Everton Women 3-2 Leicester City - 12th March 2022

Everton Women made it three wins in a row as they beat Leicester City 3-2 in an entertaining Barclays FA Women's Super League clash at Walton Hall Park on Saturday night.

Despite going behind to an early goal, the Blues, inspired by Anna Anvegård, came from behind and took the lead twice to secure a vital win.

Toni Duggan equalised for Everton before Anvegård scored twice, either side of a Leicester equaliser.

In what was an utterly pulsating first half, the away side struck the first blow when Jemma Purfield rifled a left footed effort home from the edge of the box.

The goal coming inside the first six minutes could have shocked Everton, but the hosts stayed calm and created their first clear cut chance on 13 minutes – Kenza Dali slipping an eye of the needle pass through to Duggan, who tried to round the goalkeeper, but Sophie Harris did well to push the ball away from the striker’s path.

Izzy Christiansen came close to equalising when her curling free kick just evaded the post in the 15th minute, then Hanna Bennison was also unlucky to see her swirling effort creep wide 12 minutes later.

After increasing pressure, Everton were back on level terms in the 33rd minute – Duggan displaying her composure in front of goal to take it round Harris and finish after Anvegård had won the ball back high up the pitch.

Seven minutes later, Everton took the lead through the Sweden international, who again pressed the Leicester defence into a mistake before showing her calmness to finesse the ball into the corner.

The hosts suffered a setback moments before half-time however as the Foxes levelled things up instantly through Sam Tierney – Ashleigh Plumptre winning the first header before defender Tierney nodded home.

In one last chance of a thoroughly thrilling first 45, Christiansen almost put Everton in front again. The outstanding Anvegård turning creator again, whipping in a sumptuous cross for Christiansen to flick towards goal, only to be thwarted by Harris’ save onto the crossbar.

After such an entertaining first half, either side could have been forgiven for a drop in intensity, but the Blues’ continued to threaten straight after the interval.

Then, seven minutes into the second half, the imperious Anvegård grabbed her second goal of the game and her fourth in five games with a classy flick over Harris, despite Leicester appeals for offside.

The ball had ricocheted of a Leicester body and dropped to the Swedish forward, who nonchalantly but brilliantly lifted a bouncing ball with her heel to swing the pendulum in Everton’s favour once more.

Chris Roberts’ side, beaming with confidence, almost had a fourth goal when Dali fizzed a long-range effort towards goal, stinging the palms of Harris.

Typical of the game’s back and forth flow, it was Leicester’s turn to test Everton goalkeeper Nathalie Björn just two minutes later. Tierney breaking free down the right and smashing goalwards, only to be denied superbly by Björn down low.

The hard-earned win pushes Everton up a place in the WSL table to 9th and secure three straight wins.

The Blues will next play Chelsea at home on Wednesday night.


Everton FC