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London City Lionesses 0, Everton 1.
- samwraight
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
London City fell to a narrow defeat against Everton in their Barclays Women’s Super League match at the CopperJax Community Stadium.
Inma Gabarro’s second half goal was the difference after the home side dominated large parts of the contest but could not find a breakthrough.
Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan produced a fine display and was named Player of the Match in what was also Everton interim Head Coach Scott Phelan’s first game in charge following the departure of Brian Sørensen midweek.
London City made the early runnings and came close 12 minutes in through defender Alanna Kennedy’s header from a Kosovare Asllani corner.
Right-back Jana Fernández was at the forefront of much of her side’s attacking play and fashioned openings, her 30 yard-effort forced Brosnan into a save.
Australia international Kennedy was again in the thick of the action, powering a header at goal from a right-wing corner which was brilliantly headed clear by Ruby Mace. Moments later, Grace Geyoro’s glancing header from Asllani’s crossed bounced off the right-hand post.
Fernandez then saw her low effort edge just wide of goal.
At the start of the second period, both teams went close, Asllani shooting off target for the home side before Ornella Vignola did likewise for Everton.
To their credit, the Merseyside outfit grew in confidence and into the game, Gabarro cut inside and shot right footed, with the ball curling towards the top corner only for Elene Lete to make a superb one-handed save to push it away.
Fresh from netting two goals in her last two outings, winger Freya Godfrey was again a threat and carved an effort cutting in from the right but once again Brosnan did brilliantly to steer to safety.
The Toffees took the lead on the hour against the run of play, Nicole Momiki stealing the ball and feeding Gabarro who fired a fine effort past Lete.
London City continued to attack but try as they might could not find the equaliser they so craved. Forward Isobel Goodwin went close with a header, Fernandez’s dangerous cross was well gathered and Godfrey’s effort could not find the target.
Head coach Maestre said: “The result is disappointing because we wanted to win, we want to win for our fans.
“We played a lot in the opposition's half, pushing them back, having many chances from set pieces and open play as well.
“We knew with a new manager and new energies it would be difficult to manage. It was another tough game.
“We’ll now work hard to prepare for our next fixture at Manchester United next weekend.”
The result means London City sit sixth in the Barclays Women’s Super League table.
They return to Barclays Women’s Super League action on Sunday (15th February) where they travel to the North West to take on Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village.
Our next home game is on Monday 23th February against Tottenham Hotspur in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Teamsheet: Lete, Fernández, Pattinson (Roddar 74'), Corrales, Kumagai (Perez 60'), Asllani (Parris 74'), Godfrey, Goodwin, Sangaré, Kennedy, Geyoro (Van de Donk 60')