The final whistle blew and Everton manager Brian Sorensen turned to his bench in a blur of ecstasy. All clenched fist-pumps and roars and bellowing bear hugs.
Perhaps it is that simple: a Merseyside derby to get the blood pumping, the juices flowing, the seven-game winless run terminated. For the third successive Women’s Super League campaign, Everton picked up their first win of the campaign against rivals Liverpool, this time clinching a 1-0 victory in their final game at Goodison Park courtesy of a controversial penalty converted by Katja Snoeijs.
Their record against their neighbours is impressive: undefeated at home against Liverpool since 2017 and six games now unbeaten in total in the league against their city rivals. It’s a derby dominance that belies all form.
Heading into Sunday’s clash, the energy around Everton was one of stagnation, a team stuck in a rut — so much so that it seemed like they might not be able to overturn their form this time. At kick-off, Everton sat rooted to the bottom of the WSL, winless in seven games with just three points and two goals.
An injury crisis has deprived Sorensen of Spain midfielder Inma Gabarro (signed in the summer), Italy midfielder Aurora Galli and Scotland centre-back Kenzie Weir (injured while on loan to Glasgow City…
