WOMEN'S TEAM

Battling Blues Earn Spurs Point

A spirited Everton came from behind to earn a well-earned point as the Blues drew 1-1 with Tottenham Hotspur.

It had been a dominant opening month for the hosts who were the Women's Super League top scorers heading into this weekend.

However, that dominance was non-existent on Sunday, the visitors level of performance a key factor in reducing that control.

Grace Clinton nodded the hosts ahead late into the first half, but a spot kick superbly finished by Aurora Galli gave the travelling Blues something to celebrate on their journey back up the road. 

Brian Sorensen made two changes from the side that started against Manchester United. Emma Bissell and Karoline Olesen coming in for Nathalie Bjorn and Nicoline Sorensen, the pair missing from the matchday squad.

Both sides started on the front-foot as Courtney Brosnan was called into action early on. Opportunities from Drew Spence and Celin Bizet forced the Ireland international to showcase why she is her nation's number one by producing a series of brilliant saves. 

With momentum shifting between both sides, Everton almost had it swing in their favour on the half-hour mark.

Hanna Bennison's ball from the left found Katja Snoeijs. The Dutch forward headed towards goal but the dipping effort was gathered by Becky Spencer in the Spurs net. 

Despite a strong first half display, the Blues found themselves behind at the break.

One-touch football from Tottenham down the right channel saw Drew Spence whip the ball into the box. Former Everton midfielder, Clinton met the delivery and headed in past Brosnan on 43 minutes. 

Spurs almost doubled their lead into injury time, had it not been for the heroics of Brosnan.

The league's top scorer, Martha Thomas, got on the end of a set-piece delivery and headed towards the bottom right-corner. Brosnan reacted brilliantly to palm away the striker's effort, a world-class save from the Everton 'keeper. 

A series of changes in the second half burst new life into the visitors performance, but Brosnan was called upon to keep her side in it once more.

Ten minutes after the break, the ball found Clinton inside the area whose powerful effort towards the right side of goal was saved by the Irish shot-stopper.

As the half continued the Blues' perseverance was tested, but ultimately they got their just reward when Heather Payne was brought down inside the area and a spot kick was given.

Galli entered the box to take and finished brilliantly into the top-left corner, despite Spencer's best efforts to reach it.

Sorensen's side can take confidence from Sunday's match as they turn their focus now to a trip to Manchester United in the League Cup on Thursday, followed by a visit from the reigning league champions, Chelsea at Walton Hall Park on Sunday.