Everton stun Liverpool in a Merseyside Derby victory away from home

Today, Liverpool faced Everton at Anfield Stadium in the Merseyside Derby. The game was full of energy, passion and then ended with Everton winning 4-1. Here is the rundown on the whole game… 

📸via www.evertonfc.com

 Starting Line ups: 

Liverpool: Faye Kirby, Gemma Evans, Grace Fisk (C), Cornelia Kapocs, Fuka Nagano, Mia Enderby, Marie-Therese Hӧbinger, Lily Woodham, Ceri Holland, Gemma Bonner, Samantha Kerr. 

Everton: Courtney Brosnan, Rion Ishikawa, Martina Fernandez Vila, Honoka Hayashi, Rosa Van Gool, Hayley Ladd, Ornella Vignola Cabot, Katie Robinson, Katja Snoeijs (C), Yuka Momiki, Mayumi Pacheco. 

At kick-off, the atmosphere in the stadium was absolutely electric from both the home and away side.  

Early in the first half, Liverpool created many chances that were blocked by Everton’s defence. In the 12^th minute, the reds’ number 7, Cornelia Kapocs scored a stunning goal into the back of the net in front of the Kop. 

In the 24^rd minute, the blues managed to make it equal with Ornella Vignola who whipped the ball behind Faye Kirby.  

The first half was very tense for both sides and Everton were up 2-1. Countless corner and free kicks were taken.  

Maz Pacheco, who makes her WSL debut for Everton, played a key part up for the blues. She provided support for her teammates and also took a corner in the 46^th minute. Maz also once became Liverpool’s youngest Womens Super League player when she debuted in March 2015 aged 16yrs old. Pacheco helped in the blues second goal at 45+3 minutes just before half time, by crossing in the ball and amazingly finished by Katja Snoeijs.  

After the halftime break, both teams were back, well underway and ready to see who would win the Merseyside derby. Everton subbed on Karen Holmgaard, Ruby Mace and Claire Wheeler to help bring depth to their squad in the second half however Liverpool had not yet made any substitutions. Within just 2 minutes, Ornella Vignola struck twice completing her hat-trick in stunning fashion leaving Liverpool stunned.  

Liverpool needed to regain confidence and began to substitute: Fuka Nagano was replaced by the reds’ new Scottish signing, Kirsty Mclean. To follow, Cornelia Kapocs was replaced by newly signed Swedish striker, Beata Olsson. 

Going into 80 minutes, the blues were 4-1 up and trying to keep hold of their winning pride. Would Merseyside be blue? Following this, Faye Kirby went down briefly but was quickly back on her feet, showing resilience. The game then paused for a moment as both teams made another round of substitutions, adding more fresh energy to the pitch.  

Full time slowly approached and the fourth official announced there would be an extra 4 minutes of time to play. 

 At full time, Everton had won and Merseyside was blue. The player of the match was of course Ornella Vignola who played the key role in Everton’s success. She’s the first Everton Player (men or women) to score a hat-trick against Liverpool since September 1931. 

Shortly after the match, Gareth Taylor stated, “My feelings are strange really because I felt the (in) first half, particularly that first 40 minutes, we were pretty good, probably better than pretty good. I think the control we had in the game was very good and then just that four minutes either side of halftime, we can just see how quickly the game can kind of get away from you.”