REPORT: Everton 0-1 LiverpoolEverton were knocked out of the Continental Cup after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Select Security Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup match
16:00, Saturday 2 July 2016
Select Security StadiumIn what was a quiet first half in terms of chances, the Blues best opportunity came through debutant Chloe Kelly but she was denied brilliantly by Reds keeper Siobahn Chamberlain.
And the Toffees were made to rue that missed chance when Dan Turner headed into her own net to give Liverpool the advantage just seconds before the interval.
Substitute Ellie Stewart was showed a straight red card for a challenge late in the second half and, although the Blues worked tirelessly whilst down to ten men, it would be Liverpool who ultimately progressed to the next stage of the competition.
Manager Andy Spence named new signings Chloe Kelly and Rosella Ayane in his starting line-up against the Reds, while other recent capture Krystle Johnston was also handed her first start for the club after she made her debut from the bench at Watford last weekend.
In what was a cautious opening by both sides, it was the new signings for the Toffees that offered glimpses of an opening for Spence’s side with both Johnston and Kelly going close with long-range efforts.
The visitors came in to the cup fixture on the back of a creditable draw against WSL1 leaders Manchester City and conjured up their first opportunity when captain Gemma Bonner headed a Katie Zelem free-kick just over the bar.
But Scott Rogers’ side had Siobhan Chamberlain to thank just moments later when the goalkeeper got down low to brilliantly turn Kelly’s effort around the post.
It was then the turn of Toffees stopper Kirstie Levell to impress between the sticks as she denied Katie Longhurst with a superb one-handed save.
However, there was nothing she could do just minutes later as Blues defender Turner headed into her own goal to give the away side the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Spence was then forced into a change at the break as Turner, who looked to have suffered an ankle injury, was replaced by Stewart.
The Blues emerged from the interval and could have immediately fallen further behind with Rosie White and Sophie Ingle both going close to doubling the advantage for Liverpool.
And with the visitors on top, the task was then made much harder for Everton when, with 20 minutes remaining, Blues defender Stewart was shown a straight red for a challenge on Shanice Van De Sanden.
Despite the one-player disadvantage, Everton searched for an equaliser to send the tie to extra-time but the Liverpool resilient defence kept the Blues out to
The Blues will now turn attentions to their league campaign as they face a trip to Sheffield FC Ladies next Sunday (10 July).
