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Post by Everton News. on May 5, 2024 9:30:03 GMT
Everton were held to a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Walton Hall Park on Saturday afternoon.
A rocket courtesy of Sara Holmgaard and a tap-in by the well-positioned Justine Vanhaevermaet fired the Toffees into a quickfire lead inside 15 minutes.
Drew Spence’s strike just before half-time hindered the Blues’ momentum though, with Beth England levelling the tie three minutes after the break.
Head coach Brian Sørensen made one change to the side that claimed an impressive point against Arsenal last time out. Kathrine Kühl returned to the starting XI in place of Martina Piemonte, who dropped to the bench.
The first chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors as Eveliina Summanen shifted the ball onto her favoured foot before taking aim inside five minutes. Courtney Brosnan caught her central strike, though.
Sara Holmgaard rifled the ball into the top right corner to break the deadlock in style on 10 minutes. Clare Wheeler played it out to the fullback on the edge of the area. Unmarked, the Dane set herself before releasing a venomous strike that sailed into the far corner.
Vanhaevermaet doubled Everton’s lead on 15 minutes after Sara Holmgaard’s corner caused chaos in the Spurs box. Megan Finnigan rose highest and headed the ball goalward. Her attempt was blocked by England, with the ball crashing against the post, where a combination of Katja Snoeijs and Vanhaevermaet bundled the ball over the line.
The London-outfit searched for a response and were denied by Brosnan once more on 19 minutes. Jessica Naz was played in down the right and found Ashleigh Neville on the edge of the box. Faced by the charging Finnigan, she laid it off to Grace Clinton, who failed to beat the shot-stopper.
Brosnan was called into action on the half-hour mark as she tipped England’s header over the bar. Summanen sent a lofted ball into the area that was met by the forward, who towered above the Blues’ backline and glanced a powerful header at goal.
Robert Vilahamn’s side came close with 33 minutes on the clock as Spence dispossessed Vanhaevermaet in a dangerous position and raced at goal. Faced one-on-one with Brosnan, the ‘keeper excellently narrowed down the angle and forced the 31-year-old to strike the woodwork.
Spence halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time after rounding Brosnan. Summanen found the Jamaica-international with an inch-perfect lofted through ball, with Spence getting there just ahead of the shot-stopper before finishing into an empty net.
England equalised three minutes after the interval. A weak pass out from the back was intercepted as Spence beat Wheeler to the ball inside the area, where she squared to the awaiting England.
A physical few minutes ensued as both sides searched for a winner. Tottenham threatened on 73 minutes as Brosnan made an excellent save to deny substitute Wang Shuang. The 29-year-old fired a low effort across goal that was palmed away by the Republic of Ireland international.
Brosnan was in the thick of the action once more as she made a vital save to deny Martha Thomas with ten minutes remaining. Charlotte Grant burst down the right before flashing a ball across the face of goal that was met by the advancing striker. However, at full-stretch, the woman in green denied the forward to keep the scores level.
One game remains for the Blues this season as they face Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday 18 May (3pm BST).
By Ross Hughes / Everton FC
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