Everton claimed their first Women's Super League win of the season after the Toffees beat Liverpool 1-0 at Goodison Park following a controversial penalty.
The Blues benefited from a decision by referee Abigail Byrne, who pointed to the spot after Fuka Nagano's dangling leg tripped Honoka Hayashi. Despite the challenge taking place outside the penalty area, a penalty was awarded, which was neatly tucked away by Katja Snoeijs.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard expressed his frustration at the “disappointing” decision that “cost” his side.
“In the end a referee's decision potentially cost us three points,” he told Sky Sports. “Everton are a difficult team when they are in front and when they give them an opportunity like that… there is no unobstructed view. The referee has a great view.”
“There are four who can help each other make the decisions and nine times out of 10 you ask the fourth official and the decision has already been made. I don't know what to say anymore. It happens week in, week out, not just for us.”
Referee Byrne also dismissed three Liverpool penalties, with Olivia Smith going down after contact with Clare Wheeler before Sara Holmgaard collided with Ceri Holland in the penalty area. A third call came late, with Holmgaard again involved in a performance with Cornelia Kapocs. Beard believes that this should have given his party a decision.
“I think the challenge against Ceri Holland and Olivia Smith in the penalty area warranted penalties for us,” he said. “My players left nothing on the pitch today and they deserve something 100 percent from the match.”
Liverpool started strongly but left their rivals in the game by failing to capitalize on their early spells of dominance. Instead, Everton used their home advantage to turn the momentum of the derby in their favor.
Goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan was the star of the show for the Toffees as they earned a clean sheet. A double save after the break to keep Nagano out, before a scoreless stop later in the second half allowed Brian Sorensen's side to retain all three points.
The loss for Liverpool marks their first defeat on their travels, ending a run of eight on the road without a loss dating back to January. The defeat also means that Beard's side are now five times without a win and six points behind Manchester United in the table.
The win for Sorensen's side sees them rise from the bottom of the table to ninth place.
Villa records dramatic victory in the first competition against Palace
Ebony Salmon scored a stunner in the 94th minute to give Aston Villa their first Women's Super League win of the season with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace.
Salmon, a second-half substitute, turned on the edge of the penalty area before smashing the ball into the roof of the net, to the relief of manager Robert de Pauw.
Palace had not equalized until the 86th minute when Annabel Blanchard whipped in Ashleigh Weerden's cross to earn what looked like a point.
The visitors had punished Villa for being typically wasteful in the first half, taking the lead through My Cato just after the half-hour mark.
However, Villa quickly hit back with an equalizer, Anna Patten firing in from the penalty area before Rachel Daly fired them ahead in the fifth minute of extra time – but that was nothing compared to the late drama of the second half.
Man Utd return to winning ways against Leicester
Manchester United returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium to remain unbeaten in the WSL.
Marc Skinner's side had had a difficult few weeks leading up to this match, having drawn three after winning their first four games in the league.
But goals from Elisabeth Terland and Celine Bizet ensure United go into their next league match against league leaders Chelsea, the only other unbeaten team in the WSL, just a point off third-placed Brighton and the Champions League places by a game in hand.
Terland headed in the opener in first-half stoppage time, before Bizet scored her first United goals since coming in from Tottenham with nine minutes left.
Leicester are now third from bottom, ahead of Crystal Palace only on goal difference, having suffered a fifth defeat of the season in just eight games.
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