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Post by Everton News. on Dec 14, 2021 12:06:40 GMT
Toni Duggan’s second goal in two matches earned Everton Women a hard-fought point against West Ham United in a 1-1 draw at Walton Hall Park in the Barclays FA Women's Super League.
In a first half of big chances, the visitors almost took the lead in the 10th minute, when Dagny Brynjarsdottir found space in the area, but could only slide her effort across goal.
The Blues could have been awarded a penalty just three minutes later, Lucy Graham slipped through on goal and going down under the challenge of the West Ham goalkeeper, only for Everton protests to be waved away.
Aurora Galli then almost fired the Toffees ahead two minutes later, the Italian curling her shot towards goal but her effort was blocked brilliantly.
It was West Ham however who took the lead on 40 minutes through Zanete Wyne after a lung-busting run from Katerina Svitkova – the Czech squaring for American Wyne to tap home from close range.
Jean-Luc Vasseur’s team responded well to going a goal behind, and could have restored parity before the break, left-back Turner smashing over at the back post after some neat interchange from Everton.
Olli Harder’s side started the second half brightly and were inches away from a second when Lisa Evans was denied by a smart stop from Blues keeper Sandy MacIver, before rebounding off an Everton body and spinning away from danger.
Blues boss Vasseur looked to his bench just before the hour and introduced Hanna Bennison and Poppy Pattinson, the latter was involved straight away - her inviting corner was flicked just over the bar from Graham.
The Blues found their equaliser 14 minutes from time, Toni Duggan illustrating her predatory penalty area instincts by anticipating where the ball would drop after an Everton throw in, then calmly placing the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
After Duggan’s equaliser, Everton looked the most likely to get a winning goal, with the majority of the remaining time being played in the Hammers half.
Simone Magill fired low on 82 minutes, but her shot was gratefully grasped by Mackenzie Arnold in the West Ham goal.
Duggan was then just centimetres away from captain Izzy Christiansen’s searching cross – the ball just evading the goalscorer.
The hosts had to settle for a decent point after a pulsating end to the game.
The result means Everton remain in ninth place in the WSL.
Vasseur’s side have a quick turnaround from Sunday's match as they welcome Manchester United on Wednesday in the Continental Cup for the final home game of 2021.
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Post by Everton News. on Dec 14, 2021 12:07:59 GMT
VASSEUR: BLUES CONFIDENCE WILL GROW
Everton Women manager Jean-Luc Vasseur has stressed that his group of players will grow in confidence as the season progresses after the team picked up a point against West Ham on Sunday.
Toni Duggan found the back of the net as the hosts came from behind to share the spoils in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
The Blues are now unbeaten in four matches in all competitions and while the Frenchman was frustrated his side didn’t pick up maximum points, he credited the squad for executing their game plan well.
“I’m a little bit frustrated but I have to say I am proud of my team,” Vasseur told evertontv.
“They have stayed late during last week and I only had two days with them to prepare.
“We had put in work about tactical organisation and all the players did well with the plan.
“The frustration is because we had control in the first half and then we conceded a goal.
“West Ham are a strong team, and they are good on the counter-attack.
“When we went in for half-time, I said to the team that they were playing well.
“However, at the final third I think we are not there to finish those chances.
“I hope in the near future that we are get those chances and are clinical.
“We are going to get more confident, stronger in our pressing and get that control.”
It has been a memorable couple of weeks for Duggan who has scored decisive goals for the Blues in their last two outings.
Vasseur was pleased to see his striker get off the mark in the league and credited her for helping boost belief in the side going into the final stages of Sunday’s match.
“Look at the difference of my team before and after we score.
“We have a gap to improve but I know that will come in the near future.
“We will continue to improve our competitive edge and dangerous aspect of our team.
“The team needs to improve, and we are on the right track to achieve that.”
The England striker shared the same frustration that the side were unable to achieve victory but acknowledged that a point is a step in the right direction for this team.
“I’m happy that I can help the team because the girls deserved the point and perhaps should have gone on to win it,” she told evetontv.
“It was a difficult game, we had to stick together.
“It was a gritty performance.
“We could have won it, but the most important thing was that we didn’t lose.
“It’s another point on the board but there’s still a lot more to come from this team.”
It’s another tough week for the squad as they prepare for their final matches of the calendar year.
Up first is a crucial Continental Cup match against Manchester United, with a win securing progression into the quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old believes the Blues’ unbeaten streak will give confidence to the group heading into two difficult encounters.
“We are a handful of games unbeaten now which is great for our mentality, confidence and belief.
“There’s times in games where you can see us dip in those areas, but we are good enough.
“We have the players, it’s just about believing in ourselves.
“Two big games for us to finish the year and I know the girls will rise to the challenge.”
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