Everton Fall To Chelsea Defeat At Goodison

Despite a spirited performance and an impressive crowd, Everton fell to a 4-1 defeat to reigning WSL champions Chelsea at Goodison Park.

Sam Kerr completed a brace for Sonia Bompastor’s side, the forward netting either side of Yuka Momiki’s audacious 30-yard chip.

Second half strikes from Ellie Carpenter and Erin Cuthbert completed the scoring at the Grand Old Lady, with Everton legend Leighton Baines and current Men’s Senior Team player Merlin Rohl in attendance.

Kerr opened the score inside six minutes, the Australian international slotting past Brosnan from ten-yards out after meeting Cuthbert’s cute pass.

The scores were level only four minutes later, though, as Momiki lobbed Hannah Hampton to send the Gwladys Street End wild. Found centrally on the break, the forward raced at goal before spotting the keeper off her line. A perfectly-weighted strike was required, with Momiki delivering. Hampton was rooted to the spot as the ball flew over her head and cushioned in to the back of the net.

That concluded the action for the first half, with the Toffees departing the field of play to a standing applause.

Less than a minute after the interval, Pacheco rattled the crossbar after great work from Toni Payne down the right. The winger wrong-footed Carpenter before flashing an enticing ball to the back-post, where the full-back darted to meet it, but crucially failed to adjust in time.

Only a minute after that, the visitors restored their lead at the other end. Lauren James slipped in Kerr, who squeezed the ball past the outrushed Brosnan.

Carpenter doubled the Londoners’ lead on 53 minutes – the defender doing past the keeper on the stretch after latching on to Alyssa Thompson’s low-cross.

Cuthbert then made it four in the 70th minute – the Scot rifling a strike in to the bottom left corner in front of the Gwladys.

Katja Snoeijs replaced Ornella Vignola wih 13 minutes remaining, and almost made an instant impact as she forced Hampton in to a smart save after pulling the trigger from the edge of the box.

Laila Harbert replaced Momiki with 85 minutes on the clock – the youngster coming on for her Everton debut.

Attention now turns to the Blues' trip to the capital to face Arsenal on Wednesday 13 May (7pm BST).