A 93rd-minute Lauren James goal broke Everton’s resistance as the Women’s Super League leaders were made to struggle for all three points at Kingsmeadow. 

It was Everton who broke the deadlock with Kelly Gago putting the visitors ahead six minutes after half-time. The lead barely lasted over 10 minutes as Mayra Ramirez cancelled out the opener. 

While the match seemed to be petering out towards a draw - with Everton potentially being only the second team to take points from Chelsea Women this season - Lauren James came out of the blue and her vicious effort from 25 yards broke the visitor’s resistance. 

Despite having nothing to show for their efforts, the silver lining for Brian Sørensen’s side is in the way they managed to frustrate the league leaders for extended intervals. Besides a single instance in the first half where Courtney Brosnan repelled Maelys Mpome's, the Everton keeper remained untested.

The Toffees then took the lead against the run of play. Justine Vanhaevermaet, brought on at half-time, recovered the ball in the middle of the park and sprayed a lovely pass to Toni Payne. Payne’s pass was overhit but Gago adjusted her body for a first-time finish that silenced the home crowd.

The hosts didn’t take long to restore parity with Johanna Rytting finding Ramirez in the box and her low shot beat Brosnan. Everton survived further scares when Aggie Beever-Jones hit the woodwork twice.

The Toffees came very close to becoming the only side since Leicester last December to take points away from Chelsea this season until James decided to step up in the dying seconds.

For Everton, this was a case of deja vu. They had surrendered a one-goal lead and lost 4-1 to Chelsea in the FA Cup at the same venue last weekend. This time, though, they came closer to a positive result before falling short.

Reader Comments (9)

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Dave Abrahams
1 Posted 17/02/2025 at 10:35:05
Is Moyes interfering with Everton Ladies seems to be an improvement there!
Brendan McLaughlin
2 Posted 17/02/2025 at 10:44:56
Jesus Dave

See you in court!

Brian Harrison
3 Posted 17/02/2025 at 10:45:52
Dave

I think you need to re write the bit were you ask is Moyes interfering with Everton Ladies, could be taken completely the wrong way.

Dave Abrahams
4 Posted 17/02/2025 at 10:50:15
Brendan and Brian, I knew what I writing it was a sarcastic way of saying everything good happening now is down to Moyes!
Liam Mogan
5 Posted 17/02/2025 at 10:57:00
I just got a modest win on premium bonds today. They say it's from Ernie but I'm sure it was down to Moysie.

All hail King David!

Brian Williams
6 Posted 17/02/2025 at 10:57:19
I knew what you meant Dave. :-)
Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 17/02/2025 at 11:02:05
Liam (5), Well in Liam but only a King?
Matt Traynor
8 Posted 17/02/2025 at 17:49:10
Actually if any of the old-timers (in TW-terms) can correct me if I'm wrong, I think this is the first time I've seen the Ladies reported on, on this site? Congrats if so.

GOT has a thread for the ladies which, I think, is clearly run by someone within the circle as they tease signings etc.

The younger fans following the ladies are also future supporters of the boys in blue, so I think if the new TW overlords can expand this coverage, it will only be for the betterment of the site.

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 17/02/2025 at 19:13:51
Matt (8), Yes I think it might be the first time Everton Ladies have been on ToffeeWeb although Inthink there was a discussion about the merits of ladies football and their ability after The Ladies World Cup Final a few years ago.

Jack on a personal level have you any record of a Jack Traynor in your family going back a long time ago to the 1920’s because there is a mass in Liverpool RC Cathedral celebrating the fact that his cure in Lourdes from an illness has just been recognised as a miracle by the Catholic Church, this occurred in 1923, on the first visit to Lourdes by a Liverpool organised visit.

It might be unlikely but you never know!

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