Everton were edged 3-2 by Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night in the Women's Super League.
The Blues struggled to match the hosts first-half intensity and were ultimately punished as the Seagulls took a two-goal advantage into the break.
Everton performed to a higher standard in the second 45, with two well-worked finishes from Katja Snoeijs providing Brian Sorensen's side with a fighting chance of a point.
However, a third for Brighton between each side of Snoeijs strikes condemned the Blues to defeat.
It was the hosts who struck first as former Everton defender Poppy Pattinson played Brighton's free-kick into the box for Elisabeth Terland to head past Courtney Brosnan on 11 minutes.
Brighton doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time.
Megan Connolly played the ball over the top to Katie Robinson who chipped the ball over Brosnan to put the hosts 2-0 up after 43 minutes.
Three changes at the interval appeared to rejuvenate the Blues as they pulled one back early into the second half.
A quality finish.
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) April 19, 2023
Let's keep pushing. 👊pic.twitter.com/FAcvX2z5GE
Jess Park slipped in Katja Snoeijs whose expert dribbling deceived the Brighton defence. The Dutch forward cut onto her right foot and finished into the bottom corner on 63 minutes.
Everton were handed another setback as Brighton regained their two-goal advantage.
Kayleigh Green squared the ball to Terland who slid the ball under Brosnan for her second of the evening.
Snoeijs came to Everton's rescue once more as Park slipped in the forward who delivered an exquisite finish into the far corner past Lydia Williams.
Snoeijs with her second of the night.#BHAEVE pic.twitter.com/cy8G7FHWvh
— Everton Women (@EvertonWomen) April 19, 2023
Everton continued to chase an equaliser which would have been justified for their second half display.
However, Brighton did enough to keep the Blues out to secure a win that lifted them off the bottom of the league table.
Everton go again this Sunday with a trip to face Reading.
