Everton defeated West Ham United 2-0 at Walton Hall Park as late strikes from Martina Piemonte and Aurora Galli secured victory on Sunday in the Women’s Super League.

The Italian duo made the difference as Piemonte rose highest to break the deadlock in the 83^rd minute, with a breathtaking display of individual brilliance from Galli doubling the Blues’ lead three minutes later.

Brian Sørensen made two changes to the side that thrashed Nottingham Forest 7-1 in the FA Women’s Cup last week. Rikke Madsen and Heather Payne came in for Piemonte and Emma Bissell.

The first effort of the afternoon whistled wide of the post as Katrina Gorry took aim from the edge of the box inside five minutes.

The visitors threatened once more moments later as Megan Finnigan cleared excellently from the line. Eventually the assistant referee’s flag was raised, but the skipper hooked the ball away from the white chalk line to prevent what seemed a certain goal.

At the other end, Lucy Hope almost found the back of the net with an audacious bicycle kick. The midfielder was already on the floor after her first strike on goal was blocked, with the ball looping up and falling back to her. The Everton faithful behind the goal gasped as they were inches away from witnessing a moment of magic as the 27-year-old’s acrobatic attempt almost flew over the head of Mackenzie Arnold.

On the half-hour mark, Rikke Madsen was denied by Arnold after the forward battled hard with the Hammers’ backline and managed to get a shot away. The Dane tried to lob the on-rushing goalkeeper but failed to beat the Hammers' skipper.

Riko Ueki then came close to breaking the deadlock on 43 minutes but rifled her strike just wide of the far-post. The Japanese striker raced at goal and switched the ball between her feet on to her favoured right foot. The 24-year-old’s strike failed to hit the target, though, concluding a goalless half.

Substitute Kristie Mewis’ shot on the turn was comfortably saved by Courtney Brosnan after the interval as the Londoners came firing out of the blocks.

The Blues soaked up the early pressure and created an opportunity with 52 minutes on the clock. A great exchange between Hope and Payne set the latter free down the right flank, where she reached the by-line and released an enticing cross. Arnold left her line to cut out the dangerous cross and exert the pressure on the visitors as both sides searched for an opener.

The breakthrough was made with seven minutes remaining as Piemonte’s towering header sailed over the head of Arnold and landed in the back of the net.

Italian compatriot, Galli sent in a sumptuous cross into the crowded area, where her teammate for club and country headed home much to the delight of the home fans.

Galli was in the thick of the action again three minutes later, this time with a delightful goal. The 27-year-old cut in from the right and placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner in a showing of sublime technical ability.

The result sees Everton climb above their counterparts from the capital and into eighth place in the table.

Up next for Sørensen’s side is a trip to Manchester City on Saturday 2 March in the Women’s Super League.

By Ross Hughes