempt to increase their lead.

Everton’s finest chance to tie the game came after solid pressure from the Blues caused a mistake in the Arsenal defence, and Katja Snoeijs picked up the ball on the outside of the box in space, but her following effort soared high over the bar.

Jennifer Beattie hammered a half-volley from inside the penalty area that was goal-bound but deflected over the bar as Arsenal almost increased their advantage in the dying minutes of the half.

Stina Blackstenius of the Gunners appeared set to score after a scramble from the resultant corner, but Ramsey held tall to deny the striker from four yards out.

Ramsey came to Miedema’s rescue again early in the second half, save three consecutive shots from a six-yard box scramble.

The Everton goalkeeper produced two excellent stops to deny the Arsenal attacker before Nathalie Bjorn and Gabby George combined to provide some superb dogged defence to clear off the line.

As the game approached the hour mark, the Toffees created their first meaningful chance of the second half. Beever-Jones broke through on goal with the intention of rounding Manuela Zinsberger and slotting home.

However, Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech made a good save to deny Everton’s No.15.

In pursuit of the game-tying goal, Brian Sorensen rested Hanna Bennison and Beever-Jones and replaced them with Aurora Galli and Nicoline Sorensen, who made her maiden appearance of the season after being sidelined for almost 14 months.

Leonie Maier and Kenzie Weir came in late to replace Elise Stenevik and Bjorn. A great moment for Weir, who got her first-ever minutes in the English Premier League.

When Everton came agonisingly close to equalising in the 90th minute, the manager’s substitutions appeared to have nearly had the intended impact.

Substitute Sorensen discovered Lucy Graham, who blasted her first-time effort. The attack was saved on the line, and Karen Holmgaard’s rebounding attempt was also denied by Arsenal’s furious defenders.

Dane Sorensen went up to take a free kick on the left side for the final chance. Her pass found WSL rookie Weir, who went towards goal but was denied a fairy tale finish by Zinsberger.

Everton return to the Continental League Cup on Wednesday when they go to Manchester United.

Kajal S

Kajal S

kajal

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