A spirited Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday night at Kingsmeadow.
Luck appeared to be against the Toffees as two controversial penalty decisions gave the hosts the lead before Erin Cuthbert wrapped up the points for the reigning Women's Super League champions.
Brian Sørensen made three changes to the side that were narrowly defeated by Leicester City.
The hosts threatened inside the first five minutes as their front-three dangerously broke away. Lauren James fed Mayra Ramirez, who was dispossessed well by Clare Wheeler inside the area just before the Colombian could pull the trigger.
Emma Hayes’ side came close again midway into the first-half but were denied by a combination of Justine Vanhaevermaet and Courtney Brosnan. Ramirez burst down the right and released an enticing low cross across the face of goal. The ball landed at the feet of Guro Reiten, who saw her effort blocked on the line.
Seconds later, the London outfit were inches away once more, striking the inside of the post after the high winds swept the ball goalward from a corner.
Despite their hardwork in the opening period, Everton were punished with a harsh call.
Wheeler brilliantly dispossessed Reiten inside the Blues box, but her clearance caught Johanna Rytting Kaneryd on the follow through as the referee awarded the hosts a spot kick.
Reiten stepped up and finished beyond Courtney Brosnan's reach into the bottom left corner on 27 minutes.
Everton looked for an immediate response and came close five minutes later. Excellent hold-up play by Martina Piemonte allowed the Italian the time to look up and play Rikke Madsen through down the right. The Dane crossed to the back-post, where Aurora Galli fired over.
Kaneryd squandered a golden opportunity to double Chelsea’s advantage on the hour mark. Ramirez sprinted down the touchline and cut the ball back to the Swede. Situated on the edge of the box, she blazed over.
James came close moments later but saw her powerful strike whisk past the far-post. The England international breached the Blues’ backline but failed to find the bottom corner from inside the area.
Everton continued to push for a deserved equaliser, but were dealt another setback with a controversial decision.
Wheeler chased down Ramirez down the right, sliding on her knees but the referee appeared to see enough to justify a second spot-kick for the hosts.
Reiten stepped up for a second time and finished in the same corner to double Chelsea's advantage on 71 minutes.
With ten minutes left at Kingsmeadow, two yellow cards in quick succession saw Brian Sorensen dismissed from the technical area.
Cuthbert wrapped up the points on 83 minutes.
The Scotland international got onto the end of Mia Fishel's delivery with a volley effort from close range.
Attention now turns back to the Women's FA Cup, with the Toffees in action against Nottingham Forest at Grange Park next weekend.
By Ross Hughes
