It was the Chloe Kelly show in Southport as the forward claimed all three goals in Everton’s impressive 3-1 WSL victory over Reading.
The visitors cancelled out Kelly's opener when Fara Williams slotted home a 30th-minute penalty.
But the Blues rallied and in a superb second-half display, Kelly netted twice - one from a corner - to claim an outstanding home victory and move up to fifth in the table.
Both teams started the contest well and in an open first five minutes, there were chances to break the deadlock.
Simone Magill was unable to get a toe to Lucy Graham’s instinctive through-ball, before debutant keeper Sandy MacIver was called into action at the other end with a superb right-handed save to keep former Toffee Brooke Chaplen at bay.
After a strong spell of Everton pressure, the breakthrough finally arrived. Superb harrowing in the centre of the field set Graham away. The skipper then had the awareness and technique to thread an inch-perfect pass through to Kelly, who was able to calmly slot the ball past Rachel Laws in the Reading goal.
The Blues’ celebration looked to be short-lived, however. Megan Finnigan got too close to Reading midfielder – and another former Blue - Angharad James in the box, with referee Peter Shackleton instantly pointing to the spot.
Williams dispatched the penalty to draw the score level on the half-hour mark.
Despite the setback, Everton continued to carve out goalscoring opportunities. Kelly fired wide before excellent link-up play between Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and Kelly set up Graham, but she was unable to find the target with a fierce strike.
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The relentless Blues pressure didn’t let up after the interval. Outstanding work by Magill won the ball back in the centre of the park. She then found Kelly, but the forward’s pass was read by the Royals keeper.
When confidence is high, anything is possible and Kelly has it in abundance. Boye-Hlorkah forced the ball out of play and from the resulting corner, Kelly superbly curled the ball past Laws to give Everton the advantage.
It wasn’t long before Kelly had the match ball, the 22-year-old instinctively getting on the end on the end of Graham’s teasing cross to score her first career hat-trick.
Despite a two-goal advantage, Kirk's side continued their dominance.
Gabby George drove through the Royals defence, only for her eventual effort to trickle safely into the arms of the Reading goalkeeper, before Magill watched her effort sail over.
A late flurry from the visitors was repelled by another solid defensive effort, as Everton secured their first win of 2020.
>>>CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE MERSEYSIDE DERBY AT GOODISON ON 9 FEBRUARY*<<<
*Everton’s ongoing commitment to allowing Season Ticket, Lounge and Official Members free access to women’s games will continue for the fixture, although all Members will be required to claim a ticket and select their seat in advance.
Tickets for non-Members will be priced at £6 for adults and £3 for over-65s and juniors.
To secure a ticket for the women’s Merseyside derby, click here or call the Everton Fan Centre on 0151 556 1878.
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