Megan Finnigan, Jess Park, and Hanna Bennison score as Toffees stun Anfield

Last Saturday, Liverpool shocked everyone by defeating defending champions Chelsea at Prenton Park. However, their neighbours across Stanley Park cruelly dashed their spirits with two goals in the first half from Megan Finnigan and the superb Jess Park.

After that early dominance, the Toffees did not need to move past second gear, with Liverpool rarely posing a threat to the Everton goal, despite the influence of Megan Campbell’s risky long throws. The outcome was assured when Park released substitute Hanna Bennison, who slid home to send a packed away end into pandemonium.

Following on from Arsenal’s breaking of the Women’s Super League attendance record on Saturday, the Merseyside derby at Anfield was watched by 27,574 people, a record home audience for the Liverpool Women’s squad.

Everton manager Brian Sorensen told Sky Sports before the game that his team wanted to calm the Anfield crowd down early. A productive first 10 minutes, in which their defenders threatened from all over the field, made it possible. First, Reds goalkeeper Rachel Laws had to tip defensive partner Finnigan’s long-range drive from 25 yards over after centre-back Gabby George headed it over at close range at a corner.