Everton beat Bristol City 2-0 in the second round of games in the FA Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Everton picked up back-to-back Barclays FA WSL wins with an impressive 2-0 victory over Bristol City in Southport.
Willie Kirk’s Blues were in dominant form in front of a loud home support, with two spectacular goals from Chloe Kelly securing all three points.
The win moves Everton to the top of the Barclays FA WSL table, while Bristol City remain without a win so far this season and slip down to ninth.
KEY MOMENTSBoth sides had chances in an open first half, with Yana Daniels wasting an opening for the visitors following a defensive mix up for Everton on 23 minutes, and Gabby George heading Kelly’s corner just wide two minutes later.
With Everton pressing hard for an opening goal just before the break, Kelly found the breakthrough in fantastic style, cutting in from the right to power an effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The England international doubled hers, and Everton’s tally, 60 seconds later, capitalising on a loose ball in midfield and arrowing a sweet strike into the top corner.
The hosts continued on the front foot after the break, and Kelly was denied a hat-trick by a sprawling save from Sophie Baggaley on 50 minutes.
City struggled to create chances in the second half as Everton continued to control possession, with long range efforts from Daniels and Charlie Wellings the closest they came to a way back into the game.
Everton almost grabbed a third goal with five minutes to go, but Baggaley did brilliantly to tip Inessa Kaagman’s free kick on to the bar.
MOMENT OF THE MATCHKelly kicked the game into life with a sumptuous finish that put Everton in the lead, but her second goal just moments later could be a real Goal of the Season contender.
With confidence running through her veins, the 21-year-old latched on to Molly Pike’s lay-off and unleashed a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards to stretch Everton’s advantage.
WHAT THEY SAIDEverton manager Willie Kirk said: "I'm really pleased with the performance today. I felt we controlled the game really well from start to finish and what we have been working on on the training ground was there to see.
"The message during pre-season has been about hard work and looking to improve with each game. Obviously we got the win against Birmingham was last week, but we were not happy with the performance and we wanted to work on that today.
"Our first half performance set the tone, as we were really hard to play against, we moved the ball well and got the goals when we needed them.
"Chloe's two goals were fantastic. We know she is capable of that and she is working hard to maintain her form."
Bristol City manager Tanya Oxtoby said: "I thought the first 45 minutes were the best I have seen since I came to the club. We defended well and looked to cause Everton problems going forward, but to concede when we did is very disappointing.
"Conceding goals is something that happens in football, but to do so as we did, and at such an important time in the game is not good enough at this level.
"We worked on defending against long shots in training this week, so to concede those types of goals is unacceptable. As a team we needed to work harder to stop those openings, both before they happen and in the build up.
"We did look to make changes in the second half, but we have a number of players out injured at the moment and we were not able to affect the game from the bench as I would have liked to."
Everton (4-3-3): Tinja-Riikka Korpela; Esme Morgan, Megan Finnigan, Gabby George, Danielle Turner; Lucy Graham, Maeva Clemaron, Molly Pike; Inessa Kaagman, Simone Magill, Chloe Kelly
Substitutes: Elise Hughes for Molly Pike on 82
Substitutes not used: Kirstie Levell, Taylor Hinds, Georgia Brougham, Kika van Es, Faye Bryson
Goals: Kelly 44, 45+1
Bookings: George 15
Bristol City (4-3-3): Sophie Baggaley; Loren Dykes, Meaghan Sargeant, Jasmine Matthews, Gemma Evans; Georgia Wilson, Frankie Brown, Yana Daniels; Carla Humphrey, Charlie Wellings, Abigail Harrison
Substitutes: Olivia Chance for Abigail Harrison on 56, Ebony Salmon for Meaghan Sargeant on 70, Flo Allen for Carla Humphrey on 70.
Substitutes not used: Eartha Cummings, Vita van der Linden, Kirsten Reilly, Katie Robinson
Referee: Amy Fearn
Attendance: 441
