Everton marked their return to Walton Hall Park with a strong 3-1 victory over Birmingham City to secure their first points of the 2021/22 Barclays FA Women's Super League season.

Leonie Maier, Club-record signing Hanna Bennison and Rikke Sevecke were on target for the Blues, with Jade Pennock scoring for the away side in the first half.

It was a first win in front of supporters at Walton Hall Park as fans returned to the ground after 18 months away.

Eager to make a positive start, the Blues opened the scoring on 13 minutes. 

The ball fell to Grace Clinton after Izzy Christiansen made a late run from midfield. The 18-year-old had her effort blocked and it landed at the feet of debutant Maier, who calmly curled a shot into the back of the net.

Everton grew in confidence, with summer signing Kenza Dali causing problems for the away side with her athleticism, while penetrating runs from Claire Emslie were a constant threat.

Birmingham, however, rallied and pulled level after 32 minutes. Pennock fired a ferocious shot into the far bottom corner to beat Sandy Maclver, who had very little to do up to that point.

The beginning of the second half was disrupted by lengthy injury stoppages and it took some time for the players to regain the tempo of the contest.

Everton rediscovered momentum, though, with the Birmingham defence struggling to contain French international Dali, with her graceful runs weaving in and out of defenders.

Manager Willie Kirk’s half-time substitution, bringing on the Swedish sensation Bennison, gave the Toffees another attacking threat and it was rewarded.

Intricate one-touch play between the teenager and Toni Duggan put Bennison in space to launch a lovely looping strike into the top right-hand corner with 74 minutes on the clock.

Then, deep into stoppage time, another substitute made the points safe as Sevecke towered over everyone to meet Christiansen’s corner and head home.

The squad now prepare for a series of away fixtures, beginning with a trip to face Reading next weekend.