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Liverpool claimed a vital 3-2 victory over Everton in the Women’s Super League, securing their first away win of the campaign in a tense Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Ceri Holland scored twice and forced constant problems, while late pressure from Everton, plus a red card for Grace Fisk, turned the closing minutes into a serious test.

The result moved Gareth Taylor’s team eight points clear of the WSL relegation places, though bottom side Leicester City still held two games in hand. Everton created more chances across the 90 minutes and finished strongly, but the damage came early as another slow opening period left the hosts chasing the game.

Everton again struggled before half-time, continuing a pattern this WSL season. The team have now allowed 17 first-half goals, which is the joint-highest figure in the league, level with Leicester. That weakness contrasted with a sharper Liverpool display, as the visitors punished early errors and built a decisive three-goal cushion before the interval.

Advanced metrics underlined how Everton grew into the match. Everton produced 1.42 expected goals from 17 shots, while Liverpool generated 1.34 from nine efforts. Fifteen of Everton’s attempts arrived during the second half, reflecting sustained pressure after the break as Liverpool dropped deeper following the dismissal of captain Grace Fisk.

The breakthrough came on 11 minutes from the penalty spot. Jenna Clark headed against the post, and six seconds later Inma Gabarro was penalised for handball inside the area. Holland stepped up and struck her penalty straight down the middle, beating the goalkeeper and giving Liverpool an early advantage to protect.

Liverpool doubled that lead nine minutes later following another attack down the left. Alejandra Bernabe delivered a driven cross into a crowded box, where Martina Fernandez diverted the ball into the net for an own goal. Everton then allowed Holland to run from the halfway line without a challenge, and Holland curled into the top-right corner to complete Liverpool’s first-half scoring.

Everton’s situation worsened soon after half-time when Gabarro left the pitch with a knee injury, further disrupting the attacking structure. However, home hopes improved just after the hour mark. Aurora Galli saw a free-kick take a deflection that wrong-footed goalkeeper Jennifer Falk, halving the deficit and energising the Goodison Park crowd for the final stages.

Liverpool, Everton and WSL late drama and individual performances

Everton received another boost almost instantly. Directly from the restart, Liverpool skipper Fisk collected a second yellow card for tripping Zara Kramzar off the ball. With Liverpool reduced to ten players, Everton pressed high. Yet Liverpool almost scored again on the counter when Clark’s close-range header was cleared off the line by Ruby Mace.

Kramzar remained a threat throughout the closing minutes. Kramzar first struck the woodwork in the 86th minute as Everton pushed forward. In the first minute of stoppage time, Kramzar then finished clinically to cut the gap to 3-2. Liverpool were forced into deep defending, but the visitors resisted further attempts and protected the narrow lead until the final whistle.

Holland’s influence stretched beyond the two goals. Holland created a team-high three chances, attempted five dribbles, and won possession seven times, more than any Liverpool teammate. Holland also converted both shots taken. That all-round display proved decisive in a contest where Everton controlled much of the second half but lacked early stability at the back.

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The match highlighted contrasting trends for both Merseyside clubs in the WSL. Liverpool turned efficiency, Holland’s finishing and early control into three points and breathing space above the drop zone. Everton showed attacking volume and spirit, yet another damaging first half and missed chances left the hosts with nothing from a close derby.

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