MATCH CENTRE

Everton Hit First-Half Treble For Reading Success

The Everton trio of Anna Anvegard, Claire Emslie and Danielle Turner all scored before half-time to defeat Reading and make it successive WSL victories for Willie Kirk's team.

Everton made the perfect start, as Reading captain Natasha Harding failed to deal with a cross from Emslie, enabling Anvegard to pounce and finish after just two minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for Reading during a half that was riddled with stoppages, the hosts forced into two substitutions with the stricken duo of Deanna Cooper and Harding replaced by Chloe Peplow and Emma Harries.

Reading showed glimpses of promise, Deanne Rose in particular looking dangerous. The Canadian almost caused a nervous moment for Everton, with a mix up between Turner and Sandy MacIver requiring the goalkeeper to step out of her box and sweep up.

Shouts of handball from the home fans and players followed, but the referee waved play on.

The away side doubled their advantage after 38 minutes when a sublime piece of attacking play saw Anvegard cross into the feet of Izzy Christiansen, who laid the ball off for Emslie to curl into the top left corner.

Grace Moloney was left planted in the Reading goal and had no chance of keeping out Emslie’s effort.

The third goal of the game flew in on the cusp of half-time.

Emslie was upended around 20 yards from goal and captain Turner stepped up to smash the free-kick into the top-right corner to cap a dominant first-half display from her side.

Manager Kirk’s team continued to control the game after the restart and looked far more likely to score a fourth than concede.

The first half-chance for the Royals came in the 69th minute, as right-back Faye Bryson, who delivered a number of dangerous crosses, darted forward and went for goal herself but saw the effort narrowly evade the post.

With 15 minutes remaining, Christiansen was tripped in the box, but the fouled player was denied from the spot, Moloney making the save and reacting quickly to repel the rebound.

In-charge Everton dropped deeper, allowing Reading more of the ball in the closing minutes, and were never troubled by a home side that couldn't convert their increased possession share into a first WSL goal this season.

Everton climb to eight in advance of a trip to league leaders Arsenal next Sunday.

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WOMEN'S TEAM 03:06 Sun 03 Oct 2021

TURNER & ANVEGÅRD ON TARGET DURING READING WIN

Captain Danielle Turner and Swedish forward Anna Anvegård helped Everton to a 3-0 victory as the Blues beat Reading in the Barclays FA Women's Super League.