Blues Held By Hammers In 1-1 Draw

Everton had to settle for a point against West Ham United at Walton Hall Park on Sunday afternoon.

Anouk Denton opened the scoring inside ten minutes, going against the run of play and the Blues' front-foot start.

Melissa Lawley came on for her competitive debut in royal blue on 65 minutes and equalised seven minutes later. Found by Lucy Hope down the right, the winger’s deflected cross nestled into the top corner.

Brian Sorensen made one change to the side that claimed a deserved point away to Arsenal last time out. Emma Bissell replaced Veatriki Sarri, who dropped to the bench.

The Toffees came close with only six minutes on the clock as Katja Snoeijs rounded Kinga Szemik. The forward was forced out wide in the process, where she tried to find Karoline Olesen in the box. A goalmouth scramble ensued, but the Hammers were able to clear.

It was the visitors who took the lead though, as Denton blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Viviane Asseyi held off her marker excellently and laid it off to the 21-year-old who's powerful strike cannoned off Clare Wheeler and crept in.

Sorensen’s side looked to respond immediately, with Heather Payne coming closest in the 34th minute. The Ireland international dropped the shoulder to make space for a shot. Faced by the goalkeeper, her venomous strike stung the palms of Szemik who managed to palm it away.

The attacks kept coming, with Snoeijs testing the shot-stopper deep into the first half. The Netherlands international found room inside the box before firing a shot across the keeper, who got down well to tip her effort round the post.

The second half was a similar story, as the Hammers defended barrages of Everton attacks.

Lawley finally made the breakthrough on 72 minutes as her dangerous cross found the top corner. Found by Hope, the debutant raced at goal and mesmerised with her quick feet. After making space for a cross, her lofted ball in to the box took a deflection and flew over the head of Szemik.

Sarri almost secured all three points for the hosts, but her first-time volley was always rising, and just missed the mark with two minutes remaining.

Up next for the Blues is a trip to the East Midlands to face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Sunday 20 October (3pm BST).

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