Everton claim narrow WSL win over Brighton

A Brighton own goal handed Everton a 2-1 victory in the Women’s Super League as the Toffees moved closer to securing top-flight safety.

In a tightly-matched game where neither goalkeeper came under too much pressure, the first goal did not arrive until the hour mark.

Everton went ahead when twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard combined, with substitute Karen nodding a cross past Sophie Baggaley at the back post.

But the Toffees were not able to celebrate their lead for long as Brighton levelled just two minutes later.

Tatiana Pinto smashed home a rebound after Maisie Symonds hit the crossbar with a free-kick and Everton keeper Courtney Brosnan failed to clear the rebound.

Brosnan had earlier made a crucial first-half save to prevent a scuffed Elisabeth Terland shot trickling into the Everton net.

Terland has 12 goals in the league this season but never really found her footing on Friday night as she was starved of service.

Both teams mostly cancelled each other out in the middle of the park and were limited to half-chances – and it was a defensive error which gave Everton the chance to snatch the win.

While avoiding the drop has seemed a formality for some time, Everton and Brighton will both be mathematically safe by the end of the weekend unless bottom-placed side Bristol City pick up points against Liverpool on Saturday (12:30 BST).