Everton and Birmingham City met in the first match of round three. It was an opportunity to change the tide for each side having each encountered a bad start to their season. They both lost their two opening matches with neither side finding the back of the net yet in their 2021-22 campaigns.
For Birmingham this was also a chance for a win after fifteen straight FA WSL matches of draws and defeats. For Everton it was a chance to show that the talent brought over the summer was capable of proper defending and scoring.
Everton were the ones to capitalize early. A deep pass to the top of the box was sent into Izzie Christiansen. However, she was not able to control the ball. After several deflections it found teammate Leonie Maier who got a foot on the ball and put it in. The Toffees were ahead at the 14th minute.
Birmingham City did not give up though. A great pass in front of goal to Jade Pennock was picked up by the new signing. The former Sheffield United player then beat a defender and found the equalizer in the 32 minute.
The teams would go into the changing rooms at halftime with the score equalized at 1-1.
After the half Willie Kirk made a change, swapping Aurora Galli for Hanna Bennison. The 18-year old had joined Everton during the offseason for a record fee for the club. She would go on to show the quality of their investment by scoring the next goal.
The play started with a smart give and go between Bennison and Toni Duggan. After receiving the ball again from Duggan, Bennison smartly shot it into the top corner of the net. The first goal in the FA WSL for the Swede was also the first lead this season for her new team
This seemed to galvanize the home side. The latter part of the game was largely controlled by the Toffees. They then made it three just before the end of the match. Receiving the ball from Christiansen, Rikke Sevecke was able to head it in to make it three for the home side.
The win has temporarily moved Everton into eight placed, with the remaining ten FA WSL sides to play this Sunday. Birmingham remain last in the league.
The Toffees next play Reading away on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 2 PM (BST) in the WSL.
Prior to their next WSL match, Birmingham have a mid-week match against Chelsea at home on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 7:45 PM. The game is a quarter-final in the 2021 FA Women’s Cup.
Photo: @EvertonWomen
