Everton clinch Merseyside derby win in Goodison Park’s WSL farewell

Everton recorded their first Women's Super League win of the season on Sunday, beating rivals Liverpool 1-0 in the Merseyside derby.

Katja Snoeijs converted a controversial penalty late in the first half at Goodison Park, and despite handing the initiative to Liverpool for much of the match, Everton came away with a much-needed win that lifted them off the foot of the table.

Honoka Hayashi's goal against Crystal Palace in Everton's previous match ended a run of 611 minutes without a Toffees player scoring in the WSL, and the Japanese midfielder was the player fouled by her compatriot Fuka Nagano , with the referee pointing to the spot despite the challenge. seems to take place just off the beaten track.

Liverpool, who attempted 569 passes – their highest total this season – were unable to find an equalizer despite 17 shots and 1.5 expected goals (xG), with 0.78 of Everton's 0.9 xG taken up by Snoeijs' penalty.

Reds boss Matt Beard has now failed to win any of his last eight meetings with Everton in the WSL since winning 2-1 away from home against West Ham (D2 L5) in October 2018.

Everton, meanwhile, won at Goodison Park for the first time in the WSL at the fifth attempt, in what was their final match in the competition at the iconic stadium.

1 – Everton recorded their first ever @BarclaysWSL win at Goodison Park, beating Liverpool 1-0 in what was the last Merseyside derby to be played at the WSL's stadium. Everton had lost two beforehand and drawn two of their four WSL matches at Goodison. Finally. pic.twitter.com/2yjxvkAL5L

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 17, 2024

Aston Villa defeated Palace 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at Villa Park, with Ebony Salmon scoring the ultimate winner.

It looked like Villa would be denied their first win of the season when Annabel Blanchard made it 2-2 with just four minutes to go.

Yet Salmon emerged in the 94th minute to slam home the ball after pouncing on a loose ball on the edge of Palace's area.

My Cato put Palace ahead on the half hour, but quick goals from Anna Patten and Rachel Daly put Villa ahead at half-time.

Villa are now unbeaten in their last seven WSL games against promoted sides, while manager Robert de Pauw avoided becoming the first boss since Jonathan Morgan in November 2021 to fail to win his first eight games in charge of a team in the competition.

In Sunday's other match, Manchester United defeated Leicester City 2-0 to return to winning ways after a run of three consecutive draws.

Norwegian duo Elisabeth Terland and Celin Bizet Ildhusoy scored the goals for the Red Devils at the King Power Stadium, with Marc Skinner's side in fifth place, six points behind leaders Chelsea, although the same number of points ahead of Liverpool in sixth place.

Things might have been different had Leicester's Hannah Cain not squandered a golden opportunity in the 38th minute when she somehow shot wide from close range.