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Post by Everton News. on May 8, 2022 15:04:14 GMT
Nathalie Björn's first goal for the Club helped Everton secure a point on the road at Brighton & Hove Albion in the final fixture of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.
Björn's perfectly executed first-time finish into the top corner gave the Blues a 1-0 lead on the stroke of half-time.
Brighton then had a stroke of luck with their equaliser six minutes into the second half when Inessa Kagmaan’s strike cannoned off the crossbar and into the path of Aileen Whelan who slotted home to level for the hosts.
It was a fairly quiet start at The People’s Pension stadium, but that didn’t stop the travelling Evertonians from bringing plenty of noise.
The Blues supporters who had the long trip down South were certainly in good voice, but on the pitch neither side were able to create much in the opening stages.
The first real clear-cut opportunity fell to the hosts after 20 minutes when Brighton forward Kaagman saw her close-range effort saved by Blues goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan before Maisie Symonds drilled a low effort just past the far post moments later.
Duggan and Anvegård both combined for what was Everton’s best chance of the afternoon when Everton’s number nine provided an inch-perfect cross into the box.
Anvegård's header was destined for the top corner, but was tipped away brilliantly by Brighton keeper Megan Walsh.
Moments later and this time it was Duggan who had the opportunity to open the scoring when she found herself behind the Brighton backline and in on goal but the forward couldn’t generate enough power behind her lobbed effort to trouble the on-rushing Walsh.
The Blues were pushing for the opener and it came just on the stroke of half-time through a spectacular finish from defender Björn.
Björn started the build-up on the right side as she rolled the ball into Anvegård before her cross deflected into the path of the Sweden international and she made no mistake with the finish as she smashed her effort into the top corner.
Six minutes into the second half and the hosts were level. Kaagman’s effort cannoned off the crossbar and into the path of Aileen Whelan who drilled home the equaliser.
Moments later and Everton nearly responded in the perfect manner but Anvegård's goal-bound effort was blocked by a Brighton defender before the Sweden forward looped the rebound just over the crossbar.
The Toffees then had Brosnan to thank for denying the hosts a second just before the hour mark and it was a save of the highest quality. Kaagman’s header looked to be heading for the bottom corner, however, the Republic of Ireland international denied the Brighton forward with a finger-tip save.
Substitute Claire Emslie broke in behind the Brighton defence inside the final 10 minutes, but the Scotland international was denied by a double save from Walsh.
This game certainly didn’t have an end-of-season feel about it with the hosts and Everton pushing in search of a late winner but both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils on the final day of the campaign.
Everton FC
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